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Dukes and Duchesses

Dallas Fort Worth Creative Lifestyle Blogger

books parties/entertaining · Written by Randi Dukes

A Summer Tablescape

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This post and giveaway was sponsored by the author of Dear Carolina and Mikasa.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love summer entertaining: simple grilled meals, chilled pitchers of sweet tea, fresh flowers, and long conversations.  Southern life seems simpler in the summer when life slows down just a little.  This summer tablescape features all my favorites.  Pull up a chair, pour a glass of iced tea, and join me for a slow meal {and be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom}!

a summer tablescape

This sweet summer tablescape was inspired by a book I just finished called Dear Carolina by Kristy Woodson Harvey {affiliate link}.  This debut novel was the perfect summer reading.  Based in the South, it shares the story of two strong Southern women, one baby girl, and one very tough decision.  I fell in love with the characters and their intertwined story … and loved the way life in the South is woven through the story.  The South isn’t just a place to live, it’s a culture and a lifestyle that goes to the bone.  I was sad when I came to the last page of the book … which is always the sign of a great book, right?

Dear Carolina book

My favorite thing about living in the South is that people are friendly and inviting and that’s always my goal with any tablescape.  I want my guests to feel eager to pull up a chair and stay a while.  I covered the table with colorful floral fabric {because you know how much I love color} and set each place with a gorgeous white Mikasa Ciara dinnerware set.  The deep bowls and embossed swirls make this set beautiful enough for an elegant dinner party but perfect for everyday meals.

apple placecards for southern tablescape

I added apples to each setting {I love the vivid color of fresh fruit} and pinned paper leaves onto them to act as placecards.

apple leaf placecards

Bright red napkins tied each place setting into the floral of the tablecloth and I completed the settings with Mikasa Rylee flatware, a simple yet elegant set with smooth lines that complement any tablescape.

floral tablescape

Summer is the perfect time to find big, colorful fresh flowers so I added cheerful sunflowers and fluffy hydrangeas to a picnic basket {a serendipitous thrift store find}.  An heirloom crocheted cloth softened the centerpiece.

fresh flower picnic basket centerpiece

And no table in the South should ever be without sweet tea within easy reach so a pitcher of tea sat on the table and I poured each guest a drink in large Mikasa Laura glassware goblets.

sweet tea in mikasa goblets

I love to send friends home with a little treat and after you read Dear Carolina {affiliate link} you’ll know why I chose little jars of jam.  I’ve got you curious now, don’t I?

jelly jar party favors

All this cheerful summer tablescape needs now is a guest in each chair and the sounds of sweet conversation and lots of laughter filling the room.

southern floral tablescape

And a few refills of sweet tea.

a bright summer tablescape

I wish you all could pull up a chair and join me for a summer meal but I have something just as good.  One of my readers will win their own copy of Dear Carolina and a Mikasa Ciara 16-Piece Dinnerware Set just like the one I featured.  Fun, right?  Simply enter using rafflecopter below.  {Open to US residents only.}

And after you’ve entered, be sure to check out more Dear Carolina-inspired Southern tablescapes {and enter more Mikasa giveaways} by clicking on the links below.

At the Picket Fence  |  Southern Hospitality  |  Finding Home  |  Thistlewood Farms  |  Design Chic

a Rafflecopter giveaway


34 Comments

About Randi Dukes

I’m Randi, a Dallas-based mom of five kids, ranging from third grade to college and including a set of twins. I love strong coffee, craft and DIY projects, my planner, and my big ol’ family. When I’m not creating something for my blog, I can be found in the car, running kids from one place to another. I’m the one knitting at the red light. Connect with me on google+ | twitter | facebook

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Comments

  1. Jana says

    June 25, 2015 at 6:30 am

    Love my Mikasa Italian Countryside and have used it for years! Would love this pattern for something new!

    Reply
  2. Design Chic says

    June 25, 2015 at 7:18 am

    I love it, Randi! Sweet tea and jam…perfect choices for the table. Thank you so much for participating!!

    Reply
  3. Kristy Woodson Harvey says

    June 25, 2015 at 7:54 am

    I love everything about this table! The apples are so lovely, the jam is perfection… And sweet tea? But, of course! Thank you for your kind words about Dear Carolina. I’m so flattered that you enjoyed it. Now I wish I could come over and enjoy a sweet summer meal with you around this table! Thank you so much for participating in this! xo Kristy

    Reply
  4. Karena says

    June 25, 2015 at 7:58 am

    Lovely!! Beautiful flowers always and a large ironstone pitcher of iced tea!
    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    Reply
  5. Gayle says

    June 25, 2015 at 8:08 am

    The Ciara is so pretty! I like the crochet piece you used with it.

