Isn’t there so much you can do with lots of white? For instance, you can add some color for a bright spring tablescape!
This particular bright tablescape started when I was taking pictures the other day for the “What Can You Do With A Teacup” section of my next Teacup Tuesday post.
I couldn’t help but design a tablescape to showcase the teacup in question. And then of course, I had to take pictures of the table!
Now, I’m all for keeping a table completely and beautifully neutral. But sometimes – especially after a longish winter – I like to brighten it up a bit. And this felt like the perfect sunny breezy spring day to do it!
An All-White Background
I really do love all-white! It’s so simple and crisp and classic. And I especially love it with different textures. In this case, the patterned tablecloth, the scalloped and swirled saucer, and the large figured plates.
See the contrast with the smooth soup bowl and saucer?
While silver isn’t all-white, I love to use it as a neutral. Silver gives you more texture without necessarily drawing your eye or distracting from the palette.
And Then ~ Color For Our Bright Spring Tablescape!
And then we have the color! I love it so much when it’s simple like this – lilac and pink with accents of green. Bright, but not enough to overwhelm.
And keeping the pattern simple really commands attention, especially against the all-white background. I’ve had these lovely tulip napkins for quite a while. In fact, the package was almost empty! But thank goodness, they’re still available. Check the Shopping section below for a link.
I could have used pink flowers for the centerpieces. Pink would have matched the napkins and I’m sure would have been very pretty. However, I really wanted that almost primary punch of distinct springy colors.
In our yard, we have both a pink dogwood tree and a purple lilac bush. And the combination really signals spring to me. So adding both colors to the table feels fresh and authentic.
Setting a bright spring tablescape is kind of like a making very good recipe with only a few, high quality, ingredients. You can taste each flavor, yet it still melds together in a beautiful nuanced whole.
Lots of White Space
Part of what makes that concept work for this table is the space. Sometimes it’s really fun to have a gloriously busy table. And sometimes it’s so relaxing and soothing to have lots of empty surface. Soothing is working really well for me these days. Maybe for you too?
You know how it’s easier to read books and magazines (or blogs,) if there’s lots of “white space?” Well it works with tablescapes too! Your eyes can rest on one thing at a time, and the design feels lighter and airier.
Dappled Light
Another aspect of this bright spring tablescape, is the play of light. I set this table up under a big tree late in the afternoon.
You can see in the different pictures how the light and shadow move around with the breeze and the lowering sun. That dappled light is its own kind of texture!
When Your Food Matches Your Table
I really loved the look of this whole table. Except I felt like it needed some food! Possibly because I was hungry? Something pink – maybe some chilled soup.
So I looked up a bunch of chilled soup recipes. I borrowed the parts I liked from each one, and made up my own with what we had on hand. And voilà – pink soup for our bright spring tablescape!
Stay tuned for the savory chilled berry soup recipe, coming up soon. (Although, I’ll probably have to test it out a few more times just to be sure it’s as good as I remember!)
Add some crisp white wine, and you have a lovely late lunch. I actually sat down and ate mine before tidying everything up. It’s so wonderful to sit out in the yard under a shady tree on a warm day!
I hope this has given you some bright spring tablescape inspiration. Drop me a comment – I’d seriously love to know how you’d set an all-white table with just a few spring-colored accents!
Happy Spring and Happy Tablescaping!
Shop the Bright Spring Tablescape Post
Click on the pictures for links to pieces I used for this table. If the exact item isn’t available any more, I chose a similar option.
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Pin The Bright Spring Tablescape For Later
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Barbara, I have lilac envy!!!! I can almost smell them. Beautiful table as usual.
Thanks Mary! I know – I think of you every time I see lilacs. I wish you had some down there! Happy Saturday!
Just lovely Barbara! As you say, the white on white looks simple and crisp and perfectly showcases the pops of color. The soup looks delicious and I’m guessing the lilacs smell heavenly! Happy Thursday!
Our lilacs are thinking about opening soon – I bet you have a little bit before they bloom in your neck of the woods, but they’re so worth the wait, aren’t they? 🙂 Hope spring is springing up there for you, and you’re doing well. Take care till next time!
I love the simple white dishes that can be updated for anything. I really love how the spring colors really popped. Thanks for sharing.
