Summer Tablescapes

Candles make any table special.

and even during the day, candles add drama

White dishes take on an entirely different attitude with the simple addition of brightly colored napkins. A few flowers along the length of the table and you are set to go.

I love the use of green with with white and a dash of black with clear crystal. The little bit of silver adds a dose of casual elegance.

Raffia tied lavender around the silverware , and lavender in a basket brings white tableware up a huge notch. So easy yet lovely. You could substitute Baby’s Breath, a daisy, rose or any small “bunch”, and you’re done.

Another example of white easily amplified, here with a single hydrangea blossom and a linen napkin. Almost any solid colored napkin,  or perhaps a wide stripe would look good with this.

A shabby chic – cottage look achieved by a table runner down the middle over a white tablecloth, the addition of flowers is repurposed glass jars and sweet teacups. It surely says summer…..

I love to play rustic against sophisticated. In this case a rough wood table topped with sleek and shiny silver, and crystal glass. Bright sunflowers add a bright, summery finish.

Big impact using just sunflower heads, providing a substantial presence and color for an all white table. White candles in between add the romantic touch. One bunch of sunflowers can do a long table.

If you come across some cute candles like these lemon and lime ones, use them as your inspiration to complete you table setting. It only takes small pops of color to add interest.

I love, love how something as simple as using a lemon for a place marker adds whimsy and playfulness to this table. How cute is the clothespin holding together the utensils? The yellow continues with the addition of sunflowers and yellow bandana napkins.

Placing shells into a container and a few scattered along a table runner is all you need for a beach themed meal. Placing a starfish or even another shell on the napkin completes the table setting.

Hydrangeas makes it so easy to add floral impact to a table. The arrangements placed on top of a brightly colored paisley tablecloth in the same pink hue as the flowers is so summery. The pop of white in the place cards is  a nice touch to this tables cape.

This table setting is all about bright color. In addition to the brightly color flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs add even more color. I think the choice of a taupe colored tablecloth is perfect, allowing the gold rimmed edging on the plates to add a beautiful design element. Milk glass and white casual tatting placemats keeps it from being too fussy, as does the twine tied napkins with a sprig of herb.

Hydrangeas just say summer, and we see them here again but with roses , and where rattan chargers lend a casual balance to the silver flower vessels.

Pears atop fancy folded napkins is all it takes to add fun and interest to a tables cape. Plates sit on top of reed placemats and ornamental cabbage picks up the greenish yellow color theme.

Don’t be afraid to use a lot of color and pattern if you like it. That is what makes decorating for a party or dinner so much fun….it is temporary and is the perfect chance to go bold where you have never gone bold before! I like menu cards, but they are not required. Here they took a horse statue to use as table decor. Look around your home and use what you have.

Fruit in a box or bowl or even placed down the middle of the table, is so easy and is also an inexpensive way to add color to a table. It is even better if you can mix it up with a few flowers. Here both are used and are set in vintage wood boxes. Again, look around, and use what you have.

If you have chairs that are painted, use them to add the big color statement to your tables cape. Use a complimentary color for the table and go from there.

Using tumblers or even glass jars rimmed with sprigs of flowers or vines with a candle placed inside looks elegant and sophisticated. This is a lovely example of what you can do with handily available tableware.

If you are having a spur of the moment gathering, take some of the summer produce you probably have and simply arrange it around a hurricane light or lantern and that is all a table needs. It really is about friendship and enjoying the meal.