Thursday, July 9, 2020

Series: Setting the Scene for Year-Round Enjoyment. Part One: Finding the Perfect Table and Chairs Setting

Hello, friends!!  I hope all is splendid with you and yours, and that you are safe and well.

A few weeks ago, I shared a tutorial for the DIY Versailles-inspired planter I built a couple of summers ago.  The building of this planter was the impetus to begin the task of completing my outdoor space.   You may view the post here.



The task of completing my outdoor area took some time to complete and I would love to share a few posts with you detailing the process.  In today's post, I hope you'll join me to see how I chose a charming table and chairs perfect for year-round enjoyment.


The first thing I told myself is to be patient.  I wanted my outdoor space to reflect the sort of old-world charm you might find in a small private garden in Europe, and to have a "collected" look.


I had considered a few standard table and chair sets such as this one:



I have an huge affinity for antiques, and I loved the idea of an antique French patisserie table in the garden:


I love the marble color on the top of this patisserie table from Charish.


So gorgeous!!  From LoveAntiques 


Superb Polished Butler's Pastry Table available at Country French Interiors.


Another option could've been to purchase a standalone bottom and later find a top.  Note the beautiful ornate detail on this iron table bottom from Recuperando.  





And then, without plan, the eureka! moment.  I was out visiting my local Tai Pan Trading store, which unfortunately, was going out of business.  Fortunately for me though, I found a fantastic metal garden table, and fell in love with it instantly.   So pretty, and I loved the French grey color.  Note the delicate details.  Hello, little friend!  Pas mal:



At $100 for the table, I absolutely could not refuse!  Most of the other tables cost $2,000 or more!




Now, onto choosing the chairs.  I knew that I wanted bistro-inspired chairs with ornate details, preferably metal which might patina charmingly over time:


The table from Tai Pan is more of a bar-height table, and thus, finding just the right chairs took time and a lot of browsing.  Here are some of the contenders:





These are part of their bistro collection by William Tricker and are available in several colors.  Shop the collection here.


The French Lou Lou Barstool From LeForge Australia.  See it here


The Cote d'Azur Barstool from LeForge Australia.  See it here.



The Milan Armless Barstool from LeForge Australia.  See it here.


The Fleur-de-Lis Barstool from Brian's Furniture, available in 30" and 24" heights.  Click the link I have provided on the size of stool if you would like to shop.


In the end, I settled on these sweet barstools I found from Pier 1 from their MiraFlores Collection:


What I loved about these was that they were ornate enough and  yet inexpensive, ( >ahem<  comparatively speaking to the others), and required no import or shipping fees!   They are also sturdier than I would've guessed.  SOLD!  If you are interested, you may shop the collection at the link above.



Here are the chairs and table together:



The setting still seemed a little barren, so the last step I took was adding some coordinating cushions from Pier 1 and a flower arrangement I put together using some fabulous fakes from Amazon.  Much better!!




I found the cute metal bucket at my local Marshall's.  It’s plain on one side,


and has charming French detailing on the reverse.



Here's a closer look at the arrangement:



What's great about this arrangement is because the flowers will rest year-round under a shaded area (save for holidays when I change them out) and are faux, they won't fade.  I also chose a muted palette so that if they do fade, they will likely fade into even prettier antiqued hues.



Not bad for fakes!  A sweet teeny grasshopper was fooled as well and dropped by to say hello.  Hi there!  :)




Another look:





Here is the short clip I shared on my Instagram of the whole thing coming together:


I hope you enjoyed this post, and please be safe wherever you may roam!






Until next we meet,


--Y











If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,  

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Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Adding the Final Touches for Independence Day

Hello, Friends out there in the Bloggersphere and beyond! 

During these uncertain and contentious times, I truly like to reflect and remember what is important.  Even though our country is rife with dissension, social and civic unrest, and an ever-growing pandemic, I still love this land.  I still care greatly for our country and my fellow countrymen; I am by definition, a patriot who holds on to the belief that we are evolving closer to the tenets upon which this great nation was founded.  It will take work, for certain, but I truly believe (not naïvely) that we will eventually get there.  Independence Day is just a short time away, so I thought I would share a few last-minute ideas that can be incorporated into your celebration with ease.  I hope you enjoy the post!

Decorating the Front Doors

Nothing for me screams Summertime like nautical flair.  I made these adorable door hangers, and they took no time at all.  They combine the whimsy of Summer fun, and of course, proudly display the red, white, and blue!





To make these you will need:

Red faux flowers
Nautical-style oversized beach tote(s)
Miniature versions of "Old Glory"
Paper towels
Red Ribbon





I began by wadding up the paper towels






and placing them inside the beach totes



until the tote is able to stand up on its own.



I then added the red flowers and the mini flags.



Shown here.



Each tote was attached to the iron on my doors by adding a bit of red ribbon.



I originally placed the flags inside the bags, but I found that threading them through the grommets of the tote held them in place much better.



The completed look.



Left.



Right.


So fun, and so SIMPLE!





Sweet Nuances

I wanted to continue with the nautical theme, so at the backyard cottage,




right next to the flowerbox, a new flag is displayed.  I usually change the flags to match the season, and when I saw this one at Lowe's, I knew it was perfect for this year's theme.




Isn't Mr. Schnauzer too cute snappily outfitted in red, white, and blue sailing regalia!?  Love him!





Setting the Table with Flair

No celebration for me is complete unless it includes delicious treats and a lovely setting to eat them on.  This Independence Day will be no exception.


A no-fuss, no-muss setting in the garden is perfect for a lazy Summer afternoon.





I began the setting with vibrant crimson charger plates placed on a background of crisp white linen


followed by simple white plates.


Cobalt blue stemware for summery sips







are complimented by crimson teacups



and a grand blue bowl full of patriotic charm.



Close up.



Charming little saucers dance merrily



with crisp blue-and-white linens, completing the table setting.








Completed tablescape.




The napkins are easily set aside to place dainty mini Charlotte Russes for guests...strawberry adorned with red ribbon,


and blueberry adorned with blue, of course!



The pièce de résistance??  Blueberry and Strawberry Charlotte.  A Charlotte Russe makes the perfect Summertime dessert.  So light yet so decadent...




and such a pretty presentation adorned with patriotic ribbon!  View of the reverse side.




I hope all is well with each of you and your families.  Please let us remember to be kind and to treat others with respect.  I love the golden rule, it never loses its meaning.  Treat others as you wish to be treated, and God Bless the United States of America!


Until next we meet,


Y



Door Hangers
Totes, Ribbon, and Flags, The 99¢ Store
Red Carnations, The Dollar Tree



Tablescape Elements

Crimson Chargers, generic
White Plates, Ralph Lauren Club Collection
Striped saucers, Kate Spade for Lenox
Crimson teacups, antique
Bowl for centerpiece, Ralph Lauren Somerset Island Collection
Navy and white napkins, Tai-Pan Trading
White French linen tablecloth, Amazon
Silver plated cake plate, Godinger
Faux white roses, Tai Pan Trading
Faux red carnations, The Dollar Tree
Mini flags, The 99¢ Store






If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,  

The Marvelous Maison, a lifestyle blog hub and 
Frugal Fab Fashionista, my fashion blog hub. 

Follow me on Pinterest!!  Please be sure to kindly follow the board guidelines, as it takes time and effort to find fabulous pins across the Internet and Pinterest!  Thank you!  

Thank you for stopping by! ❤