Sunshine State Yellow!

People often think of aqua and coral as Florida colors but we're named the Sunshine State and that means YELLOW!  My Easter flowers had some life left in them  so I picked all the yellow ones left as a start to my tablescape this week.  This is the first time I've tried yellow in my Dining Room and I like the way it looks with my "paprika" colored walls and medium toned furniture. 

No that isn't fog in my Dining Room, just the "matte" effect from Picnik.

When I am thinking of ideas for tables I may start with candlesticks, vases or a napkin ring but when it comes down to physically putting it together I always start with my place setting.  Then I can see how much space I have left on the table to determine the scale of the other elements.  Since this is a table for four I'm not using the leaf (and because I can't put it in by myself!)

The placemats and napkins are Tommy Bahama and I got them at Ross.  You can read about them HERE. 

The stoneware plates were also found at Ross.  To me they look vintage (50's maybe?) and modern (clean lines) at the same time.  The napkin ring is from Walmart and it matches nicely with the rattan charger (Beall's Outlet)

I layered a yellow napkin (Ross) to bring out the yellow in the fabric.  I'm using my teak flatware that my mother gave me.  I've been looking for some bamboo flatware that doesn't look too plastic and doesn't cost much.  Any suggestions fellow tablescapers?  In the meantime I like how this set is so versatile and extremely well made.

The water glass is from Home Goods and the base is just a bit yellow.  Even though there are candles on the table, I think of this as a daytime setting so no wine glasses today. (not that I'm opposed to drinking wine in the middle of the day!)

For the centerpiece I added some greens and flowers from my yard to the leftover Easter flowers .After trying several vases and other containers I decided to use this rattan footed bowl since it adds texture and coordinated with the chargers and napkin rings.

I found a glass bowl that fit in perfectly, added water and arranged (stuck in any which way) the flowers and greens.  Then I added a few berry picks in the orange color to fill in.  The tall red flowers are called firecracker and grow well here in Florida. 

I found these 2 glass cylinders at Ross this week for around $3 a piece and I knew they would be so versatile I had to buy them.  Sometimes simple is the right fit.

I filled the bottoms with coffee beans.  Here's a tip.  I keep the coffee beans in a bag in my freezer and then just take them out when I want to decorate with them.  This keeps them fresh and they smell great too!

Just plop in a yellow candle and you're done!

I think this table came off with a casual vibe and that really suits my Dining Room best.  What I have discovered the past few weeks is that flowers really make the table.  I've gotten 4 different arrangements out of  my Easter flowers and each one has looked completely different.  One tip to remember, make sure the arrangement is not too tall so as to block your guests from seeing each other.  It's fine to remove your centerpiece when you sit down (not sure if this is proper etiquette but it's good common sense, right?).  I spent Easter dinner not being able to see my husband at the other end of the table because my arrangement was too tall!  Could he have been making faces at me???

I want to thank everyone who left me comments last week and thank you for your suggestions for an alternative to Picnik.  Looks like Picassa is the way to go.

Get ready for this upcoming event at Robin Flies South...

My sister Elaine, of Creating Wonderful Spaces, gave me a set of  "Jungle" print placemats for Christmas and she happens to have a set too.  On May 3rd we will both be using them in our tablescapes so be sure to see how each of us makes them our own!  You can see the results of Sister Act 1 HERE where we both happened to buy the same appy plates.

Be sure to visit my sister at Creating Wonderful Spaces.

I will be linking up to the following parties...

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Let's Dish! at Cuisine Kathleen

Centerpiece Wednesday at the Style Sisters

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants