Celebrate warm weather with this perfect French Casual Summer Table Setting that embodies casual, outdoor style inspired by classic French elements.outdoor table setting that embodies casual, outdoor style inspired by classic French elements.
Warm, sunny days invite eating al fresco, one of the best things about summer is sitting outdoors in your garden, on your patio, or balcony, and enjoying a meal with special friends or beloved family!
The French have such a way with entertaining. Not caught up in having everything matching, they will gladly set an outdoor table with things they own. Antiques they bought on a special trip to Paris. Or Limoges inherited from their Grand-mère. They have a way of mixing it all up, serving fresh, wonderful food, and creating an atmosphere most special!
Even when the setting is casual, you can create a beautiful table. To create this inviting table setting, which is really more of a "buffet" type set-up, I used a mix of luxury quality Limoges, mother-of-pearl silver flatware, and French Country dishes. {This is exactly what my European relatives do, they simply move their things outside, no plastic dishes for them!}
When setting up an outdoor table, or buffet, why not scout your garden for an unusual centerpiece? This vintage French child's wheelbarrow caught my eye. {I am a huge fan of these old, old French wheelbarrows, see my Thanksgiving centerpiece here.}
Placed up on the table, it's easy to pop in a few potted plants to showcase the beauty of the season. I added French lavender, bright green lemon balm and a bouquet of apricot stock to the wheelbarrow and called it perfect!
Mix luxury with down-to-earth for a table both casual and elegant. The table with it's weathered aqua paint finish is the perfect contrast the the gleaming French champagne glasses, the antique plates, silverware and linen damask napkins. All that's still needed is to add the actual food platters, and the summer soiree can begin!
Add quirky, unusual elements to give your table personality. An unusual antique plate, such as this French compotier, adds fun and an element of whimsy. Don't be afraid of a chip or some wear, our French friends embrace antiques with a chip, relishing the fact that the piece has been around for generations.
This footed plate with birds and a dragonfly has seen a few generations of outdoor parties in France, which makes it all the more interesting, non?
Not just for desserts, these low footed pedestals showcase summer's perfect clusters of grapes.
Antique Hand Painted Fern Plates
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 uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com.
15 comments
The aqua colors are lovely! I recently remodeled my office in aqua and cream!
This is so inspiring to begin summer entertaining. Lovey setting. Thank you.
This table is so pretty, Lidy. The color of your dishes, the cute wheelbarrow as a centerpiece and most of all, I love the mother of pearl silver flatware…so elegant and goes with all sorts of dishes.
I love mix and match. I’d only have the the dishes, silver and accessories I have now as I was able to purchase them separately here and there.
What a lovely tablescape. I love the green plates, they are so pretty. And the wheel barrel is just so adorable!
The tables cape with the french wagon is my favorite. I would love to have a garden dinner with that.
Your table looks so welcoming, casual yet elegant. I hate eating off paper or plastic plates. I do understand they are best for the little ones. It is raining in Raleigh right now but I still want to have dinner on the deck. Lovely post.
I love eating in the garden, especially in May when the irises and roses are putting on a show. Love the wheelbarrow!
What lovely pieces. The fern and Limoges plates are especially delightful.
Always look forward ti your posts. This One was so beautiful . Love the idea of not worrying about matching everthing .
You are such a great inspiration . Wish I could be invited over and take it all in. We have a summer place on Whidbey island wa. On the water and a charming cottage for guests to stay qnd you just make me want to use all your many fabulous ideas there too thank you
So beautiful, as always Lidy! I’m ready to share one of those lovely flutes of bubbley with you. So lovely ??
Ginger