Summer Flowers, Summer Table

All I have to do for inspiration is to gather flowers. Flowers to form the centerpieces of my tables, and to guide their color stories.

Today inspiration came by way of early summer flowers blooming in my garden. Purples and blues with a jolt of white are in the sunny borders in the front.

 

The contrasting blossom forms of hydrangeas, Shasta daisies and calla lilies bring interest as well as color to the center.

For the place settings I started with the placemats covered in blue and purple flowers that I used in a spring table with pansies.

 

Next came beautifully detailed dinner and salad plates, found in an antique mall for next to nothing. I haven't featured them often on the blog, but you can see them in a supporting role here. It was about time I used them as the main event, topped by an intensely blue vintage glass plate. 

 

I like the way the look of a collection of flowers varies as you see them from different vantage points.

  

Napkins with a trellis border that you may remember from a table in green and white are held by pretty gold metal leaves that I've had since we married.

 

 

Two placemats laid end-to-end made an effective substitute for a table runner.

  

Two of my favorite candle holders bracket the flowers. I use them throughout the warmer months because their organic designs go well with all sorts of flower designs.

 

In case you didn't know, calla lilies come in many colors. In my garden I have three — white, pink and deep purple.

  

The deep purple calla lily is on the left in the photo below, beneath the tallest daisy.

The trees in the back have completely leafed out, shading the table inside on even the sunniest days. Through the doors are the lower patio, pergola and koi pond.

  

When you're searching for inspiration for your table designs, look no further than flowers!

 

  

  

  

Table details

Dinner, salad plate | Noritake 'Lamarre'  

Appetizer plate | Hazel-Atlas 'Newport'

Candle holders | Bordallo Pinheiro