Robin Flies South...

A blog about decorating and tablescaping with an emphasis on creativity and smart shopping over cash!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

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
























22 comments:

Aledia said...

What a very pretty setting! I just love the linens and flatware...Thank You for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful night!

Aledia @ Plum Perfect

Elaine said...

Just the right amount of yellow for me (it can really dominate) and it does look very pretty in your dining room. I love the placemats and napkins--tropical in a subtle way. I got lucky with my bamboo flatware (you commented that it didn't look too plastic-y, and that's because they are made of wood!) from SteinMart on clearance. Can't hurt to look! If I ever find them I will snap them up for you!

Marlis said...

Such a very pretty table. I love the colors. They do look wonderful in your dining room. Your dining set is absolutely wonderful. Love the napkins and placemats. The dishes are the perfect color of yellow.. so really pretty. Happy Earth Day.. xo marlis

Ivy and Elephants said...

Robin, you have done our fair state proud. Your tablescapes are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing these inspirational vignettes!

Paula

Tea in Texas said...

I love your yellow colors for this tablescape! The linens are my favorite with the colorful appeal of Florida. Your place settings do have a vintage feel and great use of the rattan even with the centerpiece. Great for Earth Day! Pam

Scribbler said...

Well, I certainly hope your husband wasn't making faces at you! ;-p

Pretty table -- I do love Tommy Bahama fabrics.

PAT said...

Very pretty table. I love the mats and napkins.

Sarah said...

Yellow always makes me smile! This is a charming table full of perfect details for Earth Day. Love that footed rattan bowl.

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

I love all the natural elements that make up your table setting. I love the tropical feel!

Alycia Nichols said...

That's right....I had completely forgotten that Florida is known as the Sunshine State! Yellow is a perfect color, and it really does work well in your dining room! Beautiful flowers for the centerpiece!!! Please stop what you're doing right now, get your car keys, head down to Home Depot, pick up as much bubble wrap as you can fit in your car, come back home, carefully wrap that dining table and send it STRAIGHT TO ME!!! I just love the corners and the legs!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barbara said...

What a pretty table! I love the colors. Your dishes are so pretty. I agree with your thoughts - vintage and modern all at the same time. The linens are perfect.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I totally love your dining room, the paprika walls are fabulous, so my colors. The tablescape is stunning. I really love the addition of the yellow, and the touch of turquoise is lovely. Great color combination and beautifully done. Thanks tons for joining TTT. I am your newest follower and so happy to find your blog. Hugs, Marty

Sandy said...

Your so right about the yellow
looking beautiful with the colors
in your dining room.. love the wall colors also..
thanks so much for visiting my blog
and your sweet comments..
Sandy

eleven-o-one said...

You may just have to come help me with my dining room. LOVE the entire table. I am no good at tablescaping.

xinex said...

Your table is really pretty, Robin, very tropical looking. I love your furniture too. Your wall paint is gorgeous. You know I like yellow plates, they are bright and cheerful and your Tommy Bahama napkins and placemats are perfect for this set up, very Caribbean....Christine

Kathleen said...

Very pretty! I don't mind if yellow dominates, it is so cheerful.
Great job on the cylinders, very organic. Your dining room is very pretty! It doesn't look Florida ey at all!:). It could be NJ!
Thanks for linking this pretty table to Let's Dish!
May challenge is Mom's Day...a table using something of your mom's or her fave color or flowers.
Have a great weekend in the Sunshine State!

Kathleen said...

Oh, Horchow has the bamboo flatware. When it was on sale it was about 17.00. They have sales often, and if you link up through mrrebates.com you get a % age back.

Entertaining Women said...

Such a lovely table. I adore the pedestal rattan bowl...I'd be using that all the time this summer! You did a great job repurposing your flowers. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla said...

So lovely! Very tasteful :)
Visiting from Tablescape Thursday

Greetings from Sunny Queensland Australia's Sunshine State♥
~Pernilla

Marigene said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely! I really like yellow, but have very little in the way of dishes. I just love the linens you chose to go with the dishes.
Have a great weekend, Robin.

Diane said...

Such a pretty table setting! I love the layered napkin look and I am totally jealous of those napkin rings! I have a Marshall's and a Ross here and usually end up at Marshall's. I think I need to visit Ross more often. Great job!

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Beautiful job Robin, love the colors and fabric in your placemats and napkins. Also flowers in your centerpiece are lovely.