Hosting a summer garden party is all about captivating your guests with your overall design and ambiance. Creating a summer tablescape inspired by the European countryside requires elements that evoke a rustic yet elegant feel. Choosing playful summer dishes paired with natural linen textures creates a table design that will set the stage for an unforgettable and charming summer garden party.
Choose Your Theme and Color Palette
A summer party that is inspired by the French countryside works best with natural, muted colors. Earth tones such as brown, blue, yellow, and terracotta are ideal for emulating a natural feeling. In this design, our linen and dish choices carry a blue tone, with accents in terracotta and amber. Rose and brushed gold accents elevate this overall rustic tablescape.
Decide on Dishes
Not all design choices are linear; sometimes, an entire tablescape is based on one particular item, snowballing into a complete design. For this design, the charming Gien France Oiseau Bleu appetizer plates with a hand-painted fruit motif were the focal point. Their playful fruit designs balanced with the classic blue and white motif make them the perfect summer entertaining plate. We paired these charming appetizer plates with a more formal Wedgwood of Etruria & Barlaston salad plate, and a classic patterned Mintons Princess dinner plates. Together, these vintage dishes span different decades and countries of origin but create a balanced pattern for the design.
Floral and Décor Choices
Because this tablescape is designed for the garden and informal gatherings, it was intended for our guests to graze and chat rather than to enjoy a formal meal. For a fresh element, we decided on a mixture of small contemporary bud vases arranged with seasonal flowers inspired by nature. The collection of floral bud vases adds to the rustic summer feel.
Overall, when entertaining in your outdoor spaces this summer, we suggest keeping your looks natural, yet refined. Using natural colors, and elegant patterns, brings a charm that is both warm and inviting. Introduce your favorite China and serve ware for a magical summer party that will leave your guests with a lasting impression.