Summer Entertaining : PAPER CHASE : Casual Serving Pieces Are Perfect for Picnic and Patio

Musical dinners under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl. Peaceful early morning breakfasts on the beach. Sun-drenched picnics by the pool or in the park. These relatively informal moments are but a few of the times when paper plates can become the favored alternative to china, when plastic is preferable to crystal and when dish towels in all colors, stripes and plaids serve better than linen. Why, even some of the world’s most famous designers, such as Sir Terence Conran, are designing for the paper set. Today’s paper designs are better, bolder and more sophisticated than ever, backed up by an array of complementary solids that coordinate with each pattern to provide many different creative looks.

PRODUCED BY ROBIN TUCKER / PHOTOGRAPHS: ALISON DUKE