G'day gals, hope you are enjoying the summer heat, I hear it's hotting up in the Northern Hemisphere with sizzling skies…well, we are enjoying beautiful Australian winter temps here so I guess we're all doing well.
Someone recently told me that setting a table was just so passe. Someone who knows a whole lot more about what's hot and what's not in homes and dare I say it lifestyle, than I do. Which is I have to admit, not hard. I play by my own rules for sure.
I thought I'd better not, then, mention my dangerous new sport, tablescaping, and that I get some twisted pleasure out of spending some of my lifestyle time putting plates and such like on the table, standing back, often in my undies and wondering if it looks nice or not. Best to keep ones mouth shut on occasions like that.
Please I am just so not interested in interior-snobbery and whether or not it is hip to set a table. But I thought I would investigate this advice and sure enough, could I find a set table in any of the hundred-and-one home books I have? Nope, not at all, though, a lot of 'undressed' heavily 'un-styled' tables for sure.
So having friends over for lunch at the weekend I contemplated a more casual pile-it-on and pretend I hadn't tried to make it look casual look. But what's inviting someone over for lunch without a set table?
My weekday life is busy and stressy and my cottage is often so untidy it's mind blowing so at the weekend it's good to potter about making things look nice and I like that. For this one I used new striped nautical table mats and everything else plain with a few vintage pieces thrown in for good Beach Cottage measure.
How much pleasure you get out of tablescaping I couldn't be sure, but a warning for those of you partaking – do not put tealights under a much-prized vintage glass cake stand unless you are particularly interested in frantically vacuuming up shattered glass just before the doorbell rings…
blogged for Susans Tablescape Event at Between Naps on the Porch
tablemats – Target
vintage & white cake stands – thrifted
pitcher & spheres – Wheel & Barrow
white jugs & vintage cutlery – thrifted
tables, chairs, tablecloth,china & glasses – IKEA
green vintage chair – thrifted
G’day, I stumbled upon this blog yesterday and thought it might interest you.
http://rosannainc.blogspot.com/2009/06/tablesetting-contest.html
Thank you for sharing your lovely home. I enjoy coming back every time.
Ba-humbug! setting the table is fun and yours always look great. Shame about the cake stand – maybe you could find a thrifted cut glass tray or plate and glue it to the left over metal bit?
sarah – i must admit, i love creating a beautiful table esp. for special occasions. it makes the meal even more special, don’t you think? i love the casual & classy look you achieved. you might just start a new tablesetting trend!
I saw a BEAUTIFUL one today…I love setting a nice table…check this one out..
http://itsthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome.blogspot.com/2009/06/lots-of-jars.html
I want to do this in the garden this Summer some time. Now if only I had not thrown out ALL my father-in-laws glass jars…will I ever learn?
As always your table is beautiful and inviting! Sorry about your cake stand
I know you will find another one 
Toni
Love the contrast of the Navy blue -
Simple, Elegant, Tasteful – Yes I think that sums up my feelings!
Oh Sarah, I guess that must have been quite a spectacular shock!
I think setting the table is lovely and would love to be able to do it more at home, we just don’t have the room…. but one day I will. I have the table just need the space to put it!
Oh no about your cake stand – it looked perfect with the candles under it
Inspiring as always
How sad, your beautiful vintage glassware. Keep the stand, I am sure you will find a use or invention for it. [ps i want your vintage mirror in the 1st pic]
Bad luck about the cake stand!!
As always your table looks wonderful
Alison
Oh crikey mate!
I wonder who decides what’s hot and what’s not…that has always intrigued me? I like setting the table for dinner, turning off the TV and lingering. x
I love setting a table and “dressing” it up! Take care, Caroline
I thought the candles below the plate looked stunning Sarah. Who’d have thought the plate would shatter… bummer!
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
uh oh!
as to the new sport, maybe we are just ahead of the curve? Setting more than tables, maybe we are resurrecting a trend!
I think it looks casual and elegant, a great combination in my book! So sorry about the cake pedestal, but an excuse to go hunting!
