G'day bloggers, hope you are all feeling the happy days of Spring or the crispness of Autumn as I am – it's wonderful weather today, and my walk by the ocean this morning was filled with sparkly sea and sunshine, nothing like that to get you going in the morning.
Now, to tell the truth I didn't intend of bombarding you with printed burlap sacks this week here at the Beach Cottage but you know, just call me obsessive…when I find something I like I kinda seem to take it on full steam until I exhaust it. Funny really, because I spent months procrastinating with doing anything with, what is, a huge pile of sacks, which seemed to fall over just about every time I walked in the study, but sometimes you need a little bit of a jolt to get you going, don't you… You'll find more procrastinators and their results, here at The Inspired Room.
Soooo at the weekend we had some friends over and I decided I wanted a rusticy-cum-beachy table setting and while I would hate to tell you that this took me seconds (though really it did not take me too long) it really was easy to do.
Starting with the white base and then the sacks, the rest of it was just a case of layering and piling on shells, candles and the like (and surf on over to Between Naps on the Porch for more delightful tables).
And the reason I love doing these tablescapes is that, for me, a leisurely little bit of creation like this is just not an option for the hurly-burly of our week nights. In fact on nights in the week, it is just about all I can do to get a dinner on the table, let alone one that has been dressed up to its eyeballs.
I refuse however to let time, or lack of it, dictate my enjoyment of doing the table at the weekend, which is why I keep the dining part as simple as possible so for this we served dips to start then roast chicken with basil and lemon plus roasted onions and red peppers (all easily shoved in oven) plus green salad, followed by Nigel Slater Apple Tart which even the bake challenged like me can do (if you need some more recipe ideas and you can't be bothered to sit with a book, though I can think of no other thing that I enjoy at the end of the day, then try Pioneer Woman for some no-brainer recipes for normal people.
I would much rather spend time setting the table than making a souffle, even if I am running round like a headless chicken in my undies, just before the doorbell rings trying to find the square white candles…
don't forget to comment on this post to enter the giveaway for a couple of the beach stripe cushion covers below – comment once, twice or as many as you like, every comment = an entry. Simple.
I'll be hosting giveaways all through May, just come visit and comment…
hop on over to Beach Cottage Inspiration with a cup of coffee…nice browsing!
Living far from the ocean, I do enjoy seeing beachy tablescapes — yours is terrific!
Happy Tablescape Thursday ~ Susan
I really enjoyed this tablescape with all the textures, especially the printed burlap!
Bwaaaaaaa….I am going to dream of printed burlap all night long.
This table setting is fabulous !
I love white on white…so elegant. But the addition of the printed burlap makes the entire table.
This is my favorite tablescape!! I love everything about it… the printed burlap is so unique and creative. Everything looks so crisp and inviting! You did a fantastic job!
* Oh, yes! THIS is DEFINITELY one of MY F*A*V*S!!! “YUMMYLICIOUS”!!!
Warmest,
Linda in AZ *
The burlap adds a nice contrast to the crisp white linen on your table setting Sarah. The thought of roast chicken has my mouth watering.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
I love the table setting…very creative!
Great job!
)
WOW, I love your style! ~Athella
Oh my gosh….it is beautiful and the menu yum, I so want to come to your house for dinner. However you would need to promise that the chicken you serve me was not in your undies while you ran around! {{{giggle}}}
Have a wonderful day!
Hugs~T
That looks soooo pretty, I still love the square cakestand, it looks perfect dressed up like that.
Mel xxx
Your table is PERFECT as ALWAYS… LOVE it!
Wow! the burlap is brilliant!
Well done!
Another great post full of inspiration with a touch of humour, too funny running around in undies looking for the square candles.
The burlap does look wonderful with all the white, your table is gorgeous, Kathy.
It must be so mellow to share a meal with friends surrounded by all that soft white!
What a beautiful post!
Fabulous !!!
