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Let’s Talk Tabletop!
Summer is just around the corner,
which means longer days for entertaining and eating outdoors.
As a girl growing up in Europe, my most magical memories are
those of our family gathering in the garden at my grandparent’s home.
Summer afternoons for tea, candle lit evenings for dinners.
And in our forest weekend home, casual dinners around the
wooden tables in between the orchards.
The table top finds at FrenchGardenHouse are all hand chosen
for you, by me, both antique, vintage and some new,
to create your own family memories of long summer days and nights spent gathered around your table.
You won’t be replacing them ever year!
Breathe a little refresh into your tabletop decor with these beautiful, interesting pieces.
Keep things simple by choosing pieces that can easily be mixed and matched
{since there are always extra guests}
and can quickly be washed in the dishwasher after dinner is over.
Who said dining outdoors can’t be easy and chic?
Here are five table setting ideas {that take only minutes each!}
to get you dining alfresco in beautiful style.
1. BEE HAPPY.
Bees are making a strong statement in the design world these days. The rise of urban bee keeping and so much news about the current environmental threats to their species. I love the bees in our garden, and try to plant a few things just for them in our borders.
This table? It’s abuzz with bees, honey optional! Simple linen runners with embroidered bees on each end are sure to delight with the matching ruffled linen bee napkins. Bee plates look like paper, but are not.
Linen Bee Runner | Bee Plates | French Glass Jar | Linen Bee Napkin Set | Petite French Jar
2. CLASSIC RED WHITE AND BLUE.
Red, White and Blue are always a classic combination, but they seem to really shine in the summer. Don’t be afraid to mix your antique dishes, pattern on pattern, for a table sure to spark some lively conversation!
I used a mix of French antique fabric remnants for the tablecloth. The red embroidered linen napkins are perfect, I throw them in the washer after the day is over, and don’t even iron them – but for a crisp look like they are shown here, a light ironing when they are still slightly moist does the trick.
Blue Willow Plate | White & Red Linen Napkin | Blue Willow Bowl | French Canning Jar | Country Check Plate
3. TRANSITIONAL FRENCH COUNTRY
Who wouldn’t love spending a long afternoon and evening in the French countryside? This easy table setting mixes French Country antiques with a pop of brightly colored new French linens to bring this tablescape into the new millennium.
Bright and summery, the linen runners in bright chartreuse green are a chunky weave, they are designed in Paris and made abroad in the company’s own factory, it’s layered over an antique French sheet. That ironstone? A rare to find summery design that features wild flowers, butterflies and bugs. A big summer bouquet of flowers in the antique French apothecary jar {BEE label!!} is an enchanting addition. The antique silver fish service is a surprise addition to the outdoor setting, since salmon is on the menu, it’s perfect! Bon Appetit!
French Linen Runner | Antique Ironstone Plate | French Apothecary Jar | French Linen Napkin | French Bottle Carrier
4. PROVENCAL BREAKFAST.
Love the sunny days in Provence? This breakfast table setting in the garden makes every day a vacation day! True to the French attitude that antiques and patterns should m i x, this is a lively setting.
Layered with a true French Provençal classic blue and white tablecloth, and set with chinoiserie plates that look like paper but are not – this is the perfect spot to begin a summer day with French croissant, baguettes, jam and of course, cafe au lait served in the antique enameled biggin. Our favorite blue linen embroidered napkins bring a small nod to French elegance to the table.
French Tablecloth | Chinoiserie Plates | Blue Linen Napkins | French Antique Biggin | Country Check Plates
5. ROMANTIC AT HEART.
Love romance novels, pink roses, and the softer side of life? This table setting is just right. Using one of my favorite grey linen tablecloths as the base, the hand painted delftware plates add a subtle touch. Each one is slightly different, each one is hand made.
Pink ruffled napkins underneath each plate are a nod to the pink roses from the garden arranged in a large centerpiece. A small place card on each plate, a little snippet of eucalyptus, and this elegant and super easy summer table set up in a conservatory is complete.
Ruffled Tablecloth | Handprinted Delft Plates | Similar Pink Napkin | Delftware Plate | Delftware Plates
WHICH ONE IS YOUR FAVORITE TABLESETTING?
à bientôt
Lidy, the bee runner and napkins are on my wish list but I love all the linens and napkins you showed. It’s fun to change the dining tables and I do that for every season. However Summer is my favorite season and our screened in porch is where we take many meals with our friends. We just finished having the house painted and I think the bee linens will look lovely with the new furniture on the porch.
Alice, I can only imagine how wonderful your screened porch is!! Happy summer entertaining, friend.
I’m pretty fond of the Provencal but I’d love sitting at any of those lovely tables.
And I’d love it if you could, Jeanie!
Loving these tables. You always set pretty whimsical tables. Love the bee plates. I am loving the melamine looking like paper plates, so perfect for summer entertaining.
Cindy
Cindy, thank you…I love setting any kind of table…food optional! 😉
This post is so lovely, Lidy! Your pictures and words transfix me to France and I love that feeling. You have gorgeous table top items.
I love snippets of your memories at your grandparents home. Would welcome more.
Bonnie, thank you…I love sharing little bits of my memories of my childhood too…xo
Why do I have to pick a favorite when they are all exquisite? ? If I MUST choose, maybe the one with the red and blue plates. I am a collector of both, so it’s natural for me to be drawn to it. Blessings!
Tammy, thank you, you are so sweet to say that! Blessings to you, too!
Love the crisp classic look of the blue and white for summer, always a winner. Although I sure am enjoying the bee motif so much fun.
Denise
Me too, Denise, the bee is sweet isn’t it?
I love them all! Your new chairs look great in your garden pictures too.
Thank you Connie! I love the chairs, and the garden. : ) I hope you are enjoying your Provencal tablecloth!
Love all of your gorgeous alfresco tables with the most elegant settings! I cannot choose favorite as I love them all!!!..but since we are close to the 4th of July….I say hoorah for the Red, White and Blue!
Shirley, hoorah! I love red, white and blue too…but then I also love the others. You know I just love setting tables.
I love your informative posts for us, Lidy!
And oh my such beautiful settings! I love the Provencal Breakfast setting – those blues! But the Romantic at Heart won my heart. Can we choose 2 please? 🙂
You can choose as many as you want Sharon! That is the fun of easy table settings, isn’t it? They are easy to love, and easy to put together. xo
Love them all, but if I had to pick only one, I think the Provençal would draw me in. So pretty. I enjoy setting a nice table every day for me and my husband. Learned from my mom, I can’t ever remember eating without a table cloth!
Margo, I agree, a pretty table takes just minutes and makes every meal special!
All settings are beautiful but
I love the red white and blue with the blue willow dishes. I use the blue willow dishes too and have them hanging on the wall in several of my rooms.
I love your post!
Jackie, thanks so much for stopping by! I love the blue and white, and the Blue Willow is perfect for hanging on walls, isn’t it?
Lidy I just love your table settings you could never get tired of a beautiful table setting especially outside!!! I have been working on my back yard for some time now, so that I can create a beautiful background to sit and enjoy, yours is so beautiful and inspiring!!! Thank you so very for the beautiful things you have shared!!! Got to keep moving!
Janice, thank you! It is such a pleasure to have a garden to spend time in, with plants and flowers. Good luck with yours, I’m sure that it’s coming along beautifully.
Each table is filled with beauty and style. You never cease to amaze me with your creativity. It’s hard to choose a favorite but I think the French Country is my favorite. It’s lovely but relaxed. And those plates…sigh! I love how you have the bread on a pedestal plate. I always seem to overlook the many uses of them and the great way that elevating a few dishes makes such an impact. Not going to forget this idea!
Thanks, Lidy. Wonderful post!
Jane
Jane, thanks so much for stopping in. I try to think of different ways to use my cake pedestals, because I love them and I shouldn’t be eating cake all the time. : ) xo