It's time to set the table for Tablescape Thursday and I wanted to be sure to work a beach tablescape in this summer. I know that I usually think of the beach as being laid back with flip flops, suntan lotion scent wafting on the breeze and a plastic bucket in hand. But this week, I decided to set the table with a bit of beach elegance.
Welcome to my beachy table today. You know that there's always a plate set just for you.
I've made a collection on a silver tray for the centerpiece this week.
Now here's your place!
White lacy antique cloth napkins I love found last summer at a local antique store. I love vintage linens.
My husband and I both love the ocean, so picking a china pattern with shells seemed like a very logical choice. This is Stanford Court by Noritake -- now discontinued.
We didn't pick a silver pattern when we got married in 1975 -- some of you may remeber that at that time silver was terribly high priced and we were in need of the basics. I could not have picked a more lovely pattern than this that belonged to my husbands family. I love things with a history to them, these belonged to my mother-in-laws great aunt. She had a beautiful victorian home that was a real showcase. My MIL got this set from her aunt's estate and I was thrilled when she gave them to us .... place settings for 12 with serving pieces! I love that they are monogrammed (not our initial but that's ok with me). Susan just asked us about monogrammed silver a couple of weeks ago ...love mine!
Love my clear gold rimmed chargers too. These were an eBay find about 4-5 years ago.
I found these tissue linen placemats at the same antique store I found the lace napkins. I often ponder how and when they were used in the past.
Pink water/iced tea goblets were found on eBay last year the etched wine glasses I found at GoodWill last week. They still had stickers on the bottoms that said "hand made" and they were only 85 cents a piece -- I had a coupon for 20% off so I picked up a set of 8 and spare. I even left 6 for someone else to treasure. I only have space for 8 in my wine rack and I'm running out of storage space now.
I tried putting a dark green napkin in the glass to see if you could get a better look at the etched grape pattern --- but I'm not sure it really helped much.
Maybe that's better. Don't you wonder why things like this end up at GoodWill? Was it a wedding present that someone didn't care for? Who knows, but I'm happy with these very pretty delicate glasses!
Love these soft pink goblets. They sort of pick up the color from the china as well.
I've had this crystal candlestick for a bit -- I found four at GW last year, but the bobache I found at an antique store earlier this year. Don't you love that word "bobache"! I got two of them for a really good price and there was one prism missing -- I was able to find a pretty good match on eBay, it's just a tad longer than the rest, but I think they're soooooo pretty! I was very pleased.
This footed silver tray (also a GW treasure from last year) seemed perfect to hold treasures from the sea. Shells and pearls, a crystal candlestick and an antique figurine of a pair of flamingos.
This was found in a different antique store a couple of months ago -- the bottom has a marking from Japan. No idea of the age -- it does have a small chip on the base, but that's an easy repair with some matching nail polish -- not even noticed in this setting.
Love the tiny "feet" on this pretty silver etched and scalloped edged tray.
An overview of the centerpiece.
Close shot of the starfish and pearls. Treasures of the sea!
Tabletop.
Centerpiece top.
These photos were taken in the late afternoon, but it's been a cloudy overcast day today.
A view from the ledge.
I'm so glad that you joined me today -- be sure to visit all the tablescapes this week hosted by Susan of
"Between Naps on the Porch" where you'll find lots of beautifully set tables just for you!
Now this has me thinking of some really good seafood -- what's your favorite?
See ya!
P.S. -- if you're a Starbucks coffee lover be sure to check back at my last post and make a guess on my new car! I am no longer a van-nana! You just might win my little gift card give-a-way! Great for some iced coffee after a day at the beach.
It's time to set the table once again for Tablescape Thursday. I've set an end of Summer table this week. Do you count Labor Day as the end of Summer or the calendar date of September 22nd? Either way, it will soon be Fall.
Welcome to my "last trip to the beach" tablescape. Actually September has often been one of our favorite months for taking a weekend beach escape. Many years we've had splendid beach weather and when our children were older, we would go for the 1st weekend after Labor Day. After I retire, we will have to start that tradition back up again. 
I've set a place for you --- so tell me, did you have a visit to the ocean this summer? I seem to linger over the last days of Summer...sort of like lingering at the table after a wonderful meal with friends.
For this table, my flower ring has become a shell ring.
Rather than a setting of tropical colors....I've set the soft colors of sand and shells at sunset.
Most of the shells have come from our Spring Florida trips -- days when we get our first taste of coming lazy summer afternoons.
My big shell wasn't a treasure found on the beach....it was found at an antique store here in Richmond.
These vintage flamingos are a part of my summer decor....soon to be packed up for another year.
Layers of silver, white and lace.
My china pattern is Stanford Court. I love the shell pattern.
While I do have the matching salad plates, sometimes I mix in something else. These glass plates were from my husband's grandmother.
The etching shows up a bit better against the table.
You can see the white on white design of the tissue linen placemats through the gold rimmed glass chargers.
From afternoon....
....to evening......
