Enjoy a summer getaway to the beach via the table to celebrate the last days of summer. Additionally, you’ll find table inspiration for summer dining and entertaining from 23 table stylists and bloggers.
Happy Wednesday! Summer is slipping away and I’m happy to be part of a Late Summer Tablescape Blog Hop this week.
You’ll find links for summer dining and table inspiration from 23 table stylists at the bottom of this post.
If you can’t get away to the beach, bring the beach to you! Let’s pretend we’re seaside instead of lakeside. While there’s no surf, there are almost always lake breezes to enjoy and we can count on a sunset view from the dock. . .
I’m happy to have you join me today, have a seat!
My inspiration and centerpiece for the table came from my Monday Morning Blooms Summer Flower Arrangement with Seashells and Hydrangeas.
I used a combination of limelight hydrangeas from the garden and white hydrangeas and snapdragons from the grocery store.
This easy tutorial provides a way to display those shells your family collected on your summer beach trip and is a decorative way to conceal your flower stems. You can find all the details and tips to make your own, here.
I was watching the clouds begin to roll in as I was setting up my table on the dock. While I was hoping to share some blue water views with you, I have to admit that I breathed a sign of relief at the cloud cover as I was toting out my tableware. You know it’s been a long, hot summer when you’re happy to see clouds instead of sun. :)
A burlap tablecloth provides a sand colored foundation for the table. . .
With patterned napkins layered as a placemats, providing additional shells to frame the placesettings.
A lantern displays a collection of shells . . .
And more shells line the coastal borders of the chargers, washed ashore from HomeGoods and serving up shell plates and bowls.
Twisted rope flatware adds a nautical detail to the table.
A shell vase provides a vessel for serving Starborough Sauvignon Blanc to enjoy by the water. . .
And seeded glass goblets give the illusion of watery bubbles.
Table Details
Shell Dishes and Vase-Ceriart, SA Portugal / Olfaire / HomeGoods, several years ago
Shell Chargers / HomeGoods, several years ago
Shell Napkin Rings & Napkins / Pottery Barn, several years ago
Flatware/ World Market, several years ago
Burlap Tablecloth / Amazon, several years ago
Pillow / Target
Lantern / HomeGoods
Many thanks to Chloe of Celebrate & Decorate for organizing this Late Summer Tablescape Blog Hop!
Click on the links below for more table inspiration this week:
Monday
Debbee’s Buzz | A casa di Bianca | Red Cottage Chronicles | The Little Yellow Corner Store | Sweet Pea
Tuesday
White Arrows Home | Living With Thanksgiving | Life and Linda | Everyday Living
Corner of Plaid and Paisley
Wednesday
Home is Where the Boat Is | Celebrate & Decorate | Panoply | The Painted Apron
Thursday
Intelligent Domestications | Sweet Sensations | Our Crafty Mom | Bluesky at Home
Friday
My Thrift Store Addiction | My Family Thyme | Katherine’s Corner | Zucchini Sisters |
Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Hope you’re enjoying these last days of summer. ♥
I am always amazed at the fabulous details you put into every inch of your tables. I like how the burlap mimics the sand and the seeded glass looks like water bubbles! Your photo of the bottle of wine in the shell looking out over the water is a show stopper!! It is a pleasure to start out my day with such a wonderful visual experience that you give us time and time again. Thanks for hopping with us!
I agree with you Ann. You took the words right out of my mouth. Beautiful tablescape!
Thank you Ann, you’re too kind! So happy to *bee* joining you at your sunny table this week 🍽️🌻🐝
Mary!
Breathtaking table! So calm and peaceful. Everything is perfect!
Hate to see summer go, but you always go out in style……
Thanks for all your beautiful ideas. Such an inspiration to us all!
Thanks so much Jane! Enjoy the last days of summer 🐚 🌊☀️
All those neat things “washed ashore” from Home Goods…I really did laugh out loud!! I love that place, the buyers, the sales folk…have “saved my sanity” so many seasons!! Luv your tablescape! franki
Me too Franki, dishaholics unite! 🍽️🐚
Mary, I would love to sit at your table chatting with you on your lake dock enjoying the sunset. Every detail creates a beautiful ambience of the beach from your lovely and creative flower arrangement to the napkins, napkin rings, chargers, shell dishes and a lantern filled with shells. The burlap tablecloth adds texture and does mimic sand and the glasses were perfect and add as you said a watery illusion. You could write for magazines, as well as style and take photographs. You have all the talent needed. Even the wine’s label has a shell motif! You are the queen of details and wit!
