It’s time for another exciting Design Challenge. This month, we are serving up beautiful summer tablescape inspiration! While some are taking the party outdoors, I’m keeping it real here in Texas and finding sanctuary in the glorious A/C. I imagine it’s much like northern winters, but with blazing sunshine. Therefore, we are going to stay inside with a refreshingly cool summer tablescape.
If you’ve joined us via Decor to Adore, welcome! I’m excited you’re here. If you’ve not been here before, stop by the About Me Page so we can become friends. Let’s begin.
Our lovely inspiration photo comes from Pam at Everyday Living. Even in the heat, her photo has me yearning to be outside. And her fabulous centerpiece with those gorgeous shades of pink had me from the get-go.
Everyday Living Blog
What I notice about Pam’s image and what I will incorporate are:
- Dual tablecloths
- Fresh florals
- Placemats, plates, and napkins
- Silverware and drinking glasses
A Refreshingly Cool Summer Tablescape
What does an indoor “cool” tablescape look like in your mind? In mine, it has touches of blue like the deep color of the ocean, a bit of cream or white for the sand, a little green like the rich leaves of the outdoors, and a bright color like lemons for refreshment.
A dark colorful fabric piece makes the top tablecloth stand out.
I started with the dual tablecloths. Layering always brings out extra texture and makes a table more welcoming. The one underneath is really just a piece of upholstery fabric. But it’s cute!
Next was deciding on which dishes to use. Again, I enjoy layering, so that’s where the placemats came in. In the past, I’ve used placemats, chargers, a dinner plate, a salad plate, and a dessert plate or bowl depending on the menu. And why not? Emily Post wasn’t invited. If she were, she’d retract her “rules” and say using all the things is more exciting.
Mix and match your plates as you layer them.
If you don’t have enough dishware, it’s fun to mix and match. I love that look!
But if you like to keep things simple with only one plate, move the napkin from the side of the place setting to sitting on top of the plate. Using napkin rings is lovely too. And trying an individual place card can also be considered layering.
When the ladies come over, I plan to make a lemon posset to sit inside the bowl. You can find the recipe here. It’s easy with only 3 ingredients and has a rich, velvety quality with just the right amount of tartness.
A Majolica sugar bowl is perfect for a vase.
On to the centerpiece. I feel a beautiful tablescape has fresh flowers. I picked these up at the grocery store. They are adorable sitting inside my vintage blue-and-white jars and the Toby pitcher.
Pam had her flowers in the center, but when I saw the tiered dessert tray sitting on top of the refrigerator, I knew it would make the cutest centerpiece. And it wasn’t too tall for conversation.
Since Pam’s table was outside and we are staying inside in the air-conditioning, I thought bringing more greenery would help with the challenge. So here come the real boxwood wreaths.
I added a larger wreath under the tiered tray with lemons and then changed the placement of the small pots.
A vintage hand-painted Tobacco Pot makes the cutest little vase.
I kept two on the right and left side of the lemon tray but moved the Toby pitcher and Majolica pot to sit in between the guests.
A vintage Dutch Delftware jar does too!
So now the flowers are spread out a bit more. Even though being in a line down the table was fine too.
I know sometimes less can be more, but if you don’t have a pretty view of a beautiful backyard or garden, I felt like I needed to bring the outdoors in with all the greenery. And because lately, I’m in a more is more glorious mood. 😉
Stop and smell the lemons!
Oh yeah, when you take photos on multiple days, be prepared for the leaves (from the daisies) on the tiered tray of lemons to wilt. I removed them the next day and replaced them with clippings from our own bushes. The boxwood limbs will last a long time.
Lastly, if you cut a few of the lemons in half, it will give your table a wonderful scent! So that is how you stay inside and create a refreshingly cool summer tablescape.
Next up is my friend Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse. Along with hers, get ready for some fantastic summer tablescape ideas below! Thanks for visiting today. Please leave a comment and tell me your favorite summer table ideas.
I am with you Cindy, A/C all the way! I adore your pairing of yellow and blue. It is a perfect pairing for summer. Thank you so much for hosting!
Author
Thank you Laura. My daughter just told me someone was getting married (here in Dallas) in the middle of August OUTSIDE with a cocktail hour OUTSIDE as well that lasts an hour. All I could think of was poor girl.
This is such a pretty refreshing table.
Author
Thank you Lauren. We’ve enjoyed it!
