Spring is many things, but I think of it as a feast for the senses! Spring engages each sense — sight, sound, smell, touch and taste — in delightful and appealing ways. Let me show you how you can capture Spring's essence in a charming table setting.
I'm delighted that you're joining me today for I have a special treat in
store for you! Rita of the wonderful Panoply blog has brought together sixteen stylists for a tablescape hop to
share our ideas for Spring tables with you. If you've come from one of my fellow participants or are a regular visitor, welcome! I'm including all the details for the hop at the bottom of this post.
Sight
The first signs of Spring are visual! Green returns as leaves begin to sprout and grass shoots up through the fallen leaves. Colors unfurl as flowers bloom. And animals make their appearance known. To begin my Spring table I chose a delightfully patterned tablecloth with soft colors that reflects nature stirring.
Beautiful china with a striking floral pattern was a natural choice for the table. I've featured this lovely pattern in several tables including The Softer Side of Pink. The salad plates sit on white dinner plates with a pronounced gold band and notched chargers in the prettiest shade of blue, which I wrote about in my previous post The Thrill of Finding Beautiful Glassware.
Smell
Nothing quite matches the first intoxicating smells of Spring! Wet earth and damp pups from strong storms, the scent of rain itself, and most breathtaking of all are the fragrances of flowers. My daughter had sent me a gorgeous arrangement of vivid blooms in shades of purple and gold which I chose as the perfect centerpiece. Their perfume filled the surrounding rooms as well.
Taste
A celebratory table is always filled with the taste of wonderful foods! Savory or sweet, strongly flavored or with just a hint of spice, taste and aroma combine to provide a delectably satisfying experience. Then add the tart/fruity/smooth/crisp taste and texture of wine or other beverages.
For glassware I chose beautiful wine stems in a cranberry swirl pattern that I've used before, such as in A Tablescape in Celebration of Cranes. Although I've described them as wine stems, due to their age they were actually made as water goblets. I often use vintage and antique water goblets as wine glasses to more effectively coordinate with modern tableware. I love the chunky sapphire stems of the juice glasses I've set beside them. Their wine counterparts were shared in Thoughts of Pansies for a Spring Table.
Juice glasses are a hint that this is a tablescape for brunch, complete with cups and saucers for coffee or tea. I love that the pattern is within the cups!
For a pretty touch I've added Art Deco-inspired knife rests that are both decorative and functional. And sure to start a conversation or two!
Sound
Spring is also announced through sounds — of kids playing, music wafting through open windows, animals calling and scurrying, and the sweet notes of birdsong. So I added two bunnies and several birds to the center.
Moss-lined nests hold pastel birds sitting patiently on eggs. I like the dark shades of the nests against all the pastels.
Touch
The last of the senses is touch, the feel of the world around us. It can alert you to soft, hard, silky, rough or a myriad of other textures.
The table setting features a range of textures, from the rough twigs of the nest,
to the velvet petals in the vase,
to the deep green majolica sugar and creamer pieces covered with bunnies and their carrot cache,
and to the lovely salt cellar made by a silversmith of an edged shell atop a silver pedestal.
The table setting is a feast for the senses, including that of the sound of lively conversation and laughter.
I would like to thank Rita from Panoply for organizing this Spring
tablescape blog hop and I'm delighted to present my fellow stylists. I'm sure
you will find wonderful inspiration for your table in the
tablescapes listed below!
Home is Where the Boat Is - Hop This Way: Farm Fresh Carrot Patch
Celebrating Everyday Life - DIY Easy Bird's Nest Easter Table
Hyacinths for the Soul - No Foolin', Things are Hoppin' Here ~ Spring Tablescape Hop
Me and My Captain - It's Spring with Fluffy Chicks, Pastel Bunnies...and Lambs
My Thrift Store Addiction - For the Love of Tea Cups: A Whimsical Spring Tablescape
Olla-Podrida - Dashing Hare Tablescape
Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Spring With a Dash of Easter Table
Life and Linda - Hello Spring Tea Party
Mantel and Table - A Colorful Tablescape with a Beautiful English Country Look
Dinner at Eight - Spring is ... A Feast for the Senses
Red Cottage Chronicles - Garden Inspired Green Tablescape Styled 3 Ways
Belle Bleu Interiors - The Blessings of Easter
The Cat's Whiskerz - Easter Bunnies Singing the Blues
Thrifting Wonderland - Celebrate Spring with a Joyful Tablescape
I hope you have a wonderful Spring!
