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How to Make a Sunny Summer Tablescape

I’m really pleased to show you how to make a sunny summer tablescape, perfect for a girlfriend lunch or poolside get together.

Hi there. We are deep into Texas heat: in fact, we hit 100 for the first time last week. It was nice to come inside to create something pretty and do a little DIY to create a sunny summer tablescape.

If you’ve seen any of other tablescapes (Broadway, Easter, Coastal), you may notice that I’m partial to blues ~ that coastal vibe of sand, sea, and sky.

But as I was planning for this summer tablescape, I wanted to go in a different direction. When I think of summer, I think of sun ~ sometimes here in Texas, way too much sun.

The sun means sunny and sunny means lemons. I love the taste of lemon in food (although I’m not a fan of lemon in my iced tea) ~ that citrusy, bright, pop of flavor that gives food so much great taste. That’s I came up with a sunny summer tablescape.

How to Make a Sunny Summer Tablescape

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So my sunny summer tablescape inspiration was lemons. And since limes go with lemons, my color scheme would be yellow and lime green. And then I had to have some flowers; at first, I thought about sunflowers ~ I mean, the perfect happy summer flower. I ended up changing my mind and I’ll show you why in a minute.

Shopping for the Sunny Summer Tablescape

My first stop was Pier 1, always one of my favorite places for tablescape ideas and tableware. I told the nice sales lady what I was doing (and, of course, she asked for my business card!).

We set off to find placemats, napkins, and anything else that fit my theme. We found the perfect stemless wine glasses painted with lemons and they had a pitcher to go with the glasses.

Then I found some galvanized napkin rings (on clearance!!) ~ I love the look of galvanized anything and I immediately thought of a way to embellish them. And these little napkin rings are what gave me the idea for my centerpieces.

galvanized pails

You’ll see everything I bought below as I show you how I set my sunny summer tablescape.

My next stop was Joann. I wanted to cover my dark brown~stained breakfast room table and I hoped to find some fabric that would fit my theme.

I couldn’t believe it when I saw this lemon motif fabric on the shelf. Can you believe it? And 30% off. I bought 2 yards. Then I found some ribbon that was the right combination of colors and would work for my tablescape DIY embellishments.

Putting My Sunny Summer Tablescape Together

Step 1

I try to remember to iron my fabric or tablecloth every time ~ no one wants wrinkles ~ and place it on the table. I chose to have my tablescape in the breakfast room because it’s the sunniest place in our house.

NOTE: Because I didn’t want to hem the edges of the fabric, I used my pinking shears all round it.

Step 2

Next, I made my centerpieces. This is where I changed my mind about the sunflowers. I had to go to the grocery store and I saw these gorgeous yellow Gerber daisies and my vision was complete.

The Gerber daisies would actually work better with the containers I had in mind ~ 3 galvanized pails I had on hand. They would work just right with the size of the Gerber daisies. I wrapped the pails with the ribbon that I had purchased at Joann.  I filled pail each with oasis and water, then filled in around the flowers with lime halves. Here’s how to make your flower centerpiece.

Step 3

I set the centerpieces down the length of the table. Then came the placemats, dishes (my go~to white party dishes from World Market), silverware, and glasses.

These yellow flower placemats were the first thing I found at Pier 1. They got the tablescape off to a good start.

These lemon cocktail napkins were a gift from 1 of my cooking class groups.

I love the stemless wine glasses from Pier 1. They could be used for any type of beverage.

Step 4

Then I made my napkin rings using the same ribbon I bought at Joann. Now the ribbon is used in 2 places for a nice repetition of color and pattern.

Step 5

I wanted each place setting to have its own little plate decoration. I used my Cricut Explore Air to make these paper flower decorations, continuing the lemon and flower theme. I think they are so cute. If I want to use them at a later time for cupcake toppers, I’ll just cut the skewers shorter.

Step 6

Finally, I added 2 of the bright yellow pillows from our living room sofa and 2 yellow~gold chevron pillows that were in a guest room to the chairs, both for color and to add a little cozy feel.

Here you can see the fabulous lemon pitcher from Pier 1. Now my sunny summer tablescape was just about complete. But we needed some little bites to eat and a summery cocktail to drink.

Step 7

I made a couple of little lemon snacks for the table. 

  • Limoncello Fizzy Cocktail
  • Lemon Goat Cheese Spread on Crostini with Basil
  • Lemon Bars with Mint

For a savory bite, I made Lemon Goat Cheese Spread on Crostini with Basil ~ from our herb garden, of course.

summer appeitzer

What is more sunny and lemony than lemon bars? One of our favorites, for sure. A generous sprinkle of powdered sugar and a mint leaf garnish ~ yummy. I shipped that cake stand home from Atlanta a couple of years ago. (Found at the Queen of Hearts Antique Mall.)

lemon bars

And finally, for the perfect light summer beverage, Limoncello Fizzy Cocktail ~ just the thing to quench your thirst. I put a yellow straw through the center of a lime slice as a garnish and as an easy way to enjoy this drink.

si,,er flower centerpiece

My Finished Sunny Summer Tablescape

I couldn’t be happier with this sunny summer tablescape. I really lucked out in finding the right colors (yellow and green), the cutest glasses and placemats, the right flowers (yellow Gerbers), the unbelievably perfect fabric and ribbon, and the cutest flower papercraft from Cricut. 

I hope you like it, too. You’re invited over for a drink and some lemon bars.

