Gorgeous Flowers Style a Charming Table for Mother's Day

An arrangement of absolutely gorgeous flowers that I received were the starting point for styling a charming table! Since they were from my daughter it felt right to design a Mother's Day celebration! Come join me at the table. 

 

      

I've set a table for three, envisioning a brunch shared with both my daughter and my mother-in-law. A celebratory girls' day if you will!

 

      

Across the table I laid a runner in a lovely pastel blue that hints at rococo textile design with its asymmetrical, organic forms focusing on delicately exaggerated florals. The looping strands on the rattan chargers add another organic layer in warm tones. 

 

I love the contrast of the vibrant flowers against the cooler blue tones of the runner.

 

       

I was ecstatic when I brought the runner home several years ago and discovered the color was a nearly perfect match to the hues of the leaves on the dinner plates.

 

       

I considered white napkins for a bright complement, but chose instead soft blue ones. They are clasped by flower-covered rings that echo one of the colors in the centerpiece. The rings were recently featured in Springing Into View — A Blossoming Table.

 

Now for the plate stack! The dinner plate with the repeating leaf-and-flower motif is my mother's wedding china. The delicate eggshell porcelain was used for almost every holiday or celebration at her house and survived nearly intact. My sister and I now each have half her set; I've added to mine over the years. Above it sits my white salad plate with a dimensional scallop edge that I've used often, as in Blues and Blooms for a Country French Table. And on top sits a lovely antique plate that my daughter gave me! You can see another table with these plates in Thoughts of Pansies for a Spring Table.

 

           

 Using my mother's plates and those from my daughter — and her flowers — makes this a very special table!

 

       

Since I've envisioned a brunch, each of the diners has a cup and saucer; they more clearly display my mom's pattern. I love the platinum lines inside the cup, on the foot and on the saucer.

 

But a brunch also calls for a glass of wine or a pretty cocktail. These are simple cut glass goblets with more ornate stems.

 

        

 The depth of color on the flowers is breath-taking!

 

        

Alongside the centerpiece sits a coffee set with pretty swirls. Serving as a trivet is a lovely hand-crafted charcuterie/serving board. The wood goes along with the rattan chargers.

 

Although I've styled this expressly for Mother's Day, any spring table can be elevated in a similar way by adding table decor that has a special tie to your mother, grandmother, aunt — or daughter!

 

Table details

Dinner plates, cups, saucers | Homer Laughlin 'Nautilus N1829' (1940s-1950s)

Salad plates | Villeroy & Boch 'Manoir'  

Small plates | Hutschenreuther Selb Bavaria (early 1900s)   

Cut glass goblets | Fostoria 'Holly Clear' (1942-1980)    

Coffee service | Haviland Limoges 'Torse White' (post-1950) 

  

 

   

Spring's Stunning Colors Transform My Garden

After an unusually dry winter punctuated by days of ice and temperatures in the single digits, spring has exploded with color during warm, sunny days!  I'm excited to share with you today all the colors in my garden as spring progressed!

 

Bloom times for camellia shrubs can range from fall (for my light pink Camellia sasanqua) to spring, depending on the species and variety. The last two of the Camellia japonica in my garden burst into color in early March. Covered in red flowers, this blooms next to our side door.

 

    

Nestled under the dogwoods in the front yard is a deep pink variety of camellia

Bunnies and Cupcakes: An Easter Table for Kids

Flowers are blooming, trees are leafing out, birds are singing — a sure sign that spring's arrival is accelerating. Houses are being decorated with lighter colors and playful touches to echo spring's sunnier mood. Welcome to my table inspired by several Easter baskets that had belonged to my daughter which were stored and forgotten. I had kept these baskets because they were woven of natural materials dyed pretty colors.

 

I originally planned a table around the lovely plates

Springing Into View — A Blossoming Table

I can see it — can you? Spring is quickly coming into view and I am ready for it! I'm ready for the warmth of longer days and for the greening of my garden. 

 

While the trees have yet to leaf out, the last of my camellias are covered in lovely pink flowers and spring bulbs have begun to bloom in the garden. Together they've inspired a blossoming table! Come and view it with me!

 

          

I'm especially delighted today

Magical Irish Tablesetting in Delightful Greens and Golds

March has arrived, announced by dozens of daffodils blooming in my yard. Their cheery yellow and gold petals and bright green leaves are just in time for one of the most lighthearted of holidays — St. Patrick's Day! It's a day to don some green, believe in good luck, sing lovely Irish ballads and shout Slainté while raising my glass, all to celebrate my Irish heritage (on both sides of my family). Before that, though, I love decorating my house with green and gold and a sprinkling of Celtic patterns and Irish symbols.

 

I've also set a table that I'm delighted to share with you today! I like to think it captures the magical Irish spirit.