Table details
Dinner plates | Royal Doulton 'Alice'
Salad plates, cups, saucers | Wedgwood 'Charnwood'
Wine stemware | Steuben 'Rose Swirl'
Juice glasses | Schott-Zwiesel 'Conte Sapphire'
Sugar, creamer | Bordallo Pinheiro
Table linens | Williams Sonoma 'Famille Rose'
* Table details are provided for information only. Dinner at Eight is not an affiliate and does not receive any type of compensation.
Shared with these delightful parties:
I share your excitement over finding beautiful glassware. I love your stemware here. I find glassware very difficult to resist. As a consequence, I have to keep adding shelving units in the basement in order to hold everything. I love your knife rests! It’s rare that I see anyone use those. I inherited a beautiful set of crystal knife rests from my mother. You have reminded me that I need to get those out.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pattie! I love all the shapes that glass can take and the way glassware enlivens the table by scattering light. Storing it is a whole ‘nother issue, because its fragility and shape requires more space than dishware. Ah well . . .
DeleteSandra I believe you captured all the senses and the essence of Spring. I especially love the knife rests and I have a set of crystal knife rests and each time I use them, they are the topic of conversation. I also love your WS Famille Rose table linens as they compliment your Royal Doulton 'Alice'Dinner plates and Wedgwood 'Charnwood' tea cups. I, too love tea cups with the patterns inside the cup. Who doesn't love fresh flowers and the wonderful fragrance that permeates the room? I raise my hand for sure. It is always a pleasure to blog hop with you. 🐇🐥🐑💚🩷
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kari! I don’t know why knife rests have fallen out of favor — they’re so practical. These cups are the only ones I have where the pattern is inside. I think that’s so charming!
DeleteSandra, such a charming table set to welcome spring. You have captured the essence of spring beautifully. The Royal Doulton Alice plates look so pretty with your Wedgwood 'Charnwood' salad plates and cups. The chosen tablecloth is a favorite and compliments the dishware perfectly. The flowers are gorgeous. Love the art deco knife rests. I don’t own any. They are great conversation pieces indeed. Always a pleasure hopping along with you. Happy April.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Linda! I wanted to fill my table with flowers.
DeleteSandra, I couldn't agree more about spring being a feast for the senses--I've been treated to lots of bird song concerts this week! You've done a great job of implementing this theme in your pretty table setting. I especially love your floral centerpiece. Happy spring!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cecilia! I was so lucky to receive the flowers.
DeleteSandra, yes, spring is a feast for the senses. Aren't we fortunate! your table captures the beauty with your flowers, the charming china and stemware, and of course those darling bunnies hopping about. Happy Spring! Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah! I really wanted to bring the feel of spring inside.
DeleteSandra, your Spring table was like a walk though a flower garden. It is snowing here in Wisonsin, so gazing and enjoying your post this morning was so comforting and took me to paradise rather than the winter mix outside my door. I enjoyed how you used the various senses to build your floral Spring tablescape. Your fresh floral centerpiece from your daughter was such a lovely gift and works perfectly with your tablecloth and dinnerware. Soft and delicate and yet when together, it is harmonious and makes for a lovely "landscape:". Your cute little bunnies adds even more sweetness to you table. I really loved escaping the winter snow to indulge in your breathtaking Spring moment at your table. Happy Easter.
ReplyDeleteMarsha, I’m glad my table transported you to a springtime of flowers! When I set the table, we had a fine showing of spring bulbs, but a week later and 2+ inches of rain, the trees have leafed out, dogwoods have unfurled their petals and iris buds have appeared! It’s truly Spring and you’ll enjoy it IRL in no time! Thanks for your sweet comments.
