One of our all-time favourite ways to entertain is with a styled bar cart - vibrant, personal, and oh-so charming.

• Paint in cheerful hues: If you’re revamping a trolley, spray paint it with a summery shade like a pastel aqua or a classic gold lacquer never fails to add a touch of glam

• Add pe rsonal touches: Add something meaningful like a framed photo or a wildflower from your garden.

• Greenery adds life: A trailing ivy or mini rosemary plant brings freshness and fragrance - plus, it doubles as a cocktail garnish!

• Choose the right height: If you’re mixing drinks, a taller trolley saves you from hunching all evening.

• Glassware is key: Use elegant - or eclectically matched - glasses and decanters. It’s all about the ceremony…pouring it into a lovely glass…like having tea out of a china teacup

We love to have flowers on the table, even if it’s single large daisies, or roses, in lots of different sized jars…it doesn’t need to cost a lot.

Having candles in second-hand mismatched candelabras and lots of tea lights in jars is rather magical. There is nothing like a candlelit dinner!

Some of our tried and tested favourite touches are personalised napkins, a handwritten memory of your guest, a little bottle or a favour of something homemade to take away…it’s all about making your guests feel special.

Serve soft drinks in large glass containers with a tap – we love homemade Ginger Beer, Elderflower Fizz and Watermelon and Lime Refresher – you can find our recipes for these family favourites in A Taste of the Chateau.

A big party doesn’t have to be stressful - prep what you can, then you’re free to mingle and savour the moment.

Whilst there is always a buzz in the kitchen, it’s important not to forget how crucial it is to think about how you will be serving up and the atmosphere you want to create.

Discuss the ‘service’ early in the planning by going through the menu and agreeing what everything will be served on. Once you’re armed with this info you can start to work out how much table space you will have available to decorate!

We love fairy lights! String them above the garden or patio, or pop battery operated ones into large jars for a twinkling centrepiece. Lanterns filled with citronella candles are practical and atmospheric.

If you’re able to section a ‘chill out’ area of your outside space, you can create a cosy seating nook with cushions and blankets - perfect if the air turns cool after dusk.

Little ones can help arrange flowers, serve bread, or garnish drinks - and they’ll feel like VIPs.

It’s a lovely way to make them feel involved and they’ll learn some hosting skills along the way!

Summer entertaining is all about joy, warmth, and creativity. From a lovingly styled bar cart to garden blooms and family crafts, these little touches can transform an evening into something magically memorable.

Here’s to making your next gathering unforgettable!