Tea Time

Use a kitchen peninsula such as this to bridge the hosting duties you are completing in the kitchen with your guests who are relaxing on the other side--place the food and tea out as a buffet, and be on hand to refine and refill as necessary.

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In a formal dining room, save room on the table and serve from a side buffet.

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Spread white linen, add a floral centerpiece, and fill the buffet and sideboard with hot coffee, tea, sandwiches and biscuits, and you have a simple and refined way to entertain a crowd of guests.

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Create a portable service on a rolling cart and serve your guests in a completely new setting. Settle into soft chairs with treats within reach.

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Tea for two in a bedroom can be so cozy, and can spark surprising and unforgettable conversations.

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Tea in the privacy of your bedroom--first thing in the morning or last thing at night--can calm and ground you.

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Offer your children their own little mugs and serve them herbal teas such as peppermint, rooibos, and vanilla. This can be a hydrating and healthy alternative to hot chocolate.

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Devote part of your open shelving to a selection of mugs, cups and saucers, sugar bowls, and sterling tea spoons. When not in use, they provide a beautiful background to your kitchen.

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If you serve tea as a signature guest offering, or if you drink it throughout the day as you work from home, streamline the process by keeping items out and available--aesthetically awesome, of course. In my own kitchen, I keep a tea box of selections and a thermal dispenser for pumping hot tea out at a moment's whim as I work from home and play with my children.

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Bellying up to a bar works, too. In this instance, save yourself some trouble and create a spread of tea and snacks for the guests to grab at will.

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What a wonderful patio space for getting under a quilt in this chaise lounge, lighting the fire, and sipping and reading.

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Recreate your cozy living room in an outdoor lounge area surrounding a fireplace (or pit). Blocked from cold wind, this is a perfect space to tuck away and drink. To keep tea warm in cold weather, fill a thermal (I love my Zojirushi) dispenser with piping water. Warm the cream before coming outside.

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If your winter is warmer--or if you have outdoor warmers or simply a heavy coat--consider taking things outside. Out of context, and highly refreshing with warming food and drink, this could be your most invigorating chat yet.

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Ideally within proximity of the kitchen, and keeping the atmosphere intimate and casual, a seating area off to the side provides a great space to sit and chat.

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With this couch flanking the kitchen, tea and scones can be prepared while the casual guest hangs out on the couch. When ready to serve, carry the tea service in one or two trips to the coffee table. Sit. Sip.

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