For my St Patrick’s Day tablescape this year, I went all “nonconformist” again, and leaned heavy on elegance! We all know that St Patrick’s Day is more about fun than elegance, but I just couldn’t help myself!
When I was invited by the amazingly talented and creative Debbee of Debbee’s Buzz, to join in with her When Irish Eyes Are Smiling Blog Hop, I was so happy to accept! Her hops are always wonderful and inspiring, and I’m honored to be part of this one. Thank you so much Debbee!
If you’ve just come over from Marie at Interior Frugalista, Welcome! Isn’t she creative?
An Actual St Patrick’s Day Tablescape
In Debbee’s invitation, she mentioned that we should do something that applied specifically to the holiday, not just something green. (I was pretty sure she put that line in there for me … ! See a previous St Patrick’s Day Tablescape HERE.)
And I tried to create something bright and fun and St Patrick-y. I really did. I’ve never been partial to emerald green (I explain a little bit about that in this post.) But I had a wonderful idea for a rainbow centerpiece with a pot of gold at the end, and rainbow plates. I loved the idea, and I had cheerful fun centerpiece flowers, and a puffy pot of gold to use.
But after literally hours of working on it, I just couldn’t come up with anything I liked! So I decided to fall back on my favorite minimal-elegance style, and I had the table done in minutes! Lesson Learned: Be yourself. It’s faster!
Get Some Beautiful Shamrocks
I may not feel a kinship for deep green, however, I DO love shamrocks! So that’s what I built this year’s St Patrick’s Day tablescape around – the quintessential St Patrick’s Day plant!
I found these darling little pots of faux shamrocks at Michael’s the other day, and snapped up the last four in the store. Shamrocks are so totally St Patrick’s Day – they’re recognizable anywhere.
And these little pots whisper sweetly that the holiday is here. With some gold picks inserted into the middle, they make perfect place card holders, and nice gifts for your guests to take home.
The place cards themselves are large-ish pieces of gold shamrock confetti. They didn’t have room for the whole names of my guests, only one initial. But I thought that made them even cuter.
Use the Good China and Crystal
This is a perfect time to use the “good china!” It lends such an elegance to any tablescape, and guests feel extra special when you set out beautiful plates.
And don’t forget the chargers. They’re so special and elegant, especially since most people don’t use them every day.
This is a perfect time to use your crystal too. If you’re going to be elegant, you might as well go all out!
Green and Gold for the St Patrick’s Day Tablescape
St Patrick’s Day is all about the green. But gold is a very close second! Our nonconformist St Patrick’s Day tablescape only has a dash of green – in the napkins and the shamrocks – but we have lots of gold! (Don’t the shamrocks kind of look like salads when you see them from the top!) 🙂
The chargers, flatware, candle holders, the rims of the china and crystal, and even some of the leaves in the centerpiece, are all gold.
Add in the little pots of the shamrocks, and I think we’ve done that secondary color proud.
And Of Course, The Flowers!
When it came to choosing the centerpiece flowers, I went with my some I already had. I’ve gotten so many gorgeous faux flowers over the years, and I thought this batch of white ones would be lovely.
And Finally, a Little Bit of Extra St Patrick’s Day Tablescape Bling
And speaking – back there a little bit – of shamrock confetti, I did try a little extra bling at the end.
If you like a little more going on on your table, or you want to celebrate the holiday with a little more sparkle, you might like this version of the St Patrick’s Day tablescape.
What do you think? Do you like the table better with or without the shamrock confetti? Let us know in the comments.
Shop the Elegantly Nonconformist St Patrick’s Day Tablescape 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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Pin the St Patrick’s Day Tablescape for Later
Continue On with the Hop!
Click on over to the lovely and creative Ann at Corner of Plaid & Paisley for her Enchanted Leprechaun Grove. Or start at the top of the list below and do the whole tour in order.
Either way, thanks so much for joining me in celebrating with a St Patrick’s Day tablescape!
St. Patrick’s Day Flying Colors Tablescape 
Panoply
Top of the Mornin’ to You! Hyacinths for the Soul
A Table With Irish Knot Carolers Life and Linda
Feelin’ A Wee Bit Irish Home is Where the Boat Is
Easy, Hearty Irish Stew for St. Patrick’s Day Debbee’s Buzz
St. Patrick’s Day Copper & Green Table Karins Kottage
Lucky & Blessed St. Patrick’s Day Table The Painted Apron
Copycat Red Robin Chocolate Guinness Shake My Hubbard Home
Putting a Spring Into My Step on St. Patrick’s Day The Little Yellow Corner Store
St. Patrick’s Day Blessings and Tablescape Me and My Captain
Flower Pot Leprechaun Hat St. Patrick’s Day Craft Interior Frugalista
How to Set an Elegantly Nonconformist St Patrick’s Day Tablescape Mantel and Table
Enchanted Leprechaun Grove Corner of Plaid and Paisley
St. Patrick’s Day Door Hanger Dollar Tree DIY Zucchini Sisters
Barbara, that is one gorgeous tablescape. I do love an Irish or green themed table, and yours is classy and gorgeous!
Thanks Michele – I might have to find myself some of your shamrock china for next year, that’s such a fun touch! So sweet of you to stop by – Happy First Week of Spring!
Barbara, your table is the epitome of beauty and elegance! I really like how there is just a subtle nod to St. Patrick’s Day with the potted shamrocks and shamrock place cards. I’m loving all of the sparkle from the crystal stemware, mercury glass candle holders and the gold plates and flatware. Just lovely! It was fun hopping with you. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Thanks Rebecca – it’s always fun hopping with you too! So Hope you’re having a wonderful St Patrick’s Day!
NO CONFETTI!
HOW FUN AS I AM DOING TABLEWARE ON INSTAGRAM THIS WEEK IN ITALIAN CLASS!
TUNE IN DAILY FOR A NEW WORD!AT CONTESSA AND HER PIG
TODAY IS A VIDEO OF THE ALL THE WORDS……..FUN AND SOMETHING NEW BESIDES PUSHING CLOTHES I DO NOT GET PAID FOR!!
HAPPY ST. PATTY’s DAY you did a wonderful job!
XXX
Hahah – Ok there’s a strong vote! I’m actually with you, though trying to be inclusive! 🙂 I’ll check in on IG – I always love to see what you’re up to!
Barbara, your table is so elegant! You’ve captured St. Patrick’s Day without going overboard. Such a lovely table!
Shelley
So glad you like it Shelley! I’m still thinking of a way to get the rainbow one to work … ! 😉 Hope you have a wonderful week!
Oh! I love your table Barbara. It’s totally up may alley. I love those little shamrock plants- that was the perfect accent. I’ve used real ones in the past but these are even better ‘cuz you can use them year after year. Have. great day. XO- MaryJo
Hi MaryJo – I loved those little shamrocks too! 🙂 So glad you stopped by, and hope you have a lovely day as well!
I love your more formal take on St Patrick’s Day! Just beautiful!
Thanks so much Jennifer! Stop by any time, and Happy St Patrick’s Day!
Your table is so pretty and elegant Barbara! Those little gold pots provide just the right amount of green without screaming ‘St. Patrick’s Day.’ So happy to join you at the table and hop with you again. Happy Weekend ♥
You too Mary! Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!
Barb, being yourself is key! I think we all know when we’re outside of ourselves in what we wear, say or do. This tablescape is super, in my opinion. Those little shamrock plants from Michael’s were a great score (read: can use every year!), and the shamrock confetti adds just the right accessory to the overall look without being overdone. Even without the confetti, I love the look with the faux florals and candles down the center alone. I’ve also embraced a few seasonal faux florals simply because they are so realistic looking. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you, from one Irish lass to another. 😉
Hi Rita – so true about being yourself. 🙂 I was actually surprised how much I loved the faux florals, and I think I’ll be incorporating them into my decor a lot more. So nice to be sharing another blog hop with you – you always inspire me! Hope you’re havinga great weekend!
Your tablescape is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. I, too, didn’t have much in the way of shamrocks, leprechauns or even green, so putting together for this special day was a challenge and tends to lean toward elegance instead. (For me, it was a picnic.) All of your gold pieces really made the cute little shamrock plants even more outstanding. I love such subtle color napkins. It even adds more soft detail to the tablescape. I do like the confetti since I think it adds just enough detail for the holiday without it being overpowering. For Easter you could just exchange out the confetti for a few beautiful decorated eggs and you would be ready for the Easter holiday! Beautiful.