Michelle
Hmmm… Note to self. Learn how to set a table! Shame about that lovely plate!!
Oh your pretty little stand….but it did look lovely while it lasted. I love tablescapes, and I am so inspired by yours. I say we should follow our hearts. My says the more touches we can provide for those we love, the better. XXX Annie
The candles did look lovely. If you want that glowy look again, I have seen battery operated tea-lights. Yes, I know it’s not as lovely as the real thing but you have such a knack, I bet you could disguise them and get the candlelight “look” without the broken items. As for a set table, go for it, it looks beautiful and if I can ever get the clutter cleared, I plan to get my table set.
Oh no! Better that it happened before your guests arrived. Everything certainly looked lovely. Who cares what other say is “in”. I just posted about this topic too recently.
That was a beautiful cake stand, but now you get treasure hunt for a new one, which will be thrill to look forward to. It did look pretty with the tea under it though. :O) Mary @Boogieboard Cottage
Can’t wait tosee what you make of the cake stand pedestal. I don’t decorate my tables but I sure would be wrapped if a hostess did it for me. I would know she thought I was special. Keep it up. It is one of YOUR trademarks.
I wonder why you can still buy all the components for table setting if it is not in!
What a shame about that glass!
A special mention and award for you on my blog!
Amy
The tablesetting is gorgeous, I love setting the table too
Thankyou for your comment and stopping by my blog. Your blog is lovely, would be coming for more!
Oh no! I always feel heartbroken when I manage to break something vintage. I once cracked a bathroom mirror by leaving a tall candle directly underneath it. NOT pretty.
I love your table setting! I like to think there aren’t rules to how one decorates the home. I think it should reflect your own personal life and style, and if that means creating tablescapes in your undies, then so be it!
May a thousand fleas infest the home of little miss Bah Humbug and make her wish she could be setting a table instead of fumigating.
LOVE your art…which it is. If somebody invited me to a meal at any one of your delicious table settings, I’d feel so loved I couldn’t stand it.
I feel your pain for the cake stand…I have also learned never to put heirlooms on shelves where a cat will find a way to reach it. The pain stays in your heart forever over such a tragic loss.
Hey, I clicked on your “undies” link expecting some ooh la la… you sneaky gal.
Poor little cake stand. You’ll find a way to use what’s left, I’m sure of it.
Oh, that’s too bad about the cake stand! That must have been scarey! Your table looks wonderful! I enjoy setting a table too…I didn’t know that was “out” now. Hmmm…I don’t think I’ll play by that rule!
Hi Sarah,
I for one particularly really like your tablescapes because they are always so well thought out and beautiful. I am not very talented in that department but you do give wonderful ideas.
Hugs,
LeAnn:)
I don’t think tablescaping is out at all, at least not from whole blogs devoted to just that subject that I’ve seen anyway!
My family is so big that it’s easier to serve buffet style, but I used to leave my dining table ‘set’ all the time, now with my grandson living with us though, that table is the toy/craft/project/fun table! I don’t even bother with a nice centerpiece anymore.
Such a shame about your vintage glass, and it looked so pretty with those tea lights burning under it.
Thanks for the tip! Sorry you had to lose such a treasure.
Looking at the photos make me want to listen to the soundtrack of Enya and totaly enjoy the pleasure of a relaxing lunch with some friends or family. The arrangements are soothingly pretty! I have a dear friend who’s decor is cottage chic. She would absolutely enjoy this.
Cheers from Teacake Martini!
Oh, SO sorry to hear about your vintage cake stand…your table looks lovely, as always, though.
I tend not to play by the rules either…there’s just something about being a rebel, don’t you think. 
He He!
Rachel
How can setting the table be ‘out’ that is ridiculous! Who decides these things!!
Maybe the person who thinks tablescaping is out can’t set a good table herself. It’s an art….
What is this??? Tablescaping is out? Oh no! Well, I always have marched to the beat of a different drummer. Therefore, I will continue to scape my tables!
Beautiful table Sarah. Sorry to hear about the cake stand. I’ll remember your advice.
