Welcome sweet friends. After a cooler than normal late spring, it felt like summer had arrived last week in our Appalachian Foothills with temps in the 90’s and high humidity. Summer will officially begin Friday, June 20th!
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV)
I am excited to join sixteen table stylists for a Summer Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by my friend, Rita at Panoply. You will find all of the links for creative tablescapes at the bottom of this post.
Setting a table in the garden is the ideal spot to welcome summer!
My plan was to set a simple table. I always start with an inspiration piece, something that suits my fancy. I have a large collection of April Cornell tablecloths. Some were purchased twenty plus years ago and many have been gifted since I became an April Cornell Brand Ambassador. My sweet husband surprised me with this April Cornell For Victoria tablecloth along with the matching tea set when the limited edition was first introduced by Victoria Magazine. The ‘Blue Roses’ table square inspired the dishware and flower arrangement!
It is French (Macrophylla) hydrangea season and these big blooms were perfect for my table! Once again, they came from my dear friend’s farm! My visits with Martha are always so encouraging. She chooses joy every day and never thinks of the glass half empty!
Our table is tucked into a spot in the left corner of the garden and it is my favorite place to set summer tablescapes!
The beautiful floral plates by Sur La Table were a lovely complement to the floral tablecloth. Vintage hobnail milk glass iced-teas were purchased at the Longest Yard Sale and silver-plated flatware was a wedding gift from my parents. I chose yellow napkins as a subtle contrast of color. Hand-painted terracotta napkin rings were found at an arts and crafts show many years ago!
Adagio maiden grass provides an interesting backdrop for the garden table.
“He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.”
Psalm 147:8 (ESV)
I love sharing a ‘special something’ on a table that is sentimental and has memories attached. The beautiful majolica-style pitcher, holding the hydrangeas, belonged to my beloved Mother. Since the passing of my sweet Daddy in March, my brother and I are sifting through all that my precious parents have left behind. Many wonderful discoveries have been made and I will save those for a later post. This majolica pitcher sat on an antique chest for as long as I remember. It was time for me to bring it home with me.
An up close photo of the design on the salad plate shows its pretty rose detail.
While I was photographing I decided to add Bordallo Pinheiro dessert plates to the floral dinner and salad plates. By adding the cabbageware plates, it gave a completely different look.
The Sur La Table floral-patterned earthenware was inspired by London’s Chelsea Flower Show in collaboration with artist, April Cornell.
“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.”
~Maud Hart Lovelace
Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers, and I love using them in arrangements!
“Smiling like a superstar the morning comes in singing,
the promise of another sunny day.
And all the flowers open up to gather in the sunshine,
I do believe that summer’s here to stay.”
~John Denver
“As I stepped out into the evening, a warm breeze brushed my cheeks, and my nose tickled from something the likes of freshly mown hay. My eyes were dazzled by dozens of tiny illuminating flickers, and my ears were stimulated with sounds from the darkness; chirping low groans and high pitched buzzing oscillated from the trees, but such chaos turned to peaceful harmony as I realized it was only greetings from a summer night.”
~Butch Richardson
Click the links below for summer tabletop ideas and inspiration!
Panoply – Summer Tablescape: Stars, Stripes, Checks and Plaids Forever!