Hi Marsha – you’re right about switching out the confetti for Easter decor! That never occurred to me, but it’s a brilliant idea! Thanks for the inspiration, and thanks for popping over – it’s so fun to share Debbee’s hop! Hope you have a great weekend, and Happy St Patrick’s Day!
The green shamrocks create a perfect contrast against the white and gold elements in your table setting. The entire look is both elegant and inviting. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
Thank so much Carol – I’m so glad you liked it! I’ve been really enjoying your blog. It’s perfect for we mature ladies! 🙂 So glad you stopped by, and Happy St Patrick’s Day to you too!
Such a lovely tablescape Barbara! I love the greenery on each plate and it got me thinking, what if it were a live plant they could take home with them after the event… Shamrocks to go for good luck 🙂
Hi Sweetie! So glad you like it. Live plants would be great – what a lovely idea. Hope you’re doing well out there and having a great weekend. Happy St Patrick’s Day when it comes, my friend!
I love this table, totally my St. Pat’s day vibe. I already have have my good crystal vases cleaned and filled with greens and white flowers, My mom instilled in me that Irish meant fine bone china, preferably with a few light green shamrocks on it, beautiful Irish linens and gorgeous Waterford crystal. So that’s how I decorate for St Patrick’s Day. She visited there and brought back many amazing pieces that I now have and use. I think of her every day in March. 🥰 I also do an old fashioned corned beef and cabbage dinner in our breakfast room using chartreuse plates, pottery and faux green Fire King. But I set our dining table with the finery that comes to mind for me when I think Irish.
Pamela I bet your table is gorgeous with all those traditional touches! Isn’t it so nice to share a love of table setting with your mom? Mine introduced me to it too! Mmmmmm your dinner sounds yummy too! So many different ways to enjoy a table! Thanks so much for stopping by, and Happy St Patrick’s Day!
Barbara, your table is perfectly elegant! I love the idea of the mini shamrock plants as place card holders. They add a festive touch, yet keep the table within your elegant ambiance. I’d love to dine at this table.
Hi Sarah! Any time you’re in Portland, just come on over and we’ll dine and swap tablescape stories! 🙂 So fun to share this hop with you – I loved your St Patrick’ Day breakfast. Thanks for stopping by, and Happy St Patrick’s Day!
Perfectly done Barbara – as I knew you would! The table is so elegant and the shamrock place cards are the perfect nod to the green event! Happy Thursday!
Hi Kim! It’s always so nice to see you in the Comments! How’s it going up there? Hope you’re staying busy but not frantic! 🙂 Thanks for stopping over – can’t wait for your next post!
Such a pretty table! St. Patrick’s Day just happens to be my birthday – so I am going to say yes to the confetti!! I am really not a huge fan of all the tinsel decor for any holiday – so I enjoyed your elegant table. Love the little shamrock pots! Wishing you a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!!
Hey – Happy Upcoming Birthday Ann! I’ll throw on some extra confetti in your honor! 🙂 It was fun seeing a bit more of your blog through this hop – I love your sense of humor and totally loved reading your post and a couple others. Hope you have a lovely St Patrick’s Day birthday, and Happy Weekend in the meantime!
Barbara, all your tablescapes turn out beautiful! I really appreciate the upscale look you pulled together. And Kari is right about the cute shamrock confetti adding a touch of whimsey.
Hugs,
Rachelle
Hi Rachelle! Thank so much – you’re always so sweet! Adding your vote to the confetti camp – I might have to get some other kinds of confetti for other holidays too, since these went over so well! 🙂 Always fun to share a hop with you! See you on Friday if not before!
LOVE your elegant table! Everything about it is gorgeous. Those pots for place cards is a brilliant idea! I think I may have to steal that idea for Easter or Mother’s day with some pretty flowers. My tablescape does not have the typical St. Patty’s day decor either. I used the luck penny to create my more on the elegant side of St. Patrick’s day too. I think I like your table without the confetti….it is just perfect. I just really like your take with all the gold and softer green napkins. Well done my friend! So happy to be a part of this fun blog hop!
