Cheerful Tablescape

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” — Leo Tolstoy

It has been a long Winter and Spring is finally coming. It’s a time for planing the garden, shopping for Spring outfits and thinking about Easter. Tree pollen was exceptionally early this year but now the flowering trees are leafing out and the pollen from the trees is much less. I actually worked in the garden for a bit yesterday. When I was getting ready to set the table I thought how much we needed a lift and planned my table accordingly.

“Blossom by blossom the spring begins.” — Algernon Charles Swinburne

I started, as I often do, by putting together a bouquet of flowers. This one is a combination of grocery store roses and carnations mixed with some azaleas blooming in the garden. Azaleas trumpet the beginning of Spring with their riotous colors and lovely blooms, They are held in a pitcher of green decorated in Spring flowers. It sits on a victorian style tray. The flowers are so beautiful and full they just make you smile.

“I glanced out the window at the signs of spring. The sky was almost blue, the trees were almost budding, the sun was almost bright.” — Millard Kaufman

Cheerful napkins and placemats in a bright, sunshine yellow anchor the place setting. I found them at a local Thrift Store and they were made by Pottery Barn. They had six of each which I was happy to find. They are edged in white with a lovely pattern of flowers and vines embroidered on both the placemats and napkins. Rogers silver-plate in the “Jubilee” pattern is a nice accompaniment and carries the flower theme throughout the setting.

“Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil.” — Bishop Reginald Heber

The plate stack begins with a gorgeous glass charger etched in silver flowers. It echoes the flowers on the flatware. The dinner plate is edged in flowers and repeats the yellows, greens and reds found in the centerpiece. The salad/dessert plate has another edging of flowers that pick up the same colors. A beautiful crystal fruit bowl is positioned in the center of the stack. The pattern is Park Lane by Mikasa. I use this as my every day crystal. You can see the water and wine glasses are included in the setting.

“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own.” — Charles Dickens

Here’s a close-up of the plates and of the charger. These were all found at Thrift Stores in the past couple of years. I use my finds all the time to entertain and just for us on a daily basis. I really enjoy using lovely china and crystal. It makes a simple meal festive and special without a lot of trouble.

Here’s a closeup of the crystal. Most of this was thrifted as well… a few pieces at a time.

“The beautiful spring came, and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” — Harriet Ann Jacobs

Here’s an overhead view of the table with all the beautiful colors of Spring blending together.

This table setting definitely cheered me up. It is so nice to be able to enjoy flowers and sunshine as the earth heats up and colors are once again seen in the garden.

 “Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” — Laura Ingalls Wilder