Simple, Serene Summer Tablescape

  How does the song go? “Summertiiiiime, and the living is easy.” That’s going to be my plan for the entire summer of 2024. Easy living, peace, serenity. No complicated food or plans, just relaxing and enjoying. That’s what I had in mind when I created this table — simple and serene.

Even though this is a low maintenance and serene table, that does not mean that it isn’t attractive. I started with the tablecloth that I found in a closet recently and had completely forgot buying. I loved not just the pattern, but the quiet colors. That’s not to say that I don’t like bold colors, but there’s something about entering the summer season, that I like to do quietly.

Rustic chargers are on top of Woven Placemats giving it a simple farmhouse look.

 

The dinnerware is one of my absolute favorites. It is by Portmeirion, and a part of their 'Garden Roses' collection. The salad plate on top has the same pattern as the plate below.

The cup and saucer are also from Portmeirion, from the 'Garden Harmony' collection and complement the plates quite well.The hammered flatware by Mikasa in the 'Opulent' pattern reflects light in various angles as it bounces off each facet. The napkins, from Amazon, in deep green, pair nicely. 

The glazed pitcher in the center, I found here, is filled with a spray of simple grasses.

 

It is flanked on either side by etched crystal, antique candlesticks that the Late Mr. O-P bought me for our first Christmas together. I had thought about using white candles here, but I gave the green a try and I really liked it. I think the green candles keep the table from being washed out. 

The glassware is from La Rocher. These glasses work equally well for water as they do wine, shrimp cocktail, or a dessert mousse. I find them very versatile.I hope that you plan to relax and make the living easy for your family this summer. Enjoy each day.

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 This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

Country Bunnies Tablescape

 

This table is set for a country Easter brunch. I started with the rustic bunnies holding faux hydrangea blossoms, and glazed pitcher, filled with faux grasses for the centerpiece, and went from there.

This table setting came together very quickly, because I used so many elements from my previous table. Let this be a lesson to you, a few changes, particularly where color is concerned, and you have an entirely different look.

 

 The plate stack features a variety of colors and textures. The chargers are Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage plates, topped with Amelie Versailles dinner plates in white, topped with bamboo salad plates, topped with a Blue Ombre appetizer plate by Pfaltzgraff in their “Logan” pattern, on top of which I have lovely vintage glass tea cups with matching saucers, perfect for holding a cup of cold summer soup prior to the meal. That is quite a descriptive sentence, and quite a plate stack, isn’t it?

 

My mother made the sweet bunny napkins many years ago. I had completely forgotten about them until I started digging around in the Easter decorations and there they were. I’m so happy to have them at my table.

 

 The silver, freshly polished, is by International in the “Contessa” pattern. A friend gifted it to me, and I absolutely love it. I am one of those people who does not mind at all polishing silver.

 The cups are simple white cappuccino cups, the water glasses Villeroy & Boch.

Overnight guests gifted the pale green teapot to Jim and me years ago. The country cottage sugar and creamer set belonged to my mother. I had no idea that she had this set until I unearthed it when I was emptying out her and dad‘s house. I have had them on display in my home ever since.

 

I think you will agree that this is a charming and serene table for an Easter brunch.

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Dinner in the Vineyard Tablescape

 

As I mentioned a number of months ago, I have challenged myself to take one (or more) items from one week’s tablescape to include in my next tablescape. Because the last one differed greatly in both color and style, the only thing that I was able to bring forward was the Mikasa hammered “Opulent” flatware. This table is one of my favorites of all I’ve created this year. In my attempt at organizing, I ran across this beautiful fabric that I bought more than a decade ago (for what purpose I have no idea), and it was my inspiration. I turned it into a table topper, and went from there.

 I did not use any placemats because I wanted as much of the tablecloth to show through as possible. In keeping with the Italian theme table covering, the charger plates are ceramic imports from Italy. They are topped with square black dinner plates on which I have placed square plates in a grape pattern from Tabletops Unlimited (their “Cabernet” pattern).

 

I picked up the color of the grapes in the glassware; the water glasses in a beautiful shade of green are by Villeroy & Boch, the purple goblets I found here.I chose green napkins from Urban Villa, and really liked the look. The cups and saucers, in mint green, are some of my favorites. I enjoy my morning cappuccino in one every day.

 The three-tiered tray in the center of the table was purchased years ago from a local furniture store that, sadly, went out of business about 15 years ago.  It was called Oak Tree Furniture, and I still miss it.

 

Faux grapes and greenery fill all three sections of the tray, as well as the deep purple votives that I also have at each place setting.Some bottles of wine from a local Vintner will be enjoyed during the meal, as well light from the flickering candle in the Chianti bottle.

 

Italian food will be served at this table, more than likely Steak Modiga*, a personal favorite.

 *Recipe coming soon!

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This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

A Horse of a Different Color Tablescape

 

Remember last week when I said that I was going to start taking one element from each table setting, and bring it forward to create a new table setting? What is it they say about the best-laid plans? I knew exactly what I was going to do with my next table, and had it pictured perfectly in my mind. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the dishes that I had intended to use. I spent three days looking for that set of dishes! Now, I ask you, how can you lose service for 12? I managed to do it. So instead of bringing forward the dark blue stemware as I had anticipated, I brought forward the yellow Waechtersbach dinner plates.

