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
26 comments
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!
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 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
Jeanie, thanks so much for your visit this morning. It’s always a joy to have you here. Wishing you a beautiful Monday! xo
Thank you so much Judy, it’s so nice to hear from you. Wishing you a gorgeous day today!
Lynne, thank you so much for joining us here today and your sweet comment! xo 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
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!
Lidy, Gorgeous flowers and a classic black and white table setting. What could be. more perfect?
Love this site! I’m always looking for new ideas, and you always offer plenty. Thanks for taking time to do this.