I hope you like a bright tablescape for Easter, because that’s what we get today here at Mantel and Table! We also get lots more dazzling inspiration courtesy of Chloe at Celebrate and Decorate, and her Easter Tablescape Blog Hop!
If you’ve just come from Linda at Life and Linda, I’m sure you loved her beautiful table and darling bunnies!
One Bright Tablescape
I don’t know about you, but I love pastels and soft hues! Especially at Easter, my mind automatically drifts to pale colors and spring flowers. But this year, I was in the mood for something different! Something bright.
So up into the attic I went, to dig through my fabric stash. Back in the day, I used to sew a lot, and also saved a lot of fabric pieces, bolt ends, and cast-off linens of all varieties. Now I’ve got this great boxful of fabric, and when I remember about it, I can find all kinds of good things!
This lovely bright batik came from a shower we threw for one of my colleagues at work when she became a Grandma! I asked her if she had any particular colors she wanted, and her reply was “not pastel.” So when I saw this TOTALLY NOT pastel fabric, I had to buy it for our tablecloth. I’m always so happy when I remember I can use fabric for a tablecloth. If I can’t find the exact tablecloth I’m looking for in the store, I can usually find the right kind of fabric.
I had so much fun with this table, that I was inspired to see what the same set up would look like with just a little change of flavor!
And Another Bright Tablescape – But Different
So here’s bright tablescape number two! It’s still bright and fun, but also softer and more traditional. Instead of the blue, I went with pink and cream. And instead of the warm gold, we have cool silver.
As you can see, I kept the tablecloth, accent napkins, water glasses, and flowers the same. As well as the general setup and the centerpiece.
I actually love to see what just a few changes can do for a tablescape. If you like that stuff too, you could check out the time I did four tables with the same settings.
But for now, let’s move on to our two bright tablescape comparison!
Gold vs Silver
I love both gold and silver, because they create such different looks and feels. The gold table is warm and cozy. All the accessories on this table are gold – chargers, flatware, vases, and candles. They highlight the tangerine color in the tablecloth, and contribute to the warmth of the batik.
Gold also brings out the deeper tones in the flowers.
Whereas in the pink and silver table below, the silver vases bring out more of the flowers’ lightness and brightness. Along with the vases, the chargers, flatware, and candlesticks provide a bright contrast to the deep hue of the batik.
Here’s a close up of the gold vs silver effect. Plus lots of extra pattern with the blue and white salad plate. (I actually DIY’d those plates.) But see how warm the gold is against the tablecloth?
Then, doesn’t the silver and pinky cream cool down the background a bit? It still makes a lovely bright tablescape, just different.
And Some Sparkle
And of course, we always love to have some sparkle! These cut crystal water glasses are my favorite, and I use them all the time. The Reidel Pinot Noir glasses are a lovely addition.
Same water glass, different stemware for the silver table. (Sorry about the photo quality, I guess it was getting late!) The champagne glass felt more delicate with the softer pink.
What You Would See If Your Were Sitting Here
If you were sitting at the gold and blue table, here’s what your place setting would look like! I always love these shots from above. Plus don’t the napkins look just a tiny bit like bunny ears? I think because this is an Easter-based table, I’m going to imagine the napkin-bunny!
The silver and pink napkin however, does NOT look like bunny ears. But don’t you love the look of the soft blush napkin with the deep batik accent?
I also used a bread plate in this setting, which is something I almost never do. I guess I was a little hungry for some fresh baguette and butter while I was setting this up. Because they take up room I’d rather be using for flowers, I don’t usually use them. Plus, most of my guests just put their bread on their dinner plates.
But in this case, the bread plate actually filled up some empty space and balanced out the place setting too.
One View ~ Two Tablescapes ~ Two Menus
Here are our two tablescapes from almost exactly the same angle. So fun to see the difference! Do you have a favorite? Or are you like me, and like them both equally? I just love knowing that you can create so many different looks with some of the same pieces.
I sometimes like to plan my menus around the tablescapes. For instance, our gold and blue table makes me want to cook something heavier. Say, a steak with mushroom sauce, wild rice gratin, and baked asparagus. With a lovely pinot noir. And maybe a green salad with cranberries, hazelnuts, and gorgonzola. And something deep and rich and chocolate for dessert. Oh boy, now I’m hungry!
A Lighter Menu for a Light But Still Bright Tablescape
Our silver and pink table inspires something a little lighter. How about a baby greens salad with avocado, fennel, and raspberries, drizzled with a champagne vinaigrette? We could have that with our fresh baked bread and butter! Main course could be pesto chicken in puff pastry, (which I happen to have a recipe for in the Members Library. If you’re not a member yet, you can sign up when you get there.)
