Looking for ideas of seasonal table decorations? table decor? table centerpiece ideas? Look no further!
“There is another sort of day which needs celebrating in song — the day of days when spring at last holds up her face to be kissed, deliberate and unabashed. On that day no wind blows either in the hills or in the mind.”
~E.B. White
~
Joyful spring! Such natural magnificence announces its arrival with flower, song, and the reemergence of the little critters co-orchestrating the celebration! Tickle the inner child within each of your guests as you lavish children of all ages with this gorgeous tablescape bursting with a fanciful flurry of activity. From bunnies and mice to chicks, and the like, join in their festivities to celebrate the arrival of spring! I like to think Beatrix Potter, Lewis Carroll, Kenneth Grahame, A.A. Milne, and Bethany Lowe would all heartily approve :)
The details of my selections follow. Enjoy!
Tablecloth, Runner, & Charger Plates:
- Tablecloth: A gently used Williams-Sonoma green linen tablecloth embellished with spring flowers and hares gently used from ebay was just what I was looking for. Its impeccable quality, spring-ish vibrance, and festive patterning were the perfect backdrop to the featured elements of color and texture. I also once again value so immensely its richness of history, not being “new”.
- Runner: From ebay I acquired a roll of faux grass intended for model train sets. I trimmed it into an oval shape by rounding the corners and hot-glued a delicate, ivory, gathered organza trim purchased from my local JoAnn Fabric & Craft Store. And voila my table runner… and just as I had envisioned it, perfect for the animals to gather upon!
- Chargers: My durable, Williams-Sonoma coated-rattan charger plates are subtler than place mats and reminiscent of spring baskets. They wipe clean, look amazing, and are just the accent I was looking! I found them gently used on ebay as well.
Dishware:
Playing with leaves, flowers, and the juxtaposition between spring greens and pastel awakenings, this lovely collection of dishware includes the following:
- Dinner, salad, and bread and butter plates: Stansbury Federal Shape Syracuse China purchased gently used on ebay.
- Appetizer bowls: Delicate Leaf Bowls from Royal China & Porcelain Companies grace all the place settings but for the table heads. At these locations, floral designed bowls identified as “Lily” by Nanette Vacher for Ambiance Collections gently rest (see photo below). Both were once again purchased gently used on ebay.
Glassware:
- Water glasses: Amici 11 oz. milk glasses purchased on Amazon and embellished with eco-friendlier and healthier than plastic paper straws covered in playful pink polka dots do the trick with great panache. The glasses are made in Italy out of green recycled glass making them not only environmentally sound but adorable to boot! This ensemble really suits the festive tone of the decor.
- Wine glasses: Petite European crystal wine glasses look lovely and allow small, frequent pours for course pairings. These were purchased on ebay. Adorning them sit personalized wine charms: easy to make, lovely to look at, flattering in their individuality, and immensely functional.
- Tea Cups: Gilded mauve inside out heart cups and saucers are such a loving touch. When filled with liquid, they form a heart shape delightful to behold! They are available at Amazon.
- Heart Demi Spoons: Each cup contains a delicate, heart-embellished, gold demi spoon resting within it. These, too, are available at Amazon.
Centerpiece:
A note about the theming: I tried to stay clear of actual copyrighted characters from literature i.e. Peter Rabbit, the White Rabbit, Winnie The Pooh, etc. My goal was to create an evocative spring village inhabited by unidentifiable anthropomorphic animals. The particular scene depicted reflects a Spring Festival and a flurry of activity surrounding it. The overriding purpose was to to entertain, delight, and inspire guests by plunking them right into the heart of the celebration! (I did borrow a bit of Beatrix Potter magic as a tribute to her utter genius by providing a mini book to each guest and by using her imagery on the hurdy gurdies.)
Central Vignette:
- Animal Sculptures: An assortment of lovely Bethany Lowe resin sculptures grace a central platform. I purchased these on ebay, but they are available from a wide variety of outlets. Each of the figures on the event float are sporting festive spring party hats (except Miss Mouse, but she has garland for decorating!). (Those not wearing hats dot the periphery of the display.) I carried this theming through by providing each guest with a unique, hand-crafted spring party hat of their own!
- Stage: Simply crafted from a recycled box as a base, the leftover grass from the creation of the table runner, and a strand of Bethany Lowe Paper Garland, the stage takes the decor to a higher lever (slight pun intended ;-) ) by emphasizing the party! The danger with a “busy” centerpiece is that the theme can get lost. The adding of a central level creates visual organization. It at once clarifies that the party is the central focus, and then each side scene can be enjoyed in its own right or in relation to its overall connection to the village festival.
