Vietri pottery brightens up any table. The Campagna is my favorite collection with tons of mix-and-match patterns and colors.
Even though Pumpkin Spice lattes are slipping into our vocabulary- It is not fall yet! At least not here in Virginia. We still have 2 full months of hot weather to contend with- so with that said here are some colorful tablescape inspirations that I put together. Photographing said tablescapes is no easy feat! @gordongregoryphoto makes it look like a walk in the park- here are my paltry attempts! I hope it will encourage you to use your fun tablecloths and outdoor serve wear. Get things ready so that when we get those stellar, breezy, cooler days-entertaining outdoors will be a snap!
I have a confession to make when it comes to food hospitality, I am 100% front of the house. My good friend Josh pointed that out as he was making dinner in my kitchen and I was faffing about trying to make it all look pretty. He knows how to cook a potato properly and I am thinking about what plate to put it on. I’m grateful for my friends with gift sets that I lack and that there is a need for both the front and back of the house at every great party! I have had to come to terms with the fact that like coffee being mainly a vehicle for sugar and cream for me, gatherings can be an opportunity to put together tablescapes that make a big splash with bright colors and a playful mixing of pattern and design. Here are a couple of tips to help get your creative juices flowing!
This blue and white tablescape gives me Serena and Lily vibes. All shades of blue and white look smashing together. The rattan chargers give it a coastal vibe and are easy to shake out after dinner- no washing required.
Assemble Your Elements:
What things do you love putting out for a casual dinner or formal party? Pick four things that you always reach for and go from there. Here are some examples of my favorite embellishments:
TRAYS: Hands down my favorite accessory. I think I have a tray problem. I make them, I buy them, I sell them and I think that they are a functional and beautiful addition to any gathering or room design. I’ve been hooked on them since I was little and would climb on the counter to reach the top cabinet that housed our 2 trays. We would use them to surprise our parents with breakfast in bed or if we were home sick from school. Their specialness still charms me. They are great for carrying items out when dining al fresco and they corral condiments, drinks and a whole host of miscellaneous items that would otherwise get lost in the shuffle. They also really enhance the vibe you are trying to set. Choose ones that you visually love and let them do the work and set the scene. And also don’t judge me- now that you know they are my vice you will not be able to unsee the sheer amount of them in every room of my house!
FLOWERS OR GREENERY: Giant glammed-up arrangements are my love language and they dress up any gathering. Some special occasions call for just such a detail but for everyday dinners or last-minute guests a fun mix of mini vases with fresh herbs, or flowers is an easy way to class up any table.
CANDLES: I love a grouping in the center or a smattering of small candles that sit in front of each plate and even those that weave in and out of the food and beverages. I collect votives and larger pillar candles for lanterns and keep them all together in my buffet for easy access.
NAPKINS: Love cloth napkins? Use them to pack a visual punch on your table or tuck them in baskets that hold dry foods like crackers and bread. If you find yourself strongly against the laundering that goes along with cloth napkins, keep a stash of disposable ones at the ready. They will effortlessly elevate your low-key gathering to a polished affair. Places like Homegoods, TJ Maxx Marshalls, and Target have beautiful designs that give you that Caspari look but don’t cost a lot.
OVERSIZED BOARDS: These are fantastic for making any collection of food and random condiments look like thoughtful chaos! You can literally “charcuterie” anything from the usual meats and cheeses to ice cream toppings, oatmeal toppings, fruit and veggie displays. Get an oversized board that you love. It will likely pull double duty as a fun kitchen decoration and will be your go-to for any gathering.
SMALL PLATES: I Love to mix things up with different appetizer plates. They can mix and match and infuse new energy into your regular essentials. If disposable dishes are more your speed, good news, the paper plate market is incredible these days. Meri Meri and Hester and Cook are my favorites but Target’s seasonal and party offerings are excellent too and much cheaper!
TABLE COVERINGS: Tablecloths, runners, an off-center throw, cloth placemats, chargers and non-cloth placemats are just a few options. I even love a roll of wrapping down the center like a runner. Which are you? If you never use tablecloths, don’t buy them or keep them. I am not interested in cloth placemats but find the array of rattan placemats, seagrass or wipeable solid surface ones to be worth it- easy to clean and maintain while making everything a little lovelier.
LITTLE KNIVES AND SPOONS: Don’t even get me started on cheese knives- it’s like a purse for your new outfit. So many options to choose from. Mini spoons at coffee bars and for scooping out condiments really take things up a notch. Coffee spoons are a fun treasure to thrift for.
Aquas and Purply blues anchor this al fresco tablescape.
And then what?
Keep them handy, know where they are- keep them near each other. Don’t make the mistake of waiting for a special occasion. If they are tucked away or hard to reach or require extensive dry cleaning you won’t use them and that friends is no fun at all! If you know you are a disposable kinda host- get your paper stash up and running. Trade out last-minute grocery store disposable plates with nicer ones that you can use at a moment’s notice. I especially like to put out pretty paper tea towels in my bathroom for use when I’m having company. Get a few packages and then they are all ready for last-minute visitors. Get in the habit of using these items on the regular. They will become part of your hosting routine in no time! SM
This provencal tablescape celebrates the last of summer’s bounty with it’s bright colors and fresh figs!