Summer has definitely arrived in North Carolina judging by the heat and humidity. . .oh how we’re missing the cooler days of May.
I set this table last week dashing outside to enjoy a window sunshine between rain showers. . .
Endless Summer Hydrangeas are loving our abundance of rain!
I cut some hydrangeas and hosta leaves to place in a garden urn as a centerpiece for the table.
The urn is not watertight, so I placed a plastic container inside it and secured it with waterproof floral tape. A piece of chicken wire makes for easy flower arranging to support the stems and is an eco-friendly alternative to wet floral foam as it is reusable.
A quilt provides a foundation for the table with a blooming patchwork of calico squares and sprays of embroidered flowers.
Notice anything missing? The stemware! I was in a hurry to beat the rain showers in the forecast and didn’t even notice their absence until I was editing my photos. . .gah! We’re still social distancing and not entertaining so this table was an opportunity to play with dishes and to keep my tablescaping skills honed. . .clearly I need the practice!
Assorted salad plates from Williams-Sonoma add some color and pattern layered on white dinner plates and carved wood chargers. . .
In addition to the hydrangeas all my favorites have gathered at the table. . .
Birds
Butterflies. . .
And bunnies. . .
The bunnies are currently enjoying the all-you-can-eat-buffet by the Potting Shed.
White washed terracotta pot napkin rings are paired with floral print napkins. . .
I tucked in some spray roses and bits of hydrangeas in the napkin rings so the pots appear to be planted.
Table Details:
Spring Garden Salad Plates / Williams-Sonoma, several years ago
Dinner Plates / Paula Deen Whitaker, Target, several years ago
Flatware / Portmeirion Botanic Garden
Quilted coverlet / Bed, Bath & Beyond, several years ago, used here
Chargers / Pier 1, several years ago
Pillows / Pottery Barn, several years ago
Floral Napkins & Napkin Rings / HomeGoods, several years ago
Thank you for indulging my love of flowers and dishes and tablescaping faux pas. ;)
I hope you’re enjoying some sunshine and staying cool. ♥
Thank you for your visit, sharing with:
Between Naps on the Porch
Sweet. . . .I had to take a closer look at the napkin rings because they are the icing on the cake. The centerpiece is delightful.
Summer has definitely come to N.C. and my flowers are loving it I have a huge bouquet of yellow and white Asiatic lilies on my hearth and just came in with an armful of Gladiolus and some early Dahlias to arrange in a tall leaded glass vase. Talking about storms here for the next couple of days so thought I would enjoy my garden inside. All that rain we had last month certainly made for a beautiful June garden.
What a year for hydrangea…best I’ve had yet!! Course have to spray with “Repell-Al” to “keep” but they are prolific…counted over 550 blossoms ( counted 2 plantsxtotal.) franki
Your hydrangeas are incredible. Love the butterfly pillow and napkin rings.
Your hydrangeas are beautiful Mary! Love the summer tablescape using the bunnies, butterflies and birds. The addition of flowers in the napkin rings is a wonderful idea! So sweet! It’s definitely summer here too. You slice your way through the humidity! Enjoy your day! Clara ♥️
You have such an incredible eye for mixing patterns and colors. I always enjoy seeing your designs. Thank you for your posts.
The quilt is beautiful and perfect for your table setting. I, too, am thrilled with our hydrangeas this summer. I continue to use deer repellent so that I can enjoy the flowers in our garden, along with the hostas.
I just love your table especially the beautiful quilt and nature inspired dishes. My hydrangeas have also flourished this spring thanks to frequent rains. I cut blue Endless Summer Hydrangeas Saturday and filled a bowl for my breakfast room table using your alum method, they are still beautiful this morning, thanks for the advice.
You definitely have not lost your table skills – beautiful!
So beautiful as always. Thank you for providing such inspiration in such a beautiful way
i like the little planter napkin rings Mary! It’s 90 and muggy in Philly too… Stay cool:@)
Love the napkin pot holders! Such a clever idea! So hot and muggy here in NC! Hello Summer! Stay cool!
Your Table Is a Delight!! And I love the real bunny picture. What a great photo. We have them here in the yard each day. Always a joy to see!
