As usual, it was the flowers that inspired this simple tablescape – a beautiful fresh lavender bouquet! I have to admit, I hadn’t been paying much attention to the lavender bushes that grow at the edge of our garden, down at the bottom of the yard, next to the sidewalk. Usually when I get home, I’ve got my eyes on the roses further up the slope.
So I was totally surprised when I went out to see what was ready to pick, and there was all this gorgeous dark scented lavender! Once I could drag myself away from the amazing scent, I grabbed several handfuls along with some of the other blue flowers nearby, and one perfect red rose.
The field and the tablecloth
One of the things I love about our yard is the little wildflower field we have in the back. All spring we’ve had darling little flowers in the lawn, and now the grass has grown up and covered most of the few that are left. But we’ll leave it for another couple days before we cut it back. It’s so fun to watch it blow in the breeze!
In fact, it was so breezy and beautiful the day I set this table, that I had to take a little video to share with you! Imagine a perfect 75 degrees to go along with these 18 seconds of sunshine. Plus we get a nice little gust there at the end!
The other inspiration for this table besides the lavender bouquet, was my new April Cornell table linens! I’ve always wanted some, and now was the time. I was thrilled to unpack them and take them out to the yard for their maiden voyage!
I so wanted to admire the flowers and linens, that I didn’t actually do much in the way of place setting excitement. But I love the austerity of the table, with the lavender bouquet and the April Cornells supplying the drama.
The Place Setting
As I said, the place settings themselves were elegantly simple. I usually use these embossed white plates in the fall – I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the grapes and leaves on them that feel like harvest. But this was the perfect place for them here in the spring. Just a bit more texture to our monochrome plate stack.
A little more lavender on each plate. Not that we couldn’t smell the beautiful scent of the centerpiece, but it’s nice to have some a little closer too.
The matching April Cornell napkin was lovely between the plates. They’re a great size and heft too.
It was mid-day when I started setting the table. But I was thinking my wonderful husband and I would eat dinner outside when it got a bit darker, so I went with gold to match the setting sun!
This flatware is one of my favorites. I love the shape of it, and it’s nice and solid to hold. I’ve used it many times, like HERE and HERE.
And our gold-standard Riedel wine glasses.
And speaking of wine
We had one that night that I really love – Sauvignon Republic’s Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Bright grapefruit and soft peach flavors, maybe some pear, nice and crispy, and super affordable! $7.99 a bottle at Trader Joe’s! It went really well with our salad.
And here’s the salad. Mixed greens, green pear, feta cheese, and walnuts, with a light mustard viniagrette. Mmmmmm! The walnuts were really fruity and added so much to the salad. (Got those from TJ’s too. What a great store!)
I have a super easy formula for making salads! You can read more about it in this post: SUMMER SALADS YOU’LL LOVE AND A SIMPLE FORMULA TO MAKE THEM EASY Plus there’s a cute printable graphic you can download to make it even easier!
Final touch to our lavender bouquet tablescape
The final touch was some gold mercury glass votives to add to our ambiance as the sun started to go down.
I caught this sunburst through the fence and thought it looked beautiful! The light on the flowers especially. It really was a gorgeous evening. Totally perfect for a dinner outside at a simple lovely table.
So that’s a wrap! Short and sweet and summery! I hope you get a chance to set an outdoor table and enjoy some warm weather too.
Have you used lavender or April Cornell linens? Let me know what you think in the Comments below.
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Hi Barbara,
This table setting looks so romantic. The whole thing is so lovely; with the video, you rose it to another level. It is as one could feel the breeze, and smell the flowers. It really heightened one senses. Similarly to you, I have those white embossed plates and only used them in the Fall. In fact, it was for our first Thanksgiving at our first new house. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Enjoy what is left of Summer.
Isn’t that funny how we get in a pattern of using things? And that’s so fun that you have white embossed plates too! It must bring back such lovely memories every time you use them. I’ll always rembmer my first holiday tables. Hope you have a lovely summer as well! Thanks so much for popping over!
Hi Barbara
What can I say you always do things rights. However, I must admit this setting truly heightened one senses. It is almost as one could feel the breeze or smell the flowers. It is such a romantic setting and the linen is exquisite. Good job my friend, thank you for continuing to share your talents with us. Enjoy the rest of the Summer.
Oh thank you Edmee – I’m so glad you liked it! It really was a glorious day. I’m happy you’re here to share it! 💛
I love your new table linens, Barbara! And that sweet white pitcher for you flowers! Isn’t TJ’s the best? We have one in my town too, but it doesn’t sell alcohol unfortunately- that wine sounds awfully appealing! Happy summer!
