SETTING AN EASY ELEGANT SUMMER TABLE

As the temperature soars and the humidity builds here at StoneGalbe, we are often driven indoors to entertain. It’s easy to set an elegant looking table inside. Today I’m sharing tips for setting a summer table that will beat the heat and look effortless in the process!

Welcome to the STYLED + SET SUMMER ENTERTAINING BLOG TOUR. I’m thrilled to be a part of such a great lineup of bloggers! Make sure you stop by all my friend’s gorgeous tables at the bottom of this page!

Are you coming from Zabrina from ZDesign At Home? What a talented lady! She always has something so interesting to share!

If the nasty side of Mother Nature is keeping you from entertaining outdoors don’t fret. Set an easy elegant summer table indoors! Yes, it can be both easy and elegant! Here are some tips for indoor summer entertaining!

START WITH FLOWERS

Use what’s blooming in your yard to set the summery mood! I have peonies and spiria blooming around the house so I brought in a few cuttings to make a very informal centerpiece!

I have small round and square glass vases on hand to quickly snip and arrange my garden flowers and then whisk them to the table! Depending on how delicate the flowers are you can arrange them a day ahead and they will be ready to take center stage on your table!

I like to arrange one centerpiece and two smaller mini centerpieces that give color and a bit of life to either end of the table. Don’t make these arrangement difficult. Just use what you have.

 

If you don’t have your own flowers barter with a neighbor who has lots or get them at the grocer. Summer is all about flowers!

USE PRETTY PLACEMATS 

The last thing I want to do in the heat is to iron a big tablecloth. If you are like me, forgo the tablecloth and opt for some pretty placemats.

I love that a placemat sets the boundary for a place at the table!

Today I’m using a linen blend reversible placemat I designed for our DECORATING TIPS AND TRICKS SHOP. They will be in our shop and on sale tomorrow!

One side of the placemat is soft and floral and the other side is a light taupe with a thin cream stripe. Bery versatile! And here’s the great thing… both sides coordinate and work beautifully together. I love placemats that I can get lots and lots of use out of!

These placemats are a part of my “SPA” collection.

Check out my SPA collection HERE!

ADD PRETTY CLOTH NAPKINS

Just because summer is more laid back does not mean paper napkins. Gorgeous cloth napkins, like the ones above, add a big dose of elegance to a table! 

I gathered them up and wrapped a vine of spiria around them. Easy-peasy! How’s that for instant WOW?

The large linen blend SPA collection napkins are also on sale tomorrow! They look great with either side of the placemat.

They will be on sale Friday too!

USE YOUR EVERYDAY DISHES AND FLATWARE

My best tip for setting an easy table is to get white dishes! I love them and use them every day. And I think food looks so much better on white!

I have white dishes that go with everything so I’m not getting too fancy with them. If you have white dishes use them. They are versatile and will look great on a summer table!

And I’m using my everyday flatware right out of the kitchen drawer! The pattern is Napoleon Bee and you can see it HERE.

I did get out my Nani’s wedding goblets. Whenever I can use them I do! She was married in 1928. What a special touch of real elegance to grace my summer table!

The water goblets are on hand in my dining room built-in. Do you have one go-to glass or goblet? Use them for this table.

 

ADD ON’S

The rest of the table I could style in my sleep! I use the same mercury glass candlesticks over and over again and just change out the candle color to work with the rest of the table!

Think about adding a stack of dessert plates to the table on a small pedestal. I love how they give a little hint that something sweet is coming.

And don’t forget salt and pepper shakers. I’ll be using a pair of white shakers that we use every day!

Now, the real big secret to making this summer table so easy to set… 

Gather everything up ahead (things you are not using every day) of time and put them all in plastic dishpans.  Stow them out of sight until you are ready to set your easy and elegant summer table!

Easy, elegant and company ready! Do you have a tip for setting a pretty summer table? We’d love to hear it.

Now, please visit the lovely Tamara at Citrine Living to see what she is sharing about summer entertaining!

 

 

Hosted by Designthusiasm

StoneGable

CitrineLiving

Life on Virginia Street

French Garden House

ZDesign at Home

Monday’s posts:

Maison de Cinq | Town n Country Living 
Celebrating Everyday Life | Maison de Pax | Zevy Joy

 

Tuesday’s posts:

Designthusiasm | Shabbyfufu
So Much Better With Age | On Sutton Place

 

Wednesday’s posts:

Cedar Hill Farmhouse | My Soulful Home | Cotton Stem
Bless’er House | Taryn Whiteaker

 

Thursday’s posts:

StoneGable | CitrineLiving | Life on Virginia Street
French Garden House | ZDesign at Home

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