Summertime "Blues"

Thursday is starting to become my favorite day of the week--how about you? I enjoy visiting all the amazing tablescapes by my wonderful bloggy friends and finding wonderful inspiration for future tables. As always, it's hosted by our tablescape and decorator extraordinaire, Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch. Stop by her blog when you leave here, if you aren't a regular participant or spectator for Tablescape Thursday. You'll be glad you did!

Check out this cute little guy. I found him in a beautiful shop in Swansboro, NC over spring break. I had really wanted one in red or green, but they were out. But now I'm really glad I bought him anyway--I finally got to use him in a tablescape, too! He is a knock-off of the Herend bunny that we ocassionally see in blogland; the best part is that he was $12.95. Maybe the next time I make it back there I can find some of his little friends--after all, we know how bunnies like to multiply!

Here is the perfunctory wide-angle shot. Welcome to the Summertime Blues...maybe we should put on a little B.B. King as we dine!

A little closer look at the table and the centerpiece. The hydrangeas came from my garden. They are one of my favorite flowers (along with gardenias and magnolias--just call me a southern girl). I moved the glass out of the way so you could have a better view of the center of the table.

The tablecloth and matching napkins are Portmeiron (TJ Maxx). This table is all about layering on the blues in complementary shades. Be sure to take a closer look at the design in the tablecloth; there are little bees and butterflies throughout.

Let's start from the bottom - blue placemat layered with a scalloped-edge dark blue napkin and the matching Portmeiron napkin. I used my everyday flatware (Gorham Melon Bud) and Dollar Tree glasses.

Now let's add these gorgeous Johnson Brothers Willow Blue dinner plates. I'd seen this around blogland and when I found them in Homegoods I had to have them. They are a classic. Wouldn't they be pretty paired with red as well? I've had these for a few months but hadn't found the right pieces to complement them...until now. ;)

Found these adorable salad plates at either Ross or Marshalls ages ago. They are Godinger. Another good choice for mixing with red, don't you think? This blue is a little lighter and closer to a washed denim.

Finally the piece de resistance--these oh-so-gorgeous Johnson Bros. Asiatic Pheasant Blue bowls. How I wish they had other pieces at TJ Maxx! Can you see the beautiful scalloping on the edges of the bowl? I found them online for around $11.99 at Replacements Limited. How much did I pay? Only $1.99!! What a steal!

The full setting. If only I had a nice outdoor dining set, I would have set this up outside. It has the right feel for the outdoors, I think.

I don't have the infamous Target birdies, mainly because I already had these pretty babies from Michael's. They flew in from my baker's rack just to say hello.

The matching Willow coffee mug. I wish there was a matching saucer, but I didn't even see one listed on the Replacements site, so I don't think there is one. Does anyone out there know? I used one of my Mikasa French Countryside saucers instead. Love the birds flying in the pattern!

I decided to add in one of my white pitchers for water refills.

I trimmed of some blooms from my Nikko Blue hydrangea. Unfortunately, I completely forgot to add aluminum sulfate to my hydrangeas this year so they would turn blue. This one has a little bit of the blue in it.

Here's a shot that shows the cobalt blue violin vase my mother gave me years ago (and someone gave to her about 30 years ago). It's made by the Maryland Glass Co. I used to dislike it, but it's grown on me. You can also see the little blue and white egg I got about 9 years ago from Bombay Co. I have a handful of blue & white pieces that are stored away.

Notice that I finally remembered to light the candles in this shot. :) Simple. Summery. Hope you enjoyed it!

Blessings and Happy Decorating!

Linda

P.S. I almost forgot--I'm so excited for next week's TT. The theme is one I've been dying to find an excuse to use--and then it fell into my lap. Our Sunday school class ladies are getting together on Saturday and I'm doing the decorating for our gathering. I'll give you a few hints: it involves a specific color that is named after a particular "place"; it involves things that sparkle; I won't "golightly" about decorating. Have you figured it out? Tune in next week!