So there we were at the beach, on vacation, and even though I was trying to be casual, I just HAD to set a beautiful table! My friends were amused that I couldn’t control myself, but it ended up being the perfect touch for our beach dinner.
Thinking it over, I realized there were three things that all came together to make me want to set a beautiful table. I’ll tell you about them, and you can see if they inspire you too.
A Little Background
Our good friends had invited us to join them at the beach house they rented one weekend, and we jumped at the chance. The house was lovely! Big and open, lots of bedrooms, and also lots of wonderful bright spaces to cozy up and read. Or play cribbage! 🙂
You can tell from the light in the photo below, that there was lots of sunlight from the huge windows facing the ocean!
I was using the weekend to completely relax and be totally casual – something I don’t do very often. No doing any work on the laptop, no dressing up, no organizing, (all things I love, btw) but mostly, no worrying about anything!
It had been a blissful day of girl-chats on the rooftop patio over tea, reading in the sunshine, and generally hanging out watching the waves.
When it came time to make dinner, I was completely off the hook. All I had to do was sip my cocktail and chat with the cooks. Our host had made a fire in the big rock fireplace, and the light was reflecting in the darkening picture windows. Through which, we could see a stunning sunset. It was an absolutely beautiful scene.
And that’s Thing Number One.
Thing Number One – A Beautiful Place
There’s something about beauty, isn’t there? It’s been a catalyst for art all through history. So it’s only natural, that when we’re in a beautiful place, we’re inspired.
For me – and maybe some of you, I’m betting – table setting is an artistic expression. I love it for myself, and it’s also a gift to the others at the table. Some beauty to elevate our everyday-ness.
In this case, the lovely house, the sunset, and the fire, created a beautiful place, and made me want to set a beautiful table.
Flowers make me want to set a beautiful table
Flowers also contribute so much to making a space beautiful. If you’ve been around M&T for a while, I’m sure you’ve realized I’m a flower person. My host and hostess gifts are almost always flowers.
Lots of times, they’re in wine, or other interesting bottles, like the ones on our beach table. (You can read more about how I started that tradition in this post.)
I brought these flowers with us from Portland for our hosts. And as you can see, they fit right in with the table. I didn’t plan it, but they match the color of the furniture almost exactly.
In my mind, the finishing touch for any table is flowers, so whenever some are around, my thoughts turn to tablescaping. You can make almost any space beautiful by the addition of flowers – real or faux.
Thing Number Two – Good Friends
Being around good friends made me want to set a beautiful table. Maybe it’s because I was having so much fun, that I wanted to do something extra for them.
As I mentioned above, I think of a lovely tablescape as a gift. While everyone else was cooking, setting a beautiful table was something I could do to contribute to the evening.
Plus, it’s fun to share something I love so much, with my friends!
Thing Number Three – Items for Creativity
And last but not least, is items for creativity! I don’t know about you, but I love to set a beautiful table someplace new. It’s always so fun to see what kind of tablescape you can come up with, using pretty much just what’s at hand. (I did bring the flowers, but nothing else.)
Tableware to set a beautiful table
As I said, this was a lovely house. But even so, I didn’t really expect to find such high quality tableware! I was perfectly prepared to use paper napkins. But I found these great cloth napkins and even napkin rings in one of the kitchen drawers!
If I had searched further I would have found some great woven placemats too. But I was so excited with my original haul, that I stopped looking, and just set the table. (We found the placemats later, and I wished I’d continued my earlier exploration.)
The flatware was solid and sturdy – perfect for a vacation rental. And even more perfect, was the pretty seashell-esque design on the handles.
The glassware was lovely too. I wasn’t expecting wine glasses, but there they were! Plus, the water glasses were pretty, and the design was sparkly, which I love.
Table decor
One of the super fun things I got to do, was go around the house and scout out things to decorate the table! The woven runner that was already there, and the rope napkin rings set the ocean-side vibe. So I was thrilled when I came up with what I think are weights for fishing nets.
I just loved the look of them on the table. They carried out the theme and color scheme, and I do enjoy a conversation piece.
That was all our beach table really needed, but I was very happy with the texture and simplicity. The table was big enough for 10, but since it was just the two couples, we could spread out down at our end.
With the fireplace behind us, the ocean in front of us, and good friends on either side, it was the perfect dinner!
I hope you’re inspired to set a beautiful table when you’re off on vacation somewhere. Or even just at home for an ordinary night – there’s nothing like a pretty table setting!
Let us know what you’re up to in the comments.
Shop the Set a Beautiful Table post
Click on the pictures below for links to the pieces I mentioned in this post. If something’s not available, I chose a similar replacement.
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This Post Shared With
- Thursday Favorite Things 03.17.22 – Hosted by Katherine’s Corner
- Tablescape Thursday #703 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Fabulous Friday 03.18.22 – Hosted by Peacock Ridge Farm
- Friday with Friends 03.18.22 – Hosted by My Hubbard Home
- Tablescape Thursday 04.06.23 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Tuesday Turn About 03.26.24 – Hosted by My Family Thyme
What’s not to love about the whole setting.. The one photo looking out onto the beach, you were able to capture the glow of the fire (from the stone fireplace) in the window and that sunset is absolutely beautiful. I am heading to Beach Acres in Parksville, BC at the end of this month for a few days and I am so inspired by your how-to table. I am going to look around to see what I can come up with for a tablescape.
Congratulations – your tea party post was highlighted on ‘The Table’ the blog of the famous Harry and David Company – that is truly an honor Barbara.
Aww thanks Janice! I’d love to see your beach setting – you always have such brilliant table ideas! Hope you have a lovely trip, and thanks as always for stopping by and being so encouraging!
Your inspiration points are spot on, Barb. It’s such fun creating a table in an unfamiliar setting and with just what is on hand. It turned out beautifully. Gorgeous setting for a simple table and sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. Thanks for sharing.
Lynne
Hi Lynne! It really was a fun time, and I’m so glad you liked the post! Hope you had a lovely weekend too! 😊
How wonderful that you could grab some time and get away to that fab house on the beach! The view outside and the rock fireplace would make me want to set a table to reflect the beauty around me. The table works with all of it, Barbara!
Thanks for sharing at the FWF party!
hugs,
Rachelle
You bet Rachelle – LOVE Friday with Friends! We were so luck to get the beautiful sunsets while we were there. Let me know if you’re ever out this way and we can set that table together! 🙂 Happy Thursday!
Your table setting is beautiful, Barbara! Sounds like you had an amazing weekend away!
Thanks Marieza – we really did – and so glad you like the table! I was showing my husband your mantel the other day – he was as impressed as I was! 🙂 Happy Spring over there!
Nothing beats simplicity, and yet it does not get in the way of elegance. That was an elegant and simple tablescape appropriate for such an occasion. It must have been a fabulous soiree.
So true Edmee! 🙂 Thanks so much – it really was a fun time! Happy Spring!
What an absolutely beautiful setting Barbara. I’m so glad you were able to get away and enjoy the beach. I can see why you were so inspired. Hugs.
I know you appreciate a view of the water! 🙂 We were lucky to have such a beautiful weekend down there! Hugs back!
Barbara, the view out the windows is absolutely gorgeous! The rental looks beautiful as does your tablesetting. The alstroemeria is a lovely floral addition to your table. It all combines for a perfect table!
Hi Pam – I know – that view was stunning! 🙂 Thanks so much for popping by – I hope you have a wonderful week!
Beautiful table Barbara – and how cool is it that found everything you needed already there! Love love those fishing weights – just might have to order some lol. And the view is absolutely stunning and what great photos! Hope you had a great time there and found some time to relax! Happy Thursday!
Hi Kim! I totally did relax – even the table setting relaxes me! 🙂 The weights were pretty cool. I’ll watch your tables for some! 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
Your step by step explanation of decorating this table was just what I needed! I don’t keep a lot of things with me in my camper, so I was inspired by your search to find things to use that matched your theme. And flowers in a wine bottle? Perfect!
Ha – so glad you liked the wine bottle Pam – it’s really a fun way to take flowers to people! Maybe if your camper ever makes it up to the PNW we can do a search and set a table for your visit! 🙂 Hope you’re having a fine time out there, and thanks for stopping by!
Barbara, this sounds like the perfect weekend. Can you share the location? The pictures are stunning! And of course how fun to scout around for things to make a beautiful table. So glad you are relaxing. It all sounds so wonderful!
It really was a great time! The house was on the Oregon coast at Lincoln City – it’s such a pretty beach and those sunsets made photos so easy. 🙂 Hope you’re having a lovely St Patrick’s Day!
I can see why you were inspired Barbara, what a beautiful setting! Your table is lovely and the weekend sounds like it was really wonderful and relaxing! I love the casual look of the flowers in the wine bottle and the fishing net weights~
Hi Jenna! Yes, the flowers in the wine bottles have been great, and such a fun way to use my recycling! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, and hope you have a lovely St Patrick’s Day!