I would love to have you join me Bonnie! Thank you for your sweet and generous comment….if I believed all that I wouldn’t be able to find a hat to wear. :) So happy to have a seat at a table in your garden this week! 🍽️ 🌸❤️
Mary, seeing the background of the lake makes me feel cooler. Just like you, I have been thankful for cloud cover! What a beautiful beach table for two. I love the napkins as placemats, they are so pretty and shell perfect. The shell chargers are beyond amazing and how fortunate you were to find them at Home Goods. Your arrangement served a dual purpose, but who would have known with different creative and gorgeous settings.
Our heat index was 111 yesterday, I am ready for a break. Beautiful as always!
Thank you Pam! We were at 105 yesterday…I’m beyond ready for some relief for the heat and humidity. So happy to join you at your beautiful table with the zinnias this week 🍽️🌸❤️
I am so happy to see your gorgeous shell vase arrangement starring in a tablescape Mary! I love sea shells and this is just beautiful against your lake backdrop, and I love the way you used the burlap cloth and the napkins draped over as place mats. All your shell accessories are gorgeous and the wine is a wonderful touch! I am sweating just thinking about setting all that up though, I do hope the clouds and breeze kept you cool… I love the soft color palette you used, perfect for end of summer…It’s supposed to cool down today with a high of only 93 instead of yesterday’s 104! Hopefully you will be cooler too. Thanks again for watching out for me, much appreciated! 💕🐚
Jenna
Thank you Jenna! It’s a tad cooler today but it’s hard to tell with the humidity, our temp yesterday was like yours…. to say it’s pore-cleansing is an understatement. :) I enjoyed having a virtual seat at your pretty table today and I’m happy to have your back ❣️🌻🍅
Your lakeside table with a seaside theme is my dream! As always, the details you include at your table are the icing on the cake. The curling metal of your flatware conjures images of nautilus shells. I love your shell filled vase as a base for your centerpiece. Thank you for joining us in a hop again and sharing your table styling talents!
Thank you Chloe and for all your organizing efforts❣️🍽️
This turned out so lovely. I like the burlap tablecloth acting as sand and the napkins for placemats. Your center arrangement is fantastic. I was staking up my Annabelle hydrangeas and one broke so I used that alum method and so far after several days it still looks good! Love the dishes and the stemware- perfect!
Thanks so much Liz! I’m glad you tried the alum, I never cut hydrangeas anymore without a dip. Hope you’re enjoying the last days of summer.💮☀️
Wow, package that entire scene and all the elements and send it to me. The fact that you purchased all of those items several years ago means you’re now tired of them, right?? What a gorgeous display of neutrals! I love those chargers, stemware and flatware especially. It has to feel like being on vacation when you create a scene like that. A sip of wine and watching the sunset is the perfect way to spend a late summer evening. Because I’ve been fortunate enough to visit my friend there, I know first hand how beautiful your area is, but you certainly elevate it more than a notch. I bet you’re really looking forward to September and cooler mornings and evenings to really soak in the paradise that is yours.
Thanks so much Rita. Yes, I’m counting down the days. ;) I so enjoyed your cozy table for two ❣️ 🍽️🍋
Wow Mary! You have outdone yourself again. Just love your choice of the burlap tablecloth and the shell inspired dishes. I hosted a bridal luncheon today and thanks to your alum method my Limelight and Pee Gee hydrangeas looked so fresh. I also must thank you for the tutorial on soap making because I was so inspired I made them for the guests. I put them in little white bags I found at Hobby Lobby when shopping for the materials. The gals were all thrilled. Thank you so very much for all the tips, tutorials, inspiration and guidance you share.
You are amazing!
