A Field of Tulips on a Spring Table

One of the most thrilling things in the spring is the sight of bright green shoots rising from the earth in the garden. The first belong to the crocuses and daffodils, followed in short order by TULIPS! The buds open in a rainbow of colors and it's just spectacular! 

I wanted to duplicate that exuberance of color and shape on my spring table! Gathering all my faux tulips (unabashedly less expensive than that number of real flowers), I placed them in glass and crystal vases on a delicate linen runner drenched in flowers.

The table was set in the dining room, and I was ready to join a fun spring and Easter tablescape blog hop hosted by Rita of Panoply. You'll find the table stylists who are participating in the blog hop at the bottom of the post. If you're coming from a visit to the garden bunnies at Corner of Plaid and Paisley, welcome!

My inspiration for today's table comes directly from all the gorgeous photos of the tulip fields in the Netherlands I see every spring. One of these days, I hope to see them in person!

 

I brought out my lavender tablecloth that I use frequently in the spring (and ought to have spent more time ironing, lol), with its matching napkins. Next came green glass chargers to represent all the leaves that should begin to unfurl any day now. I didn't want to compete with the flowers, so I chose white plates that are embossed on the shoulder. Turquoise tinted glassware with a vaguely tulip shape was added along with my wedding silver that I love to use.

  

The swan appears to be gracefully landing among tulips. I love the details on this pitcher, where the handle is formed of entwined stems.  I had used the swan pieces in one of my first posts on the blog. 

I like the interplay of textures — the linen of the table runner, the crocheted edge of the napkins, the embossed shoulder of the plates, the cross-hatch design of the chargers, and the handles of the silverware. I think it's the mixture of details that make tablescapes interesting.

  

The goblets are etched in a design that looks to me like dandelion seed heads. Found in the summer at one of the local antique malls, I'm still researching the manufacturer and pattern name. Daisies are cut into the vase next to it.

  

I carried the theme to the buffet with another vase of tulips and lavender candles.

Flowers cover the napkin rings, in colors similar to the tulips.

  

Tulips form the cups of the candle holders on the backs of the swans. Their poses are so realistic!

  

I included the small tulip covered compote to serve after-dinner chocolates.

I've only got a few early tulips blooming in the garden — a half dozen that are orange with pink stripes, and a single pink one. These are safely planted in pots on the patio. I also have some in the front garden, but the deer often find them sooner than I do. Sigh...

The flowers are colorful, dynamic. And they make me smile!

  

The flowers on the buffet are more restrained,

while the field of tulips on the table are anything but!

Table details

Chargers | Villeroy & Boch 'Verona'

Plates | Villeroy & Boch 'Manoir'

Glassware | vintage

Ceramic swans | Fitz and Floyd

Vases | various

Flatware | Reed & Barton 'Eighteenth Century'

 

Thanks to Rita of Panoply for organizing this Spring and Easter blog hop! I know you'll enjoy visiting all the talented stylists! Next up is the Bookish Dilettante with her casual Easter tablescape.  

  

 

        List of participants

            Everyday Living - The Joys of Easter

            The Little Yellow Corner Store - Funny Bunny Fern and Her Breakfast Tablescape

            Me and My Captain - Spring Is In the Air

            Red Cottage Chronicles - Fruit and Flowers Spring Tablescape

            Living with Thanksgiving - The Joy of Spring

            Life and Linda - Bunnies Pedaling Toward Easter

            Hyacinths for the Soul - Garden Party on the Terrace

            Home Is Where the Boat Is - Hop To It

            Panoply - Blissful Signs of Spring / Easter Tablescape

            My Hubbard Home - Busy Bunny Easter Table

            My Thrift Store Addiction - Rabbits and Roses Garden Tea for Two

            Thrifting Wonderland - Easter Table in Black and White

            Karins Kottage - Children's Easter Table in Bright Colors

            The Painted Apron - Spring Piggy Party!

            Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Bunnies in the Garden

            Dinner at Eight - A Field of Tulips on a Spring Table  (you are here!)  

            The Bookish Dilettante - Casual Easter Tablescape

            Pandora's Box - Here Comes Peter Cottontail