A Riot of Color

Well, my four part Placemat Fun series was indeed fun, but I for one, am ready to move on to something new.  As the brutal hot and dry summer goes on and on, there is not much color in my garden...but the same is not true for today's tablescape.  To start things off, let's play a little game.

Take a good look at my table runner and ask yourself, "Where have I seen this before?"  Did you figure it out?  Lately, I have been intrigued by the reusable tote bags sold at places like Home Goods, TJ Maxx and so many others.  Hmmm...let's buy a few of these, cut them up and make something new...like a table runner!  I think it's rather cute.  And if you have been following my blog, you have probably figured out that this little project has a flip side (so please stay tuned)!

With the runner as my inspiration, I had plenty of colors to work with.  Oh, what color placemat shall I choose.  In the end, I selected these eggplant colored grass mats from Crate & Barrel.

I recent fun find from World Market are these cheery yellow chargers with a cutout detail as a special touch.

My plain white plates are a great backdrop for these fun multicolored zig zag plates from the Crate.

I dressed up these eggplant napkins with colorful beaded napkin rings (Kohls, last summer).

I found these darling little woven grass drinking glass cozies at one of my favorite local antique markets. And their blue and green and yellow and pink stripes add even more color to my table.

Speaking of color, this ceramic pitcher covered in fruit, has them all!

I may not have many flowers in my garden...but luckily...Whole Foods had gorgeous ones!  Pale pink, vibrant purple, yellow, and bright white...all fresh and beautiful.

So, if your lawn is dry and brown and your flowers droopy, just set a bright and color packed table and enjoy summer...inside!  As always I will be visiting...

Centerpiece Wednesday (The Style Sisters)

Tabletop Thursday (Between Naps on the Porch)

Feathered Nest Friday (French Country Cottage)

Home Sweet Home Friday  (The Charm of Home)

Potpourri Friday (2805)

Seasonal Sundays (The Tablescaper)

Let's Dish (Cuisine Kathleen)

Open House Party (No Minimalist Here)

See you there.

Mimosa Morning

The following is a true story.  Sometimes, tablescapes..well..sort of...just happen!  As you probably already have heard, the Chicago area had a ridiculous number of 80 plus degree sunny days.  For those of you unfamiliar with March in Chicagoland...TOTALLY unheard of.  And reason to celebrate!  So I went shopping.  Found this scarf at Coldwater Creek (that I liked when it was full priced).  But today it was marked down... TWICE!  I got to thinking.  Before I actually wear this scarf, I'm seeing it on a tabletop.  I already have almost everything a need to set a sweet little table.  I couldn't wait to get home.  Now all I need is my photographer.  Well, lucky me.  Laura just happens to stop by after school, needing my daughter's help with photo project.  So, see.  This tablescape really and truly just happened.

I originally planned to use the scarf simply as a runner.  However, it was really quite long...so...I decided to tie the scarf around the table and was quite happy with the result.

Now I had an attractive soft knot and the fringe on the scarf was now able to be seen.  Honestly, the beautiful color combination of the scarf led the way for the rest of the tablescape.

I began my layering with a soft grey grass mat from Crate & Barrel.

Next I added a smaller, coral placemat they recently found at World Market on top of the grey.  All this simple table needed were my favorite plain white plates, but this time, since this table is for breakfast...

I brought out my seldom used, albeit very pretty, coffee cups and saucers.  The smoky handles of my Aero flatware...

(a current item at Crate & Barrel) were a good compliment to the grey.  A simple pale yellow linen napkin fancied up with these...

cute beaded napkin rings from Sur La Table completed my layers.  I have had these fabulous bright canary yellow champagne flutes for years,

and until today, never had quite the right spot for them.  I think they are perfect.  As is this chartreuse art glass vase from Sweden...

filled with carnations that are the ideal shade of salmon.  Excuse me while I grab a bottle of Proseco and settle in for a very special brunch.