Summertime Tea al Fresco

Hello! I wanted to share with you a special tea on an overcast — almost ready to rain — day. There is something inherently relaxing about brewing a favorite tea, adding something sweet or savory, and spending quiet time in a lovely setting. 

 

For today's tea, I've chosen loose tea and tinned biscuits that my husband brought me from London, and set a tea table on the deck overlooking the backyard. I set the table for only one, but I won't be alone for tea — 

 

     

For I'm joined for tea

A Gardener's Table on a Quiet Weekend

Welcome, friends, on a sunny, quiet weekend! I had hoped to set the table on the patio, but a spate of daily thunderstorms has driven me inside. Since the temps have also soared, it was a good decision all around! My garden has struggled this year, first with drought conditions, then a deluge of pollen, and now more rain than the poor plants know what to do with. Actually, they've hunkered down and concentrated on building more roots rather than exploding in blooms. 

 

So this gardener gathered a smattering of blooms and set a relaxing table inside.  

 

    

July is not the most colorful month in my garden. The spring bulbs, perennials and flowering shrubs are busy preparing

Celebrate the Fourth of July with a Red, White and Blue Tablesetting

Welcome! I'm so happy you're joining me today to celebrate a very special Fourth of July! It is the 250th anniversary of America's "great experiment", the phrase first used by George Washington to describe the creation of a democratic republic based on Enlightenment ideals.

 

I've set the table in bold reds and blues balanced with strong whites. I began with a vibrant table runner and matching napkins that sets a casually festive tone.

 

    

Blues are the dominant colors in the place settings,

A Casual Summer Table Inspired by Island Daydreams

Welcome to a tropical escape, powered by island daydreams and the memory of palm trees swaying in the breeze! Or at least to my summer table where all the above formed the design. I'm delighted to be joining a wonderful group of tablescape designers for a seasonal blog hop spotlighting summer style. You'll want to explore each of their tables listed near the end of this post.

 

       

I wanted to capture both the lighthearted fun of summer and memories of some unforgettable vacations.

A Charm of Finches for a Late Spring Table Setting

Welcome to the table today, friends! I'm sure you're wondering about the title I used for this table setting in late Spring, almost June. A "charm" is the delightful term for a group of various types of songbirds. I couldn't resist!

 

    

The table began with these lovely luncheon plates that I frequently use in the spring,

A Perfect Backyard Summer Picnic under the Trees

"Summertime . . . an' the livin' is easy"

                composed by George Gershwin, lyrics by DuBose Heyward    

 

And nothing says easier living than a picnic in the open air, with simple foods, good wine and great friends! 

 

 

Better yet, set up your picnic in the backyard under the trees!   

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. 

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.

 

          

Year of the Fire Horse — A Table Setting

Tonight, in the middle of winter, comes the first new moon, signaling the beginning of a new lunar year whose zodiac sign is the Fire Horse. The lunar year cycle repeats every twelve years, with each year represented by its animal sign. Unlike a regular horse year, 2026 is a year of the Fire Horse, which only occurs every 60 years. Combining the Fire element with the Horse's energy is thought to bring transformative change and creativity.

 

In that spirit I've set a table to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse! 

 

Fittingly, I began with a ceramic Tang Dynasty-style horse statue

Enchanting Valentine's Day Table Setting Ideas

One of the most delightful holidays is Valentine's Day! In the midst of February's dark days and challenging weather, comes a day to celebrate love, whether that means romance, friendship, or family.

 

When you decide to set a Valentine's table, where do you begin? Do you choose a theme such as hearts and flowers, or pink and red? Do you make sure to include special goodies? If you don't know where to start, I've selected some enchanting table setting ideas that you can use as inspiration for your own Valentine's table! Click on the highlighted titles to view the original posts and tableware details.

 

 

  The Softer Side of Pink

 

Tulips that were still tightly furled and chrysanthemums just beginning to unfold were the inspiration for a table that celebrates the interplay of white, gold and soft shades of pink and rose with flowers sprinkled throughout. 