With summer coming to a close, I wanted to work in a number of shore table settings. This one started with another quilt as the base, one that I had gotten a number of years ago from L.L. Bean, and that I think I’m going to start using in the guest bedroom.

I wanted to pick up all of the colors in the quilt, along with a coral accent. I started out with the Bordallo Pinheiro geranium leaf chargers (that have endlessly served me well). The yellow Waechtersbach dinner plate from my last tablescape (that you can find here) is atop them. Finishing off the plate stack is a lovely square “Stamp Seahorse” plate by Maxcera.

 The salmon (appropriate, no?) colored water glass is one that I bought 40 years ago, specifically to use with a the set of dishes that I can’t find. I have no idea as to the manufacturer. The turquoise stem glass is from Pier One.

The Cambridge Silversmiths flatware with the bamboo handles is from Amazon here, as are the oyster shell shaped dishes that work well for sauces, condiments, or pats of butter.

I love the coral reef napkins here. I was so excited when I saw these on Amazon. I thought they gave just the right pop to this table with their coral (reference to sea life there) and turquoise blue colors.

The centerpiece is quite showy here. This pair of pelicans, with wonderful detailing at the base, are from Fitz & Floyd. Behind them, looking a bit like sea oats, is a candle holder, believe it or not.

 

This is a wonderfully serene table setting, I can almost hear the sea. Be sure to come back next time to see what piece from this table will be used in my next.

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  This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

Sizzling Summer Tablescape

It’s amazing how one small change can alter your entire household. I recently discovered blanket hangers. You’re probably wondering where I’ve been all these years that I didn’t know about them; I can in no way defend myself. I chalk it up to cluelessness. I will say that these things are great! Instead of storing my quilts on the downstairs guest bed, stacked one on top of the other, making it appear as though there were three mattresses rather than two, I now have them freshly laundered, lightly pressed, and hanging up in my closet.

 

You’re probably wondering why I’m talking about these in a post that’s about tablescapes. It’s because this table is the result of my discovering blanket hangers, because at the same time I discovered the blanket hangers, I also rediscovered the quilt that I used here as a tablecloth. I bought this during my colorful bohemian stage just after Mr. O-P passed. I was eager to change things up to begin the next chapter in my life, and didn’t entirely think things through. This quilt, purchased six years ago from Urban Outfitters, was part of my effort to completely redecorate the guest bedroom. In giving it a fresh new look, I was curious as to how it would look on my table. I know a lot of people use quilts as table coverings, but that’s really not my style. I enjoy making my statement with plate stacks. Today, however, I threw caution to the wind, and honestly think it works.I decided to use every color that I found in this quilt beginning with the centerpiece, a green Tulipiere into which I placed a variety of faux tulips.

From there I was off and running, grabbing red, blue, and orange.
Water hyacinth placemats make up the base and they are topped with white washed rustic tin chargers that I purchased at a local shop. Rustic orange melamine plates from Williams-Sonoma will be used for dinner, the bold Sicily ceramic salad plates, also from W-S are on top.

Orange flatware and napkins are from Amazon, as well as the red rose napkin rings.

The red stemmed water glasses are by Villeroy and Boch; the champagne flutes that will be used for sparkling lemonade. I found here.

Cupcakes are for dessert, and they will be served in these darling domed cupcake stands that I found at wayfair.com.Make your summer and table settings awash with color. Stay cool!

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 This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

 

Festive Fall Tablescape

I honestly had no idea what I was doing with this table setting. It’s kind of a hodgepodge of all things fall. My aunt was coming for lunch to help me celebrate my birthday, so I decided to use some of my favorite things at the table in the conservatory. I used a chocolate brown tablecloth topped with a bohemian style runner, and woven placemats.

Number two son had brought me this lovely bouquet of flowers. The prior year he had brought me the skull planter with a succulent in it, but considering the succulent had outgrown that planter, I decided to use it as a vase, and loved the outcome.

 

The plates (that I had lost track of for almost a year) are my favorites for fall. They are by Maxcera and are the sunflower pattern. The green chargers (that weigh a ton!) I inherited from my mother. They have no markings on the bottom other than that they are made in Italy. I paired these with yellow stemware, and rust napkins.

 

The BoHo napkin rings are a new acquisition, and I just love them! You can find them here. They are packaged beautifully, and come with their own comb!

 

The mugs are a new acquisition as well. I thought they would pair nicely with a dark and spooky table using solely black and green, but they worked here as well.

The leaf bowls that I used for salsa are actually a partof a relish set. It’s rare that I use the relish set, but quite often that I use the bowls. In some pictures you will see little amber tea light holders. I used those to give a lovely glow to the table when the skies turned dark and ugly.

We had a delightful lunch and I suppose that’s all that matters. Hope you are enjoying a colorful fall!

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 This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday