Your CartSUMMER. In the past many of us dreamed of trips around the world. These days? We’re just happy to be able to SEE people around our table at home, am I right?! As our lives are beginning to go back to “normal” I know we all recognize the silver linings that came with our gap year. We made magic memories in our own homes and/or gardens – like for us at FrenchGardenHouse celebrating Thanksgiving dinner bundled up in sweaters outside- something we won’t forget any time soon. But now? We’re more than ready to Embrace the Joys of Summer!
WELCOME TO MONDAY MORNING BLOOMS.
This Monday we’re highlighting the outdoors with our floral therapy. Just being outdoors in summer is therapeutic. Add in some beautiful flowers, maybe a guest or two or more, and you’ve got a joyous celebration of the season!
Before I share the table, let’s take a peek in the back garden. Our garden is practically the whole reason I wanted to buy this house! Because I knew that the garden would give me a large entertaining space here in Southern California three-fourths of the year. After our garden update last year {visit by clicking link “garden” above} it is coming along nicely.
The scheffleras are covering the wood fences so that eventually there will just be a wall of green as the back drop for the borders. The little boxwood hedges are filling in, and we were able to find the cutest little garden lights that make evenings so lovely back here.
The back garden is where we host most of our friends and family, especially in the summer. The best part of entertaining in summer is that you can make it as elegant, as casual, as elaborate or as easy as you want to.
For this summer table setting with a French twist, I began by layering one of our favorite summer linen tablecloths in a subtle very light blue-green called Ocean on our outdoor table. The plates are my inexpensive new black matte plates, layered with antique ironstone smaller plates.
Each place setting has a linen napkin tied with baker’s twine, and a little sprig from the garden. I love how the gently frayed edges of the linen napkins add casual sophistication to formal or informal entertaining. Rustic antique wood bowls are perfect to serve up artisan French breads, summer salads, and add to the overall country casual look.
The centerpiece couldn’t be easier! The antique French apothecary jar is holding a few branches from a flowering bush in the front garden, and I cut a few hydrangeas in light blue and white for the short glass vase. An antique round serving board visually ties them together.
Can you almost hear the clink of wine glasses, the laughter? Best part, as the sun goes down, no one is in a hurry to leave, the fire pit can go on, little lights overhead, and conversations linger into the evening. How perfect is that?
It doesn’t take much to set a special mood for the evening; a delicious cocktail or two, some simple food, a pretty but casual French style table. Throw in hugs {YAY! They’re back!!} lots of laughter, and people you love and you’re in for one of the most fun times ever.
Thanks so much for your visit today! I hope you will pin this for future inspiration.
Visit my garden friends by clicking on their links below! See you in their gardens!
SHIRLEY at Housepitality Designs
and me, LIDY at FrenchGardenHouse
What are you planning to do to Embrace the Joys of Summer?!
A BIENTOT
Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and above all uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com
Yes, we are glad to just SEE people, and to be able to enjoy each other’s company. Lidy, your garden is looking so lovely, so French, so you! Your table simplicity shows your timeless French flair. I like your black matte with ironstone on that gorgeous linen cloth. What really caught my eye is the way you pruned your hydrangea as a tree, but it looks to be an older, bush variety. That’s so pretty with its purple blooms! Love the scheffleras as climbers too! What a great space and style. Happy summer!
Rita, thank you for your visit today, and your always sweet compliments. I have to tell you, I bought two of the hydrangea topiaries at the nursery this month! I have never seen those (although Shirley says they’ve had them in their area for years!} I love them…so interesting. Here’s hoping they do well. Happy Summer, friend! xo
Lidy, Your backyard garden is the perfect spot for summer entertaining. Your fence with the climbing greenery, blooming topiaries and flowering plants is so cozy! I adore your black and white chairs! Lingering at an outdoor table with friends and family is one of my favorite things about long summer evenings. As always it’s a treat to join you for some flower therapy and at a table in your garden. Happy Monday <3
Mary, oh how I loved your post today. Those day lilies changed my mind about perhaps planting some. We got a butterfly topiary this year for the front garden, can’t wait to see what it does. {It is the sterilized kind, I’m sure.} It’s always a joy to meet you in our garden, friend. And Happy Birthday!! xo
Yay for hugs!!! Every time I see my Sweetie now she knows there will be a very long hug…Your backyard garden is truly a haven for the gathering of family and friends. it’ so tranquil and you can always hear the French music wafting through the trees! Beautiful table as always Lidy!….Your linens always crisp and beautiful as a backdrop to your beautiful antique place settings. Here’s to embracing the seasons and our loved ones again!! Truly one of the greatest joys in life! Have a most wonderful week Lidy…so happy to join you for some beautiful flower inspiration of the outdoors today!
Yay! I agree…I know you just hug your sweetie everytime! It’s such a joy to join you on our special Mondays, dear friend. I can’t wait to hopefully one day join you in your new garden. xoxo Have a brilliant week!
Lidy, You have such a flair for painting a beautiful picture with your words! Your table is so elegant and charming. I love all your flowers and your beautiful french bistro chairs! All things french is so you. How delightful your antique apothecary jar is with tall cuttings along with a hydrangea arrangement on your antique round board. I especially love your hydrangea topiary.
Yes, I can hear the laughter and clinking of glasses and feel the warmth of hugs. What a blessing to gather again with friends and family.
Blessings to you this week.
Bonnie, it IS a blessing to gather again with friends and family, isn’t it?! Thank you for your visit today, friend. Wishing you a blessed week ahead. xo
Good morning Lidy. I am so thrilled to join you at table in your backyard garden. I agree with Bonnie, you do paint a lovely picture with your words. It makes me want to join you in celebration of summer. Yes, yay for hugs! Your garden is beautiful and the perfect spot to entertain friends and family. Your French bistro chairs are so striking around your gracious table. The hydrangea topiary is a lovely backdrop to the casual vibe of the table.
It is always a pleasure to join you for Monday Morning Blooms and garden therapy! Happy Monday and blessings!
Good morning dear Pam! I am always so thrilled to join you in your garden or mine for our special Mondays. Sending you a virtual hug for a brilliant and blessed week ahead, friend. xo
The black and white look is very refreshing and gives me a European feel. You don’t really need the overload of color because you have it in your glorious garden. I can see why that was a big selling point when you bought your home — it’s fabulous!
Jeanie, thanks so much for your visit this morning. It’s always a joy to have you here. Wishing you a beautiful Monday! xo
Love this site! I’m always looking for new ideas, and you always offer plenty. Thanks for taking time to do this.
Thank you so much Judy, it’s so nice to hear from you. Wishing you a gorgeous day today!
Lidy, Gorgeous flowers and a classic black and white table setting. What could be. more perfect?
Lynne, thank you so much for joining us here today and your sweet comment! xo Lidy
I love that your table is simple, it’s understated elegance that lets the garden surrounding it really shine! The black and white is sophisticated and is softened by the fluffy hydrangea blooms and airy greenery. The vintage bread bowl is a lovely touch. Your Thanksgiving memory reminded me of our frozen family Christmas gathering where we bundled and sipped cocktails outside for an hour instead of our normal sit down lunch…it is wonderful to entertain normally again and hug our family and friends! Happy Summer Lidy!
Jenna, I love your frozen memory! It’s a little crazy, but those memories are going to make us smile a lot in later years. It’s such a joy to be able to see people and hug them again, isn’t it? Thanks so much for your visit, I love having you join us here. xo
French flair indeed. Lovely.
Thank you Alice! Happy Summer!!
I agree! It’s nice to feel like we can make plans…summer plans! I love your pretty outdoor space. We have a lanai here in Florida and spend our time there instead of in our courtyard. But it’s nice to have a place to get away. Happy Summer!
Thanks so much for your visit. It is such a blessing to make plans again, summer plans, isn’t it? Hope your week is glorious.
Simply lovely perfection! Where did you get your bistro chairs? Brown or black? I want to have a similar look on my back porch. Thank you!
Cheryl, I bought these quite some time ago wholesale for the shop, we no longer sell them. They have them at Serena & Lily, and similar styles on Overstock. They are black and white. They’re really nice!
Lidy, your setting is perfect for alfresco dining and entertaining. Like you, entertaining outdoors in the garden is my favorite, though our current heat isn’t all that inviting. Your flowers and table are sheer delight. I love the casual, but sophisticated feel of your tablescape. I’d love to pull up a chair and join you. Happy Summer!