This had been one rainy week here in Cambridge! While it's good for all of our plants, it certainly does take a toll on moods. I'm happy to report though that the sun is just now starting to peek out, clouds are parting, and the last of the raindrops seem to have fallen. What a good feeling - we made it through the rain! For the past few weeks, we've chosen bright, poppy colors to grace our table settings, but this week we're taking it back to warm summer neutrals -- the kinds of colors you see all around you, accentuated by all this rain in our natural, lush landscape. In place of stark white dinnerware, we have softer colors, set against a pleasing grey background with subtle accents. Contrast is key here, with touches of black and stainless steel adding a contemporary flair.

In place of traditional placemats, we used two Chilewich Boucle Tablerunners in Salt down each side of the table, to act as one long placemat shared by each of the place settings. To stand out against the soft grey background, we used stark white Libeco Home Vence Linen Napkins in Oyster.

Each place setting featured three pieces from the Heath Ceramics Coupe Collection, including a Dinner Plate in Mist, a Bread Plate in Linen, and a Cereal Bowl in Peridot/Linen. The soft, warm colors are reminiscent of summer, and really worked well together to create a harmonious setting.

The Alessi 40 Flatware also paired beautifully with the dinnerware, with it's soft round edges and shiny stainless steel. The contrast was lovely!

We chose to go lean on glassware and simply featured these Alessi Mami Red Wine Glasses. With delicate stems and full, round tops, they are wonderfully balanced glasses, and looked fitting with this setting.

In the center of the table we set Alessi serving pieces, including this white Alessi Ovale Stoneware Serving Container, and a stainless steel Alessi Ovale Salad Bowl. Also pictured above and below, but slightly hidden, is the Alessi Programma 8 Condiment Set. Perfect for indoor or outdoor use with condiments of your choosing.

A Heath Ceramics Shallow Salad Bowl in Linen was set with the iittala Piano Workshop Serving Set. Perfect for serving sides or seasonal salads, this multi-purpose bowl can fulfill many needs.

And for hydrating on a long summer day, we chose this simple, classic Alessi Orseggi Pitcher.

Have you done any summer entertaining so far this season?