Summer. That one word evokes so many images. Beach trips, lazy afternoons at the pool, backyard grill-outs… the list goes on. It also means weddings, graduations, bridal teas and luncheons!
I am thrilled to be participating in the All Things Home Elements of Summer Event with some of the best blogs out there! Be sure to visit each one… links are at the bottom of this post.
I love the casual feel of summer, but I also love some bling! And summer is the perfect time to host a party and show off some of the blooms and colors of the season.
The colors I’ve been crushing on lately, turquoise and yellow, translate into blues and gold in this summery dining room.
The inspiration for this tablescape was the pattern on this peacock plate:
Aren’t they gorgeous? Not expensive, I saw them at TJMaxx… and purchased just the appetizer plates, bowls and cake plate. I used my basic white plates, and layered (there’s that word again!) some watery blue irridescent salad plates, with the peacock plate on top.
I remembered some flatwear stored away that I’d acquired years ago to coordinate with some gold-rimmed Christmas china. Rarely used, I couldn’t really even remember what it looked like- just that it had some gold on it somewhere. I love it! It was like opening a gift after all these years! Happy Summer to me! *wink*
Since I had plans for the napkins, I simply tied organza ribbon (that I already had) in the peacock color around the criss-crossed utensils and laid to the side of the plate (so the showy peacock would, well… you know… SHOW!).
These plates were just perfect for serving these yummy cupcakes from Mason Dixon Bakery, our newest gluten-free bakery!
The entire ensemble is resting atop some woven water hyacinth place mats . (I’ve included amazon affiliate links to help you find these products easily!).
The base of the centerpiece is a fun gold faux alligator tray with cool modern nickel handles that work perfectly with the modern lamps on the buffet. Holding the hydrangeas is the water pitcher from the tea service that had been my grandmother’s and my mother passed to me. Love the patina of it unpolished, and it looks great with the other things that are gold!
I almost forgot to mention the tablecloth! We purchased the refectory dining table and chairs shortly after we moved into our home 4 years ago, and I normally use a tablecloth. But it seemed such a shame to always cover up the table so this time I draped the folded tablecloth diagonally across part of it. This provides a large swath of color but lets the beauty of the base and tabletop show!
OK, now for the napkin fold!!
After I found the peacock plates, I was trying to figure out what kind of fold I would use for the napkins and I remembered having seen a swan/peacock fold once. So yes, I did google it, modified it, and here is the tutorial:
Start with a square napkin and fold in half diagonally. Press. Open back up, flip it over, and begin to accordion fold one side, starting from the center, pressing as you go. Repeat on the other side.
You will have a strip of napkin that looks like this:
Then just kind of twist and bend the strip on one end just above the last pointy fold and stick into goblet. My goblets are kind of deep, so I filled them part way with some of my fake ice!
Then you’ll want to fan out the ‘plumes’ of your peacock! Just play with it until it looks sufficiently ‘show-y’!
And the finished product:
Isn’t he fun? You’ll have an instant conversation-starter for your party or luncheon.
Don’t forget to Pin for later reference!! And follow me on Pinterest and Twitter… below this post or at the top of the page.
Thank you so much for stopping by today! Join me soon for a summer tour of other spaces in our home.
And don’t miss the other tour I’m paticipating in this week! The first recipe today is by my friend, Myra at My Blessed Life. Check it out!!
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