Ah a beautiful sunset tablescape! And this was even better because it was outside on a beautiful evening in a beautiful place! That’s a lot of Beautiful, and though it was a reasonably simple setting, the ambiance was so gorgeous that it elevated the whole event!
This post is another in the “Tables for Friends” series here at Mantel and Table. That’s where I get to go to my friends’ houses and set tables using their tableware. It’s always so much fun! And you get to see different settings and backgrounds too!
For this beautiful sunset tablescape, we were staying at the lovely home of our friends who retired and moved to the beach! As you can see, their yard is wonderful – right up against a creek and the windblown trees of the coast.
My friend told me to go ahead and “snoop” for things to set tables with, so I did! And just for the record, she is magnificently organized and I had no trouble finding everything I needed! I had just finished setting this table when the sun hit the trees. Pictures are great, but as often happens, it was even more magical in real life.
All White for the Sunset Tablescape
My friend is a fabulous entertainer, and has truly elegant taste. They’ve down-scaled with the new house, but as you can see, everything they kept is beautiful! The white tableware is classic. You’ve probably heard me, and many other people, say that if you’re only going to have one set of dishes, make them white ones.
My friend took that advice to heart, and these are just lovely! The simplicity and sheen lets them be either formal or casual. I think this table is somewhere in between!
The napkins are really elegant too, with that slightly darker border on the edge. And they’re large and have a good feel to them too!
Elegantly Simple Flatware
The flatware is lovely too! (I might end up using that word a lot to describe my friend’s tableware choices. Everything she has is elegantly classic!) It’s made by Oneida – very solid and smooth feeling in your hand.
Heftiness seems to be my measure of nice flatware. If it feels good to hold it and use it, that goes a long way toward me really liking it!
If you’re in the market for updated flatware, you couldn’t do better than Oneida. It’s a classic for a reason. Every piece I’ve ever used has been excellent quality.
Glassware
The wine glasses are also beautiful – especially when you see the sun on the trees through them! As with the rest of my friend’s collection, it’s a classic style that can be dressed up or down.
Also as a wine lover, I really appreciate the shape! It’s great to show off your wine’s fragrance and flavors!
The water glasses are also – say it with me now – classic and elegant! Solid without being clunky, and they go well with the rest of our sunset tablescape.
The Sunset Tablescape Centerpiece
One of the really fun things about doing tables for friends, is that you never really know what you’re going to get. I knew I wanted to set some tables before we even got there, so we stopped at the grocery store on our way down for some flowers.
I have to say, the beach grocery stores have more pared-down flower departments that what I have at home, so I sort of had to take what I could get! I usually like to design my own bouquets, but I didn’t have that option this time – all the flowers were already in arrangements.
But the colors of these roses and alstroemeria were so pretty, and I liked the contrasting purple of this particular arrangement.
At the time I bought them, I didn’t know what kind of tableware I would have to work with, but you can imagine my delight at what I found! I just love the contrast of the bright flowers with the white dishes and clear glasses.
To keep with my clear glass concept, I arranged the flowers in some smaller water glasses and spread them out across the table. That’s a great technique if you don’t have enough flowers for a large display.
Glowing Candlelight
I love the clear glass tea candle holders – all the better to see the golden flames! The yellow candle glow echoed the glow on the trees. Really it was magnificent!
I really love that the table is so neutral. It highlights the flowers and that beautiful yard. The scenery is really the star of the show.
Sunset Tablescape Visitors!
Just as we were getting ready to serve, we had some unexpected visitors!
I’d seen these deer earlier in the day, and we’d seen some last time we were here. But it was really a fun surprise to have them so close! It looked several times as though they would come right up to the table!
(I’m kind of glad they didn’t, though. I love deer and they’re graceful and beautiful to watch, but I’m not sure I’d like one that near, especially with someone else’s china! Plus, they’re bigger up close than they are at a distance!)
But they wandered on through the yard and off into the woods without disturbing the table or getting a taste of our delicious dinner!
All Ready for Dinner
Here’s a different view of the table, looking back towards the house. You can see the glasses shimmering, and the sunset reflecting in the windows. A perfect setting for an excellent dinner and time to gather!
I hope you get the chance to have dinner outside sometime soon, and set a beautiful sunset tablescape of your own!
Thanks for sharing this one with me!
Barbara’s Boutique Recommendations
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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Pin the Beautiful Sunset Tablescape for Later!
A Very casually elegant table Barbara! There is just something about classic white crockery and shimmering glassware the evokes a quiet, calm elegance! The pop of colour from the flowers are the perfect touch! Our outdoor dining season is short, so we do take advantage of it whenever we can! Seeing the dear meandering through was a nice surprise, and I’m with you in that I love to see them at a distance!
Thanks so much Maureen! Yes, taking advantage of the short season is a priority. 😊 I love all your beautiful ourdoor tables! So glad you stopped by my friend!
Barbara – wow that deer is pretty close!! Your friend has lovely tableware and you did such an excellent job of setting the table for your dinner. White dishware with elegant clear wine glasses and flatware always works, no matter what. Everything is gleaming and sparling and the flowers you chose are beautiful! It all looks so warm and cozy there – sadly, our fall is drawing to an end as we are supposed to get snow on Monday. Ugh. I hope you had a wonderful dinner with your friends. Take care my friend!
Thanks so much Kim! It sure helps to have such beautiful things to work with! Oh my gosh – snow already!! I remember what it was like living in Minnesota, and I think I’ve heard your winters are similar. Even though I’m not a cold-weather person, I did really love shoveling the sidewalk … At least there was one thing I liked about those winters! 🤣 Hope you don’t have to do that any time too soon though! Take care up there my friend and thanks so much for stopping over!
Beautiful golden hour setting Barbara -thank you!! Everything looked great and elegant. The visitors -ha
Weren’t they fun?! Thanks so much for popping over my friend! 💛
Beautiful Barbara! How much fun to go to a friend’s house and play with her dishes!
Ha – I know! I love it, and my friends are so sweet about sharing their tables with me! 😊 So sweet of you to stop by – I’m off to see what you’re cooking today!!