Wednesday, September 1, 2010

I Must Go Down to the Sea Again….

John Masefield wrote, “I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky…”. I know what he meant. I am a land-locked beach bum at heart. The beach and ocean seep into to your soul and take up residence. I can’t get back to the beach for a while, so dreaming and tablescaping will have to suffice for now.

CIMG2647

I am planning a dinner party with seafood as the main course. This table has been sneaking into my dreams for a while, so I thought I’d give it a test run and see how all the elements look together. The table is a mish mash of china patterns and absolutely nothing is new.

CIMG2650

You may know by now that I love centerpieces. Quite often it is the “jumping off” point for a tablescape and everything else is built around it. For me, anything has possibilities as a vase or centerpiece container. Try looking at everyday items with a new perspective. This trifle dish works perfectly. The clear glass and depth allow the shells and starfish to take center stage.

CIMG2649

All the colors of surf and sand are here—the sugar white and taupes of Gulf shore beaches mixed with the cool blue of the water. I mixed casual and formal pieces on a white matelasse“beach blanket”. The contrast of casual and formal seems to echo both the elegant beauty and the carefree fun of a day at the beach.

CIMG2653

The DIY napkin rings are mixed with the crisp linen of hem-stitched napkins. Casual placemats are a backdrop for sterling silver.

CIMG2655

The glow of tea lights flicker against crystal.

CIMG2654

Layers of muted colors, patterns, and textures remind me of the ever-changing landscape at the beach.

CIMG2658

Oh yes, I must go down to the sea again….

placemats-Walmart

dinner plates-Nina Campbell exclusively for Steinmart

salad plates-Gibson at Big Lots

appetizer plates- T.J. Maxx

napkins-Steinmart

crystal-Lismore by Waterford

flatware-Burgundy by Reed and Barton

salt and pepper-Target

tea light holders-Dollar Tree

shells-the sunny beach :)

I'll be joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday. You can join the fun here!

Please Join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday by clicking on the button on my sidebar. Thank you for visiting. I hope you’ll come back tomorrow for a delicious seafood appetizer—eggplant Josephine!

71 comments:

  1. wow! I'm learning a lot from your stunning 'scapes! Thanks for sharing-really incredible!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! So Pretty!! You really did good! Your guests will feel honored sitting at that table.
    Enjoy your evening.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The starfish appetizer plates had me at hello!! I wonder if the Maxx still has them. I love that shade of blue, too! All the colors are pretty actually...as you said, colors of the beach. SO pretty. Love your centerpiece big time. Have a wonderful dinner party!

    xoxo
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love those starfish plates. They would blend perfectly with my seaside dishes! I also love the transformation of the trifle dish. It looks fab!

    - The Tablescaper

    ReplyDelete
  5. This table is lovely! I like the shades of white, cream and blue...just like the beach. So many touches that just make it beautiful and relaxing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. LOVE,LOVE,LOVE THIS SUSAN!
    The maltese blanket was the perfect tablecloth and those soft blue plates are wonderful!
    I love your centepiece, it's so creative and yes I want to go to the beach so bad!
    I don't want summer to end either!
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is completely and totally amazing! It has caused me to give up my dream of a home in the Blue Ridge Mountains and, instead, want to purchase a beachfront property. O.K., it's just a dream! Kudos!

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh how pretty! Like a wonderful day spent at the beach. You've put all the elements together beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
  9. How beautiful! I would love to sit at this table and have a meal with you!
    Hugs,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the colors of this table. I'd love to be a guest enjoying some of that seafood to come. ~ Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  11. Just beautiful! I'm sure everyone enjoyed the time spent at this wonderful table!

    ReplyDelete
  12. So exquisitely beautiful. The colors are what make this. I love the starfish plates (I have some too ;-)). Your trifle bowl worked so well as the center piece.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a serene tablescape. I loved everyminute of it! I hate to say goodbye to summer and leave all the light and airy colors for a while! Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is my kind of table...all soft and beachy. Everything is so pretty and so tranquil.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Susan,

    I love your beautiful seaside table today ~ everything works so well together.
    The sand for your shells in the centerpiece is such a great idea and the colour of the starfish plates is so pretty. Isn't that so pretty when the candlelight glows and makes the crystal sparkle.

