Sometimes don’t you just want a fresh, bright spring tablescape? Well I did, and like Dorothy, I didn’t have to look any further than my own back yard!
Backyard flowers for the spring tablescape
Our backyard has been in varying stages of a “work in progress” ever since we moved in almost 20 years ago. At the moment, it’s mostly an ivy and bamboo wilderness except for these wood hyacinths. They’re seriously invasive and have pretty much taken over half the yard, but I think they’re so beautiful. Plus they signal the start of spring, so until we actually get back there with a backhoe, they’re staying.
(If you’re a gardner and are cringing at my lack of invasive-species vigilance, I might redeem myself a bit by telling you that even though they’re not on the Portland Nuisance Plant list, I do pull them up before they go to seed. So there’s that. )
In any case, when I wanted a fresh bright spring tablescape, I went out into the yard and picked a whole bunch! I also found a few lilacs and some bleeding heart for a tiny bit of variety.
White to set off the flowers
Because I wanted the flowers to be the stars of the show, (AND I was so in the mood for that fresh bright table,) I did everything else in white and silver.
I love this white tablecloth that I got at Goodwill a while back. It has just enough pattern to make it interesting, without detracting from my white and silver concept.
White napkins and plates, and silver everything else.
The spring tablescape centerpiece
I make centerpieces in these crystal water glasses all the time. I love that they make the flowers seem to float, and don’t add any color to the table. And also, this centerpiece style makes fewer flowers go a long way.
The fact that it’s so easy to do, doesn’t hurt either. No fancy arranging required, just slip the flowers into the glasses for a relaxed and natural display.
Set only what you need
I’m sure you’ve heard a hundred times to set the table with only what you need for the meal. So even though I love the look of a pretty plate stack, I only put out one plate for our spring tablescape. These are our basic white everyday dinner plates, and one of my favorite charger plates. I love the extra elegance on these sturdy plastic chargers.
The menu was pizza and salad, and I know in our family that we put both on one plate. We DO however, use two separate forks. You know your own family and friends best, so just set whatever you know they’ll want, even if it might be a little different.
And lest you think I’m crazy for going white with pizza, the request was for a “White Knight,” which doesn’t have any tomato sauce on it! It’s a fabulous pizza though, and just one of the reasons we bought our house inside the American Dream Pizza delivery area!
Spring tablescape glasses and flatware
If you’ve been around a while, you’ll recognize both the wine and water glasses. I have a lot of these water/highball glasses, which is why I like use them for the centerpiece too. Plus, using them in both places ties the table together.
And of course, the wine glasses are my favorite Riedel brand.
The flatware is the set my mom started for me in my hope chest when I was 15 years old. That’s a lot of years, and it’s still going strong. That’s the beauty of actual silver, it definitely earns its keep. In the same amount of time, I’ve gone through more than five sets of stainless!
Silver prices are super high right now in the spring of 2023, so if you have some you want to sell, now might be the time! But if you’re buying, do your due diligence. I just looked on Amazon and a four-piece setting of my Wallace Rose Point was – are you ready – $662.50!!! Excuse me, can I just say NO WAY!?!? Some unscrupulous seller thinks they can clean up on the news that silver is expensive now.
But back in the realm of reality, Replacements.com has it listed for $169.95. (Which is not chicken feed, but certainly more doable for something so gorgeous that’s going to last the rest of our lives and then some!)
Fun silver napkin rings
These are some of my favorite napkin rings too. I have these square ones and some round ones from the same set. I can’t remember if I’ve ever told you how I got them, so stop me if you’ve heard this one.
My mom was visiting at Christmas one year when we lived in Minnesota, and we were out shopping. I found these napkin rings and loved them. When I went to show them to her, she had her hands full of beautiful tea towels. She said “I’ll get you those for Christmas if you get me these!” Merry Christmas, both of us!
Besides being cool to look at, they’re fun to play with at the table! We stack them, and stand them up, and generally play with them all through the hanging-around-talking-while-finishing-our-wine portion of the dinner.