I love the tablesetting…fresh and beachy! And it’s fun to read about a relaxed entertaining style. My favorite part is when the menu is included. It gives me good ideas! Thanks!
I just love your table settings every time.Take care.
Beautiful tablescapes. We lived in the islands (Bahamas) for years but our tables never looked as gorgeous as yours. I just discovered your blog – it’s very nice with lots of great ideas.
Sam
More burlap? OMG – I saw the first picture and fell in love. Such a beautiful and simple tablescape. You have a natural talent.
I recently found your blog and its my new favorite!
Did you make the burlap runners? They look fantastic.
Great use of the burlap..I love it. Marilyn xoxo
Of course, as usual, I love every detail in every picture!
Love the cake stand, your table looks great.
What a great idea!We just returned from sanibel Island,with even more shells than we already had.So,next dinner party I now have a plan.
I just love the simplicity of everything you do. It’s simple and stunningly beautiful!
Ooh, this is really lovely! Looks great.
Your blog is clean and fresh. Love the whites of the tablescape! Beautifully pulled together, great candle scape too! Thanks for sharing! ~Katy
I just found you through The Inspired Room
I’m so glad I did!
It will take me weeks to get through your backposts!
I love white!
I added your button to my blog
Beautiful table – great stuff…I’m motivated!
This is simple but gorgeous at the same time. Love it!!!
I like the idea of the burlap placemats.. the fact that it extends the width of the table and also benefits the other place setting!.. adds a bit of earthiness along w/the candles and shells which brings a bit of romance… Great idea. btw I added your button to my site…
I like the square centerpiece off-setting the round same-color plates. Gives it some spice. The things you create always inspire me to look to nature for more of my decorating ideas, as you utilize them so well. You have about the best “beach” decor ideas I’ve ever seen. Need to start your own magazine. You certainly have a lot of fans that would read it!
Brenda
I love everything you do – but I really love the burlap bags with all the white – the square candles are great. Here in TX it’s getting hot now and summer is starting up – I love how all of the white really cools things down.
What a lovely tablescape!
LOVE the burlap accents- burlap is my new favorite thing.
I love anything that is beachy. Don’t live near the beach but go any chance I get.
Oh this is just stunning. I love how serene it is. Just beautiful. Hugs, Marty
Rusticy and beachy and cottagey all at the same time
Very nice!!
Kelly @ DesignTies
P.S. I posted about your giveaway on our sidebar
Simple, natural beauty! You have a way of capturing this style. It is gorgeous!
Oh, I am so glad I stopped over from the Inspired Room. I LOVE everything about your site! I am in the midst of changing my accessories in my home to my Summer accesories. The shells are coming out today! I signed up for the newsfeed.
Those pillows are so sweet. I’d love to win them. Here’s hoping I’m the lucky number.
I collect shells every weekend so I can’t wait to try the white, burlap, and shells. Oh, and also the wonderful white candles. Who knew white could be so beautiful. Thank you, thank you!
You can bombard me with burlap any day.
Especially here…the contrast against your all white table is fabulous.
Gorgeous! Thanks for the lovely photos. I want that sofa! And pillows, please.
Donna
With all that fresh white, it becomes all about the shapes and textures, doesn’t it? BEAUTIFUL!!!
Love the burlap; it reminds me of going to the feed store to buy oats for the horses when I was little… I think I may be expecting it to have that marvelous oat smell… lol
enter me in your give away…love your classic comfy beachy style..I’m in love with burlap too..but haven’t used it yet in my home.
What time is dinner?
This is beautiful as always. Your posts always inspire and make me drool. Excuse the wet mess!! Lol. I love those burlap bags, what a wonderful feel they add to your table. I just love it. You have such a beautiful home and blog. My hubby and I actually live only an hour from Oceanside beach in Calif. but we are always so busy with living on a farm we rarely get to go. That’s why I enjoy coming to your blog to enjoy the Beach feel! Just lovely.
