INSPIRATION: A set of 4 striped Pier 1 “Marea” dinner plates found at a thrift store.
This quick post might help out with your 4th of July table planning by just adding a few small flags. It’s fairly easy to put together and makes a casual fun summertime tablescape. (I created this tablescape last year just days before my Dad got so sick, but forgot about it and never posted it.)
(Click any photo, then click again to enhance/enlarge it.)
This table for four looks to celebrate the wonders of the beach and sea. It starts with a 108-in. white tablecloth from LinenTablecloth.com and it topped with an 85-in. navy square. If you prefer less of a drop for your top cloth, LTC has a navy one in a 70-in. and a 54-in. (Pictured is a 48-in. table, so decide according to the preferred drop and the size of your table. I wanted the white to just barely peek from beneath like a crinoline petticoat, so I used an 85-in.) The table is finished off with a fishnet to add to the nautical/beachy look.
The place setting begins with a white ceramic charger from Old Time Pottery. Next comes the “Marea” blue striped dinner plate from Pier 1 that I found in a local thrift store. All four for just $2 with nary a scratch on them!!! (“Nary”?!?!? Who am I…Grandma Moses??!?! 🙂 ) A blue melamine salad plate from Target and a fun dessert plate with a ship’s wheel motif finishes off the stack. As my dear blog friend Cherry Kay of Entertaining Women pointed out in her most recent post, “Soft Summer Blues”, don’t even go there when it comes to trying to perfectly match blue tones. The range is just too vast and you’ll only end up crying in a corner somewhere, reeking of cheap wine and low self-esteem! 🙂 The flatware is from TJ Maxx, and I added a seafood picker (essential for getting to that sweet meat hidden deep in the claws!) that I picked up at World Market.
I found these beautiful silver (plastic!) lobster napkin rings at Z Gallerie a few years back on clearance at 75% off. There were only 9 of them, and I swooped in like Batman to claim every one of them as my own! The little aluminum pails came from the $1 aisle at Target, and the seafood crackers are from World Market.
Simple clear glass stemware for water and the obligatory wine!
I bought this beautiful raised cylinder from Pier 1 many years ago…on clearance. It was marked all the way down to about $12. I wept with joy. The silver bottom is sturdy, and the open-ended clear glass piece on top just raises right off. Here the cylinder is filled with lots of pretty seashells deliberately arranged to show off details of some of the most interesting ones.
Of course, Old Navy flip-flops are the preferred shoe of the day! And then you decide…do you want to be The Skipper or Gilligan? 🙂
Other nautical/beach-themed posts on this site:
All-American Seafood Boil
Tropicana
Hot Tropical
Ocean Blue
Flamingos in Paradise
4th of July Coastal Style
Caribbean Queen
Summer Breeze
Oranges & Blossoms
Join me at these fun blog parties this week for lots of summer tablescapes:
Table It!
Tablescape Thursday
Tablescapes at Table /Twenty-One 
Very “cool” looking table, Alycia! Love all those pretty blues.
It is too dang hot here to be setting up outside but we’re hoping for a cool down by the holiday. Have a fun one!!
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LOL! “don’t even go there when it comes to trying to perfectly match blue tones. The range is just too vast and you’ll only end up crying in a corner somewhere, reeking of cheap wine and low self-esteem!” Oh I have been there Alycia!!! Love the fish net!! I have some in a bin somewhere, I may have to find it as I am inspire by your nautical table 🙂 Happy 4th buddy!!
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We all appear to agree with on the blue tones dilemma. I just copied the same quote that Kathe (above) did — you are always funny as well as creative!
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I’m very glad you discovered this post!!! I love the blues, and that fish net is perfect! I recall having one of those – no idea where it is now. 😦 Anyway, blue and white is so sharp and crisp. Your Pier 1 plate find was a God-send! I’m kicking myself for not buying a set of gorgeous white flatware on clearance at Pottery Barn during my trip to ATL. They were beautiful and would look lovely with a navy and white nautical theme! Happy 4th!
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Love the jaunty nautical theme, Captain Alycia! I used fish net in the past and it makes a great table topper especially over your navy skirt. Those lobster rings are so adorable! I was transported to cooler Maine or Natucket, a welcome reprive from the oppressive heat here. You have been busy lately Alycia, inspiring so many summer celebrations! Time to step up my game here!
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I knew there was a reason I didn’t have much blue in my decor – too hard to match hues! You, my dear, always manage those details with finesse. Another great tablescape with a tasteful nod of nautical. I love seeing all your stash!
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Your special holiday tablescapes are always so unique! I think we all love the fish net idea and scoring the cute lobster napkin rings. And I have to mention how funny you are with your description of someone crying in a corner, reeking of cheap wine and low self esteem all over trying to match shades of blue! You are too much with both humor and creativity, dear lady! Enjoy your Fourth!
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I can smell the salty air and feel the breeze across this beautiful table. Nautical themes are winners in my book.
Happy 4th of July!
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Makes me want to go to the ocean!!! Love the blues, but the netting and sea shells are awesome. Well done as always. And the weather is just perfect now to enjoy…..
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Ya killin me Granny Moses!!! This is a fun table and the little touches like the hats in the chairs and flipflops make all the difference. Now I have the theme from Gilligan’s Island stuck in my head, thanks.
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I know I’ve seen you write this before, but it’s so true that melamine has come such a long way! These dishes are great! Perfect summer table!
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Oh, and I want to be Ginger.
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Wow I can’t believe you had this post hiding in the archives so long! Love the color of blue in that tablecloth. Those were quite a great buy on the dishes and the napkin rings! That is a pretty raised cylinder piece and the shells look fabulous- I know how tricky it can be to get them staged the way you want. I’m always intrigued with the different varieties of shells and their unique details. As far as those hats go- all I can say is I’m built like the Skipper but I’m silly as Gilligan! That’s all I’m sayin’ about that! 🙂
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I adore nautical!!! This is so well done! I love the netting on the table and your beautiful color palette of varying blues!! Makes me want to grab my topsiders and set sail! ❤❤
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The netting really does set the mood and tone of this wonderful nautical tablescape. The Pier 1 plates are perfect. Gotta love those thrift stores. I did find a package of fish net at the brand new, just opened Dollar Tree Store that just opened in my neighborhood. I was going to hang it up on the back of the gazebo, but now I am thinking tablescape instead. Have a wonderful Fourth of July holiday Alycia.
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Cool blue and white tablescape, and I know what you mean about matching blues. Love the “silver” lobster napkin rings and the striped plates. Thanks for all the fabulous summer tablescape ideas. Happy 4th!
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Hi Alycia – OMG I am obsessing over those blue striped plates. A thrift store? Shazaam! Obsessing I tell you! Everything else is great too, but those blue plates are the best! Hugs, Holly
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Your table looks like it belongs right here on my porch! I love how you used fish net and am going to keep my eye open for some. Enjoy the holiday.
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Perfect for the 4th! Just add that low country lobster boil, and some watermelon for dessert. Love the whimsy of the Captain and sailor’s hats with flip-flops. Oh. so. nautical. Wishing you a safe and happy 4th my friend! xx
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Look at you with your sailor hats and flip flops! I love that touch, it makes everything feel like a frozen moment in time! And those silver lobster napkin rings are plastic?? Really?? It is all nautically nice! Fun summer table, sorry it is linked to a tough time last year, but glad you shared~ Happy Happy 4th!
Jenna
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So lovely…very serene and restful, yet could easily be amped up with the flags. I like the way you did the net over the tablecloth…those anchor plates…I find myself coveting again!
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I can hear the waves crashing now…how can you not help but feel you are on the sands of the beach or on the deck of a beautiful ship, sitting at the wonderful table of nautical delight!….Truly a perfect table for summer enjoyment!…
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Alycia, I always look forward to your tables along with your witty commentary, “crying in a corner somewhere, reeking of cheap wine and low self-esteem”…you know life’s too short to drink cheap wine 🙂 Your nautical table floats my boat! I’m in awe over your wonderful find and bargain lobster napkin rings that are plastic. Wishing you smooth sailing and calm seas this holiday weekend!
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Oh, Alycia, I lOVE your tables and writing style!! This is a great table and all the elements look perfect together ( gotta love that glass cylinder!). Have a wonderful Fourth and thanks for sharing your table. Rosie @ The Magic Hutch
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I am still loving the tall glass cylinder….such drama! and everytime I see one of those cute nets laying over a table I wish I would stop passing them up at the store….Wonderful table Alycia!
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