Watermelon August

A Watermelon-Themed Summer Dinner Party

Is there a better theme for an August gathering than watermelon? 🍉

I had so much fun with this theme that I decided to take it beyond the table and design the entire menu around it — savoury dishes included! Once I had the idea in my head, I couldn’t resist carrying the watermelon theme through as many details as possible.

The only challenge was the table setting. I didn’t actually have any watermelon-themed décor, so I had to improvise with what I already had at home.

I started with a classic red-check tablecloth, which immediately gave the table that relaxed, summery feeling I was looking for. Then I added a pack of 20 watermelon napkins. Sometimes, a few simple details are all you need to set the mood!

A DIY Table Setting

For the placemats, I decided to get creative. I used my son’s Posca markers to DIY them myself, drawing watermelon-inspired designs and adding a playful touch to each place setting.

I wasn’t quite sure how they would turn out, but I have to say, the finished result exceeded my expectations. They ended up being one of my favourite details on the table — and because they were handmade, they made the setting feel much more personal.

I love that you don’t always need to buy something new to create a beautiful tablescape. A little creativity and a few things you already have at home can go a long way.

Watermelon Rind Pickles

I also wanted to give my guests a little something to take home, so I made watermelon rind pickles five days before the party.

They were such a hit!

I love finding ways to use ingredients that might otherwise be thrown away, and watermelon rind is perfect for pickling. The pickles were a fun little surprise for the guests and fit perfectly with the theme.

A Summer Table Full of Watermelon

What I loved most about this dinner was that the theme didn’t feel too literal. The watermelon showed up in unexpected ways — from the food to the napkins and handmade placemats — while the red-check tablecloth kept everything feeling relaxed and summery.

It turned into exactly the kind of August gathering I love: colourful, playful, unfussy, and full of good food shared around a table.

And of course, I filmed the process along the way! If you’d like to see more of the details and get some inspiration for your own summer gathering, have a look at my Instagram videos — including the one featuring the full watermelon-inspired menu.

Now I want to know: what says “summer” to you? And what was your favourite detail from this dinner party? 🍉

love,

Foteini xx