Summer Nights
When I think of summer nights, I think of the beautiful sunsets we see from our backyard. The soft blues, creams, and blushes all blending together in the sky. I wanted to set a table that embodied all of those beautiful and romantic colors. It's what I imagine summers in Nantucket to be. I'm going to wrap up all those vibes and bring them to the PNW. I love moving dining outside in the summer. I love the sweet, warm air, and my garden is in full bloom. It makes the perfect backdrop for a dinner party and takes most of the guesswork out.
“Simple and Soft” is what I wanted to keep this tablet, so I started with some beautiful fabric from the good old fabric store. I picked up a soft blue chiffon material. I DO NOT hem my edges!! Yes, you heard me right; I just simply fold them under (no one has ever noticed). This is one of my favorite hacks; you just get so much more bang for your buck. I also love that I can then use that same fabric in a different way on another table by simply laying it out differently.
On top of this gorgeous fabric, I added a row of hydrangeas in foam block. Ok, I know this looks intimidating, but it’s not. You are going to wow your friends with an arrangement that takes 10 minutes. I love the drama this brings to the table; it screams I’m a horticulturist guru. It immediately draws your eyes in. I take four foam blocks from the fabric store, and I soak them in water for about 5 minutes. I buy 6-8 bunches of Hydrangeas from trader Joe’s and take them home for a cold bath (I have talked about this in another post, but Hydrangeas drink in water from their petals, so soaking them in a cool bath helps them stay fresh longer). I usually leave them to soak overnight or for at least three hours if in a pinch.
I place my wet foam on top of plastic wrap in the center of the table. I then tuck in the plastic wrap to the side of the foam so you can’t see it. I then start to cut my blooms with a short stem of 2-3 inches and place them in the foam. The nice thing about using hydrangeas for this centerpiece is that they are full and take up lots of space, so you can get away with using less. They should last a few days in the foam blocks after you host. You can spray them with a little water if they seem to wilt after a few days. This will help perk the old girls perk up! Lord knows we could all use that!!
On to the place settings, the wicker chargers are from Pottery Barn. I love the way a charger centers the setting. These are the perfect base for a summer setting because of the natural material. As an alternative, I also really like these. When we got married, I knew that I wanted a solid white plate, they go with everything (said every basic bitch) and makes the food the focal point. We have had these for 12 years now, and they have held up very well. To top everything off, I added these little bowls; I liked the way they tied in with my table cloth and added a fun visual aspect.
I think it's important to add elements that are going to bring everything together. Another way to elevate the look of your setting is to do something a little more unconventional with the napkin. Here I simply knotted the napkins and placed them around the outer edges of the plate. Bam, Fancy AF! To finish everything off, I added these really fun cane glasses. They do a great job of tying in the table's natural elements and help keep it soft and romantic. I also like the visual element that the cane adds to the table.
I love to soak in these beautiful summer evenings, and I will literally come up with any excuse to spend adults-only time with my besties. I often get an eye roll when I go over our weekly schedule with my husband because of how much I try to pack in.
So make time to gather, throw some fabric and flowers on a table, and toast to the summer nights!!!
Cheers Babes
XOXO
