Let’s pretend you don’t have anything better to do this week, shall we?
Ok…so now that we’ve established that tablesettings are your number one priority, I can not wait to share the next five posts. Yup. five. Each one will have a different tablesetting for your extended weekly viewing pleasure. Plus I have some other posts sputtered in there for fun. Yes. Sputtered.
First up…one I named “a mother’s garden”….don’t be fooled, this could be easily switched to “a father’s garden” or “a sister’s garden” or “an incredible hulk’s garden”…he’s green afterall. They don’t even need to be an actual gardener…because it’s just a play on words…but I think you already know that.
My table cloth base was actually a couple curtains I scored at Goodwill. The green checks were the perfect country infusion. The centerpiece was a gathered burlap runner with eight potted or basketed plants and a pot base faux-chalkboard sign. I sprinkled acorns and some votives for added mood.
Each place setting was a mix of metals and textures. The gold metallic charger holds a white dinner plate topped with a avocado green textured bowl. The green set was a gift from my mom. She got it for her wedding and I often see similar pieces at Goodwill. If you see them, they are from the 70’s. I decided to go with silver silverware because it cleaned things up a bit. I love the patterned napkin and how it plays off the runner and the tablecloth.
The great thing about this table setting centerpiece is that the plants are easily transitioned back outside…nothing has to die. Most of them are hostas…that one that is more feathery is called an asparagus fern I believe.
In a few of the pots I stuck little plant markers (aka a skewer stick with a bit of paper taped to it). They each say something that is ‘planted’ by mothers in her garden (are you still following this metaphoric tablesetting?!). She shows patience…she teaches…she nourishes…she loves.
I came up with this table setting when I was hosting tables at a mothers day brunch and needed to decorate for the ladies at church. I like it when table settings have a theme…or tell a story…this one did both.
Also, here’s a trick if you don’t have all matching napkins for a large party…pick up complimentary ones…like in this case I had four different types. It looks coordinated and definitely has an appearance like they go together because of the matching napkin rings.
So that is the first of this weeks tablesettings posts. Maybe on the last day we can all linky party. That means if you wanna get in on the action, you gotta set a table and post some pics of it this week. I’d love to see all of yours too. Especially if someone decides to do an Incredible Hulk tablesetting. Must see that one. I’d Marvel over it. (sorry…had to!)
I need to get better at decorating my table. I love the look but in the end feel like I ran out of time to make it a true priority. Can’t wait to see the reaming posts!!
How beautiful! I like how it infuses the plants and everything is reusable! I’m excited about this week, as I’m not the best tablesetter out there. Except come holidays when I pull out all the stops!
Cute! I love the theme and the colors and textures. Nicely done!
Love that table setting! I’d also love to see/hear/read where you store all these different items! I know you live in a ginormous house, but still, where’s it all kept? 🙂
I am unnaturally excited for a weeks worth of table settings!
I love it! The burlap looks great with the green table cloth. Love the chalk on the terracotta. The green bowls are adorable too.
Did you say link party? 🙂 Yes please! I actually have a table setting coming up. I just painted my outdoor table and we hung lights yesterday. Still need to do a bit of sewing, then I will be ready 🙂
This looks so great! Can’t wait to see the other settings!!
I love how your chairs complement this table setting. Really, you have the neatest chairs…just everywhere in your house!
Beautiful! I’m always so stumped when it comes to a summer table. All of the other seasons are so easy!
I love how you decorated your table.
So much detail.
http://happinessiscreating.com/
So I have to ask – at this point in your life, do you know where all of the silverware goes? Because Ill be honest – I have to look it up every single time.
Also the table looks great 🙂
I haven’t even seen the rest of your table settings, but this one is already my favorite haha! But seriously, I love it. So earthy and outdoorsy – just what I love!
I love planning and decorating tables – it’s my thang! We have a couple of ladies events at church each year so I get an opportunity to use my table decorating obsession! You did a great job!
How very pretty! I love that the table settings can be gifted, too! 🙂
I love this set up. I think this would be such a cute idea with potted flowers as well.
Ooh I love the “earthy” feel of this table. I don’t have much experience with tablescapes, so I’m looking forward to seeing a wide variety this week! Hope you’re having a wonderful evening, Miss Katie!
~Abby =)
I hate to be that person to ask THAT question, but what about bugs? Maybe it’s just my irrational fear of all bugs, but when I look at picture #3, all I can think about it a bug coming out of the soil, climbing up the stalk, crawling across the leaf and dropping on the plate that the leaf overhangs.
Do you make a tablescape every night for dinner? Or am I completely wrong in picturing you bloggers as perfect housewives who never spare a detail no matter how busy? It would make me feel a lot better about myself if I am wrong. Most nights, I’m lucky if I get food out of the pan and into a serving bowl before we eat.