Mmmmm white dishes! 🙂 Well, white anything, really, right? So sweet of you to stop by. Looks like you had a wonderful time at Mary’s – can’t wait to hear all about it! Take care till then my friend!
That is an absolutely lovely tablescape for springtime and Easter, Barbara. I am sooooo sick of these endless gloomy cold rainy days. You are so right – we need some color after all this bleh.
How pretty would it be to put a paper doily under your cream soup bowls – to match the texture of the larger plate and break up a little of the smooth – not to mention it works well under soup bowls for the spoon drips, too. I have about every size paper doilies and use them every time I have friends over for any kind of tea lunchteon.
Anyway, thank you for the beautiful inspiration. Big hugs.
Hi Michele! I’ve never used doilies, but that’s a great idea to try! I’d love to pop in to one of your tea luncheons one day – wouldn’t that be fun!? 🙂 Hope you’re doing ok even with all the gloom. Won’t be long now though! Take care and big hugs back!
Enjoyed this article! I was looking for a way to soften the look of my china that has a white background and bright multicolored flowers, Aynsley’s Cottage Garden. I loved your idea of having lots of white space! Since my china is so bright, it doesn’t really need anything to compete. Inspired by your thoughts here, I think I will try a solid white cloth, white flowers (green leaves) in a silver bowl in center. Then add silverware and green napkins, or maybe white napkins. If I leave the table all white, the china will be the star. Hopefully, it will be more calming, as you say, with not so much to draw the eye. I can’t wait to try this! Thank you!
Oooh – that sounds like a fabulous table Sonya – I can’t wait to see! I’m so glad you got some inspiration! Hope you have a lovely week, and thanks so much for stopping by!
It was perfect the first time. I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.
Thanks so much Ghulam – I’m so glad you stopped by. I’ve really enjoyed your site too! 🙂
You have the most beautiful spring table Barbara!
Oh thank you so much! I could see one in your gorgeous garden too! 🙂 Take care up there, and Happy Saturday! 💗
I love lilacs and tulips and of course they say ‘Spring’! Purples and pinks in soft-shade combos do too!
YES! I love those two colors too – separately or together! 😉 Thanks for popping over Sandra! I hope you have a great Friday and weekend! 💗 💗
Barbara, the table is beautiful.and Ooh, the lilacs are so stunning. I would have never guessed the tulip napkins were paper. The berry soup looks delicious my friend!
Oh thank you Pam – I’m so glad you like it! Right after I took those photos we got a ton of rain and the lilacs are all brown now, so I’m happy I have the pictures to remember them! 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by. It’s always so fun to see you! 💗 Take care my friend!
Barbara, this white tablescape is so pretty. Its hard to go wrong with white but you have made it spectacular, with just the right pop of color . And the background of shrubs, trees, and flowers is just the perfect backdrop. I’m glad you were able to enjoy lunch with it and I hope you post the recipe for the berry soup. It looks awesome.
Hi Kim! Thanks so much -isn’t it fun to eat outside? I wrote down how I made the berry soup, but I think the paper’s buried somewhere on my desk! As soon as I excavate it, I’ll post it! 😉 In the meantime, take care and Happy Friday! 💗
Everything about this tablescape is so lovely. I especially love the crisp, white tablecloth and your silverware is gorgeous! Personally, I’ve been dreaming of an all-white table with classic blue and white china and maybe some butter-yellow or bubblegum-pink flowers.
Ooooh – wouldn’t that be lovely!?! You should definitely do that! I love blue and white, and with those accents I bet it would be gorgeous! 💗 Aren’t tables great?! 🙂
Barbara, Such a pretty, crisp Spring table. So I’m trying to determine from your photos if the tulip napkins are cloth or paper? I love the colors and the tulip design.
That berry soup really pops against the clean white! Just lovely.
You always inspire me to set a beautiful table.
Hi Mary! The napkins are paper. I do mostly use cloth, but there are such beautiful patterns out there! I always like to have a pack or two on hand, and these are one of my favorites. 💗 Thanks so much for stopping over. I’d love to see some of your tables – I bet they’re as lovely as everything else you do! Hope you have a great Thursday!