Create a Fresh Summer Table
Designing a stunning tablescape involves more than just adding a vase of flowers, plates and flatware, but that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult to create. Inspiration can be found just about anywhere, from your backyard garden or forest to international travel.
I recently returned from a trip to Italy, where I found inspiration while walking a market street in Tuscany. Summer is in full swing both here and in the Tuscan villages I spent time in, so upon my return, I recreated a few of my favorite scenes. Mimicking everything from Tuscany’s country markets to elaborate blooms from floral shops, I love to deck my tables with flower power.
For one of my tables, I used deep blue crystal glasses reminiscent of Tuscany’s coastline, along with a blue, green and white tablecloth portraying florals. Hand-embroidered cotton napkins give it a country feel, as does clay pottery and wildflowers from the fields.
Overall, wildflowers make wonderful additions to a casual afternoon or evening meal. After all, the difference between a flower and a weed is simply perception; the purple blooms of thistles act as great accents on a table, whether it’s just a few stems alone or sprigs popping out of a bouquet.
A series of live-edge serving boards can also set the scene for a natural-looking table. Here, I placed local, seasonal flowers in clay vases for an earthy feel to match the wood element on the table. Light pink crystal glasses mix and match with more casual ice-tea glasses, while clay pottery dishes set the stage for the meal to come. A glimmer of candlelight adds a sophisticated glow, and fresh fruits and vegetables scattered along the bases of the vessels give it that feeling of abundance, which inherently comes with summer’s bounty. A simple ivory linen grounds the entire tablescape, so as not to distract from all of the rich colors and textures.
Elegant summer flowers such as roses blend gorgeously with various blooms like zinnias and cosmos. Here, I capitalized on the pinks and reds of the petals — dotted with yellows, oranges and a touch of white — by pairing chunky, playful pastel dishes with pink and red placements (which, by the way, also double as great Valentine’s Day placemats). This brings a fun, youthful vibe to the table, fostering laughter and love.
I ushered in a bit of southern Italy’s Amalfi Coast to Colorado by setting the table with a green and white tablecloth and light-green glassware from a shop in Tuscany. The hanging red peppers and tomatoes add verticality, while the red candles complement the décor.
This summer, as you envision your table setting — whether you’re hosting a gathering inside or outside — consider what stands out about a location you want to convey, whether that’s local or abroad. Then, begin to layer in colors, textures, shapes, patterns and proportions to create a balanced table.
The time you spend attending to little details is sure to make your guests feel welcomed and special — and to make your meal together memorable.