 

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36 Comments

  1. Hi Carol! I love every detail of your sunny sunflower tablescape! Nothing says summer like sunflowers, lemons and the color yellow. I especially love how you used halved lemons to stand up your cute little plate decorations – so clever! Happy to be hopping with you!

  2. Carol, this tablescape is absolutely beautiful, cheerful, and bright! Your photographs are gorgeous! I love anything lemon, and your food looks most scrumptious! Enjoy these last weeks of summer!!!

  3. Your tablescape is beautiful and I love all of the thoughtful details that you added to it like the ribbon on the napkin ring and the adorable flowers that you made with your Cricut. Your tip to find fabric to use instead of a tablecloth and then to use pinking sheers instead of hemming is one that I’m going to remember.

  4. Wow, Carol! I can tell you put a lot of thought into this tablescape, and it shows, my friend! Everything came together so perfectly. Isn’t Pier 1 great for finding table decor? I only wish I had endless cabinet space for all the plates, goblets, placemats and pitchers I want to buy there. I can’t believe you found that perfect fabric at JOANN, too! Just lovely. Pinning!

  5. It’s all downright refreshing, Carol! Love the yellow and lemons theme. Pier 1 and Joann’s are 2 of my go-to places, too; I can always find something I like! Wish I could nibble on one of those lemon bars right now; they look delicious! Enjoy the rest of your summer!

  6. Absolutely fabulous Carol! I love lemons and all of this glorious sunny summer color! The Gerbera daisies are perfection for this tablesetting. The treats are just so pretty too.

    Fantastic summer inspiration! Thank you so much for celebrating summer with us!

  7. Carol, I don’t even like yellow and you had me wanting to go out and buy all the yellow stuff I could find. The table looks magnificent and your photos are delicious! Love it all. Pinned.

  8. You are always so creative when you put tablescapes together and entertain Carol! I love the bright pops of yellows mixed in with the beautiful green and the crisp white too. It’s really beautiful. I love anything with lemons so everything you’ve shared is right up my alley and perfect for summer! Hope you’re having a great one, CoCo

  9. Wow, Carol, you really go all out! I love the lemon theme and the sunny colors! Great original ideas, too:) Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home

  10. You had me at lemons! Your summer tablescape is just stunning. I love all of the different lemon decor you incorporated into your table and that fabric you used for your tablecloth is now on my shopping list. Thanks for the inspiration.

    1. Hi Shelly, I’m so excited you joined the tablescape. Thanks tons for the sweet comments. You are so talented and I truly appreciate your feedback.

  11. Carol, I think this is the happiest and sunniest table I have ever seen. Just looking at your incredible pictures makes me smile! The lemon themed tablecloth is darling.. A perfect match to those adorable napkins that you use to anchor the table setting. I love it all!!! You even matched all the yummy looking food on your table.

    Great job styling this summery table! I was fun joining you on this summertime blog hop.

    Janet
    rosemary-thyme.blogspot.com

  12. Sun is shining on your table, Carol! This beautiful tablescape remember me South Italy with its colors and flavours. And actually also remember me that I have a Lemon tablecloth, somewhere. I have to looking for…

  13. What a joy filled table, so bright and cheery! It really was meant to be with so many great elements coming together so nicely. Your recipes look delicious too, will have to try a few! So great to be sharing alongside you today!

  14. What a happy and cheery table. It lifts my mood. Lemon bars and a cool drink out of a cute glass are very inviting. Your lemon goat cheese spread on crostini with basil looks tasty too.
    Love the lemon tablecloth and the straws through the lime slice is so cute. You haven’t spared any detail. I agree the gerber daises are perfect. Love the place mats too.
    I enjoyed your tablescape, Carol.

    1. Ariel, thank you so much for the comment. Somehow this one came together easily and I love it. Happy to be on the blog hop with you.

    1. Morgan, thanks so much. It was pretty bright!I was lucky that everything I needed just fell into place.BTW, I love Charleston. One of very favorite places and we’re planning to spend a few days after Christmas there.

  15. Oh Carol, what a fabulous summertime table! The bright yellow is the perfect color to shout “SUMMER”! At first I thought the tablecloth was the same one I picked up at Home Goods, but I see you got an even better bargain than I did with your lemony fabric. I love your addition of the galvanized pails and the galvanized napkin rings, which you added your own twist to! The way you arranged your flowers in the limes was perfect! Thank you so much for joining the blog hop and sharing this beautiful tablescape!

    1. Chloe, thanks a bunch for hosting. This hop was so much fun to put together and it’s been nice to see how it brightens our breakfast room and kitchen.

  16. Carol, this table speaks Summer! I love the napkins used in the plate stack, I first thought they were a plate! The pops of yellow are so happy and cheerful. The food looks amazing, and I now think I need to make lemon bars. You nailed a summer Tablescape, perfectly done!

    1. Pam, I remembered that I had those cocktail napkins and they gave the plates just the right amount of pop. We’ve been eating the lemon bars and the lemon basil crostinis are gone! My husband loves when I do tablescapes ~ he gets to come home to goodies.

  17. Your food even matches your sunny tablescape, Carol! I love it. Pier 1 has such great deals on items for entertaining and dining, and you picked up some super ones (I happen to be more than partial to lemons!). Love the crafty ways of pinking fabric edges and using the ribbons to trim your napkin rings. Very summery, bright, and cheerful!

    1. Rita C. This has been one of my most fun and easiest tablescapes to do. Everything just fell in place. Besides the gerber daisies, I’m in love with my paper flowers. And, of course, the lemony flavors. Happy to be on the tablescape blog hop again with you.