    Reply
  6. Deb Young says

    June 25, 2015 at 8:11 am

    Fresh flowers and usually something beachy!

    Reply
  7. donna says

    June 25, 2015 at 8:31 am

    Love the white dishes, such a crisp, clean, forever look. I hear my dining room calling me.

    Reply
  8. Sandy Rees says

    June 25, 2015 at 8:44 am

    I love fresh flowers on every summer tablescape.

    Reply
  9. Lynda Lamon says

    June 25, 2015 at 9:24 am

    Beautiful white dishes and flowers!!! Lovely!!

    Reply
  10. Debra says

    June 25, 2015 at 9:43 am

    Your table is precious. Would love to come sit awhile.

    Reply
  11. Laura says

    June 25, 2015 at 10:24 am

    I love to include fresh flowers in my summer tablescapes.

    Reply
  12. Karen U says

    June 25, 2015 at 11:02 am

    I love daisies or other wild flowers on the table!
    Karen U

    Reply
  13. Pam Ballard says

    June 25, 2015 at 11:15 am

    I love using twinkle lights and music and summer gatherings.

    Reply
  14. Teresa says

    June 25, 2015 at 11:52 am

    I like to include in my summer tablescape the fish bottle I love with a palmetto leaf in it. We enjoy dining on our screened porch at the picnic table I created from a cast off picnic table top and painted bright colors with a large sun saying “Dear Lord, let this be a flip flop day”. I add flamingo chargers and ready to party!

    Reply
  15. becky says

    June 25, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    Love the floral backdrop to crisp, white dishes!!
    Adoption is such a beautiful option for families!
    Thanks!!

    Reply
  16. Kelly D says

    June 25, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    I like to include fruit, flowers and bright colors.

    Reply
  17. Cindy Hancock says

    June 25, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    I love your tablescape! When creating a tablescape, I love to include an element from the outdoors that goes with the current season! So Fun!

    Reply
  18. Marie W. says

    June 25, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    I love to use pretty flowers.

    Reply
  19. Chrislyn says

    June 25, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    The touch of red is adorable and I love the name tags on the apples. Sweet and inviting!

    Reply
  20. Ellen Vogel says

    June 25, 2015 at 10:48 pm

    White dishes are perfect to dress up with accessories. Beautiful. Book sounds really interesting too.

    Reply
  21. nancy whitehead says

    June 25, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    absolutely love those blue and white plates. should you find them missing you might try looking in Montreal, Quebec……lol beautiful table my dears………….. warmest wishes………….Nancy

    Reply
  22. Karen says

    June 26, 2015 at 7:45 am

    Fresh flowers, a southern table scape must have fresh flowers!

    Reply
  23. Kelly Minyard says

    June 26, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    I love fresh flowers, white linens, and burlap accents 🙂

    Reply
  24. Danielle says

    June 26, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    I like to include fresh flowers from my garden in my summer tablescape.

    Reply
  25. amy tolley says

    June 26, 2015 at 11:24 pm

    i love to add flowers and bright colors with vases

    Reply
  26. Cara Houriet says

    June 27, 2015 at 9:51 am

    Wish I could pull up a chair and stay for a very long time. Beautiful! Love and miss you guys!

    Reply
  27. Shannon Schmid says

    June 27, 2015 at 2:00 pm

    I love place cards that have a second function – like a take home gift, or something that can be used again!

    Reply
  28. Mariaelena says

    June 27, 2015 at 11:27 pm

    Some pretty fresh flowers! 🙂 I love the Italian countryside!

    Reply
  29. Judy says

    June 29, 2015 at 5:09 am

    Definitely, flowers!

    Reply
  30. cookie says

    June 29, 2015 at 12:31 pm

    Love the blog today and every day

    Reply
  31. Lisa says

    June 29, 2015 at 8:13 pm

    Beautiful flowers and candles!! Thank you for the giveaway!!

    Reply
  32. Tina W says

    June 30, 2015 at 8:07 pm

    I like to use the beautiful produce available as part of a tablescape, either as centerpieces or part of a floral arrangement.

    Reply
  33. Rust says

    June 30, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    I love fresh flowers from my garden and fragrant herbs too, for a tablescape.

    Reply
  34. Laura m says

    July 1, 2015 at 3:50 pm

    Fresh flowers!

    Reply

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Welcome to Dukes & Duchesses!

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I’m Randi, a mom of five living in Dallas. I love strong coffee, long lists, bright colors, thrift stores, repurposed junk, and power tools.

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