June 11, 2019 4 min read 26 Comments
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
Blue Willow Plate | White & Red Linen Napkin | Blue Willow Bowl | French Canning Jar | Country Check Plate
French Linen Runner | Antique Ironstone Plate | French Apothecary Jar | French Linen Napkin | French Bottle Carrier
French Tablecloth | Chinoiserie Plates | Blue Linen Napkins | French Antique Biggin | Country Check Plates
Ruffled Tablecloth | Handprinted Delft Plates | Similar Pink Napkin | Delftware Plate | Delftware Plates
June 15, 2019
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
June 14, 2019
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.
June 15, 2019
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
June 13, 2019
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?
June 14, 2019
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!
June 13, 2019
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!
June 12, 2019
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!
June 12, 2019
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
June 12, 2019
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? :)
June 11, 2019
Shirley, hoorah! I love red, white and blue too…but then I also love the others. You know I just love setting tables.
June 11, 2019
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!
June 11, 2019
Bonnie, thank you…I love sharing little bits of my memories of my childhood too…xo
June 11, 2019
Cindy, thank you…I love setting any kind of table…food optional! ;)
June 11, 2019
Tammy, thank you, you are so sweet to say that! Blessings to you, too!
June 11, 2019
Alice, I can only imagine how wonderful your screened porch is!! Happy summer entertaining, friend.
June 11, 2019
And I’d love it if you could, Jeanie!
June 11, 2019
Me too, Denise, the bee is sweet isn’t it?
June 11, 2019
Thank you Connie! I love the chairs, and the garden. : ) I hope you are enjoying your Provencal tablecloth!
June 11, 2019
I love them all! Your new chairs look great in your garden pictures too.
June 11, 2019
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
June 11, 2019
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!
June 11, 2019
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.
June 11, 2019
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
June 11, 2019
I’m pretty fond of the Provencal but I’d love sitting at any of those lovely tables.
June 11, 2019
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.
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June 12, 2019
Margo, I agree, a pretty table takes just minutes and makes every meal special!