A Tablescape for the Beach

Who doesn’t want to be at the beach right now! This tablescape idea started with these beach scene melamine salad plates. I went a bit wild finding everything for this table setting. I’m not sure where I found the turquoise tablecloth, I have had it for several years.

I was browsing through a Front Gate catalog a few years ago that had come in the mail and I saw these plates. I had been looking for a salad plate with a beachie scene and I loved the colors on this one. The palm trees and colorful beach umbrellas design is perfect.

These turquoise melamine salad plates came from HomeGoods a few years ago. They were made by IL Mulino New York. Like the salad plates, they are a nice heavy melamine.

Hubby went to the Dollar Store and bought silver chargers for me and then spray painted them this bright pink to match the salad plates. I am going to have to do that more often. It is such an easy way to have chargers the right colors for your table setting. The lime green place mats came from Pier 1 several years ago.

This flatware was called Madeline Green and I bought it at World Market online several years ago. I really like the frosted design on the handles. There are many flatware sets available online right now in different colors that are frosted like this set.

The white Adirondack chair napkin rings came from Wilford & Lee Home Accents online. I found the DII Design Imports tropical theme napkins on Amazon a few years ago after watching for beachie type napkins there for quite a while. They were a perfect color match for this table setting.

The white Adirondack chair place card holders came from Kohl’s online a few years ago. They were a natural wood but Hubby spray painted them white for me. I added a small plastic beach ball to match the centerpiece.

The lime green glass goblets came from Pier 1 several years ago, I use them several times a year. I like how tall they are and the design. The turquoise plastic goblets also came from Pier 1.

I wanted a beach type chair for a centerpiece and I started looking for doll chairs. I finally found this one on Amazon. It was made by Matty’s Toy Shop and it was just what I was looking for. I’ll probably put it somewhere with a plant on it later. I bought the small doll towel, beach ball, and shovel and pail set on Amazon as well.

I have had this cream and sugar set for many years, they are such a hoot! They were made by Daniel Dela Cruz for Enesco.

I had a lot of fun pulling this beach tablescape together. Myabe one day we can actually use it at the beach!

To see over 270 different tablescapes that I have created please click here. If you are on Facebook, join my Table Settings and Tablescape Ideas Facebook group (4,000+ members) for lots of tablescaping inspiration! Just click on the Facebook Search box at the top of the page and type in Table Settings and Tablescape Ideas or click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2553689988183392

If you live in Southern California join our Facebook tablescaping group Southern California Tablescapers BTS Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/440356398581157 . We had a gathering in January 2025 and we plan to have others as well.

Don’t miss the Tablescape How-To tab at the top of my blog for DIY tips and tricks or click here: https://www.whispersoftheheart.com/tablescapehowto

I put a new tablescape on my blog every week, please check back!

This blog post was featured at The Cottage Market, https://thecottagemarket.com/ and Miz Helen’s Country Cottage, https://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.com/ Please visit these blogs, you will enjoy them!

4 Different Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas

It’s not too early to be thinking about your Thanksgiving table design. I am wishing and hoping that we all can gather together this year so let’s think about the turkey tablescape and start gathering the pieces just in case.

This is a fairly simple two color table setting. I had the turkey dinner plates and when I found the white turkey tureen I decided that I would design the table around brown and white.

The turkey dinner plates were made by Spode and the pattern is called Celebration. I think I bought them at HomeGoods a few years ago. I like the profile of this large turkey and the flower border.

The white turkey tureen came from Pottery Barn last year. I had been looking for a large white soup tureen for a while but nothing was quite right. When I saw this one I decided he needed a good home with us. I liked the fact that he came with a matching ladle. For more information about everything on this table please click here to read my blog post about it all.

The idea for this Thanksgiving tablescape design came from these turkey salad plates. I bought a few of these plates on sale after Thanksgiving a couple years ago at Pottery Barn when they only had a few left and when it was offered again last year I was able to buy a few more. They are offering them again this year (2020). The pattern is called Botanical Harvest Turkey. The color blue is not a color that one would normally think of for a Thanksgiving table but I think it works well here.

I can’t remember where I found this turkey that I am using as a centerpiece. I have had it for a few years. I love the different textures and the mixture of colors and materials.