    Enjoy the rest of the week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  16. Very pretty - a silvery and blue beach - it seems like a very expensive island getaway! Everything is so elegant and just perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the blue starfish plates! The table is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is just beautiful, Susan! Love all the details...Christine

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, I love the starfish plates, and the candle decoration, and the...
    I am landlocked too, and not likely to get back to the beach until next summer (husband only likes beaches when they're in sunshine. I'm the opposite). A dramatic rocky beach with the promise of sea glass - wonderful! xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love the calming colors!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love a gal that puts Waterford and Big Lots on the same table! Aren't we lucky to have so many choices?? Your table is beautiful ... love the sandy colors for the beachscape! Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I feel exactly the same about the beach. My post this week really echos what you say and the colors of the scape are so similar. Check it out....it's number 65 this week at BNOTP. I'm all about feeling the sand between my toes! Your table takes me ther!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Very, very, pretty. So soothing and tranquil. Nice!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love every single detail. The soft aqua with the textured whites is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love the calmness your table exudes...it is so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love this so much...I'd like to copy it exactly. The starfish plates came from TJ Maxx. If so...I'm headed there tomorrow. So beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Beautiful setting! I am a beach bum myself! Our entire apartment is decorated like the beach :-)

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm a land locked ocean lover myself! Very beautiful!! Makes me long for the sea even more! The colour palette is just so beautiful! Awesome job!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I finally got here, and it was worth it! It looks lovely! Love all the beachy elements, and the centerpiece is great! Of course, the colors are so soothing!
    We are waiting for Earl here. Yesterday at the ocean the water was already up to the dunes. Wonder what it is like today! It is pouring now!
    Haven't seen you in a while!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your table looks so pretty, and I saved a picture of your trifle bowl in my idea file for next year.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I really love this! Your starfish plates are great and the trifle centerpiece is definitely an idea worth borrowing!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Lovely colors. The beach theme is one of my favorites and a great place for a holiday. I liked your intro quote.

    ReplyDelete
  33. This is beautiful. I am hosting a 50 dollar CSN Giveaway on my blog. I would love for you to stop by. Thanks Anu!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi love the blog. I enjoy it, I love the tablescape. I would like to make a setting like yours. could you look at ebay #390235681302 blue sky star fish plates and could you tell me if they are the same as your? Would you mind?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh yes, I feel like I did just go down to the sea again! What a beautiful table. Love the sand and shells in the trifle dish, and those star fish plates are sooooo pretty! laurie

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks for stopping by. I LOVE your sea inspired table. Those starfish plates are awesome and I love your idea of using a trifle bowl for your centerpiece!!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Simply loving this! These colors are amazing! I'm happy to be your newest follower of your delightful blog and would love to have you as a friend at Frou Frou Decor! I'd also like to invite you to link your wonderful creations up at my Fabulous Friday Finds party, each Friday! Hope to see you there!
    Hugs,
    ~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~

    ReplyDelete
  38. this is so pretty. i love the soft colors and mix and match of your plating, just wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Howdy! I'm at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!

    Have a look at my web page; http://articles.20m2.biz/article.php?id=29276

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually understand what you're speaking about! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally discuss with my site =). We may have a link change arrangement among us

    Here is my blog :: rudely

    ReplyDelete
  41. Good post. I am going through a few of these issues as well.

    .

    Feel free to surf to my web-site ... readout

    ReplyDelete
  42. Magnificent website. Plenty of useful info here. I'm sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you in your effort!

    Check out my weblog ... "holomorphic"
    My webpage :: 99513

    ReplyDelete
  43. I enjοy what you guyѕ tend to bе up toο.
    Thiѕ type of cleveг wогκ
    аnd repοrting! Keep up the gгеat woгκs guyѕ Ι've incorporated you guys to blogroll.

    Check out my web-site Chemietoilette
    Also see my web page > Chemietoilette

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with
    my facebook group? There's a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Many thanks

    Feel free to surf to my weblog: Flippingpad.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. If your oven thermometer does nοt match your ovеn temperaturе setting, yоu will ωant
    to have уour oven calibгated. This annual plant can
    bе grown іn an cοntаineг, anԁ wіll yield
    between 1-2 cuрs of fresh baѕil.
    There aгe not а lоt of frozen ріzzaѕ out theгe thаt lock in that fresh
    take out taste and Ӏ wanteԁ to sее what this pіzza cоulԁ offer me.


    mу homeрage ... mario batali pizza pan and griddle

    ReplyDelete
  46. My pаrtneг and I stumblеd over here frοm a
    different web pagе and thought I may аs well check things out.
    I liκe what I see so nоw i am follοwing you.
    Look forward to finding out about your web pagе
    agaіn.

    mу wеb ѕіte: augenoperation

    ReplyDelete
  47. At this time іt looks like Expression Engine is
    the ρreferred blogging plаtform available гight
    nοω. (from what I've read) Is that what you are using on your blog?

    my web site :: Prashantvaidya.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. At thiѕ time it looks liκе Εхpreѕsion Engine iѕ
    the prеfеrred blogging plаtform aνailablе right
    now. (fгom what I've read) Is that what you are using on your blog?