Your dock is the perfect setting for a dinner for two. I so much enjoyed each picture that you shared of your table. From the beautiful centerpiece to the shell themed charger, plates, and serving vessel, I love it all. Burlap really does mimic sand and makes the perfect background for this seaside tablescape.
We have a house on Smith Mountain Lake and you’ve inspired me to set a table on our dock. Perhaps I’ll do this in fall when the leaves are changing. That would be so pretty.
I always enjoy visiting your blog! You are so talented.
Thanks so much Paula! I’m looking forward to visiting you. I love a pretty fall table by the lake.🍁
As always, your table is spectacular! To beat the heat, can you go swimming in the lake? Even though I’m sure you have air conditioning, taking a dip in the pool/water always makes such a positive difference in our attitudes. Yes, summer is going by quickly and sadly, the heat has really taken a toll on my flowers. I have been looking forward to fall as Autumn is my favorite color!
Thank you Karen! Yes we can. The lake level by our dock is only 8 feet deep right now with our lack of rain. I checked yesterday and water temperature is 92, so it’s more like bath water. :) Autumn is my favorite color too.🍁
Delightful perfection, once again! I join with others in their lovely comments. Is it possible to swim in your lake as an antidote to all the heat? It seems tempting! You make the most of the season in any case.
Thank so much Jane! The lake water temperature is currently 92 degrees, so it’s more like taking a warm bath. 🛀
Mary I love your beautiful seaside table! It is so perfect that with all of the ocean treasures it is easy to imagine the lake as a salt water bay in the background. I am a beach lover, so I am happy to see more seashells and nautical treasures for late summer on the hop. After all, summer isn’t over! I am headed back to the beach in September so your beautiful post gave me a little thrill of excitement and anticipation. The hydrangeas with shells is a beautiful combination, I am pinning so many ideas here!
So happy to join you this week for the hop. I hope you enjoy the rest of summer!
Thanks so much Amber. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful table Friday. ♥
Mary, I could feel the lake breezes as I admired your beautiful tablescape. I pinned several pictures as I love the shell theme. The burlap tablecloth made a perfect foundation & everything is so beautiful. Enjoy your day & stay cool! Clara ❤️🐚
Thanks so much for all your visits and sweet comments Clara ❣️🐚
Those shell chargers fascinated me. Could you show us a photo of the charger uncovered? Wonder if they could be a DIY project? Are yours washable? Require extra care?
Hi Patricia, The chargers are rattan with the shell border. They look similar to Pottery Barn’s as far as how they look uncovered but they were a fraction of the price. They would be easy to DIY, just taking a little time and a lot of shells but it would be great project in the comfort of the A/C.🐚
Absolutely stunning tablescape. Love the shells and all the beautiful display. You are so talented!!
Mary, yet again you’ve set another creative table. Love the idea of the shell wine holder, and the burlap makes a perfect sandy beach base. I look at your photos and study them for details. I’ve learned so much from you!!!
I totally get the joy of cloud cover. I set a table outside yesterday to take photos. I started early, but when it was photo tme, the sun was too bright. After some photos, I deceded to leave it till evening. Of course I was out in 103 temps at that point. I’m so ready for this heat wave to move on and have some cooler air and som rain.
Another perfectly fabulous table Mary! Who needs the beach when you have that gorgeous lake setting? So much to love here — the stunning centerpiece, tableware, linens, flatware and glasses. How special is that shell doing double duty as a wine holder? I’m envious of the burlap tablecloth; it’s exactly the look I wanted for my tropical tablescape — and would have helped enormously with the reflection/glare problem. Hope you and your hubby enjoyed a delicious meal lakeside.
Mary your lakeside table is lovely. I could sit there all day and take in the beauty. The seashell centerpiece is gorgeous. I am swooning over your Annabelle hydrangeas. Love this seashell theme. The burlap tablecloth seems to mimic sand. No detail was left out. The wine bottle even has a cute little starfish. I am sure you created the seashell lined chargers. I have been wanting to create some for quite awhile. Always a pleasure to see your lovely tablescapes.
I first saw this lovely table on Facebook and right away I knew it was yours. Your style is unmistakeable. This setting is so serene and one that I’d want to linger at. Thanks so much for the eye candy!