Maybe we could have some fresh snow peas with lemon-butter and dill, and a raspberry mousse for dessert! Ok – now I’m double hungry!
And so, I’ll leave you with a closeup of the flowers. Isn’t that orchid lovely? I was so happy to find a spray of them at my grocery store, and they’ve lasted so long!
Pin the Bright Tablescape Post For Later
Thanks so much for joining me for two different styles of a bright tablescape for Easter! It’s so fun to share them with you!
And On With the Hop!
Next on our hop is the super talented Mary of Life at Bella Terra – one of my dear blogging friends!
And here are all of us blog hop participants! This is our last hop together for a while, so enjoy all the Easter table inspiration! And a million thanks to Chloe for hosting these hops for so many years. It’s been wonderful to share the last few with her and the crew!
- Celebrate & Decorate
- Design Morsels
- Home is Where the Boat Is
- Living With Thanksgiving
- Panoply
- The Little Yellow Corner Store
- My Hubbard Home
- Everyday Living
- Corner of Plaid and Paisley
- The Sweet Sensations
- Belle Blue Interiors
- Red Cottage Chronicles
- Zucchini Sisters
- Life and Linda
- Mantel and Table – You are here!
- Life at Bella Terra
- Bluesky at Home
- Calypso in the Country
- The Painted Apron
- Me and My Captain
- My Thrift Store Addiction
This Post Shared With
- Tuesday Turn About #91 – Hosted by My Wee Abode
- Tablescape Thursday #651 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Thursday Favorite Things 03.18.21 – Hosted by Shoestring Elegance
- Friday with Friends #14 – Hosted by My Hubbard Home
- Sundays on Silverado #33 – Hosted by The House on Silverado
- Centerpiece Wednesday 03.24.21 – Hosted by Karins Kottage
- Thursday Favorite THings 02.16.23 – Hosted by Katherine’s Corner
- Tablescape Thursday 02.16.23 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
I love the silver one, but I have to admit I’m partial to silver. Love the comparison, what a great idea.
Ha! Me too! 😊 So glad you stopped by Chas! Hope things are going well for you over there – Happy Thursday!
I’m late to the party so I just saw this blog post. I’m absolutely blown away by the beautiful burst of color in the batik. Red (and it’s infinitely many hues) is my favorite color and this tablescape is stunning. I find it impossible to choose between the gold and the silver settings, so I would incorporate gold for one occasion then silver for the next. I’d like to try making a similar tablecloth as soon as I get my hands on some batik fabric. I have some basic sewing skills so I will try to pull it off or at least make a table runner and napkins. I have been so inspired by all of the tablescapes in this blog. They’re all so beautiful. Thank you.
Hi Karen – I’m so glad you stopped by and that you like the tables! It IS hard to choose a favorite, but you’re right, there’s time for both! 🙂 Happy batik-hunting. Feel free to send over some pictures when you find some – I’d love to see what you end up making. Thanks so much for joining us here at Mantel and Table – it’s great to have you along! Happy Saturday!
Barbara, thanks for sharing this post at the Friday with Friends Link Party!
You bet Rachelle! LOVE that party! 😉
Barbara, I love to use fabric as tablecloths, too. Since I tend to hoard fabric, it’s an easy way to dress a table in a hurry and on a budget! I love that batik pattern. When I was learning to sew in high school, I made a fabulous orange batik skirt. Batik was pretty hip in the 90’s lol! While both of your tables are lovely, I’m drawn to the first one with the pops of blue and the gold accents. It gives me a rich, warm and cozy feeling. Both of your menus sound delicious. I’m going to check out the pesto chicken recipe! It’s been fun hopping with you. Happy Easter!
Hi Rebecca! Wow – I would have loved to have seen that orange batik skirt! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, and if you try the chicken puff pastries, let me know what you think. Happy Easter to you too!
Barbara, I love your use of fabric as a base for your Easter tablescape. It’s so affordable and gives you great flexibility. You did a great job and showing two ways to style the table with a common beginning. The color and pattern of the fabric are so rich and provides a great backdrop. Happy Easter.
Thanks so much Carol! I hope you have a wonderful Easter too – it’s always so fun hopping with you!
Both tables are beautiful and elegant. However, the one with silver and white is my favorite. Fabric pieces for table covers are my faves and I have more of them than actual tablecloths. Tasty menu items especially the raspberry mousse. Happy Easter and Happy Spring!
