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
Stacks of plates and napkins, piles of silver, clusters of goblets – indoors or out, my favorite way to set a table. Speaks to me of elegant ease! Love your photos here and those Limoges plates – so yummy! ?
So enjoy the pictures. Also how the French don’t worry about every thing matching or new.
That silverware is what caught my eye. It’s beautiful.
My tip: Set up an electric oscillating fan nearby. It kicks up a breeze on a hot day, and helps keep away bugs.
Great photography and styling! Of course, you have a way with words too.
Reading your blog is like opening a wonderful present.
Lovely post. Mix and match of china looks so fresh.