This table is so creative! But…being so close to the water, and with no railing, don’t you worry that one inattentive slip of the chair and you’re in the drink (taking the table with you as you grasp something, anything, to break your fall…?
Thanks Barb! The chairs are pushed to the side to better photograph the table. When we eat, we face the placesettings and aren’t that close to the edge. 🐚
Oh so pretty by your cloud covered lake, Mary! I love those shell dishes and those chargers with them. Of course, your centerpiece takes center stage! I know what you mean about appreciating and welcoming the clouds. It’s been miserably hot and humid here, too. I’m getting weary of watering. Before I leave, I’ll have a sip of wine, please, from that lovely bottle in the seashell holder. 💙 🐚 💙
Thank you sweet Kitty! I’m so ready for some rain and relief from the heat…none in sight! Stay cool. ♥
I’m always in awe and inspired by your tablescapes!! I love the centerpiece and all of your styling!
Mary, I always enjoy your dockside settings. Your use of neutral colors really adds to the beautiful surroundings so one enhances the other. I am a big fan of everything sea shells, especially your plates and bowls and especially your wine holder. So very clever. Your sea shell filled floral vase is so beautiful for your table. As always, it is a pleasure to blog hop with you. Enjoy the remainder of the summer.
Loved the table setting. Do not know where you get the energy to do all you do in that heat. When it gets in the 90’s here in Plymouth, Ma. I do not want to even go outside.
Thank you Pat! I start early and try to be inside by 10am. It’s sweltering here with the heat index in the triple digits! Stay cool. ♥
Pitter-pat, pitter-pat, that’s my heart thumping at this lovely beach scene. Love, love,love it! The only thing missing is your gorgeous pontoon boat! Lol You know this Michigan girl can’t get enough of the water, beautiful sunsets and a lovely beach / shell tablescape and you covered it all. Swweeeet! 😚🐚🏊♀️
Mary, you always find the most perfect compliments to your tables!…oh how wonderfully relaxing to sit at the table and enjoy the view of not only the lake, but that beautifully curated table!!!
Oh Mary, what an inviting table you have styled. I LOVE that flower arrangement! I have a huge limelight hydrangea tree that has just come in to bloom. Your use of sea shells keeps my eye flowing from one element to another. Especially love the seashell vase used for the wine! Brilliant idea. Stunning table, as always!!
Lovely and serene!
Wow, Mary, you have the best view! I love your charming seaside theme! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Aloha!
We’re in Maui this week and your flower arrangement provided inspiration! I can’t wait to secretly pick up a few bags of shells to take home and use each summer as a reminder of our vacation. Your tablescape is lovely, mahalo!
Betsy
I hate to see summer going but I do LOVE Fall. We have had such a HOT summer it hasn’t been real enjoyable. Plus TONS of rain. I love everything about your beautiful table, especially the VIEW! I would love to sit there with you but I guess it would have to be breakfast time or after dinner:):) Enjoy the rest of summer, Mary. We are going to the beach (just the 2 of us) for a few days at the end of the month for my bday. So looking forward to that get away.
Gorgeous and tranquil, the table and the location. You set a lovely table of shells and lakeside romance. I absolutely love the centerpiece! I have similar dishes put away for now until our retirement home by the water dream comes true. It’s always a pleasure to visit your blog. I’m enjoying being on the hop with you, Pinned! Hugs!
Mary, your lakeside table is so dreamy! I love the neutral color palette and all of your attention to detail. I’m in love with your floral arrangement! Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers, but I’ve never seen them arranged with shells. I’m definitely going to check out your tutorial. The shell chargers were a great Homegoods find, and I love how you used napkins as placemats. It’s always a pleasure to hop with you!
Mary, your hydrangeas with the shells as a centerpiece is exquisite. Every element of your sweet tablescape for two is lovely, from the dishes to the flatware to the placemats. Even the lantern on the side with shells adds to the ambiance and attention to detail. Glad you didn’t get rained on, but happy that the clouds brought you some relief from the heat. Thank you again for your wonderful tabletop inspiration.
What beautiful details – a gorgeous table-for-two, and right on the water. It looks so calm!