I haven’t been able to find this exact style for a long time, but here’s a link to some that are lovely and might be just as fun.
So that’s our fresh bright spring tablescape! Let me know what you think in the Comments – you know we could talk about tables forever!
Pin the spring tablescape for later
This Post Shared With
- Tablescape Thursday 05.18.23 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Thursday Favorite Things 05.18.23 – Hosted by Shoestring Elegance
- Fabulous Friday 05.19.23 – Hosted by An Organized Season
- Tuesday Turn About 05.23.23 – Hosted by Reinventer Delaware
- Tablescape Thursday 05.02.24 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
Elegant simplicity is what I’d call this! Beautiful too! The white and silver elements are a lovely textural base for the flowers. I love that you used what Nature gifted you. As long as you recognize and monitor the invasives you can often use them in a garden setting. Then there are the plants that gardeners choose which become thugs in the garden (here’s looking at you, calla lilies!!).
Ha! Yes calla lilies and wisteria!! Good thing they’re beautiful enough to warrant all the attention they need to keep them from taking over the world! 🤣 So glad you like the table Sandra – you are always so encouraging and sweet! Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy Tuesday!
$662 is crazy expensive! Holy smokes! Sounds like you made a good investment with your set. Thanks for all the tablescape inspiration. I love the flowers down the center!
Hi Anna – I know, that’s ridiculous. Maybe the seller hit an extra 6 instead of a 1 when they set the price! 🤣 So glad you like the centerpiece. I’m popping over to your blog next – see you in a minute!
I couldn’t love your spring table more. It’s just so pretty Barbara. The wood hyacinths add so much charm. I love the color. You always create the best tablescapes, my friend.
Aww thanks so much Kim! So sweet of you to stop by. Hope you’re having a lovely week! 💗🌷
Barbara,
Wow, your table looks so beautiful. I love lilacs. Congratulations, you are being featured on Thursday Favorite Things. I hope you stop by. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2023/05/decorating-with-flowers-on-thursday.html
Hugs,
Bev
Oh thank you Bev! That’s so sweet of you! I’m popping over to the party in just a minute! Thanks again, and see you there! 💗
Gorgeous and so springtime in the Pacific Northwest, the lavender flowers are elegant on this table .
Shocked to hear our Rose Point sterling has become so costly, I always count every piece after I use mine which
is often and have rescued a few pieces over the years . ( I will really pay attention at these prices)
It was fun to see Tessa Rose out and about again she looked so pretty peeking out among the Texas Blue Bells
with her new friend.
We sure miss her on the ranch !
Hi! TR misses you and her ranch friends too! 😊 How are the baby lambs doing? Probably not quite so baby anymore! 🐑 I know – I was amazed that our lovely pattern was so expensive, but if we keep our eyes open, there are still some deals to be found out there. Smart to count them afterwards. I lost a butter knife one time after a party – I think I added it to a cheese ball someone had brought. They probably took it home without even noticing it. Too bad I don’t remember who it was, and they probably wonder where the heck it came from! 🤣 Have a lovely week out there – hope it’s warming up a bit for you now!
This is such a beautiful tablescape, Barbara. I love that the flowers are the star of the show and that everything feels relaxed and elegant at the same time. It feels like the perfect way to welcome the season. Invasive or not, I’m definitely a fan! Hugs, CoCo
Thanks so much CoCo! I’m glad you like those little blue flowers too! 💙😊 Hope you’re having a lovely spring – thanks so much for stopping by, I always love when you visit!
Barbara, your table is simply elegant. I love the wood hyacinths, so pretty in your crystal glasses. Your table is not overdone, but is timeless in its style. I also love the silver. Happy weekend, my friend!
Thanks so much Pam. Isn’t it fun to decorate with wildflowers? I see your post today has gorgeous wildflower photos – I can’t wait to get over for a better look. Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you have a great week!
Beautiful Barbara! And totally inspiring. Makes me want to go pick some of my lilacs but I am so looking forward to the roses. Thanks!
