Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Casual Beach Tablescape

Last week I didn't participate in Tablescape Thursday because of birthday celebrations and a visit from my sister, here from Wisconsin. It was fun to get back to "playin' with the dishes" this week. My last tablescape was "Beach Elegant", so I decided to set the table this week as "Beach Casual".




Just for a change of pace....how would you like to watch while I build my tablescape? We'll start out with a white tablecloth I purchased last year spring/summer from Target's "Shabby Chic" line. I've placed a hammered aluminum tray as the base of my centerpiece.



This was a tray we found cleaning out my father-in-laws house before it was placed on the market. I'm sure it was fairly old, but it still had a manufacturers tag on it -- and it was made in the U.S.A. Obviously, it had never been used --- time for a debut...don't you think?



Pretty flower design etched in the center.



Love the hammered edges.


Several years ago, I was given a gift package from Bath and Bodyworks. One of those cute sets put together in a ceramic beach bucket. I filled the bucket with shells and set it on the tray.



Then I tipped the bucket on it's side with the shells "spilling" out.



Next I added a sand castle made by "Partylites" that has been on a shelf in my powder room all summer.



Still needs a little something....



...I've added a couple of sandpipers that have been decorating my mantle since Memorial Day.






I've finished off with a few more shells and this little crab who's been hanging out on my washstand all summer. There....now the centerpiece is finished.


Time to start the placesettings. There are my only new addition -- these chargers from Nell Hill I purchased a few weeks ago. They're available in these round ones or square ones. I had quite a time trying to decide which style to get --- and it took quite a bit of willpower not to get them both!



Chargers set for four.



Next, my white dishes from Big Lots last summer.



I pulled out these blue and white striped cloth napkins that I've had for ages. Instead of using a napkin ring, I pulled them through the charger handle.



We're almost there.



Blue goblets were purchased last winter from the Dollar Tree.



Just casual stainless flatware for this placesetting.



These came from a restaurant supply store about 3 years ago -- service for 12 was very affordable and the shell pattern was perfect for my beach theme.



Lastly, I fell in love with this shell pitcher last year in a local thrift store.



An overview of this table setting.



Overview of the centerpiece.



I always like to check the view of the centerpiece....



....from each setting.....



.....just to be sure that each person.....



.....has an interesting view.


And now we're at the place I usually begin each week....Welcome to my casual beach table.




Where there's a place set just for you!


I hope that you'll get the chance to visit our gracious Tablescape Thursday hostess, Susan of "Between Naps on the Porch" this week to see all the tables that have been set across blogland. You'll be sure to find one you'll love. Be sure to check back any Wednesday night to see amazing tables at her site starting between 8 and 9 in the evening and continuing through Thursday. If you get a chance to comment on a couple of your favorites, you'll make their day -- it's always so rewarding to hear from visitors who've stopped by.

See ya!

43 comments:

  1. Dear Martha,
    Like the pretty tablescape!
    Ooooohhhhh that hammered platter is really nice.

    God bless and wish I could dine at your table,
    d

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  2. Oh it is just gorgeous. I love how you started with the tray and then layered everything. So pretty. That shell pitcher is stunning. Beautiful tablescape. Hugs, Marty

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  3. The end result is beautiful, but the journey was great! I enjoyed watching you reach your goal, step by step! Very nice, thanks!

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  4. Hi Martha! Oh, I enjoyed seeing you built your centerpiece! Love your entire table. You've gotten so good at this! Always love seeing what your table will look like each week.
    be a sweetie,
    shelia ;0

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  5. Every time you post your tablescape, it makes me think...oh no, I don't know what I'm doing this week!

    Of course I love the table setting. It is beachy and fun...the sand castle is a great addition and I love the pitcher! I don't blame you for wanting the placemats...love them. Love it all!

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  6. Martha you have such a talent for this! I love, LOVE it!! I wish I had all the accessories and the space to store them. I just love setting tables.

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  7. Great table Martha~
    I love the beachy casual look~ The shells, the really cool placemats just make this so fun!
    Where does your Sister live in Wisconsin?
    Take Care,
    Cindy

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  8. Hi Martha!
    Great setting, the chargers are wonderful! Nell Hill huh! Going for the big bucks! :)

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  9. Oh my goodness, your casual is so very elegant.

    It's so beautiful sweetie :o)

    God bless ya and have yourself a glorious day!!!

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  10. LOVE it! Those chargers are great, and your centerpiece is so special-lovin' the little crab, just perfect!

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  11. Martha, YOu set a breezy beachy table. ANd thank you so much for the centerpiece tutorial. I learned so much. THe way you tipped over the bucket is genius!!! I'm tucking this post away to use when I do a centerpiece! Thank you so much!
    I just ordered the square chargers from Nell's Hill a few weeks ago. I love them. They will be so useful for the fall! But your's look perfect in your beach setting.
    Wonderful!
    Yvonne

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  12. Your centerpiece is great, Martha! Love how you used blue in your goblets and your napkins. It looks really nice.
    Blessings, Beth

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  13. Martha~
    This was so fun to watch you build your table. I especially like how you thought to use the handle of your table mat to hold your napkins. Were you thinking about that when you bought them?
    Sheila

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  14. I love how this all came together. Very inspiring!

