Sea and Sand Tablescape

This post is working double duty today for both Tablescape Thursday hosted by the diva of dishes, Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch and Thrifty Thursday, hosted by the lovely Leigh @ Tales From Bloggeritaville.

Things are going coastal here at the Lace and Ivy Cottage. Growing up in Southern California meant that the beach was my playground every summer. So, for this week's tablescape, I thought I'd bring a little bit of the sea and sand to my dining room table. But anyone who knows me knows what a bargain hunter I am, so as with almost all the decor in my home, it's done on a thrifty budget. It's a great way to spark a little creativity in my nest.

First, here are a couple of views of my dining table. It has a great story to tell, so if you haven't read about it already, please click here.

My table seats 10, so in order to keep my tablescapes from breaking the bank, frugal finds and creativity are a must!


I wanted to keep the color palette organic in order to create an elegant, yet casual setting.


I wanted a dramatic centerpiece for this tablescape, so I came up with a sandscape in a giant clam shell that I found at Home Goods. At $16.99, it was my biggest purchase, but I know I'll be able to use it as a serving bowl in the future. I filled it with crushed coral from our empty aquarium. Some of the shells and reeds are from a potpourri box from Home Goods. Not only did I get the seashells at a great price, but they smell good, too!

The stemware are from the Dollar Tree.



The placemats suggest a look of beach mats, and I got 13 of them for $3 at a yard sale.

These blue plates are from the Dollar Tree as well. Do you Dollar Tree fans recognize it?

These sand colored plates were acquired just yesterday from an IKEA outlet near my home. I purchased 12 of them. And for just 6 for $1, that's right just $1 for 6, it was $2 well spent!

The "beach towel" napkins are inexpensive wash cloths folded in a fan to resemble a scallop shell. It's held together with cotton cording bought at a craft store for 59 cents a yard and tied in a square knot for a nautical effect.

I wanted to raise my clam shell to give it some height and prominence, and my clever hubby suggested I raise it on some stones, also from the empty aquarium. He added some plastic seaweed as well. Isn't he just the BEST! Even my DH is supporting the habit!

See these sand dollars? I got 11 of them from a yard sale for $2. They were originally sold as Christmas ornaments with green and red ribbon tied to them. Just a little snip, snip and they were back to their original state.

This is a baby clamshell that I happened to have in my cupboard.




I have a couple of these fish bowls that I found at a yard sale for 25 cents a piece.

I was lucky to find this snail shell at the Dollar Tree, though I only found one.

I created a stone runner using natural colored rocks from the Dollar Tree. Boy, the Dollar Tree really delivered this time!

This rock formation is another aquarium accessory. Gosh, I'm glad that aquarium doesn't have water or fish yet!


Don't you just love it when a vision comes together just as you planned it?
I hope you enjoyed my Sea and Sand Tablescape done on a budget. Stay tuned for Foodie Friday where I'll share a recipe that goes with our beachy theme! Thanks for stopping by at the Lace and Ivy cottage. Please say hello, I love hearing from you!


Till next time,