6/22/2011

Summer Entertaining...and a Seaside ~~Water~~ Tablescape

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A Seaside ~~Water~~ Tablescape
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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!
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It's here...it's finally here! 
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Summer that is! 
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 As of June 21st, we "officially" entered into the summer season.  Summer offers a multitude of opportunities...don't you agree?  The warmer temperatures bring about all kinds of change...inside and outside...of our homes.  It's time to "lighten and brighten" up our decor.  It's time to get out in the garden. 
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and...
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It's time to do a little summer entertaining!  One of my most favorite things to do!!!
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Today I thought I would share with you a summer tablescape that I created two years ago (June 2009) called ~~Water~~A Seaside Tablescape.  One of the first things that summer brings to mind...for me...is the seaside.  Maybe it's because I lived in Corpus Christi, Texas for 30 years.  I loved spending time at the beach and it was especially extraordinary during the summer!  Of course I am now living in Colorado...no where near the water...but that doesn't stop me from creating a summer "seaside experience" in my dining room!  Hehe!  I really loved how this summer table turned out and I hope that you enjoy it as well!
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It's time for a little summer entertaining...will you join me?
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~~~Water~~~
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The Tablescape scene is set...

I have set the table in our French Country dining room.
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Setting the Scene...Ambiance

The definition of ambiance is: the mood, character, quality, tone, atmosphere, etc., particularly of an environment.

Just like setting the scene for an act of a play...ambiance sets the scene for your table!!! The lighting...the music...even the type of dishes, table centerpiece, and linens contribute to the ambiance of your dining experience!!!

Ambiance can take a great tablescape and lift it into the realm of FABULOUS!
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*The lighting...the soft romantic glow of candlelight!
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The centerpiece...seashells and sea glass in soft shades of blue & green...a little moss and rattan...and what speaks ~~Water~~better than a few starfish scattered about!
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The Place Setting...

As I mentioned earlier, I purchased these dishes several weeks ago. I have seen some gorgeous "coastal" tablescapes in blogland and I really wanted a set of "coastal or shell" dishes. This set is called...yep, you guessed it, ~~Water~~ from JC Penneys. When I first saw them, I thought Ooooh...I want those but they were to expensive for my pocketbook...soooo....I waited (as any good little bargain shopper would do...hehe!)

Ohhh yea....they went on sale...they were really marked down...and on top of that, I had a 20% off discount coupon! Yeeeehawwww!!!

This set was originally $162.00 for a 4 piece place setting for four.

I paid only...are you ready?...can I have a drumroll please...

I paid only $59.60 for the entire set!!!

(Oh yea...oh yea...I'm still doin' the Happy Dance over this one! Hehe!)
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~~Water~~

Home Collection by JC Penneys

Dinner plate (a nice sized 11" plate, ivory, with embossed shells and starfish)
Salad/dessert plate (8 7/8 in., ivory, embossed with shells and starfish)
Soup bowl (7 x 3 in. tall, shell shaped, ivory)
Canape plate ( 7x5 in., shell shaped, ivory)
Water/Iced Tea goblets from Dollar Tree...$1 ea.
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The Shell Soup Bowl...

These shell soup bowls are really nice sized! A healthy serving of soup or a salad can be served in these pretty shell bowls!!! They are large enough that they could be used for a vegetable serving dish as well.
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*The Salad/Dessert Plate...

I just love the embossed design on the salad/dessert plates...shells, starfish, lobster & crabs swim around the border!*


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*A close-up so you can see the pretty pattern!
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*The Dinner Plate...

Ohhh...I do love these pretty seashell plates...the shells are nearly 3-dimensional! These plates measure 11 in. They are actually large enough that they can double as a charger plate.
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The Canape Plate...
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*The Table Dressing...

Just as ambiance is important to setting the scene of the tablescape...so is the dressing of the table!

The table linens and placemats act as the foundation for your tablescape!

The Table Cloth & Napkins...

I found this beautiful striped tablecloth with matching napkins, called "Kendall", at Pottery Barn. The fabric has a nice substantial feel to it and is 100% cotton. The napkins are a generous 20x20 ins.

I love the washed out look of the off-white, brown, blue, and green stripes!!! It's exactlly what I had envisioned for this ~~Water~~tablescape...a fabric with a distresssed look, if you will!

The Napkin Rings...

I found stretchy shell bracelets at Walmart made by Panama Jack...I attached a seashell and used these for the napkin rings. One of the things that I enjoy most about doing a tablescape is coming up with creative ideas for the table...I just love the seashell bracelets for the napkin rings. $3.97 for a package of 3 bracelets!

The Placemats...

I found these pretty rattan placemats at the Dollar Tree. They're perfect...made of rattan and in soft sea colors of green and blue. I decided to layer the placemats...placing a green rattan mat over the top of a blue rattan mat. Only $1 each!*

 
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The Centerpiece...

Ohhh...I do love making the centerpieces for a tablescape!!!

My New Wire Rattan Finial...