Oh my Sarah! Thanks for that tip cuz that cake plate is very shattered indeed! I’m glad you got some photos before the explosion! It really is an inviting table :0)
It looked so cool before it shattered to pieces…oh well…more room for more creativity!
I think that dressing the table for guest is an extention of etiquette, and etiquette never goes out of style!! Your table looks lovely as usual!
Sorry about your cake stand!
Michelle
How beautiful and soothing these pictures are!
I enjoyed reading what you wrote about tablescaping!
So sad about your cake plate
Katherine
What a sad story about your cakestand; but the table looks beautiful and so serene. Sally
I am SO sorry about your cake stand. That happened to me one Christmas with votives under glass shelves in the wet bar–lost a ton and almost never got the sticky liquers up
Ignore the table scape snob!
Oh, your table is lovely. It is so calming and soothing….makes me smile just to look at it. Very nice!!!!
Barb
How sad for your cake stand, but your table is beautiful.
I have a confession…. When my own house is terribly messy and in a state of general blah-ness I often log on to your site for a nice hit of “house-porn”. In fact I’m doing it now!
Who cares what the design police say – your house is just lovely and your table settings so pretty and inviting.
don’t throw out the metal stand-
drill a hole in another plate
Oh, Sarah! Everything you do turns out beautiful! I love your pretty soft looking table! Oh, no! I’m sorry about the cake stand!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
your tablescapes are gorgeous, keep it up.
shame about the vintage cakestand, but I agree about finding a plate/platter to drill and try to reattach. Maybe not even a glass or ceramic plate, maybe a round metal one would look fab?
I’d love to know where you sourced your large “under” tablecloth. I can only seem to find nasty very synthetic tablecloths, yours appears to be a nicer material. Any ideas?
Regards
Romana
O no….so sorry about your cake stand. I did the same thing once with a vase of flowers…just terrible.
Your table looks absolutely delightful…everything you touch turns out lovely…
Clean beautiful lines and soft lighting…love it. And then my little heart broke with the cake stand…so sorry. sniff.
Still your table is lovely
Robin
All Things Heart and Home
Your tablescape this week is JUST beautiful… relaxing and perfect! And I’m so sorry about your cake stand! It was SO beautiful!
~Really Rainey~
that post made me laugh!!! It is so nice when you have been invited to someone’s home for dinner or lunch and the table has been set… makes me feel like they were expecting us.
not the bit about the cake stand breaking though… sorry about that…
The bit about setting the table being out of vogue or fashion. That made me laugh:)
I enjoyed your post. And i always love it when being invited to one’s place the table is set. Something special about it.
Table-setting looks lovely! So relieved you didn’t include a pic of you setting it in your undies. I see somebody said there is a link there (I’ll be brave and go back to peep) I like to set our tiny table in Little Brick as well. I see you have a few Ikea pieces there:) I’ll keep you posted on our trip there! It looks as if the Scribe might have wriggled his way out of it for this week! Glad to see you mentioned you get into a mess at times. It stops me getting too jealous xx
Keep the cake stand as often there are sometimes plates in op shops with the holes already in them that have lost the stand and you can just ‘slip it on’! I have a lovely set of plates with lilacs on them that already have the holes but no stand so am on the look out for a yukky one I wont mind swapping!
And who cares about whether it is ‘Vogue’ to tablescape. It gives you pleasure doesnt it
By the way is the rose cushion the one you like – I have three and I did make them to sell but never did. Let me know
Irene x
Lovely, lovely table as always. I love the candles in the bowl with the shells, fresh and relaxing! I used to have a little book on setting tables for different occasions that my mother gave me. I think I gave it away in a clean out??? Had some great ideas but a little old fashioned now, 70′s old fashioned which doesn’t suit my style at all but looks great in a retro style home.
It’s so nice to see the sun out again today, hope you got out to enjoy it! xo
Thanks for dropping by, its such a delight to think that anyone reads my little blog at all so Im glad you enjoyed the ‘show’!