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  15. This is very pretty, Martha. It has a very relaxed feel to it. I love how you did the centerpiece...Christine

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  16. How fun to "watch" you build the tablescape, starting with that stunning tray. You'll have to feature that again soon! I love those chargers, and it was clever to use the handles to hold the napkins. Great tablescape!

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  17. This is wonderful! I love the tutorial you gave! The centerpiece is just great! I like the way you pulled the napkin through the placemat ring too!

    Nice job! I always enjoy your creations!

    Katherine

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  18. This is simply beautiful. I loved watching it all come together. What a terrific idea. Your colors are great. I think the shell pitcher is absolutely divine.

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  19. Hi, Mizz Martha..this is such a beautiful table. I love it all...especially that stunning centerpiece. I love the colors, too.
    xo bj

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  20. The whole casual beach scape is wonderful, but my favorite part would be those chargers. I love how you just put the napkin through the side of them. Just perfect!

    I would love some chargers like that.
    Love your whimsical centerpiece too!

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  21. Martha-I love this. I remember my mom having some hammered aluminum. Have no idea what happened to it, but I hear it is very collectible now! I LOVE that pitcher!!! And I am surprised you could keep yourself from ordering the square chargers too :) I missed Beach Elegant so I am going to go and take a look!

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  22. I adore your anatomy of a tablescape...very nicely done. Thank you for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay

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  23. Martha, what a lovely table...fantastic centerpiece...but I keep going back to that pitcher, I love it.

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  24. Martha, all the details makes this setting very special. Love your beach table.

    Hugs
    Charo

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  25. I enjoyed seeing the creation of this lovely table!

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  26. Thank you for letting us watch you as you built your centerpiece! I have such a hard time with centerpieces and you made it look so easy....I love your pitcher and placemats. Thank you for sharing your beachy tablescape with us! It is so inviting!!!!

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  27. Casual, yes, in a very perfect way. Clever how you took us through the devellopment of the tablescape.

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  28. Well my goodness Martha!

    This is just beyond delightful!..,

    This casual tablescaping artistry truly at it's best! ~ Every single exquisite detail, from the sea shells, fabrics, straw placemats, cutlery; from the tablecloth to the napkins and dishware..,

    ~ Every delightful accessory and those fabulous, 'step by step' pictures showing how your created this fabulous tableaux is beyond fabulous!.., Wow!~ Beyond wonderful!

    ..,I'm delighted that you have shared these exceptional ideas with us today!

    Please pop by for a wee visit sometime and let's share some 'cyber tea and treats'; my tea party tablescape vignette is set in my dressing room closet this week!

    Thanks for sharing today, there are so many innovative and delightful details to feast our eyes upon and to be inspired by!

    Hugs from Wanda Lee @ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com and http://silknpurse.blogspot.com

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  29. All I can say is wow....i love those blue glasses....I love the whole thing....but the blue glasses best of all...and the sandcastle.

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  30. Lovely! i really liked the way you "built" your table design in photos...step by step.
    Jane (artfully graced)

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  31. Fun to see how you created your tablescape and how nice it all turned out! Some of my relatives also own that Partylite sandcastle...hmmmm, wonder if I could borrow one or two? I really like the new chargers you bought - next time, buy 2 of each - then you don't have to decide and mix-matching is in!

    DD

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  32. Martha, great minds think alike (sorry to put your mind in a category with mine!). We both showed our table construction this week. I LOVE your chargers. I've been wanting some of those, but stop myself from buying them when I think about where I'll store them! That hammered metal tray is so pretty. How great that it came from you f-i-l's house. I wish I lived close to a good restaurant supply store. Their prices are always so reasonable, and their merchandise is so sturdy. Love that flatware. Your centerpiece is delightful, and that shell pitcher is gorgeous! laurie

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  33. I'm sure the vineyards in Greece are breathtaking. I would dearly love to go there someday....
    xo bj

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  34. Great tablescape. Loved all the shells
    Sheila @ Raggedykingdom.blogspot.com

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  35. How fun to see you build your tablescape! LOVE those Nell Hill chargers!

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  36. Loved your Build-A-Table with the description and photos. The bucket is very cute with the shells spilling out. It just gives me the feeling of let's go play at the beach and build a sand castle.

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  37. Oh Martha, LOVE,LOVE,LOVE every detail. I adore that hammered tray, the chargers, the plates, the shell pitcher, WELL everything and it is all SO PERFECT together... Thank you for sharing. Hugs, Donna

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  38. Beautiful table. I love how all of the shells spill out of the little pail.

    Thanks for your visit. I'd love to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  39. Bes till my heart! I LOVE this tablescape. You & I definately have the dme love of things!

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  40. I am loving this tablescape. Thanks for sharing.

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