I purchased this large wire rattan finial from JC Penneys at the same time that I got my dishes. I just love the dark French Roast color and it makes quite a statement at 20 ins. tall! It was also on sale for $17.99...I think I will get alot of use from this beauty!!!

I put moss in the bottom of the finial so that I could place a candle in the center. I added different kinds of seashells around the edges of the candle! Then I placed the finial atop a rattan mat. I used fresh fern fronds around the base of the finial...scattered blue and green sea glass...and added a few starfish!
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*Candles and Candle Holders...

Hand crafted Seashell candles...

Ahhh...do you remember these seashell pillar candles? I made these last week! For the tutorial you can click
HERE...it will take you to that post!

I had so much fun crafting these. JC Penneys had similar pillar candles that went with my seashell dishes but ohhh myyy...they were $49.99 for just 3 little candles...eeekkkss!!! I wasn't about to pay that much for candles so I made my own...two 6" seashell pillar candles for just $4.85!!!

I had these chunky white glass candle holders...added twine around the base for a "coastal" feel! It's all in the little details...isn't it? Hehe!!! I really like how my homemade seashell candles look with the "coastal" candle holders!!!

Votive Candles...

I found these glass votive candle holders at the Dollar Tree...$1 ea.! They just had a nautical feel to them...hehe! I added crushed seashells to the bottom of the votives...placed a white candle atop and added a few small shells around the candles!

Each place setting has its own votive candle holder!*


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*An "artsy" photo
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~~Water~~
...by day!
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~~Water~~
...by night!
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Well my friends...I hope that you enjoyed my ~~Water~~tablescape!
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I am joining the Blogger Block Party...
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"Summer Entertaining"
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A special thank you to all the dear ladies that have hosted this fabulous, week-long, Blog Party for us!  Thank you, Sherry for hosting the "Summer Entertaining" party at your place!
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Well dear friends...I am sooo happy that you stopped by today!  Please leave me a note and let me know that you were here....I would love to visit with you!
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Warmest Summery Wishes!

55 comments:

Jessa said...

The seaside dishes are gorgeous, I am jealous!! Love how you put everything together, true art! Both elegant and authentic feeling. Wonderfully done.

Sonya said...

Sua mesa esta linda harmoniosa elegante, equilibrada tudo bem colocado, Os seus castiçais estão maravilhosos.
Parabéns!
Te desejo uma ótima noite.
Beijinho no coração.

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Chari, I am so happy you repised this post. I have never seen it.

This is a seaside delight! YOur attention to detail is fabulous! LOVE the colors, centerpiece, linens, plates and bowls, napkin ringsl..
Those napkin rings are so clever!!!!! Wonderful job! Now did you make crabs to go with that dinner? YUMMY!

Thank you for joining StoneGable in the Mikasa Midnight Bloom giveaway! Good luck!

Also, join me for ON THE MENU MONDAY, a weekly menu planning linky party beginning this Sunday !

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Love the finial!! Everything is just beautiful!! How nice it would be to see down at such an inviting table.

Lynn said...

Everything is beautiful, Chari, but then every thing you DO is beautiful!

Olive said...

The table and seaside dishes are so beachy and wonderful. If you could send me a sea breeze I would love it! They were quite the bargain too! hugs♥Olive

Daphne said...

Oh Chari! A sea 'scape is my very favorite, and yours is a true beauty!

Happy Summer!

Blondie's Journal said...

This is a seaside masterpiece, Chari! One of THE most beautiful tables I have seen this summer! Beautiful dishes and colors and your great eye for detail! Gorgeous! :-)

XO,
Jane

Aledia said...

Well Done! Such a calm and relaxing tablescape,I love the colors that you chose and those dishes are marvelous! I really like the shell bowls too. Thanks for sharing and I hope your evening is Plum Perfect!

On Crooked Creek said...

Chari,
What a soothing, refreshing, beautiful tablescape,dear friend! I adore the use of blues and greens together and the soothing creams and whites make this stunning!Thank you for youvisit and sweet comment! Stop by again soon!
Fondly,
Pat

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Chari, this is absolutely stunning. I don't remember this, so I am so glad you did a repeat. I love the dishes, linens and all of the beautiful shell accessories. Just gorgeous. Hope all is well. Hugs, Marty

lvroftiques said...

Chari it's a beautiful tablescape! I'm in love with those shell dishes! They are FAB! And I was going to ask if you made the shell encrusted candles? And you did! Love those!
I just got off the phone with Gloria and she told he how much fun she had at your place! I wanna come over too! *winks* Vanna

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Wow Chari, I can see why you wanted these dishes..they are gorgeous! I love your entire seaside inspired table and especially the candleholder filled with shells. I am so glad you decided to re-post this and share it at the Summer Entertaining party. Take care, friend.
Hugs,
Sherry

Love Of Quilts said...

How pretty you table is. You used all the right things for the seaside. Trish

Theresa said...