The lemon tiers are so pretty! I also live in Texas, but a little closer to the OK border than to actual Dallas, our temps are usually about 5 degrees cooler in Summer. I actually LOVE Summer! and it might be hot, but the humidity here hasn’t be bad ~ and we don’t have fires, tornados, floods or hurricanes, so our weather at the end of July is actually better than most places in the country! We did have a few triple digit days, but it’s mostly just “flirting” with it (98-99). We downsized to a much smaller house a few years ago and storage is limited. I like to rotate pieces I love to put as the “centerpiece / candy dish” on our coffee table ~ right now it’s a big “pool” with a someone floating in an inner tube in the center (where the dip would go). I have a bug old milk glass ruffled edge basket with handle in the middle of my dining room table (and to help with the space issue, I put fresh lemons, limes and acorn squash in there)
Author
Your weather sounds much better than ours. The humidity is terrible – at least to me. Love the idea of your centerpieces. And I bet that ruffled edge basket is fabulous! Thanks for the visit and sweet comment Cindy.
Love your blue and yellow theme with the lemons, Cindy, so refreshing and cool for summer! The heat has been almost unbearable this year, so stay inside where it’s comfy. Thank you for hosting this fun hop!
Author
Girl, it’s hot but thankfully, it’s only the second week of over 100 degrees. We can have over a months worth! Thank you and of course, I love hosting the hops. Happy summer.
I live in Oklahoma but we are having a lot of heat. I love your beautiful yellow and blue table and those pretty flowers you chose. Stay cool!!
Author
Thank you Marlene. Some days I wish I lived in OK too. Or maybe Alaska. 😉
I’m liking this “more is more” stage you’re in:) Love your pretty green, blue, yellow and white tablescape; so summer fresh! I’ve never heard of a lemon posset; now I need to make them. I’ve been totally craving lemon everything this summer; must be missing some vitamin or mineral. So excited to see all the pretty tables today; great theme! Thanks!
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I serve my Lemon Posset in one of the halved lemon rinds. Although, sometimes a person needs more than one. 😉 Thanks Lora!
Very refreshing indeed especially adding a fun mix of lemons! The mini white chrysanthemums are so cute in your vintage containers! And that majolica sugar bowl might go missing, if I were a guest at your pretty table! Wonderful post my friend!
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Thanks so much Michelle. I love all of my little pots but any of the Mojolica pieces around the house are my favorites. Wish you would come over one day! That would be so fun!!!
Cindy, your table is lovely with the blue & white jars and Mr. Toby!!! I love how you have the cutwork embroidered tablecloth over the black hydrangea cloth. They look nice together. 🙂 And daisies!!!!! Aren’t they the friendliest flowers?! Lemony goodness all around! Thanks again for hosting. 🙂
Cool hugs and thoughts,
Barb 🙂
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I agree Barbara. Daisies are the friendliest flowers! You can’t help but smile when you see them. Thanks for the happy comment. 🙂
Cindy
Your table is so charming. I love the lemon centerpiece and the boxwood wreaths. So clever.
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It’s probably the easiest centerpiece I’ve ever done – next to a single vase of flowers. LOL. Thanks so much.
Lovely table, Cindy. This would be wonderful inside or out – but in is definitely the best choice right now. Lemons are a colorful addition any time of year.
Author
Thank you Carol. Now to make Lemon Posset! Yum!
Cindy, I am totally smitten with your tablescape. The tablecloths are so striking, using the darker one with the battenburg lace on top. I have those sweet bowls and eat my daily oatmeal in them. The layering and use of different flower vessels is so pleasing to the eye. I want to pick it all up and bring it home. Also, smart to add your About Me page to the post. I enjoyed popping over and reading it.
Author
Aww, thank you Christy, you made my day. I love the hydrangea cloth and have used it all summer long this year. It’s what made me purchase a tiny bit of blue and white pieces. And I think I’m hooked when I didn’t want to be. LOL. Hope you have a great rest of your summer. Stay cool!
Oh, how I love your lemon centerpiece! It is the perfect summer anchor for your lovely table. And the blue and white pieces are so charming…perfect little vases! Like you, I am hunkering down in air conditioning. So this is fun to celebrate summer indoors!
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Thank you Missy. Hunkering down is a great way to say it. I’m not even going to venture out to the antique stores! Around here they are notoriously known for bad A/C. No stanks! Stay cool friend.