Easter Tablescape

Easter is actually a really easy holiday table opportunity... with the arrival of spring, you have all kinds of fresh flowers available and eggs galore in every store!  This year I rescued my beloved Drake Lantern from my pollen-covered front porch to join in the table scape for Sunday's Easter brunch.

By the way, how do you dine on Easter Sunday?  Brunch?  A late lunch?  An early supper?  We have always had a late lunch, but this year we've decided to do brunch before the later church service.  I'll let you know what I serve, but I'm leaning toward ham, a frittata, some Lemon-Blueberry Bread, and fresh fruit.  How simple is that?

Anyway, I digress!  I pulled out my old Southern Living at HOME Barley Twist Pedestal to anchor everything and then built my table scape from there.  My stand-by was this bag of Spanish moss (a bright green color) and an assortment of decorative eggs I've assembled over the years. 

And I had to use my mercury glass pillar holders from Pottery Barn because I love them.

The pillars got a fresh bed of new moss (you can see the aged old moss beside my scissors there-- yuk!)

Here's the Drake Lantern on a bed of moss, surrounded by a few eggs and with a miniature birds' nest tucked in.  I really wanted white lilies in the glass canister, but they were not to be found!  So I settled on these soft pink Gerber daisies instead.

The bed of moss is on top of one of my Villa Stoneware dinner plates-- just love the cream beaded edge peeking out!  And then I popped the whole ensemble on top of my Barley Twist Pedestal.  Do you see my little Drake Firefly Lanterns that have migrated from my family room mantle?  They just fit right in with their little nests, too.

Love the speckles on the different eggs.

So here's a view of the whole arrangement.  Sorry for the glare!  The lines of the lanterns are really beautiful.

View from the other side of the table.  See that dated foyer light fixture?  Gotta a can of spray paint waiting for that bad boy.

From the other end of the table.  Now, how about some details??

The different metals and variety of textures keeps this interesting and the combination of fresh and faux keeps it simple.  Don't forget you can head to my Willow House website and shop online for the Drake Lantern, the Drake Firefly Lanterns, the Villa Stoneware Dinner Plates, AND Lemon-Blueberry Quick Bread Mix.

So, again ~ how do you celebrate Easter Sunday around the table?

Linking up over at Between Naps on the Porch this week... pop over there for more wonderful table scapes!

Easy Winter Table

I hate to admit it, but my dining room table typically functions as a dumping ground... for school projects in process, gifts that need wrapping and/or mailing, items that need a landing strip before being put away. I know-- not very stylish or organized! But several times a year, I get the urge to make my dining room look like... well, a dining room. A clean, quiet, decorated dining room.

I was thrilled when my new mercury glass candleholders from Pottery Barn arrived last week, as they were the last pieces to a very simple puzzle for my winter dining room table.

I think they're the perfect partners for my Willow House Royal Street Urn. I added a bed of moss and a creamy pillar candle on each. The pillars would be simple to dress up with bands of ribbon, too. For the twig arrangement in my Royal Street Urn, I filled the urn with scrunched up packing paper and inserted several simple twigs and a few I spray painted gold for the holidays...just the right amount of glitz. Then I packed pine cones around the twig arrangement for added support. One of my silver trays anchors the arrangement along with some scattered pine cones. I could add fruit or fresh flowers to the tray for added color and interest if I wanted to dress it up.

For now, I'm enjoying the simplicity... and having a clean dining room table. :)

How about you? Does your dining room table stay pristine or become a staging area for your busy household?

The Royal Street Urn is available through my website. Click HERE for ordering information.

Terrific Tablescapes... Just in Time!

Need some fresh ideas for your Thanksgiving Day table?  Check out these beauties from HGTV!

What I love about this:  besides the purple, the use of natural elements as accents.

What I love about this:  simple white dishes with colorful accents

What I love about this:  Candleholders as pedetals for pumpkins (you could use ornaments on them at Christmas, too!)

What I love about this:  isn't it obvious? Adorable!

What I love about this:  supermarket bouquet with small pumpkin accents make a gorgeous centerpiece!

What I love about this:  super simple place settings, one dramatic centerpiece.

What I love about this:  the layering and mixture of textures.

Inspired yet?

Wishing you a beautiful Thanksgiving table.

All images from hgtv.com.

Beautiful Hamptons Tablescape

These gorgeous images came to me via One Kings Lane's Facebook page, but I had to share!  A beautiful tablescape sets the tone for your party and makes your guests feel special.  These tables were for a luncheon hosted by One Kings Lane at the 2010 Hamptons Designer Showhouse.  Created by Geoffrey Ross (of Dransfield and Ross) and Hillary Thomas (Hillary Thomas Designs) these gems are the perfect illustration of attention to detail and inspired accessories.  Don't you just want to pull up a chair? 

Love the layered place settings with the fans! "Classic Hamptons Meets Malibu Chic" is the theme.

A centerpiece with coral accents? Who'd have thought!! Genius by Jennifer Houser.

The blue stemware is an inspired contrast.

The big picture...8 seats at square tables are perfect for more intimate and inclusive conversations.

My favorite touch: One Kings Lane striped totes as party favors!

If you haven't already visited One Kings Lane for designer decor at bargain prices, click here to be enlightened!

Tip of the Week: Take It Outside!

Before it gets too hot, dine al fresco with your family!  You don't need a special occasion to set a pretty table outdoors.  Use a potted plant or two as your centerpiece and pull out the stops:  placemats, napkins, glassware (or deckware).  Pieces you already own will take on new life in an outdoor setting!  Mix and match your dinnerware to have some fun, but keep it simple so you can enjoy the scenery and the company. As you see here,  House Beautiful showcases lovely table settings in the great outdoors, as does Southern Living.  Visit their websites for simple inspiration without spending a dime.  Light a few citronella candles to keep unwanted guests at bay and enjoy your new dining space!