So glad you like them Sandra! I’m definitely going to be adding to my fabric collection – I’ll probably join you in the Fewer Tablecloths club! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by and Happy Weekend!
Barbara, that fabric is just so cool, especially with the crystal! I love both tables – for all the reasons you’ve pointed out – but I think I like the silver one just a tad more. I’m pretty sure your guests would feel special at either table!
Hi Kim! I think the silver one is my favorite too, but you can bet I’ll be experimenting with that fabric again! 🙂 Hope you have a lovely weekend up there!
Oooh!! I love the intense colors in this batik fabric!! It makes a wonderful tablecloth and the perfect backdrop. Either place setting works well. I especially love the florals down the middle, those look fabulous with the print. Wishing you a nice Easter🐣
Happy Easter to you too Ann! Isn’t that fabric great? Thanks so much for stopping by – it’s so fun hopping with you!
Barbara, I love your use of your own fabric. It makes your tablescapes so unique. I do it as often as I can. And when I am watching the budget, sometimes I just make a table topper or runner. I absolutely love both of your settings. It would be very difficult to choose only one. They are both vibrant and with a twist of exotic. Isn’t it interesting to see the kind of change that occurs with just changing our gold to silver? The flowers are stunning and really complement the fabric so beautifully. I am so glad you decided to go for the fabric you had on hand rather than the pastel color combinations most people use at Easter. It is so much more intriguing. Happy Easter!
Hi Marsha! How fun that you do the fabric thing too – it’s always so interesting to try to “make do” with what you already have. Some really creative things happen that way! So glad you like the tables! Hope you have a lovely weekend and Easter!
So smart to use your fabric for a tablecloth Barbara! There so many times when I can’t find what I’m looking for in the way of linens. I’m not a seamstress so it would have to be Stitch Witchery for me. 🙂 Love your two table and choice of flowers, the orchids are gorgeous! It’s a treat to hop with you and join you at the table! Happy Easter ♥
Hi Mary – I didn’t even use any Stick Witchery on this one (though that would’ve been a great idea if I’d thought of it!) – I just stuck two lengths on the table! 😉 Fabric is so versatile! I always love hopping with you – hope you have a wonderful Easter too!
Barbara, Great to show two table options. I personally would choose the lighter one. It would work well if you had weekend guests to use both versions at different meals.
I loved hearing your thought processes and menu ideas. Your flowers and china are lovely. The orchid is beautiful and looks so nice with the alstroemeria. The flower shades go beautifully with the batik fabric. Candlelight adds a lovely ambiance.
Great to blog hop again with you, Barbara.
Hi Bonnie – that’s a great idea to use for guests! If we ever have any again, I’ll definitely try that out! 🙂 Great hopping with you too! Hope you have a wonderful weekend and Easter, and that we get to hop again sometime this year!
Barbara, both of your tables are lovely. I am not a sewer, but I can usually talk my mom into stitching things together for me If I need something. I have impressed her into stitching up napkins for me in the past when I couldn’t find ones I thought I needed. I wold probably opt for the lighter napkins just for the contrast of your two tables, but not because one is nicer than the other. It all just comes down to personal preference. However your table is set, I hope you have a lovely Easter and have the chance to gather with family this holiday.
Hi Chloe! I don’t sew much anymore either, but as long as I don’t have any rambunctious teenagers at the table anymore, my tablecloths don’t have to be as secure as in the olden days! Maybe I’ll give your mom a call next time I really need some sewing done! 🙂 Thanks so much for including me in your excellent hop – I love working with you! Take care and Happy Easter!
Both tables are so beautiful and I love the way you went with vibrant colors! Your flowers are gorgeous and I love all your elegant crystal and silver candlesticks. It’s all so lovely and festive! Great hopping with you again!
Shelley
Thanks Shelley! So glad you like them! These hops really are so fun – I hope we can do some more in the future. Happy Weekend and Easter!
Barbara, I love both tables and could not choose a preference. The batik fabric is dramatic and you played it well with both variations. Both menus sound fabulous and would love to try the pesto chicken in puff pastry! Wishing you a Happy Easter!
HI Pam – that puff pastry recipe is so delicious! It’s one I come back to time after time. I hope you get to try it! Thanks so much for stopping over. I love hopping with you! Happy Weekend and see you again soon!
Beautiful fabric and definitely not pastel! It looks amazing with the alstromeria and orchids, they were made for each other. It is fun to play with different looks, I think I like the blue plate stack better, so different and unexpected! I love to dream about menus too, and can picture the pesto chicken in puff pastry on the gorgeous white fine china! I think you should have several dinners, one with each setting and menu!
