Created by Lauren Fritscher
Photographs by Rachel Gorrie and Tricia McCormick
While you don’t need more than a simple sandwich and a Berkshires view to have a glorious picnic, a few extras make it even more magical. We asked Lauren Fritscher, founder of Berkshire Muse, a company that curates events and experiences, to set up some special spreads for us. They’re all different, but all “designed to encourage presence and ease,” she says. Borrow her ideas for settings that will make you want to relax and linger—and may even make you the envy of everyone at Tanglewood.
“This one is classic Berkshires, casual and effortless. You could be driving down the street and you see a beautiful place and just pull over and have a picnic. Or maybe it’s the field by your house or at Tanglewood. I love mixing pieces that I already own. I’ll think, ‘I have this quilt, and these pillows, and some vases from my grandmother that I can use.’ Look within your home.”
“I like to drink out of a real wineglass, and I want to use real silverware,” says Fritscher. “The plates can always be melamine.” She wraps the glasses in linen napkins before packing them, then uses the napkins at the picnic. The tops of vintage picnic baskets double as serving surfaces. Comfortable folding chairs are a must.
“Here’s an intimate entertaining moment. You can do this in a clearing in your backyard or anywhere, really. The low table is set and the food is styled with pops of color and ready for sharing.”
Mixed checks and stripes make a cheery setting. A rug brought out from indoors and a tent-style cover define the space and create the feeling of an outdoor room. Pillows are comfy seating.
Fresh fruit and baked goods taste great after a morning swim. Throw a breezy cloth over a table for the buffet, and set up a small folding table beside rattan chairs (from Berkshire Greenscapes, see page 23) to keep things within easy reach.
“Breakfast on a dock, with bare feet, mimosas, and baskets filled with simple things, just says summer to me. Bring your book and plan to stay for the day.”
“I was inspired by the idea of the African sundowner, the longtime tradition of having cocktails after a day on safari. A hike in the Berkshires is another adventure you can celebrate with drinks and snacks, in an elevated tailgate.”
Before heading out on a hike, pack a picnic and the makings for cocktails and mocktails, then set up a bar, snacks, and sandwiches as soon as you’re done. Canvas sling chairs and stools give a camping vibe. Lauren likes to tuck a game, like dominos or a deck of cards, into a picnic basket.
Special thanks to Spirited, Lenox, for the beverages (spirited-wines.com) and Danny Bell of 7&23 Motor Sales, Great Barrington for use of the vintage Range Rover.
