Outdoor Entertaining

Inspired by the High Line, CetraRuddy’s geometric picnic basket won the highest bid at the fund-raiser. The spread featured lush greens and blues to mimic the look and feel of the elevated park in New York.

The picnic design by Mong/Todorova featured Japanese details, including a paper umbrella and cherry blossom linens, along with a centerpiece of red roses.

MoDMade's basket was shaped like a pair of giant headphones; each end detached to reveal embedded speakers—ideal for outdoor entertaining. Keeping with the theme, the plates resembled vinyl records.

Inspired by George Seurat's painting "A Sunday in the Park With George," the picnic spread designed by Rixner & Wright and created by Hohl Furnishings featured bold turquoise and a dining set from Lenox.

Rixner & Wright invited everyone to its picnic, including Fido, with his own on-theme doggy bed and accoutrements.

Gensler’s design consisted of gray felt nesting boxes with an assortment of gourmet snacks and wood plates.

Sferra paid homage to seaside living with nautical linens and Kelly green and bright yellow dishware.

VDA Design’s setup featured a suitcase-style cork basket, along with block letters and chalkboard signage.

Nile Johnson Interior Design’s basket resembled a tiny house, complete with a small chimney, and included cozy details like rustic napkin rings and earthy dinnerware.

The creation by Hollymount included a tie-dye-inspired picnic blanket tucked into a decorative basket.

For the HBO Emmy after-party in August 2010, event designer Billy Butchkavitz concocted a “summer safari” theme that featured animal-print tablecloths in preppy pink and banana and palm trees as high as 30 feet.

A fire pit next to the arrivals area kept HBO's guests warm at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.

Tall palms topped the zebra-print bar during the cocktail reception at Michael "Pinball" Clemons Foundation's safari-theme gala in March 2010, which was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville, Toronto.

Whimsical animal napkin rings provided by Jedando Modern Handicrafts, a Kenyan organization, marked each place setting at the Michael “Pinball” Clemons Foundation's gala.

Dense arrangements of tropical plants were suspended between white pillars, creating a jungle-like canopy effect at the Museum of Modern Art’s 2013 Party in the Garden in New York.

At the Adam Lippes for Target preview in New York last year, David Stark Designs set up a rooftop garden for a picnic-style event using Adam Lippes blankets, pillows, and travel bags.