Summer Dining Table Design

summer table design

This year with doing so much traveling I decided to keep my dining table a little more simple. To be honest, I have been creating more simple designs lately. I have been drawn to more natural simple elements and designs.

My Longaberger basket has become the focal point for my table each season. It is big and beautiful. The olive trees were in the basket already and I simply added garland around it. The candles and fairy lights I left in for a soft glow. It looks so pretty at night. I love the wreath basket from Longaberger and keep it out all year long. For summer I just added a potted hydrangea for a pop of color.

I usually start with a table runner to fit the season. This bamboo design is perfect for summer. Keeping with my natural theme I kept the birdcages on the table this year. Normally, I take them down for the summer but this year decided to leave them out for the season. I like the change. A little touch of summer was added with mason jars and Emma Bridgewater bud vases.

summer table design
Summer place setting in style

My place settings were simple this year. I ordered these pink charges a few years ago and they are the first layer.  A placemat from Lucy Grymes is the second layer. I love the scalloped shape of these. My Juliska plates complete the look along with a seersucker napkin in pink.

What do you think? A simple summer tablescape.

profileUntil next week,

Carrie

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Summer Celebration Lunch

ladies luncheon

Summer is almost over and I thought it was the perfect time to get a couple of my closest friends together for lunch. We have all been so busy this summer and needed to catch up. Summer has gone by so fast, hasn’t it?

I always like a theme. I think that makes it so much easier to plan around. Wanting to keep it casual, I chose an easy summer theme with flowers and bright colors. My garden is in full bloom so I picked some hydrangeas, black-eyed Susans, and roses to use in my centerpiece and decor. Quick tip for making hydrangeas last, cut them in the morning, put them in a few inches of water for a few hours, and dip the cut stems in boiling water for a few seconds. Your hydrangeas will last so long! I love paper goods and Lucy Grymes has become a new favorite. Her patterns are so cute and I love the vase wraps. These wraps turn any container (even a simple drinking glass) into a pretty vase. I went with the bamboo-style wraps to coordinate with a floral placemat that reminded me of Lilly. Quick and easy centerpiece and table decor.

I went with my trusty old favorite Entertaining with Longaberger book. This book is about 20 years old and it continues to be my go-to for entertaining. I picked a sparkling lemonade recipe but switched out the flavor to lavender. I love lavender. A charcuterie board started the afternoon followed by an overnight marinated vegetable salad and chicken sandwiches with a carmelized onion-apple relish. That relish was delicious. The dessert consisted of a strawberry daiquiri bundt cake from Dockside Market. Dockside Market is a partner of Longaberger and created this flavor specifically for our Horizon of Hope campaign. I also displayed the cake on the Moser Glass small cake stand from Longaberger. The color is perfect and neutral enough to coordinate with any style and decor.

Entertaining does not have to be complicated or stressful. I always set the table the night before to save time the next day. I also find setting out all of the platters, serving pieces, and utensils the night before so helpful too. This ensures that I am not searching for something the day of. I always like to send my guests home with a small goodie too. This time I found little bottles of the lemonade wine I served and added a burlap bow to the bottle. A bath bomb in a cute box makes a lovely gift too. What could be better than wine and a bath bomb? I think that makes for a perfect evening.

We had a perfect afternoon catching up. Sometimes a day with good friends is really what you need! Honestly, just spending time together is really the most important thing!

Until next week,

Carrie