Ha – what a great idea Jenna – maybe we can celebrate Easter twice! 🙂 And no, it’s definitely not pastel! For the original shower, we had those same blue plates, and also blue for the decorations, which were blue elephants! It was pretty cute and very bright! 🙂 So fun hopping with you! Take care and Happy Easter!
Barbara, both tablescapes are beautiful and elegant. I don’t think that I could choose a favorite. I adore color, and I love the linens that you chose. I hope that you have a happy Easter!
Thanks so much Shannon! Hope you have a lovely Easter too my friend! So fun to share another blog hop with you!
Barbara, one of my favorite sections in stores is the fabric isle. If you can sew a straight line you can make your own table linens!
The fabric with its orange and purple print is fun and says come out to play!
I like the two different ways you gave to use the same fabric. One is lighter and airy and the other a bit more down to earth.
It’s too hard to choose which one I like best 🙂
I know – I could look at fabric all day! 🙂 So glad you like the tables! It’s always fun sharing a hop with you! I hope you have a lovely weekend, and Easter when it gets here! See you next week!
Great idea to show two different settings. I love the lighter one. Gorgeous blooms. The china is so beautiful with it’s delicate design. The menu sounds so delicious. I am sure your family is in for a treat. Always a pleasure to join you. Happy Spring.
Thanks so much Linda – it was great hopping with you too! Hope you have a great Easter!
Barb, your tables are both lovely. I choose the lighter one personally but would be happy at either table. Orchids last a very long time here in Florida…it is almost our state flower there are many in many different colors of orchids…and if one can not find the preferred color, one dyes the white orchid to perfection. I have seen the most vivid royal blues, greens and purples. (fYI: Of course our state flower is an orange blossom)
I like to use cloth remnants as tablecloths or toppers. So versatile.
Your menu is fabulous, which one are you actually going to use for Easter?
Blessings
Kari
Hi Kari! Not sure which menu we’ll go with yet, but since it’ll just be my husband and me this year, maybe we’ll pick and choose! 🙂 I’ve seen photos of the lovely orchids in Florida – it would be fabulous to be able to grow them outside. Dying them sounds so cool too! Thanks so much for stopping over – it’s great hopping with you!
Love both tables. The silver accents steal my heart.
Hiw awesome to have extra fabric bolts to have around. I love fabric!!!
Cindy
Thanks Cindy! I admit I like the silver one best too! I’m going to have to drag my fabric boxes out of the attic and see what other pieces I can press into service! 🙂 So glad you stopped by! Have a lovely weekend, and see you out there!
Barbara, so fun to see how you are able to create two pretty tables capes using different pieces/colors. I love the second set of china. I didn’t see the name of it, but I love the soft colors, especially against your silver chargers. As always, I love blog hopping with you, my friend!
Absolutely! The flowered china is Noritake Shenandoah – I picked it for my first wedding china! I know we both love those chargers. 😉 So fun to hop with you too! Hope you have a lovely warm weekend!
Your tablescapes are gorgeous! Yay, spring!
Blessings to you.
Thanks so much Renae! Hope you have things blooming out there – our camillias are starting to pop – so exciting! Have a lovely weekend!
Barbara, I love both of your elegant Easter tablescapes! It’s always fun to see different options–great idea! It is a pleasure to “pull up a chair” to your pretty table! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Thanks so much Cecilia! It’s always fun to hop with you! Take care and Happy Easter!
I love the way you contrasted the two settings Barbara, what a beautiful table for your guests.
Hi Denise! So glad you like them – changing things up just a little is one of my favorite things! Are you having people for Easter? I’m going to pop over to your blog and see what you’ve been up to – it’s been so busy I haven’t had a chance for a while, but I’m excited to see your latest! Take care and Happy Weekend!
Your two tables are as intriguing as are your two menus, Barbara! I do have a favorite, though, and that is the second, lighter table. I think the lighter elements really make the pink/oranges colors of the florals and textiles pop so well. Having said that, no matter the choice, each guest will be gifted with a beautiful table and meal. Happy Spring! It is a pleasure having your company on this hop!
Rita! I think the silver is my favorite too. 🙂 It’s been so fun sharing these hops with you – I hope we get to do some more someday! Happy Spring to you, and hope you have a lovely Easter! Thanks so much for stopping by!
What a fun idea to show it with different place settings. It has such a different look. I love the blue with the batik. I always learn something from your tables. Yours is so warm and romantic. It’s fun hopping with you.
Aw thanks – you too my friend! I love that different looks thing! 🙂 Hope you’re doing ok down there these days, and of course, always fun hopping with you too!