Katharine is known as the social butterfly of Oriana B and loves nothing more than to host a good party! She is well regarded in our social circles for her New Year's Day Soirees, scintillating dinner parties but especially her summer al fresco garden parties! For our 2023 Garden Collection she set out to create the perfect assortment of pieces for garden parties this summer, filled with colour, character and her signature eclectic style.
A natural host, Katharine loves nothing more than having friends over!
When it came to furniture, she sought to curate a collection that was perfect to mix and match across the range, with complementary colours of red, oranges, green and blue. With varying styles of chairs that you can style in little scenes across your garden, this collection is perfect for hosting pockets of giggling guests as the garden party wears on. Katharine loves to pair a couple of deck chairs under a textured umbrella for a spot to relax with a cocktail and some good company.
Ice Blue Garden Table €195 | Burgundy Garden Chair €150 | Jungle Outdoor Cushion €20| Decorative Garden Turtle €25 | Riviera Inspired Ceramic Dinner Set 18 Pieces €160 | Aztec Inspired Garden Umbrella €310 | Clamart Cocktail Glass €20 | Clamart Wine Glass €20
Mix and match our bistro set shades and allow party goers to pull up a chair at the table of their choosing, leaving plenty of space for dancing in between! Our gorgeous meal bistro sets come in delicious colours like ochre yellow, ice blue, and burgundy, ideal for a mix and match table plan for large parties and buffet style eating. After eating you can sneak away with a friend or two to a cosy corner with an outdoor rug and deck chairs for gossip and a cocktail in the hazy summer evening.
Striped Rug Coral €300 | Clamart Green Wine Glass €20 | Clamart Green Cocktail Glass €20 | Antique Brass Lantern 2 Sizes €53 | Pale Turquoise Throw €65 | Striped Red & White Deck Chair €130 | Outdoor Stool Table €130
A master at canapés and cocktails, Katharine wanted to create a dining and glassware collection filled with personality to compliment her typical summer menus. Having lived in Spain for many years, Katharine carries Mediterranean influences into her food menu and wanted to reflect that in the table. Our ceramic dinnerware sets are the perfect tableware accessories for creating an atmosphere of Mediterranean charm in any al fresco display. Each piece is exquisitely colour-filled and made from hard-wearing ceramic making it dishwasher safe and perfect for quick and easy clean up after a late dinner party. Their gorgeous intricate design of floral and mandala motifs makes them the perfect tableware and sure to be conversation starters.
Decorative Acrylic Wine Glass €12 | Decorative Medium Highball Glass €11 | Black and Teak Folding Armchair €205 | Outdoor Stool Table €130 | Teak OutdoorMushrooms Set of 3 €155 | Large Stone Effect Urn Planter €130 | Parrot Pitcher €55
Experience the elegance of summer with our lovely new glassware. From shatterproof acrylic options to French glassware, Katharine wanted to cover all bases for summer refreshments. Our acrylic glasses come in three sizes and their pretty detailing make them an elevated option for stress-free drink service as a busy host. She especially loves the high ball size for making fruity summer drinks like mojitos and her favourite Pimms (complete with Parrot Pitcher for the classic OB irreverent touch!). Our Clamart Wine and Cocktail glasses are for those small get-togethers with your favourite people under an umbrella with shaker-fresh margaritas and a bowl full of nibbles.
Katharine with her friends Venetia and Lori enjoying a sunny al fresco experience!
Ever the professional, Katharine invited two of her garden party-loving friends, Venetia and Lori, around to quality test her curated collection. After several rounds of cocktails and a post-midnight finish time, we can rest assured that this really is the ultimate character filled garden party collection!
Katharine Deas
Q&A with Katharine
A little one-to-one with Katharine about our new garden party collection for summer!
What do you love about being outdoors during summer?
Meeting with friends outdoors and especially the sunshine really makes people come alive! I think it’s the combination of fresh air and nature that gives everyone a spring in their step and the conversation always flows.
What are your most-loved pieces throughout this collection?
This summer, I love the new coloured bistro ranges - the burgundy is a real fave for me as it contrasts brilliantly with the green in my garden. I’m also mad about the tableware sets because summer tableware really adds a zing to al fresco dining, the summer sun makes it possible to use colours that the Irish rain doesn’t allow!
Burgundy Garden Table €195 | Elephant Candle Holder €25 | Amalfi Inspired Ceramic Dinner Set €160 | Lobster Placemats Set of 4 €35 | Gold Cheetah Coasters Set of 4 €36 | Decorative Acrylic Wine glass €12 | Decorative Acrylic Highball Glass €11 | Decorative Small Acrylic Tumbler €10 | Parrot Pitcher €55
What is your go-to beverage on a hot summers evening?
Well being from the UK, I can’t get over a Pimms and Lemonade in the summer. I like to mix up a jug and add mint, cucumber and plenty of ice, it’s the perfect easy drinking summer aperitif. Pimms need to be served in tall glasses and I’m a big fan of our new outdoor plastic highball glasses that take the stress out of serving drinks outside.
What does your ideal outdoor dining day look like?
My husband is a fabulous cook (fortunately) and really enjoys a good bbq. So usually he will prep the food and I’ll be in charge of making the outdoors look welcoming. I’ll put out the outdoor rugs and seat cushions and lay the table with summer tableware and glassware. I like to have quite a few people over and make sure everyone feels welcome so we often have our friends, our kids’ friends, our friends' kids and even our friends’ kids’ friends!
Why is colour and pattern important to incorporate within a summers collection?
Making the most of the Irish sun is really important - we don’t get enough of it, so welcoming it with colour and pattern makes the most of it! On a practical level, colour is also much harder for outdoor use - rugs and cushions with patterns definitely wear better than neutrals so you don’t notice the odd mark so much.
Lastly, day-time busy garden parties or cosy wine summer evenings?
Oh this is so hard - both have their place although I will confess that most of the time, our lunch parties tend to end up as cosy wine summer evenings! Day to night is definitely a theme in our house and I always have throws, LED lights and candles to hand so that everyone is comfortable.
Explore the full Garden Party Collection here.
Cathy
I love the ochre table and chairs, don’t mind about the chairs but want a table to wear out all year round, is it sturdy like wrought iron so in high winds it stays standing.?.