Take summer entertaining indoors!

While we’ve written before about the opportunities that this time of year offers for outdoor entertaining, this week we’re talking about bringing summer entertaining indoors!  Sometimes you may need to move the party inside due to rain or a heat wave, or you might prefer to just enjoy the company of friends with the benefit of air conditioning.

Summer entertaining indoors

The true beauty of hosting indoors during the summer months is that you can enjoy more flexible schedules and longer daylight hours thanks to the time of year, but without having to worry about humidity or insect bites.  If this type of get-together sounds right up your alley, we’ve got some great ideas for you!

Book club brunch

We all know that book club is only partially about the book (and no judgment there).  Take advantage of the opportunity to mix thought-provoking discussion with light gossip by putting together a fun brunch spread!  Bite sized pastries, farm-fresh jams, seasonal fruits and berries, and a selection of coffee and tea are the perfect compliment to a lighthearted debate about everyone’s least favorite character and deciding on next month’s pick.

 

Chestnut Hill kitchen

Family-friendly play date

Need to entertain young kids who tell you that they’re bored just a few weeks into summer vacation?  Plan a play date with their friends!  If you have a great family room (performance fabrics and indoor/outdoor rugs a bonus), you can send the kids in there to play while keeping an eye or ear out while the grownups enjoy adult conversation and snacks in the kitchen.

Bryn Mawr family room

Relaxed dinner party

When we think about summertime dining, most of our minds automatically go to dinners al fresco as twilight descends.  However, there’s no reason that you can’t enjoy perfectly grilled salmon or steaks around the dining room table.  Fill simple platters and bowls with sides like roasted corn on the cob, caprese skewers, pasta salad, and serve everyone family-style.  Best of all, the bugs will stay outside where they belong.

Society Hill dining room

Weekend wine tasting

Do you have a wine collection of which you’re especially proud?  Share your enthusiasm with friends by hosting a casual wine tasting at home, complete with charcuterie and delicious desserts.  A fun idea is to ask everyone to bring their favorite vintage to introduce others to something new.  Best of all, you won’t have to worry about the brie melting while you chat and sip.

Main Line dining room with wine display

What’s your favorite way to bring summer entertaining indoors?  We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!

Project photography by Rebecca McAlpin

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Glenna Stone Interior Design is an award-winning Philadelphia interior design firm serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, and surrounding cities. Utilizing her background and training in interior design, architecture, and engineering, Glenna specializes in creating interiors for residential and commercial design settings. We invite you to visit our website, view our portfolio, and catch up on the latest interior design concepts on our blog

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