Home is Where the Boat Is – Lakeside Table with Thistle and Bees
Hyacinths for the Soul – Marching Into Summer
Everyday Living – A Garden Table to Welcome Summer
Pandora’s Box – A Berry Good Brunch
Celebrating Everyday Life – Poolside Patriotic Party
Life and Linda – Adventure in the Skies
The Cat’s Whizkerz – Come Sail Away
My Thrift Store Addiction – Heavenly Honeysuckle Picnic in the Garden
The Little Yellow Corner Store – What is Growing in the Garden Tablescape
Belle Bleu Interiors – A Quiet Summer’s Afternoon
Dinner at Eight – Summertime Blues on a Carefree Table
Thrifting Wonderland – Summertime…Living is Easy
Olla-Podrida – A Patriotic Tablescape
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Summer With a Cherry on Top
Mantel and Table – A Beautiful Red Table Setting – Roses Make It Easy
The Bookish Dilettante – Americana Tablescape for Summer
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy-filled week and the best summer ever!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Good morning Pam What a lovely bouquet of hydrangeas from your friend’s flower farm, the pink is so vibrant! They’re set off beautifully in your mother’s pitcher. I know going through your parent’s belongings must be bittersweet and you’ll uncover a lot of memories as well as treasures. I love your pretty floral dinnerware paired with your ‘Blue Roses’ table square. The pretty flower pot napkin rings and cabbageware plates all add the beauty of your table in the garden. I love the soft cheery pop of the yellow napkins in contrast to your blue square too. As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you, Happy Tuesday 🍽️💗🌸
Pam, though you label your summer tablescape as simple, it is truly chic and full of beautiful details. The earthenware styling of the roses and the tablecloth make a beautiful base, while your hydrangea arrangement signals summer in both our regions. How sentimental a piece your majolica pitcher is and will continue to be. Adding the Bordallo plates picks up the green in the hydrangea leaves and its pitcher, a lovely accent. And having that adagio maiden grass in the background further drives that colorway. I adore the rich red of a spring Japanese maple – that is outstanding! Let’s not overlook the sweet detail of the painted flower pot napkin rings, so pretty.
Pam, thank you for bringing your beautiful garden and tabletop talents to this summer blog hop. I always look forward to your participation.
Pam, what an inviting table set in your beautiful garden! I love hydrangeas too and your centerpiece and floral plates are just gorgeous! Happy summer, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
I love how your garden-themed table also has flowery china! And the pink and blue hydrangeas are just perfect. It’s absolutely lovely, Pam!
What a pretty setting in your yard……The pitcher/vase is such a sweet treasure you have inherited and the perfect vessel for the colorful hydrangeas. The floral theme is so pretty for an outdoor meal. Thanks for taking us into your pretty yard!
Good Morning Pam. April Cornwall speaks to my heart and your table is just beautiful. You are so fortunate to have your surroundings go so well with your table. What a lovely meal outdoors at this pretty table. Very relaxing and gorgeous with your blooms. Love it all. Have a lovely new week. Hugs. Kris
Pam I’m so inspired by your beautiful garden! AND your beautiful table settings! I’ve had my eye on that April Cornell Victoria tablecloth, and I love the way you’ve used it here. How sweet to have the pitcher your mother treasured. I love both plate looks, and especially how the cabbage plates tie in with your vase. Really a lovely style! As always, I’m honored to hop with you – hope you and Butch have a wonderful summer!
Pam, as always an alfresco table in your garden puts me in a state of zen. Butch’s quote sums it up nicely! He has a wonderful way with words. I know going through your parents’ things is bittersweet. I’m thrilled this beautiful majolica pitcher is now living among your own treasures. Your mother would be happy! It is a lovely vessel with or without flowers, but the hydrangeas certainly make a statement. The cabbage ware is a pretty accent with the floral plate stack. It all looks lovely anchored on that blue linen cloth. Gorgeous alfresco setting!!!
Happy Summer!
Oh Pam, your table is anything but simple… it is enchanting, especially with the lovely addition of your Mom’s pitcher filled with hydrangeas from your friends garden. Speaking of gardens, your garden is always a special treat and the maple and grasses give us excellent backdrops. I am sure you have mixed emotions as you ‘go through’ your parents possessions. There must be highs and lows. The Captain and I just returned home after a 20 state working/vacation/family visit trip in our motorhome as we attended both a wedding and a funeral as well as business properties. I made an executive decision not to be concerned with setting a table to join the blog hop….although I enjoy them so much. I miss my blog friends. However I came home with a renewed effort to declutter and clean out cabinets… but we will see how far that gets me as all my “stash” has special meaning for me. LOL. Have a great and Blessed day my friend.
Good morning, Pam! Your table is breathtaking. One of the first things to catch my eye was the majolica pitcher filled with hydrangeas. It is gorgeous, and I know that you must treasure it so much. The AC tablecloth provides such a pretty backdrop to those beautiful floral plates. How I would love to have a seat at this lovely table and admire your beautiful gardens. Sweet friend, have a blessed day and wonderful week ahead!🌺
Oh Pam, this is simply dazzling! Not only is the table setting beautiful, but there is a story behind each piece. I know how bittersweet it must be to clean out your parents’ home. When Kelley and I did it for our parents and then again for my sweet MIL, there were many tears… Tears of happiness over the good times and memories and just sad tears for missing them. Kelley now lives in our mother’s house and named it Joy Cottage. Her outlook on life is like your dear friend, Martha. I love Butch’s quote! I walked outside two nights ago to discover the fireflies had arrived, the bullfrogs were singing, and an owl was hooting away, perfection. Love you, my friend.
