You don't have to live near the beach to have a beach picnic. Just
set your dining room table with natural and “beach-y” elements and you're
good to go.
I have loved the elements of the sea from early
on. I have no idea where this love came from, but it has been with me since my
youth. When other kids had comic book characters on their sheets, I had fish
and sea life. I miss those sheets. I raised live fish from my high school days
until I married and had children (who, it turns out, took a lot more care than
a fifty-five gallon tank of fish!). This love, naturally, gravitated toward
tableware, and I have been collecting various forms of sea life dinner and
serve wear since the seventies.
The linens, from Pottery Barn, are favorites of
mine. They always make me feel as if I'm at a clam bake. I can almost smell the
smoke from the wood fire and the salty air.
The placemats from Pier One seemed the perfect
choice here, reminiscent of fences along the grassy dunes.
Flatware came from a Crate and Barrel picnic
basket received as a wedding gift. It's not every table that can successfully
support plastic utensils, but it works here, providing a casual, outdoor feel,
not to mention a touch of whimsy.
The salmon (natch!) rimmed chargers are from Fitz
& Floyd's “Coquilles” pattern.
Nubby white plates from Old Time Pottery seem at
home in any table setting.
The blue fish plates were an eBay find. I love how
the blue picks up the same color in the linens, and how the plates frame the
word “Menu” on the napkins. How perfect is that?
Starfish candle holders were an impulse buy at
Pier One. I bought them to cluster as a part of a centerpiece, but far prefer
having one at each place setting. It is so cozy.
The runner and sea urchins are from Pottery Barn
(the urchins are vase fillers), the driftwood fish from One King's Lane. Sea
glass vase filler from World Market adds a bit of sparkle.
As I was setting the table I noticed how perfectly
the throw and pillow went with this setting.
The pillow is one of a large number
of clever and well-made items from Heather at ElliotHeathDesigns on Etsy. You can find this exact pillow here, or check out her shop here. No matter what your decorating style she has a gorgeous pillow to
match.
Now, how about joining me for some Piña Colladas and crab cakes?
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