Oh you are hot Mary! The hydrangeas are stunning and beautiful with your sweet birds and bunnies~ I LOVE the planted pot napkin rings, extra brilliant!! Stay cool~
Jenna
There is something so soothing and reassuring, in these tumultuous times. Thank you.
I would never have noticed the missing stemware, Mary, because I was focused on everything else. Those plates…sigh….and the quilt…another sigh, and your gorgeous hydrangeas…and darling napkin idea…so pretty. I love it all. Too bad about those pesky bunnies having a buffet on your potato vine, though! Happy gardening and playing with dishes. 💓
Mary, this is a beautiful table. The hydrangeas are so pretty mixed with the hosta leaves. The WS salad plates, planter napkin rings, and the sweet quilt make a lovely presentation, and the glassware isn’t even missed 🥰 Stay cool, we are getting a break for the next 3 days.
Lovely hydrangeas! Beautiful table with the special guests! 🐦🦋🐇🐝 That quilt is a beauty also. I would be in your lake on a floaty! Lol Heat is one thing, but the added humidity does me in everytime, unless I’m in water. I hope my hydrangeas bloom this year instead of just lovely green leaves. Waiting for my peonies to open, should happen any day now. Thank you Mary for another lovely post. Hope you get some cooler weather.
Beautiful, living our days like twins, I was out photographing my hydrangeas in 90 plus temps too, they are so stunning! I saw my first butterfly this week too, I finally have some colorful flowers to draw them in, funny the things you take for granted, my old house was smothered with them.
Thought of you instantly, saw my first squirrel in my garden in my lifetime! It was being dive bombed by blackbirds… Wonderful table, I feel I am getting closer to playing in the garden the more we finish projects, for now still in the work mode, but another year and I should be feeling settled ☺
Pretty table, Mary. I had not noticed there were no glasses until you mentioned it. I was gazing at your beautiful hydranges. Would you believe out of 80 bushes I may have 10 blooms? It has been very sad and I guess the early warmth for several weeks then several hard freezes did it. No one has many hydrangea blooms at all. I look forward to them all year but it didn’t happen.😥 this year! We have had a good amount of rain recently and I see some buds on one endless summer. I keep hoping more buds will appear.
Everything you chose for your table works beautifully. I love the flowerpot napkin rings and your quilt is lovely.
Our humidity was terrible yesterday but it is better today.I am with you I miss our May weather. Enjoy your day.
What a beautiful table setting! It looks so inviting and the view is just stunning.
Beautiful table!! Didn’t miss the stemware….my favorite thing is those napkin rings…but alas they are probably no longer available…I loved the flowers you tucked in!! Heat and humidity gone just sunshine!!! HAPPY DAYS!! 😍🌺☀️
Beautiful table!!
It’s always a pleasant surprise to see your color combinations, textiles and arrangements at the table, Mary. Lol. love your comment of needing practice with forgetting the stemware. I didn’t even notice at first! I love quilts as tablecloths, and that’s a true beauty. Your combos of actual butterfly, bird and bunny (I chuckled again at that critter’s brazen display of thievery) with table elements and pillows are just perfect! Love that lakeside, too. I sometimes still dream about a place on the lake…….
We had a super hot Wed, but rain that night brought back a really nice Thurs and, so far, Friday. Have a great weekend!
I love my endless summer hydrangea, I have a question. I am not sure where to cut them for a bouquet, I don’t want to cut the stem in the wrong place but I would love to use some blooms in a table setting.
Nice of you to provide bunny food!
Nonie
Hi Nonie, Don’t worry about where to cut them. Cut your stems where you normally would for your bouquet. ESH bloom on old and new wood so they’ll bloom again this year. ♥
I could definitely choose the table by the lake over any restaurant. I often thought how wonderful it is to reflect upon the day with a great drink and your loved one seated at the table. Until you mentioned it, I did not notice the missing glasses…was focusing on the beauty of the table setting, the flowers in the flower pot napkin rings and oh that quilt! I have noticed lots of bunnies at our new house vs. our former one…but no foliage in the mouths.
Lovely!
So many great photos to look at. I love your potting shed, it is so adorable. Thank you for posting this piece and photos.