Debbie
I love the sacks as runners! Better than grainsack linen, I think – more rustic. Would love to buy-in on some sack products…
Hey Darlin’…have all the shells on your tables come from your very own beach out there or around? sigh. I’m so very far from the beach now that I have to buy them!
But I am hoping that Sept 2010 we can go down to Texas for a few days when the rates go down and hit the beach there…our youngest has never been to that beach like the others have.
Love the tablescape and love,love,love, the pillows.
Seriously this is your home??? It is just gorgeous!! I LOVE IT!! Thanks so much for sharing and yes I would LOVE to win some pillows.
Your table settings are gorgeous, stunning in their simplicity, and quite perfect for your little cottage by the sea!
Tamara
You do find the coolest stuff and do the coolest things with it!
Scribbler
WOW!!I guess this is my uttmost favorite tablesetting!! Absolutely gorgeous!!!You make my day!!Thank you somuch for posting!!
Another beautiful tablescape! Love it all!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the printed burlap! LOVE it!
Do you bleach your shells??
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
I love the burlap as place mats. Your tables are always great. And I love the white cake plate with the candles and shells. Very beachy.
Very beautiful arrangements. I really admire how you managed to combine all these objects in such an ideal combination! Come to visit at:
http://whereareyouolga.blogspot.com/
Great tablescape! You do have a knack! ::Jill
Your table is AMAZING!! I love it, absolutely love it. I’ve been so drawn to serene, beach cottage style lately. It’s so beautiful!
LOVE your blog. I’m a new follower.
I really like the starfish on the table! Very nice.
You are so smart. I would not have thought to use those burlap bags that way. It looks so great! I really heart that square cake stand and the way you have accessorized it. laurie
Just found you from Between Naps On The Porch…and I love your Tablescape!! Next Rainy day I will go thru your archives!!! Beautiful!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
That is a lovely table sacks and all. I know I love creating the table as well. Your pictures come out so lovely. Pillows would be good too. thanks for sharing.
I believe this is my all time favorite tablescape! yep is a 10!!! outstanding texture, accessories … just perfect!
LuLu
I would have NEVER thought of using burlap in a tablescape before-it works! And I love it!! I love your site, it has given me many new ideas…thanks!
Very pretty, and beachy! The burlap adds such great texture..
i am a freak when it comes to table scapes….i just love to pull them together. i have used burlap on my table before, but not a burlap bag. i love it! i think it pairs perfectly with the shades of white that you have. when you have a table that pretty, your guests don’t care what the food taste like!
wish i could come for dinner! awesome job…love, love, love it.
kathi @ traybella
I rarely tablescape since my table is more of an ad hoc storage for whatever anybody’s working on at the moment, be it homework, cake cooling, or taxes (last month).
The first time I was introduced to tablescaping was through Semi-homemade with Sandra Lee. I loved how everything matched in the show, but the recipes were more like something you might make for someone besides yourself to eat. Not to mention how there were cocktails for everything…
Anyways, I just wanted to know what you thought of her tablescapes and if her’s or who has influenced yours.
I love texture and I love text, so I love your printed burlap/hessian runners – brilliant!
Have a great weekend.
This table is gorgeous! The white with pops of burlap is so clean, yet peaceful, while still being liveable. I love it!
Great tablescape…..white on white is always lovely. But your introduction of the burlap is so unexpected…..especially in your home.
Have a beautiful weekend.
Everything looks so beautiful and natural. But, I love the German grain sacks used on the table! I’d love to be in on your giveaway too. Thanks
Wow, gorgeous table. That centerpiece is brilliant, I want one!
Beautiful table setting… thanks for the ideas! Please enter me for the giveaway!!
Michelle
What a perfect idea for the sacks!
I happened upon your blog while searching for beach cottage bathroom inspiration. Love your table setting as well! I will be back again and again for sure!!
I LOVE your table scape. I really do. It’s beautiful and simple and perfect.
I love the burlap!!
Beautiful, Sarah! I love your burlap things too. So pretty, you make me want to go to the beach RIGHT now.