Hi! Yes TJ’s Rules!! 🙂 Too bad yours doesn’t have wine though – that one is particularly good for the price. Maybe you’ll find something similar out there. Thanks so much for stopping by – hope you’re having a great summer too!
Your table is so pretty! I love the elegant simplicity of it and those linens are gorgeous! How fun that you gathered the flowers from your own yard! Here’s to a wonderful summer!
Thanks so much Donna! It was so sweet of you to stop by! Hope you have a great summer too!
Barbara, what a lovely table you have set in the garden. I loved the video with the breeze blowing – so cool. Simplicity was the perfect touch. I can only imagine the smell of the lavender and the simple plate stack sets off your gorgeous new AC linens. The salad and wine look delicious and what a beautiful spot to enjoy a summer meal. I hope you had a lovely time!
Hi Kim! Yes, we totally did! Gotta take advantage of the beautiful weather while we have it. Hope things are going ok with you, and you have a great Canada Day weekend! 🍁
Ooh! I love lavender. Such a pretty tablescape. Hugs to you.
Thanks so much Renae – hope you’re having a lovely week!
That is just so inviting and beautiful, Barbara! You always set a perfectly charming table.
As for dining outside – we’ve pretty much had a danger air quality (stay inside warning) for 3 weeks now since the Canadian fires are still not put out. This is so bad – can’t do anything outside – or shouldn’t be. Praying for a big big cleansing rain to clear the air and put those fires OUT!
Sigh. so at least I can live vicariously through your gorgeous table and dream a little dream or two. Hugs. ♥
Oh that smoke must just be awful! It’s so sad when you can’t enjoy the summer, not to mention the devastation and loss! I hope the rain comes soon! In the meantime, I’m happy to share my tables with you my friend! 💗 Thanks so much for dropping over!
I can almost smell the lavender! The salad, the wine, the beautiful linens, can it get any more perfect for summer? You knocked this one out of the park, my friend!
Thanks so much Marieza! That lavendar was incredible! It seems stronger this year, for some reason – I don’t know all the ins and outs of its cycles, but I’m willing to take the extra beauty when we get it! Do you have lavender in your beautiful yard? It would look great with your new placemats! 😊 Happy Weekend up there!
OH wow, so beautiful, and love the lavender – it’s one of my all-time favorites.
I visited you via the 4th of July and the TFT Blog Hop
My entries this week = 55+56 as I would love to invite you to come and share your posts and you will have an opportunity to get featured.
We’re open Monday through Saturday every week.
You will find the linkup information (1) In the Top bar under Blogging: Weekly Senior Salon Pit Stop OR 2nd image In the sidebar
We hope to meet you there virtually.
Hi Esmé! Isn’t lavender wonderful? It’s a favorite over here too. And thanks for the invite. I’ve enjoyed the Pit Stop in the past – it’s so nice of you to host! Thanks so much for stopping over, and hope you have a lovely weekend and holiday!
Hope you will become a weekly regular contributor and participant. Thanks and hope to see you soon.
What a beautiful setting, love the tablecloth. Has given me some ideas for my next camping trip. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much Janice! I’d love to see what you do with this tablecloth on a camping trip – your creativity is amazing! Hope your next foray into the wilderness is extra fun!
Love the simplicity of the place setting with the lovely linens and beautiful flowers from the garden. Makes me want to set one up in my own garden.
Lynne
Thank you so much Lynne! You definitely should set a table in the garden – they’re so much fun! 🙂 Hope you have a lovely weekend and 4th of July!
Oh Barbara, this is so pretty! I love the tall grasses in the background, such a lovely spot to dine, linger and enjoy! The simple lavender arrangement and place settings are perfect for outdoor dining and your AC linens are perfect. The lavender sprig on the plate stack is the perfect touch~ Your salad and wine sound delicious! The video was fun, thank you!
So happy you like it Jenna! I was so excited to use my new linens, and it really was a wonderful spot to sit out and enjoy the twighlight. We love our little meadow. Sometimes when we mow, the wildflowers have another little burst of bloom, too, so it might not be over quite yet. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by – I’m off to see what fabulousness you have for us next!
Barbara, your alfresco table is elegantly simple and perfect for two. As you know, I love AC linens and I also have that lovely tablecloth. Your setting with the lavender and new linens remind me of Provence. The tablesetting is romantic and I love the video! Just beautiful, my friend!
Hi Pam! Oh thank you! It’s your lovely tables that made me want some of those April Cornell linens in the first place! You’ve always been such an inspiration. Now if I could just get that yard renovation going … ! 😊 So glad you liked the video – that wind was something! Hope you have a lovely weekend and 4th of July over there!