A MINTY MODERN TABLE SETTING

a table design to refresh on the hottest of days

So, this table isΒ not at all what I had planned,Β but I love it none-the-less.Β JenΒ and I are both a bit Type A, especially when it comes to design.Β Ok,Β maybe more than a bit.Β Hourlong conversations debating the subtleties of blue green vs. green blue probably indicate a real deep-seated personal problem, but let’s forgo any drawn out self-reflection right now.Β Β 

BEST LAID PLANS OF MICE & DESIGNERS

AsΒ a β€œCreative Type A,” onceΒ I have aΒ designΒ plan in my head,Β I tend to see it through in a rather anal-retentive sort of way. However, sometimesΒ sh*t happens, andΒ you just have to let yourself be fluid.Β Again, this is tortureΒ for me.Β Letting go and embracing change is not a characteristic of a control freak!Β Β Β 

CALM DOWN WITH COLOR

IΒ recentlyΒ found a modern watercolor paintingΒ saturated withΒ bluesΒ and greensΒ that IΒ absolutelyΒ loved.Β I loved it so much that it inspired me toΒ create a coolΒ tablescapeΒ drenched in theseΒ calmingΒ hues.Β 

I imagined lush greens, soft aquas, and a bit of bold blue, but somehow ended up with a very muted, none-the-less beautiful, version of my original plan. This was partially due to the fact that after purchasing blue LagosΒ Glasses from Crate and Barrel and teal green BelmontΒ DinnerΒ Plates from Target, I wentΒ a little crazyΒ over someΒ sageΒ andΒ goldΒ ArtΒ DecoΒ Glasses from World Market and suddenly found myself reworking my entire plan.Β (Look at me being fluid.)Β 

A COOL MIX OF STYLES AND TEXTURES

AlthoughΒ tempting,Β I did not want to go completely down the art deco rabbit hole, so I decided to add several design styles and textures to the table. I started with aΒ casualΒ GrayΒ StripedΒ LinenΒ TableclothΒ from TargetΒ andΒ BlackΒ TavaΒ NaturalΒ PlacematsΒ from Pottery Barn.Β Then, I added some funkyΒ AlveroΒ SaladΒ PlatesΒ from World MarketΒ for a bit of modern tribal vibe magic. I kept my flatware to an absolute minimum and tied it together with aΒ light greenΒ CottonΒ SlubΒ Napkin.

The result was a mix of high and low styles: flashy glasses and fuss-free linens, shiny serve ware and matte metals, and last but not least, over-the-top tropical greens in a modern minimalist vase.Β 

NOΒ GREENΒ THUMB, NO PROBLEM

Seriously though, let’s talk about this centerpiece for a hot second. First of all, it’s not going to break the bank. It is mostly greenery mixed with a few poppy pods and some hints of white with the Queen Anne’s Lace andΒ Veronica White Wands, neither of which are expensive blooms.

Second, so long as I kept my floral foam wet, the greens in this arrangement lasted well over a MONTH without wilting.Β Yes, you read that correctly – thisΒ arrangement lastedΒ over a month. I’ve killed potted plants faster than that!

So,Β if you are hosting an event or dinner and want florals that you canΒ finishΒ well ahead of time,Β like weeks ahead of time,Β these are perfect choices.Β The long tropical leaves areΒ VariegatedΒ TiΒ leaves and the main bushy filler is Plum Pine (Podocarpus).Β If you do want to add some flowers, like the Queen Anne’sΒ Lace, just popΒ a few stemsΒ in aΒ dayΒ before your event.

TREATS THAT BEAT THE HEATΒ 

Obviously, this table is perfect for a warm summer day in the park. Seriously, it really didn’t take us long to transport and set up this table, and Jen and I had several passersby ask when we were serving cocktails and apps.Β 

Just imagine how cute this picnic could be. You could serve up some yummy park-friendly treats like Broccoli Ricotta Toasts with Hot Honey, Orzo Spinach and Tomato Salad, and Carmel Pretzel Cookies.Β Maybe add some cucumber to your water or sip onΒ a Blackberry Cocktail. Sounds so refreshing,Β right?! So,Β what are you waiting for? Call some of those people you’re been missing and head to your nearest park!

Cheers!Β Β 

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