Hey, I’m about to announce a burlap party, so stay tuned for details soon.
What a clever use of burlap sacks! I love the white tablesetting. The cake stand, the dishes – everything looks great! A very inviting table!
Soooo pretty. Love it all…
LOVE IT! I am so going to have company just so I can make a table scape!
I am loving the tablescape with all those textures and contrast with the burlap! Wonderful!
Love the sacks! The shells, the candles! All the layers! I need those pillows! I doing a remodel that is lasting 12 years! I doing my bedroom and bath in a beach, cottage, country French design. Yes, this is so wonderful of you to include this give away in your Tablescape. I’ll even take the bags! lol Shells I have, but my daughter stole the best! Here is to hoping! My husband loves the beach more than anything. So I doing this look for him. He has been so wonderful to me. Remember, I take the sacks!
Hi! I love, love, LOVE that table setting. Great job! I also love your sofa and pillows. Feel free to give them to me
.
Have a great weekend!
AnNicole
How serene and beautiful! You are definitely talented.
Love decorating areas of my home in the beachy look with lots of white, wicker, shells, bottles and comfy pillows and throws.
I’d love to try and recreate your tabletop.
Happy May!
Love the table scape! You are so talented. You gave me some inspiration for a candle center piece. I really like the arrangement you did there.
Blessings,
Marie
blog: http://emmacallsmemama.com
email: marie@waltercom.com
Youe tablescape is just beautiful, so soothing, calm and serene. I love it. I have given you a Bella Award…Come on by and check it out!
You made burlap so romantic looking! Love the tablescape!
blessings
mary
Your table is just beautiful – I love it!
simple+authentic=stunning! great job, keep the tablescapes coming
I think the burlap is brilliant too. It is in its own way beachy.
It’s all looking FABULOUSLY LOVELY (and so uncluttered)! Oh my, do I need to declutter my cottage in a BIG way… I get so inspired when I see your crisp and clean photos!!!! =)
-beachy
really beautiful… i came to see if you have some sleeping room pitures… I am dying to make a beachy bed room… not with little baskets and other ready made decoration but with some real things that remind me of the sea the sand and the coast, abny ideas are welcome
have a good sunday.
I love peeking into your beautiful cottage. My dream is to own one someday in Rosemary beach Fl. I love looking at your inspiring and beautiful pictures.
Love it! You put so much thought and effort in. I would lose patience that’s for sure. What a real treat to be sitting at that table
How beautiful are those pics!! just lovely…
That was beautiful, textural, natural, calming and oh so full of beachiness!
Two thumbs up from me….WAY up!
WOW that tablesetting is beautiful!!!! Love the burlap agaist white and all the shells and candles makes it so Serene!!! I dream of living near Ocean
I absolutely love the burlap. Can’t have too much! I’ve been debating trying to make some outdoor pillows with burlap, but wasn’t sure how it would hold up. Your table is so pretty!
Carrie
The pillow covers are just what I have been looking for. hint, hint. . . . . .
What a lovely tablescape. I love the oceans, beaches and all of their glory. This was wonderful
JD
visionquest2020@msn.com
Love the muted, washed out feel of this setting. The shells and candles add the perfect fresh feeling… thanks for sharing!
still love the printed burlap tablescape! this week is nice clean and simple….all of you have inspired me to start doing a table scape each week. Once again alone..had gotten out of the habbit! Thanks for a day brightener!
I am always coming over here to The BeachCottage for inspiration. Looking at this tablescape you can see how really “simple” the setting is…and yet for some of us, so difficult to come up with on our own. In its simplicity, it is truly stunning… and I hope you take me stealing your ideas as a a very big compliment. Well I don’t “steal” them completely, but you give me a vision with which to start. Sometimes starting is the hardest part. Also, after reading you latest blog, I feel inspired to get “off the couch” and get down too my own beach for a walk, which is only 5 kms away. I don’t get there enough. So thank you – for it all…