An Eclectic Tablescape for Spring

I was sick a few weeks ago and I spent WAY too many hours on the couch watching English designers on Design Notes and Homeworthy on You Tube.  I love the English cottages I saw--full of eclectic and delightful mixes of textiles, dishes, patterns, and colors. The talented homeowners are not afraid to live by the philosophy that more is more as they create cozy spaces with quirky and unique objects that they love.

Inspired by my decor show marathon, I created an eclectic tablescape full of curated, sunny and cheerful finds. 

What I noticed in the shows I watched were tables styled with a variety of objects, stacks of plates and dishes setting out to be used, asymmetrical vignettes, and lots of color.

Let's start with the base or tablerunner. I sewed this one from a pair of cotton curtain panels from the thrift store.

Because the blue patterned piping on the edge was only on one side of each panel, I cut the washed panels in half and ironed under the cut side. I then topstitched along the edge so that the colorful piping would show. 

I have both leaves in our table right now so the runner hit the table corners when I placed it lengthwise. I decided to run it widthwise, across the table for now.

I also sewed four cloth napkins and have enough fabric to sew four more or a couple pillows. I placed the napkins in a popsicle basket and put a funny wood frog on top as a hold down. We always and pretty much only use cloth napkins daily.

I've shared tablescapes and vignettes and centerpieces before and I always use a similar formula: Repeat colors, vary height, anchor or ground the space with something, use something natural like plants or wood. Everything in my tablescape is thrifted or from a garage sale except the mason jar that was given to me from a dear friend in 2000 when my son Mason, who passed at 6 days old, was born. It belonged to her grandma and says Perfect Mason on it. In the mason jar and a green pitcher are GOOD faux flowers--tulips and calla lilies. 

I placed the flowers on a wood and metal cake stand for more height. I also put a little green wooden sofa on the cake stand. Why a sofa? Why not?

A stack of vintage, Stetson China plates in the green Rio pattern sit on one side of the cake stand. On the plates sits a blue and green pottery strainer with real lemons and a lime in them. A copper peppermill is not only a useful item, but it adds more height next to the plates and warm metal tones.

I love candlelight at the table. A pair of green candlesticks are sitting at an angle in front of the cake stand.

A shallow wood bowl holds vintage green dessert plates. A sky blue, handmade, footed, pottery mug holds faux shamrocks. I found the mug in a free pile on the side of the road. 

This eclectic tablescape is cheerful and fun. It is just the hubby and I at home so the extra items (which really are minimal compared to the English tables) don't get in the way of our everyday meals. We will use the plates and other items when we want--nothing is too precious and all of it makes me smile and shouldn't our home spaces bring us joy?