Tablescape Design Spans the Summer Season – Here’s How To Get the Look
One could be forgiven for thinking that an American patriotic tablescape for Memorial Day or Independence Day is pretty easy or simple to do.
After all, the red, white, and blue colors are a given.
And if you wanted to “slip in” a Bastille Day celebration – (that also marks my wedding anniversary. Don’t start – I’ve heard all the related jokes for years!) – this too totally works for an easy transition to mid-July.
And now that we’re almost into August, I realize that with a few tweaks, the patriotic tablescape can sail right through to celebrate Labor Day, making the look a true summer investment in your tablescape designs.
Independence Day Tablescape
I have many reasons to celebrate Independence Day: July 3rd is my now 99-year old Mother’s birthday!
Because daisies are her favorite flower, some of the gifts were daisy-themed. But nothing could beat these fancy daisy sunglasses ~ and scarf that my dear friends Gigi and Ted gifted Mother.
We thought she’d give Elton John a bit of competition!
It’s one of my godchild’s birthdays the same day as Mother’s – and Marissa ever so frequently visits us from below the Mason Dixon line to attend the special celebrations.
Our Garden State country house is the perfect place for the Independence Day/Birthday fetes. Our home sits on a perch over the marina that looks back at Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Rockaways, and Long Island — and the town produces a spectacular fireworks display as part of the annual Fireman’s Fair fundraiser.
I embrace the big party. There’s no doubt it’s an incredible amount of work to get the gardens and the house in order; it’s all done for love of mother, family, and friends.
We are blessed to be able to share such an incredible Gotham skyline view and offer homegrown food and drink – and to salute Mother and country. Does it get any better?!
Every year, I look to keep many elements of the festivities consistent. Folks like tradition.
I ask guests to bring a covered dish and what they’re drinking.
Bill and I provide the Hostess Drink, fun faux tattoos, Chicken, Burgers, Hot dogs, Apps and Snacks, Wine, Beer, and Dessert — that is always homemade ice cream and some kind of birthday treat.
I made red velvet cupcakes one year – tiered on cake stands – and a parfait of sorts – meringue with berries the year before that – was colorful and tasty.
I did a red, white, and blue trifle another year.
In order to delight our guests, not too long ago – I knew I wanted something different and special. I also wanted to incorporate the food into – or make it a key element of – the Tablescape Design itself.
Mother makes some terrific cherry pie — and treats Bill on many occasions throughout the year. It’s his favorite. So what’s more American than a Mom-inspired Cherry Pie? A suite of red, white, and blue summer pie desserts – made in individual serving sizes! I wanted the seasonal berries to shine through the pie shell top that I would create using a star-designed crust topping.
This year, I decided to go with homemade ice cream sandwiches ~ making the chocolate sandwiches and using my homemade vanilla/cardamom/almond ice cream.
They were a delicious hit.
And the silicone baking cups go from baking to freezer to serving!
Tablescape Finishing Touches
Here you can see a fun table accessory I used one year.
As part of party prep one year, I was cleaning out the pantry and rather than toss the spent Cracker Jack boxes and ice cream cones, I repurposed them for the Tablescape.
I stopped short of composting the old ice cream cones – (I find them a marvel of simple baking “engineering.”) I thought I could do something with them – and then I hit upon using them as a kind of vase — making it look like the flower on top would make it appear as an ice cream scoop or two!
I used those floral tubes one used to get in florist-delivered bouquets of yore where individual stems were inserted in a tube. Whew. It worked! I put white carnations in the “ice cream cones” in a clear glass vase, inside the cone. Three “scoops” achieved just the right look.
Of course, adding mini Old Glory flags to the tablescape and entry hall, is a crowning finishing touch.
My favorite Summer tablescapes have been the elegant ones.
Using the napkins folded as a pinwheel to echo the American flag pinwheels was a great look.
Tips for Summer Tablescape with Patriotic Theme
Key to any stunning tablescape is to bear in mind you’re telling a story. Ask yourself – what story am I telling my guests?
Start with a clean slate. Determine the kind of look you want to achieve: Elegant, Glamorous, Country, or Crafty?
Determine if you will use place-mats, tablecloth and/or chargers – build up the look
Red, white, and blue are the colors you’re working with – look to complement and highlight.
Provide a look that transcends day and transitions to night. Twinkling lights or light displays (LED), tea lights – many of which can be programmed or set to a timer. Easy.
Add whimsy and delight with accessories. You can theme these for the holiday. Store-bought or repurposed items from pantry and memory to add fun…
Use mirrors, trays, cocktail coasters – to amplify the accessories and lights
Employ cake stands (Martha Stewart has a variety of sizes and looks to add to any table decor) Using various heights “elevates” the look and adds interest
Items from the garden (or store — the florist or even the grocery store). Fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables. Leaves too. Succulents are terrific looking and easy to maintain.
Change out your florals as the summer blooms for a refreshed table look.
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Enjoy your tablescape design and relish your good fortune to host family and friends while enjoying the bounty of the special, seasonal homegrown food and drink.
Cheers.