I just added other elements that were blue and brown to complete the look. For more information about everything else on this table please click here to read my blog post about it all.

This Thanksgiving tablescape idea started with the plates and small tureens. I have had these small turkey tureens for a long time. I found them on Ebay and I finally bought the matching salad plates and dinner plates on Ebay too. I still need a few more of the tureens but one shows up only once or twice a year on Ebay so buying a full set will take some time.

I used the same turkey centerpiece for this table that I used on the blue and brown Thanksgiving table. He matched perfectly.

For more information about everything else on this table please click here to read my blog post about it all.

In the fall there are many different turkey plate designs to choose from. I bought these turkey salad plates at HomeGoods several years ago. The back of the plate says, “Royal Stafford, made in Burslem, the heart of the Potteries, England”. I like the different colors included on the plate and the traditional turkey who is fat and fluffy.

I was looking for a turkey tureen to use as a centerpiece for a long time and I finally found this one several years ago. It was made by Spode and it was part of their Harvest Collection. I can’t remember where I found it. I really love it. It comes out the beginning of November and sits on the table or somewhere else until Christmas decorating starts.

For more information about everything else on this Thanksgiving table please click here to read my blog post about it all.

To see over 160 different tablescapes that I have created including other Thanksgiving tablescapes, please click here. If you are on Facebook, join my Tablescape Ideas Facebook group for lots of tablescaping inspiration! Just click on the Facebook Search box at the top of the page and type in Tablescape Ideas. Don’t miss my Tablescaping How-To section at the top of this blog post (or here) for more tablescaping tips and tricks.

I put a new tablescape on my blog every week, please check back!

How to Tablescape, Choosing the Right Goblet Colors for Your Table Setting Collection

I have been tablescaping for many years now and along the way I have learned a few things. When I started setting tables by themes, I chose goblets for my tables based purely on what color I needed, how easy it would be to find the same six or twelve goblets that I would need for that table setting quickly, and the purchase price. Most of my purchases came from Ebay, HomeGoods, and Pier 1 (our store is now closed) because I usually try to buy tablescaping items in sets of 6 or 12 (there are 12 in our extended family) and those sources were the easiest and most inexpensive to use to find what I was looking for. A large percentage of my tablescaping purchases since the beginning have been done online because there just aren’t enough stores in my area with the merchandise that I need in stock and I don’t have the time to wander around looking for things. My purchases are a mixture of old and new products but many of them are made on the secondary market (used). At the beginning, I bought several goblet sets on Ebay that were discontinued, sometimes a few goblets at a time. Some goblet sets were vintage (at least 20 years old). Estate sales and garage sales have been other great sources for goblets as well. Dollar stores often have glass and plastic goblets in many colors and the price can’t be beat! These days it is difficult to determine what is glass and what is plastic because the quality of plastic glassware has improved so much.

Once in a while I find something that is expensive but I really love it and I know exactly how I would use it on several tablescapes. When that happens, I buy one or two at a time over several months until I have the number that I need to complete my set.

After choosing the plates for your tablescape, the next decision to make is what color goblets you want to use on your table. It is always a good idea to look at your existing dish patterns and think about what color goblets would match them in addition to your clear goblets. Most people start with clear goblets and they can be used for any table setting.

I am showing three different patterns of clear glass goblets that I use on my table settings; on the left, my wedding crystal, Lismore made by Waterford; in the center another Waterford goblet from their inexpensive line, Marquis, the pattern is Brady. I found them at HomeGoods. On the right is my mother’s wedding crystal from 1938, Rock Sharpe made by Libbey, the pattern was called Ridgeway (I purchased additional pieces on Ebay). You can see my Waterford goblet on a St. Patrick’s Day tablescape here. I used the clear Marquis goblet on a Summer tablescape here. I added my mother’s Ridgeway goblet to a Spring tablescape here.

I took an inventory of 120+ tablescapes that I did in the past to see what goblet colors I have used most often and I used clear goblets the most often after red ones. I often use them with a colored goblet when I don’t have another goblet color that works with that color or I want to tone down the colors on the table.

