If you’re like me, you’d use some beautiful birthday flowers as a centerpiece in a tablescape! I may have mentioned – oh maybe only a hundred times or so – that my son gives me beautiful birthday flowers every year. This year, (back in April) he sent a gorgeous peach and yellow arrangement, including roses, ranunculus, and snapdragons.
This arrangement originally had some lovely orange-centered daffodils too. But even after those were done, the rest of the flowers were going strong. My son always orders from Sammy’s Flowers here in Portland. They do such gorgeous arrangements, and I love how they include the baby hydrangeas, geranium leaves, ferns, and other interesting greenery.
The Everyday Table
I’m one of those people who likes to keep my dining room table clear unless we’re actually eating at it. Often when I come home, I have my arms full of stuff and need somewhere to put it. Or I need a flat surface to work on a temporary project, or wrap presents, or any number of things that come up. So a nice expanse of empty space is really handy.
On the other hand, a big empty table looks a little lonely, so I usually have a pair of candles and a flower arrangement in the middle. Not only does that make the table look nice, but when you want to set a beautiful table, you’re already half way done!
Since my beautiful birthday flowers and these gold candle holders were already on the table, they got to be the centerpiece for this night’s dinner.
Keeping my tableware handy
I love to use chargers and our nice glassware often, so I keep them right there in the dining room. It’s actually easier for me to set the table using my gold tableware and crystal than it is to hunt through the everyday flatware drawer and kitchen cupboards to find the regular stuff.
The chargers live in one of the cupboards of our buffet, which is right next to the table. Super simple to pull out.
For this table, I didn’t even use placemats – just put the whole plate stack on the table and called it good.
Where to put the napkins
I’ve mentiond this before, but it’s worth repeating. Always put the napkins where it’s easy for your guests to get them. I’ve actually been guilty myself, of putting them under a couple plates or an appetizer bowl, and it’s always awkward. Even though it looks lovely, it can be annoying for your dinner companions to try to pull their napkin out from between plates. One of the more well known places to put the napkin is under the forks. But to my mind, that’s just as bad. (Or maybe a little less bad.) You still have to try to keep the forks stable and not flip them all over in order to get your napkin!
I never put the napkin under the forks, but I do still put them under the salad plate on occassion. BUT I only do it when we’re serving the first course from the buffet. People can take their salad plates to the sideboard, then when they get back, their napkin is on top. Granted, they still have to pick it up with one hand while they’re holding their salad plate. I’d give this setup a B for functionality, even though it gets an A for appearance!
A gold setting with my beautiful birthday flowers
As you can see below, I just used our regular everyday white plates. I’ve always loved a mostly white table, but lately I’ve been having a little love affair with the all-white plate stack. I’m loving the clean minimal look, especially with the white napkin. A little extra texture – no extra color.
So that just leaves the gold chargers and flatware to add some of that color along with the color from my beautiful birthday flowers. Also, a bit of shine to warm it up.
For the sparkle, I always go for my cut crystal water glasses. They’re just enough to class up a regular table setting without interferring with the overall look.
(Every time I think the wax has gotten too out of hand on my candle holders, I remember the candelabra from one of my favorite old Bergman movies, Smiles of a Summer Night! At least I’m not that bad yet!)
The whole table
So I’ll leave you with a view of the whole table, beautiful birthday flowers and all.
Thanks so much for sharing another tablescape with me! If you’re enjoying them, I’d love to have you join us as a Mantel and Table subscriber.
Hope you have a lovely day, and see you next time!
Pin the Beautiful Birthday Flowers for later
A simply lovely table, Barbara, with a gorgeous arrangement centering the table! Your son has great taste in flowers! It’s interesting when you give your tableware supporting roles, but I’m glad you provided sparkle with the lovely crystal water glasses. (I like using mine too — the cut pattern is classically beautiful.)
Thanks so much Sandra – he does have great taste! 😊 It’s so fun that we have the same water glasses! I love to see how you use yours on your lovely tables. Thanks so much for stopping over, and hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
Such a lovely table, Barbara! And those flowers! Everything looks so fresh and summery! Thanks for sharing at Tuesday Turn About! You will be one of my features this week! Pinned!
Thanks so much Julie! That’s so sweet of you! I’m just headed over to Tuesday Turn About right now! 😊 See you soon!
Happy belated birthday Barbara! You have the sweetest son to send you such gorgeous flowers! The tablescape you designed around them is just as beautiful! Enjoy your week!
Thanks so much Donna, and thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a lovely weekend too! Happy Father’s Day to Rich!
Happy very belated birthday Barbara. Your son is so sweet to send you flowers every year and the colors you chose were stunning. Your table is so stunning my friend.
Thanks Kim! I know – I’m so lucky to have such a thoughtful son. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!
Oh my gosh, Barbara, this look is exquisite! The flowers, the colors, everything is just perfect!
Thanks so much Marieza! That son of mine takes good care of me! 😊 I’ve been thinking about you and your shelf project – going to pop over and see how you’re getting on! Hope you have a lovely weekend my friend. Thanks for stopping by!
Happy belated birthday, my dear sweet friend! Hope it was everything you’d hoped it to be!
That flower arrangement is STUNNING. I looooove the colors. Absolutely beautiful – just like you. ♥♥ Big hugs.
Aww thanks Michele! I did have a wonderful birthday – plus it’s always fun to drag it out as long as possible!🤣🎈 Thanks so much for stopping by, and hope you have a lovely weekend!
Such a pretty table, Barbara!!
What lovely flowers and how sweet of your son to send them to you!
That is great advice about the napkins…they look good in photos but usually isn’t the most practical.
