last day of summer garden tablescape

Although it seems like we've all shifted gears to Fall, the Autumnal equinox isn't until tomorrow, which "officially" starts the season.  I set the table on the back patio with a garden theme to bid farewell to Summer.  

Of course in Northern California it's still plenty hot, but the foliage and flowers have started showing the signs of a season change nonetheless.  The hydrangeas at each place setting are from my blue flower shrubs but they have turned green this late in the game.  I love the vibrant hue.  You can see what they looked like earlier in the season on my Father's Day tablescape.

The plate stack is casual and refined at the same time, if that makes any sense.  I used my DIY plaid chargers, green transferware dinner plates and black transferware accent plates.  The plate stack is topped off with a mini terra cotta planter.

The terra cotta mini pots are a throwback to my working days before I had my littles, who aren't so little any more.  These little pots were samples to show us all the different designs one of our factories in Italy could produce in normal size planters.  Once we did not need them anymore I immediately put dibs on them.  I mostly use them in the Spring time, having graced many a Easter table.  They are super fun to work with.

The centerpiece planters actually are also design samples.  I love the shabby chic feel of them.  We used the sample motifs to create planters that would fit grower pots.  These were carried in Home Depot and many other retailers as well.  The pots are made of terra cotta with distressed paint, which works great with all the relief.  The ivy plants are from my kitchen windowsill basket which makes for a simple centerpiece letting the individual hydrangeas shine. 

The napkins are from the Rachel Ashwell shabby chic line at Target from years ago.  I used one of my favorite ways to display napkins on tablescapes with a simple knot.  It's a great casual look and you don't have to be as fussy about perfectly ironed napkins.  

The flatware is a silver set I actually found in the garage from my old inventory.  I am trying to purge all my old stuff from my consigning days, but I think I will keep this set for tablescape posts.  The set includes eight dinner knives and forks, which are a bit tarnished but since we weren't really eating from them today I let the patina linger.  I'll give them a good polish with my next batch of silver cleaning.

It's so nice to finally have clean air and blue skies again.  The temperature was pretty hot during the day but as the sun started to set it cooled down and it was a lovely evening.

I have some other outdoor projects to get done and I hope to share them here real soon.  I finally made it to Trader Joes and Miss M helped me pick out a bushel of pumpkins and gourds.  We were giggling up a storm as we piled the pumpkins high in the cart.  She kept saying "that's enough mom" and I would say "just one more". {wink}   

Tomorrow we leave for Oregon to take Sebastian, Master M, my firstborn, my only son, to college.  I am happy to hear that the fires and air quality around Eugene, Oregon are better.  One less thing to worry about for now.  

I am a mixed bag of emotions, which I understand is normal but it still does not make it any easier.  

The hands of time are an evil necessity for all of us.  Thankfully he will be home for Thanksgiving for an extended period due to Covi-19 and he will stay home until the new year, which I am grateful for all that time we will spend together.  I am excited to have our family of four together for the holiday season.  

"By all these lovely tokens September days are here, with summer's best of weather and autumn's best of cheer." ~ Helen Hunt Jackson

 

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Comments

[Kathleen Ashton]

We have limelights, too and I love them. Your table is beautiful and the little hydrangea on each plate is the icing on the cake:) Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen

[MaryJo Materazo]

Thanks Kathleen! Summer is still going strong over here but I am so ready for Fall. We drove my son up to Oregon to drop him off @ college and it was beautiful Fall weather up there with pretty foliage. I so enjoyed it!

XO- MJ

[Jenn Dynys]

Thank you for sharing at Embracing Home and Family! I love green, so this is right up my alley!

[MaryJo Materazo]

Thanks Jenn. I'm a big green girl too. I am so glad you dropped by.

XO- MJ