A Modern, Vintage Setting

The lazy, hazy days of summer are here.  My energy level has plummeted, and I just want to stay inside and do absolutely, positively nothing.   That being said, I did manage to set a table outside for dinner before the triple digits hit.  My inspiration this week came from a magazine everyone's probably seen.  In it, they displayed a beautiful table in an outdoor setting with a wonderful color of green.  Black accents gave the table drama.  This is my version of that table.  This is the non-professional, use what you have kind of  table, and considering my current energy level, I have to say that I'm happy just to have something to post!!  The idea was to make it modern, with a vintage flair.  Ok, here goes!!

Using one of my round tables outdoors, I used a white cloth, some netting and a black vase for the centerpiece.

The flowers consisted of hydrangeas from my yard and a bouquet I bought from Kroger for added color.

Plates and matching bowls were purchased at TJ Maxx.  The black salad plates are Pier 1, but I got them at the thrift store!

I took this pic upside down to show you the monogram on the flatware.  It's a C, I believe, and the silverplate is Alvin.  I was told it was made around 1925.  I intend to give it to my daughter, as her name begins with the letter C.

The napkin rings are also vintage, they are pewter.  After a good cleaning, I saw an engraving of  'Baker'.  I'm assuming this was a monogram?  Or manufacturer?  I have no idea, I just thought they were pretty cool.  I have some others with different designs, several different floral designs and a few with a design of a night scene--stars and moon.  Candleholders are vintage and I believe are the candlewick pattern.  I purchased them at a thrift store.

I used double napkins, a celadon green and black linen.

Black stems are Martha Stewart, I think, and were purchased at Macy's.

The salt cellars are vintage, and the place card plates are the kind you can write on and then wipe off.  The names on the plates are the names of my mother and her three sisters--Elizabeth (my mom),  Adeline (she was called Joyce), Gloria, and Corinne (she was called Lucy or Sissy).

Here are a few more shots...

And with candlelight...

Thanks so much for visiting with me, hope you enjoyed yourself.  Stay cool, and please know that I so appreciate your kind comments!!

A Silver Sea Setting

According to the news, most of the country is experiencing a heat wave.  Now, I'm not complaining about the heat, I prefer summer to winter any day.  But it can get downright uncomfortable out there, so today we are inside with cool silvers and blues. 

The mirrored chargers remind me of the glassy waters of the ocean.  The runner is a Pottery Barn purchase.  The cool blue color work well with the napkins I purchased a while back at the beach.

The plates were purchased at the beach Home Goods store, and have a faint tint of blue. 

The shell placecard holders were purchased at the local antique mall.

The centerpiece is a silver coral candleholder, with silver pillars tied with ribbon and pearls.  Silver shells are scattered on the "sea" runner.

The silver bottles are another Home Goods purchase, and have different shell toppers.

I used my silver goblets, which were my mom's and a crystal iced beverage with a silver rim.  You can also see the silver goblets used here.

Another silver shell candleholder with a silver pillar, silver shell napkin rings...

and lots of silver shells along with silver mercury glass votives.

Another view

As night approaches,

and the sun goes down,

a quiet calm settles on the ocean~

Nocturnal beauty, with only a faint breeze to stir the waters,

the moon, quietly rising in an inky black sky

highlights the crest of each tranquil wave.

As we sit down, we give thanks for the beauty and serenity of nature

and all the treasures of the sea.

Thanks for visiting with me, hope you'll come back soon!!  I appreciate your kind comments.

A French Setting

Let's go to France for dinner! I would like to share with you today this beautiful, contemporary tablesetting sent to us by Henri for our enjoyment!

This is a Maritime-inspired tablescape, perfect for summer entertaining.

Predominant colors are turquoise and white, with a splash of orange.

The white tablecloth is used with papyrus table runners, which run the width of the table.  The texture and color brighten the table, to the surprise and delight of guests!

Round vases with gray nugget-like rocks hold a sand bucket, flip flops, miniature parasol, shell, deck chairs, and candle! 

Place setting, love the napkin fold!  Not sure if you can see, but the knife rests on a white shell.

Flip flop on glass!

Thanks, Henri, for sharing this lovely table with us!!  For more on this tablescape and others, visit Henri here!  See you soon!!

A Summer Setting

It seems that a lot of folks are having blogaversaries this summer.  Mine is coming up late August.  It has been a challenge for me as of late to stay on top of it all, and I admit I haven't had as much time to comment as I would like.  Having an outlet for my passion of all things related to tablesetting has been a blessing in disguise.  With both kids flying from the nest, I needed something fun to keep me from going stir crazy.  I certainly enjoy my treasure hunts, my hands-on tablesetting, and my visits with the many talented bloggers with whom I have grown to know and love.  So forgive me if I haven't commented on your site lately.  I know once fall arrives and child #2 is off spreading his wings, I will be anxiously awaiting your next lovely posts!

This table feels "summery" to me, with its bright pink and orange!  I found this tablecloth on sale at Home Goods a while back, and I loved the colors.  I think the brand is Mirabelle? 

Since the "ditch" lillies were beginning to fade, I gathered all that were left and used them in this orange vase I also found at Home Goods.  Luckily, they just opened a new store within minutes of my home, now I don't have to drive all the way across town to shop.

I used an orange scarf as a table runner.  I found these silver candleholders in an upstairs bathroom.  I forget they are there, but they worked great with the tablecloth.

The place setting consists of plain silver chargers, white plates, and hot pink napkins.  Sherbet is Fostoria Navarre.

The iced beverage glasses to the left are Heisey Crystalite and I'm not sure about the wines, but they were my Mom's.

I tried to brush this little ladybug off the cloth many times, but she wasn't budging!

I guess my son's water basketball hoop sorta ruins this picture, but as long as he and his friends come over and use it, it is staying right where it is!

Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy these lazy days of summer, they are fleeting!  I always appreciate your kind comments!!

A Cool Pool Setting

When we installed our pool, many decisions had to be made, some of which I would do differently if I were to do it all again.  In the beginning, we had wanted a sunken hot tub, but our contractor pool guy talked us out of it.  So we put it above ground, separated from the pool by a wall with waterfalls.  My hubby calls it the mausoleum, big enough for a body to be burired there.  From the very beginning, I did not like the pool tiles on the wall.  So since they had begun to fall off, we finally decided to replace them with stone.  I am very happy with the way it turned out!  Here is the before picture, which I am sure you have seen many times in the background of my tablescapes:

And here is the AFTER shot:

A big improvement, I think.

Here is a shot with the waterfalls.

I think I just might jump in...

Stay cool!!