The Art of Outdoor Hospitality

The Emu Milano showroom recently hosted a special event in collaboration with the Accademia del Galateo, focusing on the art of welcoming guests in outdoor spaces. The initiative explored how to manage outdoor environments by examining two main types of hosting: the informal buffet and the seated dinner.
The event offered valuable insights into how to transform an outdoor setting into a truly welcoming place. As the experts highlighted, furnishing an outdoor space should not be limited to an architectural or functional approach: since these areas are meant for relaxation and well-being, it is essential to create an atmosphere that promotes harmony and social interaction.

Guiding the discussion was a quote by Umberto Eco: “Space speaks, even when we don’t want to listen: it tells of cultural conventions, lifestyles, and sensibilities.” This reflection serves as an invitation to rethink outdoor environments not only in terms of aesthetics, but also in light of etiquette and a renewed concept of hospitality.
Every decision – from design to furniture style, down to layout choices – becomes an act of communication, expressing the identity of those who inhabit the space and the way they choose to welcome others. It’s an invitation to design with awareness and sensitivity, turning every outdoor gathering into a moment of genuine connection.