A Creative Carolina Tablescape was the thing to create when my theme for my dinner group party was
“A Taste of Carolina”
We are a part of a Dinner Group consisting of wonderful friends
who I must say are fantastic cooks and gracious hosts.
I created this tablescape a couple of years ago and thought that I would present it again
to show you how to incorporate the love of your state and a unique parting gift for your guests.
It my was my turn and I had a very hectic schedule that week
so with some advice from a friend I decided to do something different.
TAKE OUT!!! From some of my favorite restaurants and deli’s in my city.
I live in an area filled will the most wonderful restaurants.
Simple Centerpiece of three “North Carolina” Beverage Glasses of Flowers
At the end of the evening, they will be given to my guests.
My chef announcing the theme of the dinner
Place card holders with the names of the “food origins”
Flowers from Trader Joe’s….North Carolina Beverage Glasses from Catstudio
Have you noticed “peaks and valleys” of fabric on the plates?
You are probably thinking, what is a Lifesaver doing on a napkin?
The “Water Lily” napkin fold needed something in the middle of the “flower”.
The Lifesaver mint doubles as decoration for the napkin and an after dinner mint!
Dinner Plate: Lenox Butler’s Pantry.
Salad plate: Noritake Summer Estate.
The actual table setting was meant to be simple….along with the meal.
I thought a “pretty folded napkin” would add some whimsy and fun to the table.
Tablecloth and napkins by Ralph Lauren (HomeGoods).
It was a wonderful evening of food, drink and great conversation with wonderful friends.
I certainly did this dinner the “Christopher Lowell” style.
You know. . . . go to your favorite store, restaurant, or deli and embellish your “pre-cooked” food
and everyone is happy!
I am joining:
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
Shirley,
This is fabulous. What a great idea for your turn to host and what a cute and wonderful center piece that then is given to your guests when they leave. Super cute and so thoughtful. I bet you had a great evening with your friends. I know you are the hostess with the mostess and are so thoughtful with every thing you did for a nice evening. There is nothing better than celebrating with great friends and wonderful food. Have a great start to the new week ahead. Hope Haven was fun.
Kris
Love that tablescape and remember it well. The lifesaver is the best idea.
Hi Shirley, love this tablescape!! What a wonderful idea for your state and bringing in the food from fabulous restaurants around your area. Love the centerpieces and then as gifts. So creative and thoughtful. The pattern in the table cloth and napkins is gorgeous and I love the flower you created with the napkin and center lifesaver. I know your friends enjoyed a special time. You are the best!!
Hugs, cm
Sooooooooo gorgeous! I need you to style my table photos, I’m so not good at that! Love your napkins…
What a beautiful, thoughtful and inspiring tablescape. I love the North Carolina glasses and the idea to give the centerpieces to guests. Thanks for sharing where you found them. I have seen the pillows and dish towels at Southern Season, but have never seen the glasses, I really need to get those!
Lauren, if they are not at A Southern Season, you can find them on the Catstudio web site!…
This is stunning. I adore the little chef also, what a fun addition to the event. Your table is absolutely stunning.
What a beautiful table setting! So bright and cheery. Love, love, love the tablecloth and napkins, and I have never seen napkins folded that way. How cute!
Thanks DeEtte…the folds are called Water Lily.
Oh my, this NC girl loves your glasses…such a great idea! Beautiful table setting!
Blessings,
Cindy
Shirley, your table is gorgeous! I love your idea of a Carolina theme. The napkin flowers are adorable and add a great touch of whimsy to your china. The glasses and floral arrangements are so colorful- what a clever idea to give them as a departing gift to your guests. I know a fun time was had by all!
Thanks Betsy…had so much fun at Haven that I forgot to take many pictures!!!
Oh Shirley…this is beautiful! Everything screams “I’M GORGEOUS!” I really would love to know how to do the napkin fold because I’ve never seen that before! It’s really beautiful!!! Hope you had a wonderful time at HAVEN:)
Now you need to do a tutorial on the napkin fold! Love the whole table and a brilliant idea to do take out!!! May just think about that next month when it is my turn for our dinner group!!! Hope you had a blast at Haven!!!
Everything you do just appeals to me.Love your post.:)
Thanks Betty!
This is beautiful! I love the floral fabric you chose for your tablecloth and napkins. Simple table settings with beautiful fabric are always gorgeous and yours definitely is.
Thanks Jan!!
Shirley, I love your table! What a great Idea to use take out food ala CL! I LOVE him and always loved his show. I have been spying those table linens on eBay and might just have to get that pattern. Love how the soft blue looks with the yellow. Pretty, pretty!!
I absolutely LOVE this table vignette!!!! The floral table cloth and napkins paired with the beautiful flower centerpieces is just DIVINE!!!! The little lifesaver in the middle of each napkin is such a sweet touch too! Have a great week….