The color goblet that I have used the most often on my tablescapes over the past several years is red. I use my red goblets several times a year; Valentine’s Day (see one here), any patriotic holiday (see one here), summer tables themes like Strawberries, Watermelons, and Picnics, and at Christmas time (see one here). A red goblet would be my first purchase after a clear goblet for a tablescaping goblet collection. I found these Red Waterford Marquis Brookside goblets at HomeGoods several years ago and I use them constantly. I have seen them for sale from time to time on Ebay.

I have red goblets in a few other patterns as well. My kitchen is white with red accents so I have a few extra red glassware patterns. I found these goblets on Ebay, no one (even Replacements) knows the pattern name.

These plastic goblets were a gift from my kids. They are perfect for a picnic themed table!

I bought these red spiral goblets at Pier 1 several years ago. I will miss Pier 1!

After red and clear the goblet colors that I have used most often on my table settings are black and dark blue.

Black is such a basic color that it can be used over and over depending on the table theme. I have used black goblets several times on Halloween tables (see one here) and also as a secondary color on other table settings that have black accents (see one here). I bought these black goblets on Ebay and they were one of the first sets that I bought several years ago. They are Lenox Midnight Mood black glass water goblets and they were made between 1974 and 1982. They are 7 1/4 inches tall. When I started buying goblets I didn’t pay attention to the height but now I like to buy goblets that are at least about 8 inches tall because my table is large and I think they show better.

A dark blue goblet is very versatile, I have used them on patriotic tables as well as table settings for spring (see one here) , summer (see one here), and winter. I bought these blue goblets on Ebay, you can still find them for sale there. They were made by Libbey in the 1970’s and the pattern is Tulip in Dusky Blue.

After black and dark blue, my next most used goblet colors have been lime green and sage green. I bought these lime green goblets at Pier 1 several years ago and I have used them often, on Spring tables (see one here), St. Patrick’s Day tables, Summer tables (see one here), and Fall (see one here) and Thanksgiving tables. They are actually a brighter green than this photo shows, almost a neon green. A bright green goblet is a great choice and it can be used throughout the year.

This photo shows this sage green goblet as a bit brighter and greener than it actually is, I bought them at Pier 1 when I started tablescaping fiftenn years ago. They are actually plastic, I have several plastic goblets and I use them often. Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether goblets are glass or plastic now, the designs have improved so much. As with the lime green goblets above I have used them often, on Spring tables, St. Patrick’s Day tables, Summer tables, and Fall (see one here) and Thanksgiving tables (see one here).

After these goblet colors, the other goblet colors I have used most often over the past several years are (in order of frequency of use) cobalt blue, turquoise, amber, yellow, and brown. (I have other goblet colors that I use less frequently.)

I hope this all gives you some ideas about what color goblets you want to add to your tablescaping collection. Think about some of the table designs you want to create in the next year and that will help you decide what you want to purchase that will be used rather than an impulse buy that will just sit on a shelf gathering dust.

To see over 270 different tablescapes that I have created please click here. If you are on Facebook, join my new Tablescape and Table Settings Ideas Facebook group for lots of tablescaping inspiration! Just click on the Facebook Search box at the top of the page and type in Tablescape and Table Settings Ideas or click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2553689988183392

If you live in Southern California join our Facebook tablescaping group Southern California Tablescapers BTS Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/440356398581157 We are planning a gathering for tablescapers in January in the Los Angeles area..

Don’t miss the Tablescape How-To tab at the top of my blog for DIY tips and tricks.

I put a new tablescape on my blog every week, please check back!

A Tablescape for Mountain Living

I saw these salad plates depicting a tent camping scene on a lake in another blog and instantly wanted a set to create a table setting around. Hubby and I both come from tent camping families and when we got married 48 years ago some of the first things we bought with wedding money were a tent and camping equipment. At least once a month we would head up the coast and camp along the beach at one of the public campgrounds. (They were free in those days.) In addition, for 28 years in a row every President’s Day weekend we would meet Hubby’s family at Death Valley to tent camp. I took very small children tent camping up there several times! These plates remind me of wonderful memories camping with family even though I am now done with tent camping! I bought the tablecloth at HomeGoods a few years ago. It has a slight brownish tweed design in the fabric.