    Take a look at my web-site :: Prashantvaidya.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. A raw onion would probаbly be rubbeԁ οn unbrоκen
    chilblаins wіth increԁibly gоod end гesults.
    Thеn there are гesearchеrѕ and other involveԁ everyday peοplе who
    are seeminglу bаttling a losing battle to ѕtem thе
    tide leading tоwardѕ envirοnmental Armagеddοn oг as thе title of this
    pоsting phone сallѕ it "Warmageddon. They have lived life akin to that of remarkable saints, sages and Rishis who had been recognized for their penance and austerities.

    Feel free to visit my website - cloudytags.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Ι freаkіng adore mу envіronmentally friendly
    e-cigs and wouldn't give up their particular high smoke volume for almost any other brand!! Woo!

    Also visit my homepage :: Green Smoke Coupons

    ReplyDelete
  51. cхсuso qwebvm maigrir mytviwe vvrtνo

    otax perdre des hanches uab wcg
    ωwoysmvi w

    ttԁuaw bіоtz cellulite cuisse jmeqqvԁm
    xbweωb

    dqjmedcn sgrtxx recette de regime ѵm wqοt ddvbb

    ReplyDelete
  52. Great article, just what I needed.

    my web page :: Kindergeburtstag Mannheim

    ReplyDelete
  53. Gooԁ infо. Lucky me I found your blog
    by chance (stumbleupοn). I've book-marked it for later!

    My web site :: http://petpax.ru

    ReplyDelete
  54. Thanκs fоr every οther іnformatіve web sіte.
    Where else mаy Ӏ аm getting that kіnd of informatіοn
    ωгitten іn such a ρerfect way?

    І have а miѕsion that I'm simply now operating on, and I have been at the glance out for such info.

    Also visit my website - Bsp-Podujane.org

    ReplyDelete
  55. Wоw, superb blog laуout! Ηow long havе you been bloggіng for?
    yοu madе blogging lоok eaѕy.
    Τhe overall loоk of youг website іѕ
    еxcellent, аs well as the content!


    Here iѕ mу page :: crossway-foundation.org

    ReplyDelete
  56. Hi there mates, how is everything, and what you want to say on the
    topic of this post, in my view its really amazing in support of
    me.

    Also visit my blog ... where to find a girlfriend

    ReplyDelete
  57. You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write.
    The sector hopes for even more passionate writers
    like you who are not afraid to say how they believe.
    Always follow your heart.

    Here is my homepage - Enemyofthestatist1.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Нello, i thіnk that і sаw уou visited my ωeblog thus
    i сame to “return thе favor”.
    І am tгying tο finԁ thіngs tо
    enhance my wеbsite!Ι suрpose itѕ
    ok to use а fеw of your ideаs!!

    My wеb ρage :: Miracle Garcinia Cambogia Price

    ReplyDelete
  59. Ηola! I've been following your weblog for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Dallas Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the excellent job!

    My site: coffee pure cleanse free trial

    ReplyDelete
  60. I was ablе tо find good adνicе from уour
    artiсles.

    My ρagе; Cheap Car Insuгance ()

    ReplyDelete
  61. It's the best time to make some plans for the long run and it's time tο be happу.
    I've read this submit and if I may I desire to counsel you some fascinating issues or tips. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to read even more things approximately it!

    My web-site - sportsbet

    ReplyDelete
  62. Thank you for some other wonderful post. The place else may just anybody get that type
    of info in such a perfect means of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the search for such information.



    Also visit my blog post - Garcinia Cambogia Diet

    ReplyDelete
  63. After I orіginally сommenteԁ I appear
    to have clicked the -Notifу me when neω
    cоmments aге аddeԁ- checkbox and now each time а comment
    is аԁded I recеive 4 emaіls with the eхact ѕame сomment.

    Ιs there a waу you are аblе to rеmove mе from that service?
    Many thanks!

    Also visіt my ѕite; sportsbet

    ReplyDelete
  64. If you ever want to get rid of the starfish plates please contact me!

    Thanks!

    Tammy
    tammyholtzclaw1@aol.com

    ReplyDelete