Celebrate with Friends and Flowers on Valentine's Day

For this Valentine's Day I decided to embrace the color red for the table, with generous doses of white and silver — and a dash of sparkle!

 

My daughter suggested friendship as the Valentine theme, so I set the table for Julia and three of her friends who've been together varying amounts of time: Vera, Allison, and Kathy.   

 

      

Please join me on a Valentine's Tablescape Blog Hop

An Impromptu Holiday Table for Two

On the spur of the moment we decided not to cook dinner but instead order from one of our favorite restaurants. We had just begun getting the Christmas decor out and didn't want to break our stride so I only had a few minutes to pull together a table for the two of us. 

    

I hadn't had the chance

A Playful Table Setting for Christmas

Welcome! Today I'm excited to join a Christmas Tablescape Blog Hop organized by the amazing Rita of Panoply. She has gathered eighteen of us to share our ideas for festive tables perfect for celebrating the holiday season! You're sure to enjoy the wonderful inspiration you will find in all of the tables — their info is listed at the end of the post.

 

I especially enjoy setting holiday tables in all their variety! Awash in color, they bring joy to family and friends and are a delight to style. This year I decided to embrace the playful side of Christmas with a table that I hope will bring you smiles.

 

The table begins with one of my favorite holiday tablecloths,

A Casually Elegant Thanksgiving Table

Welcome! November has rather suddenly arrived, replacing warm sunny days with windy, rainy ones. The trees have finally begun to change colors, though the leaves are not as brilliantly hued as last year. Now the days are noticeably shorter and the weeks seem to be so as well. Soon it will be time to gather for Thanksgiving!  

 

Have you started to prepare for Thanksgiving? I've designed a table for my favorite holiday that I'm excited to share with you as part of a wonderful tablescape blog hop with fourteen talented stylists. Thanks to Rita from Panoply for being the creative inspiration behind this shared love for tablescaping. I know you will enjoy all their wonderful Thanksgiving ideas linked at the bottom of this post!

 

 

I decided to set a table that combines elegant touches with an easy casualness that conveys the season's celebratory mood. 

Leaves of Green — and Gold, Crimson, Rust and Bronze

In the blink of an eye, the page turned to September, a sure sign that autumn is on its way! Though to be frank, autumn approaches leisurely here, not reliably arriving until late October or even early November. But that won't delay me adding fall decor in anticipation of one of my favorite seasons.

 

     

I'm delighted that you're joining me today! 

A Beautiful Day for Lunch in the Garden

Today was just about perfect! Temps toying with 80, relatively dry after a week of daily showers. All in all a beautiful day to enjoy lunch on the deck under the shade of the trees!

 

      

Add Flare to Modern Tables with Beautiful Vintage Glassware

I have received many comments regarding the vintage glassware I use for styling tablescapes. So I thought I'd focus on that glassware today by sharing why I use it and how it adds flare to modern tables.

 

I'll start by saying I love crystal and glassware! I love the way it affects the play of light across the table whether it's from sunshine, candlelight, chandeliers or lamps. The shape, decoration, composition and clarity of the glassware make nearly endless combinations that add beauty and enjoyment to functional tableware. 

 

Today I'm concentrating on drinkware, though glass plates, vessels and candle holders all add their special touch to tablescapes. I also often use contemporary stemware and glasses for my tables, but I think by using vintage glassware you add a unique accent that makes a more personal statement. 

 

Navarre by Fostoria, 1973-1982

 

Fostoria began producing Navarre with its beautiful etching in clear glass in 1936. It proved to be their most popular pattern so they added several colors to the line beginning in 1973, which is why my azure stemware has an older feel to it.

 

 

A Romantic Dinner with Stunning Flowers, Elegant Dishes and Sparkling Glassware

Inspiration for setting tables can be found in many forms. One of my favorite sources for ideas are flowers — their colors, their seasonality, their forms and textures. Today I'm sharing a table that began with a stunning arrangement of flowers my husband gave me for my birthday. I wanted the table to be a lovely accompaniment for his romantic gesture.