Beautiful table setting especially with your mother’s majolica pitcher.
Good Morning, Pam,
Such a lovely table set in your summer garden. Your Mother’s pitcher takes the prize. It’s not only filled with memories, but it’s filled with gorgeous flowers. Beautiful hydrangeas! 🩵🩷 It’s the prize of the table.
The lovely floral dishes and AC tablecloth are quite charming. I adore the napkin holders.
Happy Tuesday, dear friend!!
Thank you for the wonderful scriptures and Butch’s summertime quote.
Pam, your table is stunning! I love your precious majolica pitcher you used as a centerpiece. Your mother had lovely taste. The colorful hydrangeas look so pretty in it. I think it’s super cool that you are an ambassador for April Cornell. I love that line! I have a few table linens and bunting from them. The Sur La Table plates are gorgeous, and I enjoyed seeing the close-up photo of the pattern. I love the rose in the pattern, and all the colors are so pretty. Happy summer!
Pam, your gardens always amaze me with their beauty. The hydrangeas are gorgeous in your prized majolica pitcher. Your friend’s flower farm must be so special. Sur La Table floral-patterned earthenware is so pretty. Love the addidtion of the Bordallo plates. AC really has some gorgeous linens. A lovely way to welcome summer.
What a sweet surprise for my eyes. Summer and your table perfectly placed in your southern garden. When I saw the majolica pitcher my heart did a little leap. It is precious and then I learned it was your dear sweet mothers. I have stopped collecting except for majolica. I can’t help myself. If I could sit at your out of this world maybe I could love on your collection and give up on my addiction,
I left out table in last sentence.
Your table is beautiful! Those hydrangeas! I so miss having hydrangeas. At my old house we lived on an acre and I had plenty of room to grow them. Where I am now I don’t have a lot of garden space and tend to do nearly all of it on my deck. I have, in the past, grown hydrangeas in pots, but it’s not particularly satisfying because the blossoms don’t get all that big. Pairing them with that gorgeous pitcher works so well here. Looking at that pitcher, I am reminded of the collection that my mother used to have, some of which I now have here. I need to go look for those. All of you ladies in the blog hop are really inspiring me! Your setting is so beautiful! You are encouraging me to get out onto my deck where I will be surrounded with plants and flowers, and have a nice meal out there.
Pam, it is always such a treat to have a virtual seat at one of your alfresco tables set in your beautiful garden! The majolica pitcher is a stunner and so are the gorgeous hydrangeas – the pitcher must be so special to you. The Sur la Table plates are so bright and cheerful and the details in the flowers are amazing. The vintage milk glass goblets are so pretty and I love the subtle pop of yellow from the napkins. The painted flower pot napkin rings were a fabulous find. It all looks perfect on the wonderful AC tablecloth with the adagio maiden grass in the background. It was a pleasure hopping with you today, my friend, and wishing you a most glorious summer!
Pam, the first thing that caught my eye was your lovely hydrandra centerpiece with your mom’s beautiful pitcher. It is perfect among your lovely table with Sur La Table dinnerware and your majolica plates. They were all made for each other. The hydrangeas are my favorite too. (I finally planted one in our yard.) ( I admired the floral centerpieces using the hydrangea for years.) Your beautiful setting of your garden makes the perfect spot to display dusch a lovely summer tablescape. Your table seemed to have “blossomed” in your gorgeous backyard setting. Enjoy your summer and it is great hopping with you.
Pam, I love your summer table. It is so cool and fresh looking. The pitcher is so pretty and filled with gorgeous blooms! I know it is special since it was your Mom’s. I always enjoy seeing what you’ve incorporated into your tablescape that has a special meaning. Your tablecloth is lovely and it’s special too since RM chose it along with the tea set! Enjoy your week. Clara❤️