~Des
Shirley, love the Ralph Lauren linens and everything about your setting! When you have great restaurants nearby, why not incorporate their excellent food! Great ideas for busy hostesses. I have had so many people over the years to say, “I can’t cook, so I dont’t entertain.” That excuse is poor, since you can purchase great food! Have a beautiful Monday!
Blessings,
Pam
Hi Shirley, What a wonderful idea for a stressful week! The whole point is eating good food with good friends and having a good time! With your beautiful tablescape and take home centerpieces and with YOU feeling rested and enjoying company I expect all enjoyed the evening and the variety of delicious foods. Great idea I’m going to copy one of these days!!!
A great time was had by all Judianni!
I remember this, Shirley. It is gorgeous! I think it is about time for me to come up with a tablescape for a table rather than the island.:-)
This is a great tablescape! I really like the little North Carolina glass used as a vase. My Bestie D just bought one for California in a cute shop in Newport Beach when we were shopping together. She was giving it as a giftand I suggested she put some flowers in it when she presented it. The table linens you used are also lovely. Is the stemware Waterford?
Best,
Michelle from simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com
P.S. Feel free to pop over to my blog to see its new design!
Beautiful tablescape – love the tablecloth and napkins. Everything was perfect. What did you serve for dinner? It is a great idea. I am having a few friends over the 31st to celebrate my Birthday and we are having a wonderful deep dish pizza with tossed salad. We get together about once every two months as we all worked to gather and most of us were laid off due to 9/11/ We have kept in contact with each other over the years. They all wanted to come to my house so therefore a take out dinner. I am just not able to cook and prepare all the things that go with a snappy dinner. Should be fun and less stress.
So glad that your guests enjoyed the evening.
Mary
Your tablescape looks so beautiful, Shirley!! Love how you presented the napkins, and the centerpiece is so pretty. Take out is my kind of dinner party!! Perfect idea, especially when life is so hectic. Enables you to enjoy as well.
Mary Alice
Beautiful table and super idea to do takeout from the area. Pretty centerpiece and table. I’m sure it was a fun time for all
Cindy
So smart, Shirley, and pretty, to boot! I love the Catstudio products, and have gifted them a couple times (and to myself!). I like how you did this, but I’m sure it even took some good planning and hostess coordination. Really, though, it’s about the thoughtful details (and the company) that matters.
Very pretty! Love the life saver idea 🙂
Shirley I LOVE everything about this table!
So, I’m dying to know what “the taste of Carolina” food was ~ to go with that beautiful table setting and the adorable North Carolina glasses full of flowers! I think that bringing in true and trusted food from wonderful restaurants is a great way to go ~ and you provided the wonderful setting for it all. Very thoughtful and generous of you to send home the Carolina glasses with flowers afterward with your guests! May I come to dinner next time? LOL!
Everything looks so pretty Shirley!
Shirley your table setting is beautiful. I love the colors and the fresh flowers. Jo
This North Carolina girl loves your tablesetting! So pretty and I love the tablecloth and napkins, and the flowers…gorgeous! Happy Monday, Shirley!
WOULD love to know what the menu was! Table setting was beautiful. How often does your dinner group meet?
We meet 4 times a year. I used each restaurant and deli for each course, I.e. dessert and rolls from the bakery, and entree from Daniels of Shrimp Scampi and Vodka al la Penne….salads from Fosters…It was fun and I have finally realized that it is all about the company and friendship!
You’ve captured the essence of a Carolina summer. Everything is so elegant and beautiful.
I loved this sweet repeat of your Carolina dinner as much as the first time Shirley! I really love the water lily napkin folds 🙂
Beautiful! And I love your way of thinking with the food:) The lifesaver is a cute touch on your pretty napkins.
Beautiful setting Shirley!! Love your pretty table linens and what a great idea for the centerpiece…I’m sure your guests loved them!!
Yes, and YES! First, I love anything from CatStudio. Second, it doesn’t all have to be cooked from scratch for it to be a fabulously successful evening. Way to go! XO, Christy
That is such a gracious, summery table setting! Please teach me how to fold my napkins like those – so pretty!! And please send me an invite next time 🙂
xoxo
This post reminds me that somewhere I have a book all about napkin folds, and I think this might be one of them. If I recall, it’s not so easy to do, but you nailed it!
Confession time: one Thanksgiving I purchased the sides and no one was the wiser. 🙂
Hope you had a great time at Haven Shirley. I heard there were some inspiring speakers there.
Well, I love every single thing on your table…tablecloth and matching napkins, crystal, and those carolina glasses are just too cool. We are heading to the Carolinas in Sept for our sand and sun therapy. We think next year we would like to spend the cold months in South Carolina…We sold our house on Hilton Head, so we now lease from someone else. Anyway…love your Carolina theme.
xo
sheila
This is so pretty and I LOVE the North Carolina glasses. I have been collecting the state vintage glasses for a few years now and I never thought as using them to hold flowers on a table. You always have great ideas!
Such a pretty table setting and I love what you did with the napkins…