Wednesday, June 10, 2009

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,



40 comments:

ellen b said...

What a great table. I love the colors and the theme!! Very nice...

Allidink said...

That is like the best looking most affordable tablescape I have ever seen! Wow! It is so beachy and cute! That giant clam shell really does bring a presence to the table.

All the best,
Allison

Domestic Designer said...

You did a fabulous job! I love your "napkins" and napkin rings!

Kammy said...

Hi Lorna !
What a great job on a budget! You did so well and os so many settings ! Very pretty !
Hugs ~ Kammy

Keetha Broyles said...

All of it is very lovely, but my FAVORITE part are the terry cloth napkins, and sooooo practical too!!!

Anonymous said...

Evening, Lorna! What a wonderful table you've set! I love how elegant your beachy theme is! Every is so pretty!
be a sweetie,
shelai :)

Maryrose said...

Hi Lorna,
Love the beach theme with the soothing colors. Makes me want to dip my toes in the ocean. Your pictures showed off your table beautifully.
~Maryrose~

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I LOVE, LOVE the Dollar Tree. That's where I bought most of my tablescape today too. It is just such a fun place. I love your coastal theme. It is so refreshing and your entire tablescape theme is so well carried out and created. Great creativity and inspiration. Your two apothecary jars would be fabulous decorated for our Cloche and Apothecary party that's going to be held on the 19th. Check out my blog for details if you havn't already and join the fun. Hugs, Marty

Southerncook said...

Casual elegance is the way I would describe your tablesetting. Just gorgeous.

Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

Very NICE! Those sand dollars are amazing, what a find!Great job!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

This is a great beach tablescape! You really got great deals and man I love that hugh shell centerpiece! Love that your hubby helped out too -- how great is that!

Martha said...

I love beach tablescapes although the beach is far from the prairie. This is a great one!

Barb said...

Lorna, your table is lovely and all the centerpieces are sooo pretty. Wonderful job.

Barb

bj said...

Well, this is the cutest and the beachiest table I've ever seen. And all on a budget. It looks absolutely SUPER...YOU DID SOOOO GOOD...

Tami said...

I just love your beach table settings. It's so pretty!

I also love the Dollar Tree. I rarely go there without leaving with something.

niartist said...

I'm just picking my jaw up off the desk! I can't believe some of that came from Dollar Tree. It's sheer perfection - the whole set up! I'm green with envy! And (whatever color fits) with shock! :) Thanks for sharing!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Thanks so much for stopping by my TT and your gracious comments. By all means please use your hurricanes and join the Cloche Party. I think a lot of people are using several different kinds of containers. Anything that you can decorate inside I think qualifies. I hope you will join in the fun. Hugs, Marty

Unknown said...

Beautiful! So natural and elegant. Speaking of elegant, you did something I never thought possible...made Dollar Tree elegant! Thanks so much for sharing!

Tina

xinex said...

Oh Lorna, I just love your sea/beachscape table. The centerpiece is awesome and how sweet of your hubby to help you create it. Love the apothecary jars too. You put everything together so perfectly and I can't believe you found 12 plates for $2 Wow!....Christine

Chandy said...

Lorna, beautiful, beautiful table! I couldn't do better dear friend and I'm constantly thinking! Perfect and thrifty too! That's amazing! ;-)

Anonymous said...

WOWZER!!!! you are amazing. To do this with the $ you spend is SUPER!!!!! love everything and just WOW!!!!

Dana and Daisy said...

Lorna, I think you definitely get the bargain hunter's prize! So many great finds. I saw the stemware yesterday at Dollar tree and was surprised. They look just like a set I bought years ago at pottery barn and paid way too much for!

Unknown said...

Very beautiful table. Great thrifty finds. Love the beach theme!

Mary said...

Wow, that's a terrific tablescape, and thrifty, too. ;) LOVE your gorgeous table -- hubby has good taste!

Sherrie said...

Hi!
Love your table! Beautiful! I really like your center piece, very inventive and it's beautiful! Have a great day!

Sherrie
http://100sweets.blogspot.com/2009/06/thrifty-thursday.html

Diana LaMarre said...

Beautiful, Lorna. I do love that giant clam shell.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Your tablescape is absolutely lovely! Such great ideas with the shell bowl and shells. Love the little shell bowl. Went to Dollar Tree yesterday and found nothing!

~~Rhonda said...

Lorna, you are a frugal genius! Great job. I love the clam shell with the sand/shells. So very pretty! Good job!

Kathleen Ellis said...

What a wonderful beachey tablescape...I can hear the waves now! You've thought of every detail and pulled it all together masterfully!
Happy TT! ;-D

DeAnna said...

Wow! Just delightful & inspiring!

Sharing with Sherri said...

Thanks for visiting me Lorna!

Your tablescape is so lovely and very creatively done!!
I love your silver too in your blog banner,and the gorgeous green and white teacup and saucer!!

Have a wonderful day!
Sherri:)

Anonymous said...

Oh I truly enjoyed your Sea and Sand table! Every little detail is so clever and beautiful put together. You and DH really have an eye for this. I give 5 stars for the teamwork alone..lol
Jannet

Kristin - The Goat said...

There is such a thing as an IKEA outlet ? OMGoodness! I'm almost in heart failure thinking about my favoritest store having an outlet!

Your table decorations are delightful and I think that giant clam truly makes the table - great job!!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

It is simply amazing what beautiful and interesting things you were able to create with so little money..and you can always use them else where.
I am not that familiar with the dollar store..but I do know that I found some lovely flower pots there just recently...and I would have paid much more for them else where.
I enjoyed my visit and checking out each thing you did...and HOW you did it! Beautiful!!

~smiles~
Mona

Christina said...

Truly magnificent. Love the beachy theme. The clam shell centerpiece is just so pretty. I also love the little snail shell and the clear glass fish bowls. So pretty.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Lorna, this is so pretty. I think your washcloths for beach towel napkins is so clever, and also the way you did the napkin ring and fanned the napkin. That claim shell in the center is well worth $16! The entire tablescape turned out so great! laurie

Anonymous said...

Very creatively done, Lorna - especially the centerpiece.

Thank you for visiting and leaving the kind comment for me.

Shirley said...

Lorna,
You have the most inspiring ideas in just this one tablescape!! I love all your ideas. Especially how you fixed the wash cloth and cord for the napkin. Very clever. I'm new to this and can't wait to go hunting thru your blog. Also, I can't get over that you have nine children and HOMESCHOOL them!!! You must be one of the most organized women in the US!!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Lorna,

I am most impressed. You get the award this week for thriftist and most beautiful tablescape! That table is sooo me! I may have to see if I can copy. I hope you are flattered for being my inspiration! I LOVE it! Thanks for participating in Thrifty Thursday!

Melanie@TheOldWhiteCottage said...

Love the cord tie on the napkins. I've been trying to think of something summery like that for my napkins so I may have to steal that! ;-)

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