A French Inspired Tablescape

Summertime, more than any other season, calls for evenings spent around a casual dinner table, with good food shared with good friends! Ideally they would be al fresco but with our days pummeled by recurring thunderstorms, I've decided to set this evening's table indoors.

 

For inspiration I looked to France, to honor Greg's ancestry and France's national holiday celebrated on July 14th (la Fête nationale française).

 

   

The color theme of blue, white and red I chose is that of the French flag. I then selected items that represent France or suggest French style.

I started with a block-printed tablecloth in navy and white, covered in stylized flowers. It's topped by gold chargers whose scalloped rims suggest ornate French furniture. Dinner plates with blue and gold bands accented by gold flowers are next, followed by pretty plates with a design that reminds me of an abstract fleur-de-lis. The stainless flatware also has fleurs-de-lis on the handles.

 

 

Strong red accents are provided by ribbons tied around the napkins and new-to-me wine glasses I bought at an antique mall several months ago. I doubt they're vintage, but I liked the shade of red and I think they'll be versatile. Tip: wired ribbons give heft and shape.

   

 

I used two different napkins — one a solid navy linen, the other matches the tablecloth. At two of the place settings the navy napkin is on the outside; at the other two the floral napkin is on the outside. I liked both versions and alternating them this way adds another layer of  interest. 

 

 

The iced tea glasses are definitely vintage, and belonged to Greg's mother. I tried to get a good photo of the graceful etching on the glasses, but had no luck due to the busy pattern on the linens.    

 

    

The red bowls of the glass candlesticks really pop against the other table elements! I used them in a very different setting in A Little Romance for Valentine's Day. They were also made in a beautiful deep violet (which I have), lime and aqua.

   

 The centerpiece consists of faux flowers in pastel versions of the color theme.

And of course I added a bottle of French wine!

 

   

 

   

I've set out baguette slices, cheese and grapes on the buffet to munch on before dinner as well as a second bottle of wine. I used two tea towels for color — a cotton one in a blue and white garden style, and a multi-colored linen towel that depicts the Eiffel tower. (In hind-sight I should have ironed this one lol!)

I love the bold colors on the table!

 

   

  And I love the addition of formal dinnerware to a table that still decidedly leans toward casual.

The rain stopped just long enough to take advantage of natural light coming through the French doors that open to the lower patio and the koi pond.

 

   

The thing I love about French style is that even a casual table has flair!

   

I'd love for you to visit my other French tables in A Table for la Fete Nationale, The French Table, and Dreaming of Paris.

 

Table elements

Tablecloth | Southern Living

Dinner plates | Noritake 'Lamarre'

Salad plates | Noritake 'Esteem'

Iced tea glasses | Tiffin-Franciscan 'Margo' 

Candlesticks | Rogaska 'Weston'