I've always thought dining under flowering trees in the spring would be a lovely experience. I've seen Australian Coty Farquhar's tables under trees on her blog HERE and they looked so romantic and lovely. She really is the world's best at styling. This year I was finally able to accomplish that, having failed in years where I planned it and then it rained or all the petals fell off the tree before I was able to capture it. This year the wind was blowing but I went for it anyway hoping the wind would stop long enough to enjoy the beauty of the setting.
The flowering trees don't last more than a week to 10 days, so I wanted to capture their beauty quickly. The photo below, taken from my upstairs window, shows how big this Weeping Peach tree really is. Our grass is starting to get green.
I wanted to use this hand-stitched quilt in the Grandmother's Flower Garden pattern which I purchased at an estate sale for about $140, if I remember correctly. I thought that was an excellent price since it was in mint condition. I don't decorate in the Country cottage style, but I do purchase wonderful linens to preserve them even though I don't display them. It is too hard for me to pass up such beautifully made linens.
The colors in the quilt are purples, pinks and blues with the center of each square having a goldenrod colored piece. I used amber goblets and goldenrod colored monogrammed napkins to bring out that golden tone. Then I used violet chargers by Anna Weatherley and purple stemware to bring out the quilt's lilac and purple colors.
The aqua blue/green fabric used surrounding the blocks was an unusual shade so I didn't try to bring it out with any tableware, but I do love that color. Below are the goblets. I like the chunky knobs called buttons on the amber stem.
This lunch is for salad and a sandwich with dessert. For the salad bowls, I am using Anna Weatherley's Morning Glory pattern rim soups that have a large hand painted lily in the goldenrod color.
Below is a wider photo of the salad plates. The shadows on the table are from the tree branches above.
For the lunch plates, I am using vintage floral hand painted plates made by Fraureuth. I do not know the pattern name.
Here is the tabletop view of all four plates.
Since there is so much color going on, I decided to place two faux English Primroses in an old tureen for the centerpiece and not use fresh flowers out of the garden. I wanted to keep it pretty simple.
I am using Durgin's Iris pattern for silver. I was surprised to find this morning a clump of purple Iris blooming early in the flowerbed directly behind this table, so thought that pattern was fitting.
Since there is so much pink in the quilt, I decided to use pink Cauldon salad plates to serve the dessert.
The quilt is placed over a glass-topped iron table from our porch with wicker chairs that I've had for 20 years.
I am participating in Tablescape Thursday this week on the blog Between Naps on the Porch.
To see all the entries, after 9:00PM Eastern on Wednesday, go here:
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
All the best to you,
Summer
Photos: Swede