GORGEOUS! I love it all but I think my favorite is the soup bowl:) Love the colors in the tablecloth and napkins, makes me wanna go the beach AND that is just where I am heading:)

Have a blessed day my friend, HUGS!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Chari I LOVE IT!! Love your dishes and those shell napkin rings are the cutest! Beautiful centerpiece too. Seaside Water Tablescape for sure! Martina

Anonymous said...

Chari what a find in those gorgeous dishes!! I adore the shell bowl- wow what detailing those plates have!!

Again you have done a fabulous job on this tablescape. The pretty colored glass is such a nice touch

Ok so bring on the lobster and shrimp!!!

bee blessed
mary

Marilyn said...

Cool and refreshing...I think it's going to finally get hot around here. Lovely table.♥♫

Diann said...

Hi Chari (and Russ!),
I remember this fun seaside tablescape my friend! It is just such a perfect beachy table. I love all the dishes and the cute accessories. And of course the colors are fantastic! It was such a joy to revisit this table. Have a wonderful day!Hugs,
Diann :)

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Just gorgeous Chari!!! I adore those dishes~ aren't they so fabulous?!! They are some of my favorites for sure! Love your beautiful table- such wonderful details!! Love it! :)

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Absolutely gorgeous table, Chari! Oh, I do love your seashells and the dinnerware. That shell encrusted pillar candle is simply fabulous! You do have a way of making everything look special, my friend. You have that magic touch! Thanks for sharing and for your visit. Hope you have a splendid weekend.

Love ya too,
Sandi

a quiet life said...

looks fabulous, i see i need to go shopping now!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Chari,
Hello! This is such a delightful tablescape! Filed with so many beautiful things!!Reminds me of my youth spending summer vacations at the New Jersey shore!!
Love the color of your Dining room walls!!
Hope you are having a wonderful day!

hugs,
Debbie

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

OH Chari!
I marveled at this one and I marvel again! This table is truly exquisite and those dishes were an amazing deal too!
The colors, your creativity, the whole affect is just perfect!
One of my all time faves, and so glad I got to see it again!
Hugs friend, talk soon,
Cindy

Cindy said...

Hello dearest Chari,
Your water table-scape is marvelous!!! I love it, every detail is perfect and oh so romantic in the evening time! I love your candlesticks and the dinner ware is fabulous!
Hugs, Cindy

xinex said...

You know I like this very much, Chari. I love the seaside theme and the colors and the plates are just fabulous. And then add to that your talent for putting things together nicely. Just stunning!...Christine

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi ya cutie.. loved your Seaside tablescape. How ingenius of you to put the seashells around the candle bases. I'll have to share that with my daughter. A few years back I bought seaside dishes from Kohls, did a tablescape and then gave them to her. She adores them. I may have to break down and purchase this set. I love that it's all cream and you can add other colors of plates with it. Your wire finial is out of sight gorgeous! I can see it used in many different ways for the holidays! Girl you've inspired me to get busy and get a table together. I actually started one on the front porch, ready to bring it back in and play with the photos. I hope you all are doing well.
I wish I could have been there with you and Gloria.. right now if only your walls could talk.... hugs ~lynne~

bj said...

OMYGOODNESS...this is the most gorgeous table, ever. I just love it all, Chari.
I missed it the first time, so THANKS for bringing it back.
hugs, bj

sell my car said...

It is very beautiful arrangement of each and every stuffs. I like the light stand. It is totally unique, as well as simple but fabulous.

Frieda said...

Bonjour Chari
Not far from the beach!
A charming "air of large"
Superbe table
Have a sweet week-end
Frieda

Frieda said...

Thank you Chari for your lovely words.
I'm doing fine and family also
I stayed here for long admiring your beautiful post. And when I went back, I see your nice words.
Thanks so much and have beautiful time
Frieda

Diane said...

Very beautifully done! Love the seaside dishes and what a great price...well done. Diane

Unknown said...

Hi Chari, Your seascape is amazing! Yu are soo-talented! Thanks for stopping by, everytime I visit your blog I just want to drop on by, sit a spell and chat! Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs my friend, Marilou

Sarah said...

Chari, this is a gorgeous table as always. Love all the ocean inspired details. The detail on the dishes is fabulous. Looks like we both shared a little seaside entertaining this week. ~ Sarah

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

Gorgeous! I have no other way to put my feelings into words... this is an absolutely beautiful tablescape you have created. Among all the lovely coastal tablescapes I've seen in blogland... this is by far my favorite! I saw your post come up and I wanted to take my time admiring it, drooling over it, bookmarking it and dreaming about it. This is coastal with an elegant flair! I love your finial centerpiece and how you decorated it with moss and shells... and those nautical candle holders...is soooo gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the tutorial and I'm going to copy it, if you don't mind.And those dishes... what a steal! They are beautiful and I love how prominent the pattern of the shells are! You have indeed created a beautiful ambiance and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Thanks for sharing with us!~Poppy

http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

Daphne said...

Hi Chari.

I had an interesting encounter with these lovely shell dishes that you might find amusing. I put the little story on Tabletop Time:

http://tabletoptime.blogspot.com/2011/08/scape-from-road.html

All best wishes!

Daphne

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