- Canopy: Once again, that which I sought was unfortunately not available, so I had to make it myself. No worries though, it was easy peasy! Everything I needed was purchased at my local Michaels craft supply store unless otherwise noted (except the drill and other tools used, which were from my household supply.) I segmented two long dowels into four 14-inch pieces creating a total of four canopy posts. Next steps: drilling into some unfinished wooden bases, fastening the dowels using wood glue, and then spray painting the bases with mossy green textured paint. After allowing time to dry (about 24 hrs), I wrapped them each with 2 spring-toned ribbons fastened periodically using hot glue. At the very top of each, a simple bow completed the look. I placed these each under one of the corners of the “stage”. This additional elevation could not have been more perfect, for it allowed me to tuck the power supply from the battery operated lights out of sight. The specific battery operated lights used: one Novelty Light 20-light mini string in “warm white” purchased here from Amazon. I popped the flowers off a spring-themed silk garland and gently pushed several of them over each of the lights creating a lit strand of flowers. Lastly I wired this to the posts (through the bow centers), and then voila… our charming villagers could dance the night away at their glowing spring celebration!
Side Vignette A:
- Resin Figures: The bunnies holding veggies and the “evening stroll” couple are also Bethany Lowe designs. The bunny pushing the cart originated from Oriental Trading. All were purchased on ebay except the couple (click link for their purchasing info.).
- Mini Floral Display: The mini collection of faux lily of the valley in their midst consists of a small vintage cluster of millinery delights from a lovely online shop called Dolls and Lace. These are seated in a vintage egg holder purchased from ebay. I can’t emphasize enough how much I love embellishing table motifs with vintage treasures. They add a richness, depth, and element of nostalgia that is difficult if not impossible to replicate any other way. Typically I love having fresh florals on the table, but when forced to choose, this setting seemed to implore me to opt for the soul of the vintage to lend it that extra air of magic. (For another lovely spring tablescape integrating a large vintage component see my Vintage Pearls and Hankies: Romantic Spring Dining Table Centerpieces and Décor! )
Side Vignette B:
- Resin Figures: All are Bethany Lowe designs purchased from ebay .
- Mini Floral Display: Once again vintage millinery from Dolls and Lace situated within a vintage egg cup from ebay.
Napkin Treatments:
- Napkins: Porthault Paris Hotel Collection – Ivory – purchased from an online auction.
- Napkin Rings: Tulip holders originally purchased from Linens and Things prior to their declaration of bankruptcy but still available on ebay.
Chair Treatments:
- Chair Covers: Ivory Banquet Chair Covers from eFavorMart.com.
- Chair Sashes: Mauve Polyester Sashes from eFavorMart.com.
Other Embellishments:
Party Hats:
Hand designed and crafted spring party hats make festive embellishments, memorable keepsakes, and coax out the inner childhood joy of one and all! Click here for my template and tutorial detailing their creation.
Place Card Ensembles:
- Place Card Holders: These lovely holders are a Bethany Lowe Design. I scoured all over to purchase these cuties because I loved them so much and ended up finding some of them on ebay and the rest from a virtual village called JZ Rose.
- Place Cards: I purchased a set of 12 of these French Country Place Cards from Victorian Trading Co. They also carry the Place Card Holders. (Another option: click here for instructions on making lovely spring floral place cards.)
Favors:
- Candies: Lake Champlain filled chocolate eggs from Whole Foods. All natural and delicious! (2 each)
- Goodie Bags: Each shrink-wrapped bag (use hair dryer to fit) contained one story from an adorable Beatrix Potter Mini Book Set (purchased on ebay but also available on Amazon) and one rowing bunny (from sets of three purchased at Gaelsong.). They are closed with a simple knot of twine and embellished with a delicate yellow paper rose. I purchased these flowers in white at my local Michael’s craft store and “dyed” them pale yellow with a single dip in a solution of 1/4 c water and 1 drop yellow food coloring. After drying, I gently hot glued them to the twine. (Take care not to let the hot glue touch the bag itself as the plastic may melt.)
Hurdy Gurdies:
These timeless mini music boxes have been an instant guest favorite at my celebrations for years. They are available at Victorian Trading Co. For this table setting I used the Easter Hurdy Gurdies and for further personalization, covered them with unique sections of Beatrix Potter Gift Tags from Kingdom Kards, a lovely Etsy shop with a grand assortment of Beatrix Potter-inspired creations.
And that’s a wrap! I hope you’ve enjoyed these seasonal table ideas, and as you plant this year’s seeds for your own hopes and dreams, may your spring fill you with enchantment and delight!
Happy spring!!!!!
