(P.S. If you got that reference to “in living color” in the title, you – like me – are o.l.d.!!!!!š)
Inspiration for this tablescape the first of two I’ve created for this year) came about while browsing the showroom at Nell Hill’s in Kansas City, MO. The showy hues of the jockey silks reminded me of how colorful the Derby truly is even beyond the ladiesā hats in the stands.
With the energetic riot of color all around, I kept the centerpiece relatively simple using only the Derbyās signature red roses in a sleek trophy cup flanked by horse heads.
āAnd theyāre off!ā Hereās where the REAL show of color runs! Multicolored straw runners are the foundation for a cobalt blue charger, chartreuse and red plates, and tri-color stemware. Notice the unusual way in which I offset the stack to best show off the colors. The Pomegranate Derby-inspired napkins from Nell Hill’s depict the fabulous array of tones used for jockey silks.
A single horseshoe embellishes each end of the table runners.
The traditional drinking vessel of the Kentucky Derby: the silver mint julep cup!
I used two different Pomegranate cocktail napkins because I couldnāt decide on just one! The napkins are nestled into individual trophy cups from Michaelās at each place setting.
No race day fĆŖte is complete without an aromatic and calorie-free (š) Derby pie!
I canāt believe I didnāt include Woodford Reserve hereš¤¦š½āāļø, but a generous selection of Kentucky bourbons is always a nice touch as guests have their favorites.
A cavalcade of miniature julep cups for taste testing various brands!š„š„š„
Absolutely no Kentucky Derby celebration properly comes together without a dashing chapeau for the gents (my late Dad’s straw Stetson is a winner!) and a wildly styled hat for the ladiesā¦the bigger, broader, and bolder the better!!!
Whip up or order in some wonderful food, create a fun atmosphere, grab your hat, choose your favorite to wind up in the winner’s circle, and settle in for the greatest 2 minutes in sports!
I’ll post a more formal Kentucky Derby tablescape in a few days. Meanwhile, if you’d like to check out Derby tablescapes from previous years on this site:
I have perhaps finally gotten the hang of adding a wee bit of voiceover to my videos. This is my first, so please grant me your kind mercy! (In my head I sound like the very Scottish Mrs. Hughes in āDownton Abbeyā when I say that !š¤£š¤£š¤£)
April is on its way out, and Iām getting this post up just by the skin of my teeth! While Missouri isnāt exactly the cherry blossom capital of the world, we have our fair share of beauties. Our orchard when I was a kid had several that always produced the most magnificent show of color! As for the fruitā¦well, the birds got the lionās share of that.š
The centerpiece starts with a fountain of pink and white faux cherry blossom branches assembled in a simple white cylinder. To more closely tie in with the plates, I added a number of bare branches.
I absolutely LOVE the gold tone stick-thin flatware and colored glassware, all from Home Goods.
I have no recollection where I may have bought these faux bonsai, but theyāre a wonderment for Asian-inspired decorating.
This magnificent monogrammed lumbar pillow is from the supremely talented SewGraciousMonograms.
The goldtone pagoda lanterns are from a decor boutique here in the city of Leeās Summit where we live called Cameronās Home Furnishings. I love to go there to browse, and I almost always find something I simply ācanāt live without.āš The sake set is from World Market.
I love to use fabric cocktail napkins even when Iām just having a glass of ice water, and I have quite an expansive collection. These were recently acquired fromThe Robinās Nest on ETSY, and I canāt say enough great things about the design!
This tablescape works well for cherry blossom season celebrations, National Cherry Pie Day (already come and gone this year, but will make its return on Monday, February 20, 2023), George Washington’s birthday, ladiesā birthdays, bridal or baby showers, the promotion of breast cancer awareness, or for any Asian-inspired occasion.
Interested in seeing more Asian-inspired posts on this blog? Check these out:
Iām trying to stay upbeat, but itās hard to do when so many are needlessly and through no fault of their own suffering so much. Iāve felt this way regarding many people targeted by bullies, and today (as in the weeks since the vicious and unwarranted attack began) Iām thinking more than ever about the people of Ukraine.šŗš¦ I began pulling together a tablescape meant to be a joyous representation of Spring and ended up in tears. Iām going to post this without a lot of further commentary because Iām otherwise going to start cussing…and crying again.š¤¬š¢
The blue-rimmed chargers are from Hobby Lobby, the “Mirandela” pattern dinner plates (last featured here in August of 2021) and cobalt blue stemware from Pier 1, the J.A. Henckels “Bellaserra” flatware and Cristal d’Arques “Capella” wine stems from Macy’s, and the cream soup sets from Nell Hills in Kansas City, MO. The “Opera” Royal Crystal Rock glasses were an estate sale find.