Yaay the roses are coming!! Our lilacs are done now. They really only bloomed for a short period this year – such strange weather. But I bet your garden is looking lovely. 💗 Hope to see you soon! XO
What a fresh and lovely table for Spring, Barbara. You always do it so well.
I laughed about your invasive plants – sometimes the nastiest are the prettiest. Unlike in humans – the nastiest are the ugliest. OK. I think I may be a bit tired, haha. Anyway – beautiful eye candy, thank you very much for that!!
Hahaha – yes, those flowers are lovely, until they get all slimy after they bloom. I’m sure there’s a metaphore there somewhere … ! 🤣 Thanks so much for stopping by Michele – I always love our chats! 💗 Hope you have a beautiful weekend!
I love your beautiful table Barbara – so fresh and springy! Love that shade of purple and the flowers look gorgeous in the crystal glasses. Your family sounds like mine – I set the table and off go the napkins, napkin rings, and salad plate. I just haven’t learned like you have lol. Your silverware is gorgeous and what a great find the tablecloth was. I hope everyone enjoyed the delicious pizza at your lovely table!
Hahah – I sometimes can’t help myself and put on a separate plate for the pictures, then remove them before people come. Once I forgot to take them off, and you should have seen the total confusion: “What’s this plate for?!?!” I was tempted to make up some wild historically inaccurate story, but decided to come clean and just take the offending plates away! 🤣 Yes the pizza was delicious. Gave me lots of inspiration to make some fancy new ones of my own this summer. Hope you’re doing great up there my friend!
So SO pretty, Barbara! I am envious of your silver collection, though my stainless has held up pretty well except for the couple of spoons that did a spin in the garbage disposal (oops!). And you have amazing luck at Goodwill! I don’t have one very close by, which is probably a good thing 🤣. Love your flowers and love that you have lilacs and bleeding hearts – I have both of those as transplants from the house I grew up in and I love them (the lilac bush took about 20 years to actually start blooming at my house, and its a slow start, but we’re on a roll!)
Oh how wonderful that you have your childhood flowers – I bet that makes you happy every time you see them! Yes, you may be lucky you don’t have a fancy Goodwill near you. 🤣 But Ouch! Garbage disposals can be so cruel! Take care over there and enjoy those beautiful lilacs!
I love your table Barbara! I love the idea of using glasses for the arrangements and I will be using this in the future. Thanks for the inspo. I agree, the flatware is beautiful and timeless. I love the elegance and simplicity of the table with the beautiful flowers dancing down the center of the table. well done! Your tables never disappoint! XO- MaryJo
Oh thank you MaryJo – how sweet of you! Yes, the water glasses trick really comes in handy for lots of settings. I’d love to see what you do with it! 😊 So glad you stopped by! Hope you have a lovely day!
It’s beautiful Barbara, the purple flowers look lovely in your crystal glasses, I love the low good for conversation height and the natural arrangements. They really are the star of the show with everything else being silver and white. My sterling flatware from my wedding is one of my favorite possessions and you’re right, it is timeless. A very welcoming and lovely table!
Hi Jenna! Isn’t it fun to still be able to use our wedding things all these years later? I love that continuity. I’m happy you like the table. I’m going to try to branch out into some patterned *gasp!* tablecloths in the near future, having been inspired by your and our other fellow tablescapers’ texture and layering. Till next time, hope you’re having a lovely spring! 💜
Such a pretty tablescape. So fresh and Springy. Absolutely gorgeous, my friend.
Thank you so much Renae! I think of your beautiful wisteria covered pavilion at this time of year, with these same lovely colors. Hope you’re enjoying our early summer over there! 💜
HOW STUNNING IS THIS TABLE!
So glad you like it Contessa! The wood hyacinths are almost done in the yard, and roses are next! I imagine you’re at least a few weeks ahead of us, and your roses are beauitful already. Popping over to your blog to find out! 💜 Thanks so much for stopping over!