Hugs,
Karin
Ha Karin – I know! I noticed at once that your table was “atypical.” I knew I’d love it and I did! The bit with the pennies was amazing, and I’ve already ordered your little copper ramekin-type pans. Aren’t those the cutest? Thanks so much for stopping over. I love sharing a hop with you. 🙂 Hope you’re having a lovely weekend, and Happy St Patrick’s Day!
Barbara, your elegant holiday table is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day! Playing up the gold elements only further accented the emerald green clover pots and shamrock confetti. Going for the gold is the goal of an self-respecting leprechaun lol! The first table I ever posted for the holiday was also a formal setting in the dining room, with more gold than green. So clever to turn your clover pots into initial place cards. Few people have Irish theme tableware, and your setting provides inspiration for how to set a St. Patrick’s Day using china, flatware and glasses you may already have. Lucky me to have you share your stylings in today’s hop!
Thanks so much for hosting, Debbee! Your hops are always so fun, and you make wonderful banner graphics – I’m watching and learning! 🙂 I’ll have to track down your first post – it sounds wonderful. Thanks again and Happy St Patrick’s Day to you and yours!
Gorgeous table Barbara. I so admire a beautiful classy table. Lovely crystal and a pretty plate stack. The place card holders are awesome.
The shamrock confetti is so fun! l The little pots of faux shamrocks are icing on the cake. A pleasure joining you.
You too Linda – I love these hops with so much inspiration to find. Thanks so much for stopping over, and adding your vote to the pro-confetti contingent. 🙂 Happy St Patrick’ Day and hope you have a lovely weekend!
For someone like myself who doesn’t decorate for St. Patrick’s Day, your beautiful and elegant tablescape speaks to me! The adorable shamrock pot place card holders are the perfect nod to the occasion. I love mercury glass and so I’m swooning over the pretty candleholders and gold elements. Being yourself paid off – well done! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Aw thanks Marie! Another lesson learned. 🙂 And I definitely share your love of mercury glass. So happy sharing this blog hop. Happy St P’s to you too!
Barbara, I love your elegant take on St. Patrick’s Day. The shamrock gold pots are a perfect take away gift for guests and they add the pop of green necessary for the occasion! I really like adding the confetti for a whimsical touch ☘️💚☘️
Hi Pam – glad you like the confetti – I just wasn’t sure about it! 🙂 Loved your Shades of Green tablescape post perfect for the season! Hope you and RM are doing well down there and enjoying the spring.
The little shamrock pots are adorable Barbara, and they add the perfect touch of green and leprechaun whimsy to your elegant St. Patrick’s Day table of gold! Your vases of faux white blooms look so real and are so pretty! I do like the shamrock confetti, and your table is beautiful either way! Have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day ☘️
Hi Jenna – Thanks so much! Another vote for confetti – it IS so fun! I’m really excited about how real the flowers look. If you’d have told me 40 years ago I’d have fake flowers on my table, I would have laughed you out of the room! Thank goodness the times they ARE a-changin! 🙂 So nice to share a hop with you! Happy weekend and St Patrick’s Day!
Barb I love your touch of green on your elegant table! Classy my friend. And I have to say tossing in the little shamrocks, etc make it a bit of whimsey, so I say ‘go for it girl’. (I tossed a couple strands of green beads on. my table hoping for the same effect.) LOL
Love “hopping” with you and I am feeling for the poor people of Ukraine today. So many useless deaths of women and children. Praying for them earnestly.
Kari @ Me and My Captain
Kari – thanks so much. I bet the beads look great! 🙂 So nice to touch base again through Debbee’s fun hop. Hope you have a wonderful St Patrick’s Day, and I’m adding my thoughts to yours for Ukraine.
I love your take on St. Patrick’s. It’s elegant, and softly evocative, without hitting you on the head with the theme. Those are very cute place card holders. A beautiful table from beginning to end!
Thanks so much Maria! So sweet of you to stop by. Happy St Patrick’s Day!
I love your tablescape. I highly prefer elegance over kitschy any day. Absolutely gorgeous! Please share it in my link party.
Hi Renae – Yep – shared this at your lovely link party on Friday – it’s always such fun! 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying our beautiful sunny Saturday!