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
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.
Hello,
Would you be so kind to let me know where you got your white dining room chairs? I have been hunting for a long time and am unable to find any nice ones.
Thanks so much.
g’day
they are from ikea
sarahx