Outdoor entertaining gets a playful punch

There’s a variety of fun, decorative items for dressing up your gathering.

Associated Press

With the arrival of summer, it’s time to gear up for some serious barefoot fun.

Bold tableware, cushions and accessories are backyard-ready in an array of juicy citrus hues and patterns that evoke a cool urban feel or a crowd-at-the-cottage vibe.

Set a candy-apple-red table with artsy place mats and dishes that look like they’ve been fashioned from Fourth of July fireworks. Flora- and fauna-patterned plates are folk-art inspired, while black-and-white graphics add designer drama to serveware.

Whether the party takes place on a lakeside porch or a sophisticated poolside terrace, there are vibrant linens to dress up the table. Umbrellas and lanterns invite revelers to linger, no matter how sunny or how late the day is.

Some examples:

UCrate and Barrel red lantern ($24.95), flowerburst tablecloth ($19.95-$26.95) and Aegean paisley outdoor pillow ($24.95-$34.95), www.crateandbarrel.com.

UThe Conran Shop shady lace green plastic umbrella ($550) www.conranusa.com.

UPier 1 painted wood dining table and folding chair ($298), coral print outdoor cushion ($25), wire hanging lanterns ($20), hand-painted canvas umbrella ($50) www.pier1.com.

UMoMa store mosaic place mat by Liora Manne ($18) www.momastore.org.

UHome Infatuation outdoor wicker bench/coffee table ($479.95) www.homeinfatuation.com/.

UAngela Adams laminated silkscreened fabric trays ($10-65) www.angelaadams.com.

UAnthropologie dinnerware ($12-16) and spotty horn and resin servers set ($20) www.anthropologie.com.

UZ Gallerie papillon plates ($31.80 for four), giraffe napkins ($23.80 for four) and cha cha napkin rings ($23.80 for four) www.zgallerie.com.

UC.S. Post & Co. gingham and polka dot melamine plates ($3-5) www.cspost.com.

UThomas Paul melamine folk dinner plates ($4-36) www.curiosityshoppeonline.com.

UFrench Bull wrought irony melamine plate ($10), bold stripe servers ($15 for two), mosaic melamine containers ($30 for three), www.givesimple.com.