These salad plates are very difficult to find. I found a few on Ebay and a few on Etsy and a few at Replacements, Ltd.. I was lucky to find eight, I don’t see any more for sale anywhere right now. The back says “International Tableworks, from a genuine hand engraving Bob Timberlake”. They were made in England and the pattern is Timberlake Camp 166. It was a bit of a struggle to find a dinner plate that worked with this plate because the color is a dark forest green. I have several green dinner plates but none of them are forest green and none of them worked with this plate color. I love the camping scene with tents, a campfire, and canoes along a lake next to a mountain. The rim designs are wonderful with lots of forest and mountain creatures.

I was trying to find any dinner plate I had that would work with these salad plates and I suddenly remembered this set. I knew the center wouldn’t show for photos and the rim had the right colors. These dinner plates were made in England by Johnson Bros. The series was called The Friendly Village and there are different designs on the dinner plates. This one is called The Village Street. I bought them at HomeGoods several years ago I think. I was so glad to find something that worked with the salad plates.

I knew my hunter green chargers would match the salad plates perfectly. These chargers were made by Mikasa and are called Color Spectrum in Hunter Green. I love this charger, it is heavy and a great color. I have several others in other colors. I bought them all a few at a time on Ebay.

You can really see the tweed design in the tablecloth in this photo. This flatware is labeled SR Showroom Italy. It was made by Zaffiro and I think I bought it on sale online at Horchow. The color is called Smoky and it looks like it has been discontinued. I really liked the simple design of the lucite handles so I bought it in other colors as well. It is 18/10 stainless and a nice heavy set. The pieces are really longer in length than normal flatware. I have mentioned this before, if you are buying flatware and it isn’t 18/10 stainless always check the fork tines to make sure they have been filed enough and aren’t too sharp. Cheaper flatware often has really sharp fork tines and they can cut your lip!

The plaid napkins came from Pier 1 several years ago, where will we find great napkins now that they have closed! The brown napkins came from Sur La Table online a few years ago. I found the pine cone napkin rings on Amazon a few years ago. They were called Park Design Pine Lodge iron pine cone napkin rings. I bought a set of these for our mountain cabin too.

I think I bought these metal pine cone place card holders on Ebay because I only have eight and I usually buy in sets of twelve if I am buying from a store.

A bit of a story behind the dark green cut glass goblet on the left, I saw them online at Williams Sonoma last December and I fell in love with them and Hubby ordered 12 for me for Christmas. They remind me of the High Sierras near where I grew up, and where we have a family cabin now. I received four in December and was told that the other eight were on backorder until May. I received another four in April. As yet, I have still not received the last four. Every time I check the tracking information it tells me that they are to be delivered that day. They are supposed to be here today and of course, nothing yet. It’s getting a bit ridiculous, I will ask for a refund I quess because it looks like they no longer have them. (I asked for and received a refund for the last four a couple hours ago, at least I have eight.) I do love the cut glass pine cone design and the deep color. It was this goblet and the salad plate that started the theme idea for this tablescape. The brown goblet was made by Lenox between 1966 and 1985. It was called Antique Brown. I bought them on Ebay several years ago.

When I started tablescaping I bought a few lanterns in different colors because I figured they would be an easy and casual centerpiece. I think this one came from Pier 1. You can find lanterns online and in stores in all different colors and shapes. Just put a candle inside and maybe some filler if you want and you’ve got a simple centerpiece! The green candle came from HomeGoods.

I bought these cast iron pine cone votive candle holders online somewhere several years ago. They are really really heavy.

One of these days we will be able to head to the mountains again. I hope it is soon! To see another pine cone themed tablescape that I did last year please click here. For a look at our rustic cabin and its pine cone decor, please click here.

To see over 80 different tablescapes that I have created please click here. If you are on Facebook, join my new Tablescape Ideas Facebook group for lots of tablescaping inspiration!

I put a new tablescape on my blog every Thursday, please check back!

This blog post was featured at Love My Little Cottage, https://lovemylittlecottage.com/little-cottage-link-party62/ Please visit this blog, you will enjoy it!