So question – I totally lack storage in my house and am a minimilist at heart, so my question is what timeless peices would you suggest having to be able to dress up a table setting quickly but not having to have alot of inventory on hand?
I love the table setting but I just wouldn’t know what do with all the items once I took it off the table.
Pretty Pretty!! I’m always awed by your ability to find cute fabrics at your Goodwill – I flunk out more often than not when I make my rounds. This is a delightful tablescape – very wholesome and not overdone. I’m excited to see the rest! 🙂
Well white plates are a must. And silverware that you love. And then I would say that I would keep one set of chargers and one tablecloth with a pattern. Also, if you want accent dishes (like 6 bowls or 6 salad plates)…go for a red set first…it applies to practically all the holidays. And I always say keep at least two sets of fabric napkins…one white and one with a pattern. You can use them for even regular meals to make them fancy 🙂
xo – kb
Hmm…didn’t have any bugs in these but then again, I made sure that the soil was on the drier side (didn’t want to drip on my tablecloth/curtains!)…so maybe if you were gonna try this at home, set your plants in the garage for 24 hours first so all the potential occupants can escape 🙂
xo – kb
p.s. tablescape every night?! BWAHAHA!
haha! I do only because my mom had us set the table every night growing up. Although I buck tradition and say that the silverware can go anywhere you want it to 🙂
xo – kb
Well, the plants were kept outside 🙂 The burlap and the curtains are in my fabric stash and the rest is kept in the kitchen or dining room 🙂
xo – kb
Hi Katie, I didn’t grow up in this country and where I come from we never had fancy table settings 🙂 I adore all the table-settings you blog about… yours and your mom’s. But the question I always have is, where do you keep the food? Is it served to everyone and then the serving dishes taken away? Sorry if I asked a question with an extremely obvious answer 🙂
Im not sure if this is the “actual” correct setting, but my mom always said “Knife and Spoon have 5 letters, so they go on the RIGHT. Fork has 4 letters so it goes on the LEFT.” Get it? 🙂
The name is Stewart. Katie Stewart. And I rock the pants off of all tablesettings.
Ran out of something clever to say..but seriously. You are Martha Stewart’s pretty, long-lost daughter. I loooove how creative you are and always love your settings. Those napkins are adorable!!
X Melissa
Noo, I want laundry & Weston’s room! Haha! I’ve been thru most of your inventory of posts so I’m wanting action! Haha, ignore me! I’m so aware that the laundry will take time etc, but I’m so excited for you and all your fabulous ideas 🙂
That is sooooo cute!!! We recently purchased an old Colonial style home with a giant screened in porch on the back of the home. Still in the dreaming and getting rolling phases of our blog about the house, but I am dying to set a long beautiful table for an evening with friends but could use some earthy inspiration. This is very good. My favorite thing is the burlap texture of the table cloth. Really nice.
Yup…fork on the left and under it goes the napkin…and the knife and spoon on the right. The knife always faces into the plate so you don’t cut your finger. I also remember my mother critiquing my napkin fold…and how the bottom far right corner of the napkin should be a corner of the napkin so that you can pinch it with two fingers and it will unfold for laying across your lap. I dare say that I also remember the correct way to hold my fork and knife for European and American style eating…and where to put my silverware to indicate that I am done with my meal 🙂 Funny how things stick with ya, huh!?
xo – kb
Well, obviously these table settings are not for serving dishes and centerpieces. It’s more for buffet style serving. My family was bigger growing up, so if my mom did a table setting, it usually meant that the food was all together on the kitchen island (she’s one to make MANY large main and side dishes) and we just took our plate around the island to serve ourselves. If you are trying to do a table setting and need to remove the centerpiece for food because a buffet is out of the question, I suggest that you try to create a centerpiece that could be set up in a tray…that way, when it’s time to eat, you just can pick it up and remove it with a single step 🙂
xo – kb
I love the burlap! I’ve hosted Thanksgiving for 12+ friends a few years in a row and no table cloth was long enough to cover all the folding tables, so a nice long piece of burlap helped cover either side of the table cloth. The table cloth was already greens and yellows, very earthy like this.
Things sure do stick with you…sometimes maybe not the ones she’d WANT you to remember 🙂 But just curious, where do you put your silverware to say you are done with your meal?? Would be kinda cool to know…to stick in my book of ediquettes and stuff…you know.
Here is a great example with pictures (it’s hard to explain without showing photos) of how to indicate you are done. It doesn’t go into napkin etiquette…but in general, your napkin should also be casually gathered and laid to the left of the plate…never on top or refolded…according to Amy Vanderbilt’s etiquette book 🙂
xo – kb
our mother/daughter brunch was held on may 4th. as in “may the 4th be with you”, star wars pun for the win! so, instead of doing a fancy, pretty table with china, i did a star wars themed table! i’ll have to post some pics on my blog at some point so i can share, it was so much fun