This month's interior idea comes from Emily Chalmers' book Table Inspirations. For those of you with something to celebrate this month – or if you are someone who needs no excuse for a party – Emily takes glamour outdoors with decorating ideas for lunch on the lawn.

Soften the look of a metal table with a loosely woven piece of plain linen. It will blow in the breeze for a fresh, floaty, romantic look, perfect for a bright summer's day lunch, and will work equally well for a balmy early evening supper. Keep the color scheme simple and uncomplicated, using neutrals and shades of white. Natural elements, such as soapstone, raw linen, and dried flower heads, will fit in well with the setting. Take inspiration from your surroundings for colors and materials, using delicately colored flowers on the table and grasses, such as bear grass and snake grass, to tie around rolled napkins or glasses.

A plain altar candle will provide a simple centerpiece, and an ice-filled vase makes a cooling water-bottle holder. Lay each place setting with a simple large dish and a single fork to enjoy a summer salad. Fold plain linen napkins down to coaster size and place them under water glasses. Feel inspired to mix cooling summer drinks. Cut up tiny cubes of lemon and lime and add them to your ice-cube tray when you fill it. These will look and taste fabulous in a glass of sparkling spring water. Linen is the perfect fabric for a tablecloth and napkins at this event.

A bleached denim would look equally good outside, especially if an ugly table has to be hidden away. Plain unbleached cotton voile fabric is also an inexpensive way to cover an alfresco table.

Choose thick chunky glass, preferably recycled, and, if you can't decant your drinks, stick to sympathetic spring-water packaging, since these bottles are sometimes made from recycled glass themselves, with attractive labels. Hang simple lanterns made from recycled glass jars from surrounding branches so your meal can last into dusk.

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