Last week, we chose a perfect day to bring some friends together at Harpsden Court for the first al fresco lunch of the summer. The last of Gigi's fabulous tulips were gathered to adorn the place, looking divine alongside ODD's soon-to-be launched woven stripes.

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No strangers to arranging, early arrivals Sean Pritchard & Robin Lucas were put to work on the tulips as more guests emerged through the drawing room window, which opens as a door onto the garden.

 

For aperitifs, we floated tulip petals in rose negronis. Gigi, whose talents know no end, prepared a majestic platter of crudités and tulip canapés, to enjoy as we wondered the garden and admired the view of the Chiltern hills beyond.

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We made an especially smart rocker and verandah for the setting, with an outer in Elephant, a custom fringe and sofa in one of the new stripes. It made the perfect spot for catching up before lunch.

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Then we all settled down for a feast devised by Gigi, on a table run against the house, watching the sun slowly arc across the sky, drawing a close to a day we wished would never end.