Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Garden Party

Some people might call it a form of plagiarism. A harsher person might even call it downright theft. I prefer to think of it as inspired imitation :).

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My spring Pottery Barn catalogue arrived in the mail not too long ago. Sometimes I find my catalogues as good a source for ideas as magazines. The moment I saw the front cover, I knew I wanted to duplicate the tablescape. The crisp yellow , white, and green color scheme, the clean lines, and the organic elements appealed to me.

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The star of the tablescape was easy to reproduce. I bought 49 cent clay pots at Michael’s and painted them with sunny yellow spray paint—one coat was enough. I had some wheat grass seed and in seven days I was growing grass!! I have lots of plans for these little pots. I think you’ll see them in future tablescapes. For the price, I think they are good investment and the style is limited only by the available spray paint colors and my imagination.

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I wanted the centerpiece to echo the plan—the colors, the simplicity, and the organic elements. I used my favorite short and squatty square vase for a variety of monochromatic flowers. The flowers are low enough to allow easy conversation and the drooping tulips draw the color down to the table. I used limes instead of foam or pebbles to anchor them.

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By now, we all know that the white Gibson china from Big Lots is a tablescaper’s best friend. I call it the “little black dress” of tablescaping---dress it up or dress it down. I’m thinking of buying another set with a different edge design to mix things up a little. The wine glasses are simple and inexpensive (probably from a sale at Bed, Bath, and Beyond). I use them for everything from lemonade to ice water.

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In keeping with the organic theme (and staying true to my southern roots) I used white cotton napkins. I found these in a variety of colors at Steinmart. I loved the simple detail, the ease of care, and the price.

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I served ice cold water “spiked” with lime slices, but homemade lemonade or sangria would be perfect too.

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I scattered lots of candles in a variety of shapes and heights all over the table. When the sun goes down they will provide a soft glow and the citronella will keep the critters away.

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Now this is your place setting---come back tomorrow and I’ll be serving dessert. I’ve made some fun garden party cupcakes with the homemade fondant I told you about last week. I think you’ll “bee” happy if you do :)

I’m joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Click on the TT button on the sidebar for immediate transportation and inspiration!

32 comments:

  1. You did a fabulous job, Susan. I get a lot of my inspiration from the same place you do! ;-)

    Love the little pots. My neighbor just gave me a few and now I know what to do with them. Love the tulips and limes!! Beautifully done!

    xoxo
    Jane

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  2. Wow, zowee, wowee, zow (as my grandson says)!! Susan, it's FABULOUS! Are you sure you didn't snitch these pics from a PB photo shoot? Gorgeous in every detail!! Now I am off to my daughter's to snith her PB catalog. Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

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  3. Susan, beautiful!!! Just beautiful! Your photographs are truly amazing! Great job recreating the cover of Pottery Barn!

    Nancy

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  4. Guilty as charged then, I have gotten alot of my decorating ideas from catalogs! Your tablesetting is gorgeous..love how you used limes to anchor the flowers! You did a wonderful job, I love it!

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  5. BRAVO!! Just beautiful girl and it could be a cover shot...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  6. Lovely! Every element is perfect.

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  7. Susan, this is just perfect! You did an outstanding job! Who cares if you copied it, you pulled it off to perfection! Besides, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! ;-)

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  8. Hi Susan! Oh, you've outdone yourself! How beautiful! Copy away, my friend!! Yours is prettier.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  9. This is truly beautiful. What a wonderful job you have done! Love Black, White and yellow!! POP!!! Such fun and the limes in the vase look fantastic. I could keep gushing but I will just say....FANTASTIC!

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  10. oooh! Do I have your permission to inpspirationally imitate it forward? I love the look of this whole table.

    And I will most definitely "BEE" back to see the dessert!

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  11. I love your table and your fetching little yellow painted pots! Yellow is one of my favorite colors, as I like to think it spreads sunshine. Your pretty post gave sunshine to my day.
    Brenda

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  12. The table looks wonderful! I love to get ideas from magazines and catalogs. I have been know to take a few pics when I am at a store that has tablescapes all set up! Th pops of yellow are perfect!

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  13. Just another table FULL of creativity and lovliness...
    Very charming and whimsical...
    xoxo~Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  14. You did a great job! It looks beautiful..
    One question???
    Where are you going to find a tiny teeny lawn mower to cut that grass??
    Have a wonderful Memorial Day...God bless our service women and men present and past..

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  15. Very nice table, looks like a fun time!

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  16. Simply gorgeous! Love the color scheme -- and how resourceful of you to plan ahead to plant the grass seed! That centerpiece is stunning.

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  17. Stunning table setting Susan!

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  18. The centerpiece is awesome! Love all the table elements and how you put them together. Very creative on the pots and the wheatgrass. Looks beautiful!

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  19. It's just gorgeous! I love how you recreated the PB catalog tablescape on a budget. Great job!

    Jane

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  20. What a beautiful table you've set -- love how you've taken your inspiration and made it your own -- this is stunning.

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  21. What a beautiful table, Susan. I love the little bits of color against the white. Your floral centerpiece is stunning. Have a great weekend!

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  22. Great table susan. It doesn't matter where we get our inpiration from. It sparks our imagination and off we go. the little flower pots are really terrific, but you must me terribly patient to have purchased them, painted them, planted them, waited for them to grow and then set your table. I planted wheat grass for East once, and it is fun, but not the waiting part! LOL!

    And by the way, do come to the party - Where do you keep it all? Just don't let your husband look at that post. I think it will be a lot of fun to share where we stash it all. Hope you'll participate.

    - The Tablescaper

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  23. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery! Pottery Barn should be thrilled! Great Tablescape!Thanks for visiting me!~Nana~

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  24. YOu go girl! Way to knock off pottery barn! This is just so lovely! So so pretty! Come by and link up with my centerpiece wednesday party. I love how you did your centerpiece! Great job!!
    Karin

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  25. As I read the start of your post, I thought for sure you meant your first pic was the inspiration pic from PB! It is breathtaking! You've created an amazing table! I love all the details, the dishes, the little pots with grass as placecards, the linens, but especially, your centerpiece! The floral arrangement is great and with the limes...WOW! I'm going back to look again! YOU have inspired me...nevermind PB!

    DD

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  26. Your table is terrific! The black and yellow are just lovely - no wonder you chose it as your inspiration. The detail is amazing!

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  27. I am so glad I came to check out this post-I love it! You did a great job-PB would be proud!

    Best wishes and Happy Weekend,
    Natasha.

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  28. Yes, white porcelain is also for me the “little black dress” of tablescaping. You made your table just fabulous. I love the effect of different shades of yellow of the centerpiece and the idea to anchor the flowers with limes ist just genius. The combination of yellow, white and black is awesome and so pretty. Very elegant table.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  29. I am exactly like so many others that commented on your tablescape. HUM! That is really a lovely tablescape she used from the catalogue, I thought to my self. I kept reading and viewing your beautiful photos and a thought came to me! .... This is her tablescape and she is the professional. I personally love the pots with the grass. What an amazing table and yes, we will be over soon to enjoy it!

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  30. This is a gorgeous table, beautifully photographed. The color combination and the feel of this appeals to me so much!

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  31. Susan, this is gorgeous! P.B. should hire you to start doing their covers. Your did such a fabulous job with the tablescape and with the photography. laurie

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