Thanks so much for sharing at Home Imagined this week!! We truly appreciate it!!
Thanks so much Rachel! I was so happy to find your party through MaryJo – I got a lot of great ideas and will definitely be back! So sweet of you to stop by!
Absolutely beautiful, Barbara, simple and elegant with just the right amount of sparkle, And you are a lucky mama to have such a thoughtful son! The flowers are gorgeous! I, too, often tuck the napkin under a stacked salad plate or under the fork. I used to fold them and put them on top (a leftover from working as a restaurant hostess in my youth😂)…you’ve made me think about revisiting that! My kids grew up learning to fold the napkins the same way and always set the table that way when they were younger.
Old habits die hard, don’t they? But napkins are so fun to play with, and they can look great just about anywhere. It’s wonderful that your kids know how to set the table too! I’m sure you have lots of hostess stories – what a lot of interesting stuff we did in our youth! 🤣 Thanks so much for stopping by – hope you’re having a lovely weekend so far!
I am guilty of the napkin under the forks!
Another solution to that would be napkin rings.I have a collection of sterling silver old ones that I love to use.We use napkin rings every night my husband and I as we use the same napkins for days until it NEEDS TO BE CLEANED!We then toss it in to the old feeding bin for a horse which hangs above the table and bench.So out of sight for the day and easy to retrieve for dinner.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!WHAT A WONDERFUL SON YOU HAVE!
I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT MOVIE!SHE IS SO YOUNG!
I HAVE MY MOTHER’S CANDELABRA JUST LIKE THAT………
I THINK YOU AND I ARE SENTIMENTAL SOULS………..XXX
Elizabeth! We do exactly the same thing with our napkins! I just put mine in a drawer though – nothing as cool as a horse feeding bin! I love how you decorate your house – so many interesting beautiful things with so much color and history! I AM lucky to have such a wonderful son, and I love to have these pictures of his gifts so I can enjoy them forever! So nice that you have your mother’s candelabra. You might like Smiles of a Summer night. It’s a pretty fun movie, and beautiful in the Swedish countryside. Plus the costumes! 😊 Thanks so much for stopping over – I agree, we are definitely sentimentalists! Take care down there!
Absolutely stunning and beautiful flowers and arrangement. Love it so pinned it.
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Thanks so much for pinning, Esmé! And I’ll pop over and visit your party – thanks for the invite! So sweet of you to stop over – isn’t Fabulous Friday fun? Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Barbara, those flowers are just too pretty not to set a table and showcase them! I love the simplicity and elegance of the white plates and and gold chargers and flatware. The napkins look lovely between the plates, but I agree that it’s often hard to figure out where to put them sometimes. The crystal glasses are lovely and I imagine they just sparkle when the candles are lit. Beautiful table, my friend!
Oh those candles reallly DO make the crystal sparkle! It’s getting the pictures to look right in the dim light that’s the challenge, right? 🤣 I’ve been leaning even more toward napkin rings these days, and putting them somewhere easy to get. How’re things with you? Hope you’re having some lovley spring weather and time to enjoy it! Take care my friend, and thanks for stopping by!
Your table is so pretty Barbara. The arrangement and the variety of flowers ad table are perfect together. Hope you enjoyed your birthday!
Thanks Cindy! I really did have a lovely birthday, and my son’s flowers always make it so pretty too! Hope things are going well for you, and you have a great weekend. I’ll pop over and see what you’re up to in a minute – see you there!
Oh my goodness! Your table is absolutely stunning, my lovely friend. HUgs to you.
Hi Renae! Thanks so much! Hope you’re enjoying our lovely sunny weekend. Hugs back!
Your table is beautiful Barbara. It’s the right combination of simple yet sophisticated. The star of the show of course is that beautiful arrangement. That’s very sweet of your son. Happy much belated birthday friend. XO- MaryJo
Thanks so much MaryJo! I’m so lucky to have such a thoughtful son, who knows how much I love flowers! And thanks for the birthday wishes – I like when I can drag it out as long as possible! 🙂 So nice of you to stop by – I always love to see you. Take care till next time!
Your birthday flowers are gorgeous Barbara! I love the colors and combination of blooms and greenery. Keeping the table setting simple and all white really make the flowers pop. The gold chargers and crystal glasses add just the right touch of elegance. I had to smile when I read what you said, yes, the first thing I think of when I get flowers is tablescape! I hope you had a wonderful birthday!
Ha Jenna – I knew you’d get the answer to that question! 🙂 And I’m happy you like the table. I saw that the Traveling Tote is off again – I can’t wait to hear all about the lastest adventure! Hope you have a great weekend. See you on your blog soon!
Your table is simply stunning. The beautiful colors of the roses and ranunculus are so fresh and inviting. Your son clearly has excellent taste. I hear you about the napkin challenge! I worked in a restaurant during college where the napkins were folded and placed on top of the plates. I must have spent hours folding those napkins, so now I fold napkins every time I serve a meal using cloth napkins. You set your table the way I was taught, and it’s so interesting to see how other people set their tables. Sometimes I really have to stop myself from saying “No, no! That’s wrong! The cutting edge of the knife faces the place.” BTW, I have one of those candelabras shown in the ‘movie’ picture, courtesy of my Great Grandmother. I use it as much as I can; it’s simply gorgeous! Thank you as always for such inspiration!!
Haha Kristine – I have to stop myself from doing the same thing! But you’re right – it IS so much fun to see how other people set their tables. 😊 Isn’t it so fun to be able to use things our grandparents used? I love the continuity and the happy memories. So glad you like the table. My son does have excellent taste! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping over – hope you have a lovely weekend!