While these are faux greenery (Kirklandās) and flowers (Kirklandās and a wholesale outlet), fresh ones on your table would be glorious. I found the curvy cobalt vase at Z Gallerie some years ago.
I often take liberties with candlesticks and employ them as finials.
Lighting candles of hope.
This is by no means the definition of āart imitating lifeā, but the people of Ukraine are on my mind and in my heart, and their plight is burning a hole into my very soul. May God bless them all. šŗš¦
There are a couple of other blue and yellow tablescapes on this blog you might like to see that incorporated these same Pier 1 dishes:
Itās official. We are now in the midst of Easter Week 2022. Iām trying to remember when my prayers have been as fervent and anguished as theyāve been these past several weeks. So much horror, sadness, and suffering happening on a globalšŗš¦ as well as a personal level.š (My favorite brother-in-law, Kenny, passed away, and his services had to be canceled due to an aggressive COVIDš¦ š·š·š¤ outbreak.) My heart is so heavy.š
Iāve got to escape, place my thoughts elsewhere for a while. Iām posting this joyous Easter tablescape as a respite from this worldās wretchedness with continued prayers for peace.
Garden vegetables are the star of this show! Iām fortunate to be within 30 miles of Nell Hills in Kansas City, MO. I found these crazy gorgeous, scarily realistic carrot tops (this season) and lettuce heads (2020) there. They will both see a lot of action over the years to come!
The napkins are actually towels from that bargain area in the front of every Target store. They have really upped their game there in recent years! The towels came in sets of 2 patterns: This one with bunnies on a green backgroundā¦
ā¦and this one with the inspiration for this postās title on a white background.
White ceramic flower pots filled with green leaf lettuce š„¬ and carrots.š„š„š„ While these are props, you could use the real deal and then have one whale of a salad the following day!š„
To-mÄ-to/ To-mĆ”h-to. Itās all good in the garden!š š š
The vegetable theme carries over to the vitrine.
Whatās Easter without eggs?
Who says floral greenery canāt be produce?š„¬
Coffee spoons nestled together in a ceramic basket.
If you’d like to check out more Spring and Easter tablescapes on this blog, here’s a LONG list from which to choose. I wish you a HAPPY EASTER filled with joy and peace.
Easter Sunday is just about a week away now. Whether you’re hosting a big family affair or just taking it easy, you still have to eat a good breakfast. Why not set the table the night before and start the day with something slightly luxurious without too much fuss?
It will be just the two of us for Easter Sunday breakfast at the kitchen table, but we both have hearty appetites! So yes…we’ll be eating ALL the foods!š
I always try to add a little something extra special like these rose-topped sugar cubes for our coffee.
“Carnegie” by Christopher Stuart iced beverage glass with a pineapple motif sits alongside Cristal d’Arques “Ashville Gold” champagne flutes for mimosas.
Hey! Don’t judge! It’s been a LONG Lenten season. Our sweet tooth has some catching up to do!
These sweet wood bunnies have been sold at Hobby Lobby for several years now. This one looks so at peace…right in line with Easter Sunday.
We can be a couple of Messy Marvins, so I often employ full-sized decorative towels as napkins. These are from those bins we all know and love at the front of every Target store!
You may recognize this arrangement from my recent post, Bunny Pink EasterLuncheon. It found its way here to the breakfast bar for the season.
A few Easter touches added to the ever-present coffee bar.
I love my collection of Grace Teaware “Pin Dots” pink dishes.
Still looking for just the right tablescape for your Easter celebration? Check out these past Easter/Spring posts for ideas!
Less than two short weeks and counting until Easter Sunday! I have a few ideas that I hope will serve to inspire as you prepare your table this year. First up, a lovely luncheon or brunch table sure to delight your guests.
Iām so thrilled to finally use these Kate Spade āRutherford – Pinkā dishes!!! They are a favorite in my collection! For a fabulous tribute to a Breast Cancer survivor or a sweet bridal or baby shower, just swap out the bunny, ears, and eggs!
Each guest treated to a pair of bunny ears from Dollar Tree. Great for selfies later!
Flatware from my Momās house that I thought would be fun with this setting.
The blush of just barely pink glassware from Home Goods doesnāt compete with the dishes.
The pink and white checked table runner is a fortuitous Hobby Lobby find from last year.
Whoās this handsome fellow? Why, itās BARTON, of course! My year-round bunny who lives all over the house! Barton stands in a Home Goods basket surrounded by a lush menagerie of muted faux greenery, berries, and tulips. I added a trio of metal garden spheres from The Painted Sofa in Kansas City, MO, and a fabulous oversized bow tie from Nell Hills.
I’ve had all kinds of ideas for Spring and Easter tablescapes over the years. Some wild, some weird, some peacefully wonderful. If you’d like to check them out, here’s a sampling!
Tablescapes at Table /Twenty-One 