The title of this post makes me bitter laugh. Many of you have probably bid adieu to Summer, and are welcoming the early stages of Fall. We, however, just broke the all-time heat record yesterday by hitting 100-degrees for 70 days in a year. That’s right, I said it’s been 100+ degrees for SEVENTY DAYS this Summer! I feel like we should be awarded a prize for enduring it. But as hot as it’s been, I still love Summer.
I hosted a small dinner party (inside!) at home a few weeks ago, and since it had a beachy vibe, I figured I’d better share it with you before you have pumpkins on the brain! (Oh, you know I love me some pumpkins, too!)
As usual, I shopped our house, looking for accessories and decor that fit the casual Summer vibe.
It was dinner, so I wanted the table to be appropriately elegant, but still have a touch of rustic beach. For the center, I layered a short creamy runner (see how I made it here), over a long West Elm metallic runner. I added Ikea straw mats for texture and more layering. I was short one placemat, but since I like my tables to looked mixed, it didn’t bother me. Which is good since I had to mix the water glasses, too.
For the centerpiece, I tied jute string around mason jars and filled them with cheery grocery store flowers.
One of our dinner guests spent the night, so I placed the flowers in her bedroom and bathroom after dinner. Then I got to enjoy them for another week…Bonus!
Gold-trimmed glass votives from Pier 1 were sprinkled throughout, and gave a nice warm glow during dinner.
You may recognize the World Market linens from our Easter table. This time around I tied them with more jute string, and inserted a starfish.TWSS Using a paint pen, I wrote our names on shells (collected on this trip and shellacked in this post) for placecards.
I prefer the glasses to vary in height, so I mixed the wine glasses with shorter highball glasses for water. The highballs, which have seashells etched in the glass, were inherited from my grandparents. The flatware is our everyday, and the dinner plates are a mix of white. Most of my tableware is in sets of four or six, so I usually end up mixing.
Oh, and for dessert I served my homemade strawberry ice cream in small wine glasses (like this). Have you had any last hoorahs for Summer? Do you prefer tables to be mixed or uniform?
such a gorgeous table cassie! and yes, i'd take temps of 87 anytime over 97! so tired of this heat…
We are ready for fall, at least the weather that is! Record heat here too all summer.
Love the tablescape!! I am growing fond of the mixed look rather than all matchy matchy.
Great minds think alike. I'm sharing a tablescape today too and I used three mason jars as my center. I love the napkins you have on your table. Oh and I'm decided that even though it's still hot here in SC that it's fall in my house. I've been wearing jeans and have pumpkins everywhere.
I love the tablescape – so pretty. To be honest, while I don't envy you the extreme heat, I could use a little more warmth up here. I've got three layers on up top this morning. Ridiculous!
So simple and sooooo pretty. I love the colors and textures, great job!! Kathysue
Oh I love this tablescape! And as I sit here in my hoodie and track pants, it makes almost feel a little more sunny and warm.
So pretty- adore the colour combinations and the jars with the wrapped twine. And I hear you on th heat- thankfully it seems to have finally broken here…it's actually chilly today and I LOVE it!!!
Holy GORGEOUS, Cassie! I'm going to come steal this right off your table! Looks amazing =)
What a perfect table, it is so colorful and beautiful!
Love the mason jars and the seagrass tablemats…I want those. Great look…I'm already nostalgic for summer!
you know i love a good tablescape! love the shell name cards ….. working/thinking on a tablescape for halloween right now. trying to keep it from crossing the holly hobby line….
Gorgeous tablescape, I love the colours! We didn't have much of a summer her so I'll live vicariously through you!
what a pretty table setting! I love the pop of color on the neutral backgrounds. Yes, I am with you about the heat (I'm in Austin); and as much as I want to decorate for fall I can not seem to bring myself to do it. Too dang hot! :0
This is really beautiful!! I'm loving the shell placecards!
This table turned out so cute, I adore those napkins! I am headed to World Market to find something similar.
Amanda Smith
http://www.igoyougoblog.com
What a cheery table you have set…love the napkins.
The table is just beautiful. I love the napkins with the lime green and purple. And I am a sucker for mason jars. Very sweet.
Beautiful table! I love it! How have you been?
Most impressive! You set a beautiful table. The jars are so charming and fun!
Living in Colorado, we try to hold onto summer as long as can! Love the simplicity of your table, with the only color from the flowers and napkins. Very clean, very fresh, and let's face it–pumpkins will be at the grocery store for a good six weeks, so why rush it!
Your table is just gorgeous!! I love everything about it!
Hi again, Cassie! Great table! Smart to bring it all indoors so you and your guests didn't fry like bacon in that heat! The beachy theme works just as well indoors as out! Your flowers worked out well, and I'm glad you got to reuse and enjoy them for awhile after the dinner party!
Very nice job!
So pretty! I really love the colors – especially that purple. Your placecards are such a fun idea.
This is amazing, Cassie. Can't believe I missed it this summer. lol.