Cheers, Irene x
I love, love, love this post. You have fabulous senses of design and humor both! I love setting a gorgeous table, and I can’t imagine doing otherwise, so I’m with you one hundred percent. I am terribly sorry, though, about your pretty cake stand. I poured still-hot tea into a vintage glass pitcher once. Shattered the pitcher–and my heart just a wee bit, too.
Table setting NEVER goes out of style. I like to visit http://www.toastand tables.blogspot.com for inspiration.
Can I steal you for my next luncheon?
Simply lovely. I love the crisp lines of the linens and dishes.
I always enjoy your table settings, they look so enviting! They always make me think about the great conversations that are sure to be held there. When I’m a guest, it always makes me feel special when a host or hostess takes the time to set a beautiful table…how could anyone say that was passe?! Thanks for being such an inspiration! Greetings,
Siggie
Well, I can see I’m shopping online at Ikea today! Your table looks so serene and lovely. Except for the treasured broken piece. So sorry, Sarah, that it’s maimed. But I see in the comments someone has told you not to toss it! Good advice. I would have tossed it had I not been reading all these bloggers telling how to “fix her right up again!” So you fix her back and show us how you did it, okay?
Brenda
I love this table setting and think it’s like any other art form where it will never go out of style – it constantly evolves…the point is to be creative and have fun!! love your posts! lovely photos!!! what a home! thanks so much for visiting OSH!! come back soon!
Your table scape is lovely and I was happy to hear how much you enjoyed doing it. (I’ve not heard it to be passe). So sad to see what happened to your cake stand. I thought your idea of placing tea lights underneath was genius and would never have guessed it could have caused such a problem!
Tricia – Avolli
Hi, thanks for your visit to my blog! Love the colours in your home and your site is great so I will definitely visit you again!
Have a great weekend,
hugs Mia
I’ve just discovered your blog, and I’m so glad I did. Your home and decor are absolutely stunning! {I’ve sent you a personal email with a special request. Looking forward to hearing back from you!}
oxox
Jennifer
What a refreshing table setting. Love all the blue and white.. hope this finds you and yours doing well… Happy Fourth… hugs ~lynne~
Hi Sarah,
I know you know that I’m hang’n around in the background (I’m the one from Canton, PA, USA) and I’m sorry that I don’t comment. I find it really hard to get time to write alI that I’m thinking. Just want you to know that I LOVE, LOVE everything about your blog!
I can only dream about having a cottage by the sea, but, oh… what a dream!
So… because your place is so beautiful, I left an Award over at my blog especially for you.
Happy, Happy moments by the sea!
Namaste’
Barb:-)
Oh, no! I hate that your lost your little pedestal. It was so pretty! Well, I guess that means that you are going to have to find a new one. The hunt (and the fun) are on…
And I never knew that tablescapes were out. Tell that to the cabinet after cabinet of dishes in my house. LOL! You just stick with us, Sarah!
XO,
Sheila
So sorry about your lovely cake stand. Your table is beautiful and your friend needs to learn to enjoy it!
Christi
To me, this table is about as understated and casual chic as one can get.
We all have to set the table with SOMETHING to eat on. Why not give it the care it deserves?
Your tables always make me want to sell my house and move to the beach!
I’m so sorry about your cake stand. 
I’ve had a few tablescaping boo boos happen…so I totally sympathize. Hope your dinner party was awesome…I know you table was! Susan
Oh darn it……..that is just too darn sad. I’m so sorry the tealights got a bit hot for the cake plate. I had my favorite bell jar by a lamp……yeah, it’s history.
Your table looks stunning though! I love the colors and the simplicity. Very Martha, I think.
Blessings,
Spencer
I find setting a table so less passe (is that even a phrase, LOL?!) than ever before…now that the economy’s in the pooper, isn’t it nice to think that we can pull together some fun, vintage yard sale/thrift shop finds and entertain ourselves and our friends on a budget? Or maybe I’m passe.
You know I always love your table settings…so simple, beachy and inviting. I’d pull up to your table any day!
Love the article. Elegant and very interesting.