DeleteIts is stunning I wish I had the talent to pull that off!!It was like a journey through a field of flowers.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I wanted to fill my table with flowers to welcome Spring. A centerpiece of flowers always provides a wonderful focus for any tablescape. Give it a try!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous table to welcome spring Sandra! I love all the patterns and textures that you have used here - the china and glassware are just lovely sitting on that beautiful tablecloth. I can just imagine the smell of the flowers and I love the smell of rain (I wish it would rain here instead of snowing). The bunnies and birds in the nests are so cute. Love the knife rests - such a classy touch. I hope you enjoy a wonderful brunch at your beautiful table. Happy spring and happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Kim! The flowers were so beautiful I had to build a table around them, and it was a joyful relief from the subdued colors of winter. And it was fun (and practical) to add the knife rests.
DeleteSandra, Your 'Famille Rose' tablecloth is a perfect match for your Wedgwood 'Charnwood' and Royal Doulton 'Alice' and those teacups are too pretty to fill with anything! Gorgeous flowers from your daughter and beautiful centerpiece for your table. I love the sweet touches and signs of spring on your table from the darling bunnies, bird’s nest and pretty pastel stemware. As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table. Happy April!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary! I was so pleased that all the patterns were harmonious and I was very lucky to be the recipient of such lovely flowers. Spring has arrived here with fanfare and flowers galore.
DeleteThat is definitely a table setting for the senses! Your floral arrangement is so beautiful and I love all the colors and textures.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanne! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteSandra, your description of the season's feast for the senses is only surpassed by the beautiful selections you've chosen for your spring table! Spring is my favorite season, and you've captured it all so well. My goodness, your inventory of vintage items is so wonderful, from the glassware you so meticulously know and describe, to the accent pieces of knife rests, salt cellars and majolica cream & sugar. Your linens and china look so elegant and classy together. Those blue chargers are a fantastic complement to the china and tablecloth, as are the colors of the glassware. Fabulous! Thank you for being part of this blog hop and sharing your beautiful collection.
ReplyDeleteOh, Rita, thank you so much for your lovely comments! I’m so pleased that my table resonated with you. I wanted to feel totally immersed in Spring.
DeleteSandra, the first thing that struck me was the glorious burs of colors that are everywhere on your table. the flowers are simply gorgeous and pair so well with your beautiful china set. The glassware is lovely and touches close to my heart. Glassware is a bit of a weakness of mine as is china. The beautiful tablecloth provides a stunning backdrop for the other elements in your table presentation. Always fun to join you on a hop. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteLynne, Thrifting Wonderland
Thank you, Lynne! I too confess to having a soft spot for tablewares, particularly glassware and dishes. I think of them as art for the table, art that can be used and enjoyed over and over.
DeleteOh Sandra – those colors! I couldn’t get past the first picture for quite a while! Just lovely! Your linens and china are a perfect match, too, especially highlighted by your gorgeous cranberry glassware. I wish I could smell those beautiful flowers! Your table is indeed a feast for the senses! Thanks so much for sharing – I always love your posts!
ReplyDeleteSandra, you have captured spring beautifully with your table! Your tablecloth provides a pretty anchor for your beautiful china. The china’s colorful floral pattern is so striking, and your floral centerpiece is gorgeous. English country is one of my most favorite decorating styles, and you have captured it beautifully! Happy spring! Shannon@ Belle Bleu Interiors
ReplyDeleteSandra, this table really is a feast for the senses! The blend of florals feels so elegant. I love how you let nature be the star while still adding sophisticated touches throughout. And that shell salt cellar is mesmerizing to me! What an art piece!! It's all absolutely stunning and serene—such a wonderful celebration!
ReplyDeleteSandra, you certainly have captured all the senses of spring! Even though there are snowflakes falling outside my window today, I can certainly envision a warm spring day when I look at your table. The scent of fresh flowers is my favourite thing about spring (especially the hyacinths that will eventually bloom outside my front door), and your floral centrepiece is gorgeous. I am in love with your table linens. They are so colourful and "happy"! Love the little knife rests too! Your salad plates give a nod to an English garden, and the little bunnies and birds nests are perfect for spring!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty, my favorite parts are the little eggs! Featuring you at Wednesdays in the Studio!
ReplyDelete