Welcome to Monday Morning Blooms.
While I love to make the most of any table setting, when eating outdoors it often means I opt for a fairly simple table setting. Because the table is set in nature’s lush surroundings, it's a delight to create a tablescape that reflects its garden setting.
The table is set outside in the back garden, on the long patio, since there is some filtered shade there.
My summer tables are simple, but I do use French antiques together with French table cloths from Provence.
The French Cotton Tablecloth with cheerful blue and yellow colors and bright happy lemons is always a favorite! It reminds us of long summer days spent in Europe. A whimsical linen covered in bright lemons, it offers a fanciful backdrop accented by fresh, bright colors.
Of course what would any table be without flowers? Usually at this time of year I cut them from the garden. Most years this has been easy, but this year we had a total garden "re-do" so the ones that are blooming I'm trying not to cut!
I filled this antique ironstone pitcher with white alstroemeria, purple lisianthus, a yellow hydrangea, and a few remaining bright green viburnum. In a perfect world, I would have found blue flowers. This year, I'm grateful to have found beautiful lisianthus in any color. {And, this is much more in keeping with a French style, the French do not color co-ordinate half as much as we do!}
Our little lemon tree in the front garden is producing lemons, and they are delicious. Somehow fruit you grow yourself tastes better, doesn't it?
For this table, because the cloth is so bright and colorful, I opted for a mix of antique French and English ironstone, and inexpensive white plates.
I usually provide a couple of glasses per guest. That way guests can can enjoy wine, but also drink as much iced water or lemonade as they wish.
Antique French and English ironstone pieces are my favorites on any table.
The best ones have signs of patina and are what the Europeans call "buttered" - which means they have darkening and/or spots. When I find these at antique and brocante fairs, I hardly ever hesitate to buy them. Between clients {you} and myself, I never seem to be able to find enough!
My outdoor summer tables are easy going, but I always try to add a bit of fun.
There is a little tin mold filled with the most delicious sour lemon candies at each table setting. { My grandmother used to buy these in France, she had a habit of dropping one candy her cup of afternoon tea! } I found {!} and imported them from France and will offer them soon on the Gift Collection at FrenchGardenHouse.
The gilt bee place cards with a hand written name make it a personalized treat.
The salad is served from an ironstone bowl with antique French salad servers, French style.
19th century French linen napkins with monograms are always at our table. They are big, they are forgiving because they wash like a dream, and they have history.
An antique silver wine coaster protects your tablecloth from drips. In hot weather, if you are serving chilled white wine, it will also catch the condensation and keep your cloth from having a wet spot.
Summer meals are so easy, aren't they?
A fresh salad with baby greens, a variety of beautiful summer fruit, and something from the barbeque and you have a feast fit for a king. At meal’s end, relax and enjoy the beauty of the garden in the sun’s dwindling light.
Thank you so much for joining us today. Here's hoping you enjoy some of your own Summer Entertaining, French Style this season.
I'd love for you to leave a comment so we know you have joined us in the garden.
Monday Morning Blooms to See:
Shirley at Housepitality Designs
and me Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse
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 uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com
Sharing with Pieced Pastimes, BetweenNapsOnThePorch
22 comments
I would love to have you join me here, Shannon! Thanks so much for your visit, I hope your week is off to a fabulous beginning! Xo
Oh Lidy, how fun it would be to dine in your gorgeous garden! Your table looks so beautiful with the French table linens and the pretty floral arrangement. I hope you have a most blessed week, dear friend!
What gorgeous details for summer entertaining and alfresco dining Lidy! I adore your sunny lemon and blue French tablecloth, handsome collection of ironstone and beautiful bouquet of flowers! Those monogrammed napkins are to die for. The dappled and filtered sunlight in your courtyard looks so inviting and I envy your CA weather. We have very little shade in our back yard and it faces west so we’re rarely outdoors on the patio past noon when the summer heat and humidity arrives. As always it’s a treat to join you for some flower therapy. Happy Monday <3
Lidy, your table is lovely and looks so inviting. Anyone would be thrilled to have a seat at your table in your beautiful garden.
Have a wonderful week.
Alice, as a little girl I was so enamored with that little lemon candy! My grandmother always put one in her tea cup. Now as an adult, I’m sure it’s a lot of sugar, but it sure did make a cup of tea with Grandmama especially sweet!
It’s always a pleasure to share our special Monday Morning Blooms with you too, dear Pam. The weather here in Southern California is quite similar to Provence, so this year, with no traveling really, I’m pretending! xo
Thank you Rita, I have to admit I do love our little lemon. It’s only a small one, in a huge pot. Oh, you should see some of the lemon trees in our neighborhood! They could keep both us supplied with lemon goodness all year round. I love lemons in everything too, especially sliced or squeezed in my water. Hope you are off to a wonderful start of the week! xo
Thank you so much Janet. Since we can’t travel, we just have to bring France home to us, right? I hope we all get to travel again next year, I think we will cherish it even more, don’t you?
Oh, so happy to hear you’re enjoying your garden and the outdoors too Donna! Our garden is growing too, but it will take some time. I cherish every little flower that we’ve received this season. :)
Thanks so much for your visit, Joan! I wish we could all gather at the table in the garden. It’s a joy to have you join us, at least virtually. Wishing you a lovely day.