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}!
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?
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.
I added apples to each setting {I love the vivid color of fresh fruit} and pinned paper leaves onto them to act as 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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
And a few refills of sweet tea.
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
Love my Mikasa Italian Countryside and have used it for years! Would love this pattern for something new!
I love it, Randi! Sweet tea and jam…perfect choices for the table. Thank you so much for participating!!
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
Lovely!! Beautiful flowers always and a large ironstone pitcher of iced tea!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
The Ciara is so pretty! I like the crochet piece you used with it.
Fresh flowers and usually something beachy!
Love the white dishes, such a crisp, clean, forever look. I hear my dining room calling me.
I love fresh flowers on every summer tablescape.
Beautiful white dishes and flowers!!! Lovely!!
Your table is precious. Would love to come sit awhile.
I love to include fresh flowers in my summer tablescapes.
I love daisies or other wild flowers on the table!
Karen U
I love using twinkle lights and music and summer gatherings.
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!
Love the floral backdrop to crisp, white dishes!!
Adoption is such a beautiful option for families!
Thanks!!
I like to include fruit, flowers and bright colors.
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!
I love to use pretty flowers.
The touch of red is adorable and I love the name tags on the apples. Sweet and inviting!
White dishes are perfect to dress up with accessories. Beautiful. Book sounds really interesting too.
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
Fresh flowers, a southern table scape must have fresh flowers!
I love fresh flowers, white linens, and burlap accents 🙂
I like to include fresh flowers from my garden in my summer tablescape.
i love to add flowers and bright colors with vases
Wish I could pull up a chair and stay for a very long time. Beautiful! Love and miss you guys!
I love place cards that have a second function – like a take home gift, or something that can be used again!
Some pretty fresh flowers! 🙂 I love the Italian countryside!
Definitely, flowers!
Love the blog today and every day
Beautiful flowers and candles!! Thank you for the giveaway!!
I like to use the beautiful produce available as part of a tablescape, either as centerpieces or part of a floral arrangement.
I love fresh flowers from my garden and fragrant herbs too, for a tablescape.
Fresh flowers!