Summer Table and Bar

 

            Happy Summer!!!

            I am not the type of person who likes spending time outdoors, like at all; especially if its hot and humid! However, I do love creating simple and beautiful spaces outdoors that perhaps, will invite me to sit awhile. So, today, I am sharing a simple, cozy and inviting tablescape, along with a fun bar cart set up that will hopefully bring me outside to enjoy the summer season. Maybe for an hour or two :)

            I used items that I already had on hand and most are either from the dollar store or local thrift stores, so this can easily be created in your outdoor space too very affordably. 

            I started off with a simple natural sea grass table runner and added some woven place mats for some added texture. I think they are the perfect summer base for the casual, relaxed vibe I was going for. And the place mats are easily washable, so no need to worry about spills!

            I then added simple white melamine plates, white handled cutlery and white linen napkins with thrifted rattan napkin rings to complete the look of the place setting, along with my favourite summer glasses from www.pier1.com .  I love using melamine dishes when dining outdoors. It's practical and can still look chic if you buy good ones. Also, I am not so worried about them breaking or getting damaged!      

            Next, for a simple centrepiece idea, I simply used these potted faux plants I had around my house! I love the aged terracotta look, and you could easily use herbs or real flowering plants instead of the faux ones, but I created this table setting on the fly, so I was okay with it.

                                                                                                                                                                                          I always like to add a little something extra to my place settings if I can, and when I found these resin/clay starfish at www.dollartree.com, I knew they would be perfect! If you are having guests over, they make they cutest summer party favor. You could even add a name tag to them to act as a place card. 

          

              Also while at the Dollar Tree, I happened upon these adorable fruit shaped trinket dishes which are for holding jewelry, but added to my summer table, they are just too cute. They can also be a cute favor for guests to take home with them, or use it as a butter pad, or add some sliced limes and lemons for your drinks! They will also make pretty tealight candle holders which you can place down the middle of your table! The possibilities are endless!

               

              Now that the table setting was done, it was time to move onto a the bar cart. We have had this white cart/trolley from www.ikea.com for a while now and never really put it to good use. So I thought, why not have some fun and set it up as an accessible bar area for me and my guests! 

               I gave it a good cleaning and then started to have fun styling it up! I used a couple sea grass place mats to put on the shelves to display the bar items, then kept it simple with bottled water, a bowl of fresh lemons and limes, a cocktail pitcher and all the essential bar tools needed to make the perfect summer cocktail!

                Some stylish bar glasses, straws, and stir sticks, along with this adorable cocktail sign, finish off the look. It's also a good idea to have a tea towel or bar towel handy too for spills. I hung a white flour sack towel here on the handle of the cart for easy access. Now, there is no reason why you and your guests can't help themselves to some refreshments and there is no going in and out of the house either, which makes it easier to relax and enjoy the company!

                 So there you have it! An easy, casual, yet elegant table scape that will take no time at all to recreate and it doesn't cost a fortune to do! All that's left is to start up the barbecue!

                  I hope you take away some ideas from this post and that it encourages you to get outside and enjoy the summer season! 

 Until next time!

A~

PRODUCT INFORMATION:

- placemats and runner from www.homesense.ca

- napkins and white melamine plates from www.realcanadiansuperstore.ca

-fruit shaped trinket dishes, white cutlery, and resin starfish from www.dollartree.com

-rattan basket weave napkin rings from www.valuevillage.ca

-rattan and green glass tumblers from www.pier1.com

-terracotta pots and faux greenery from www.michaels.com

-melamine snack bowls (on table) from www.chapters.indigo.ca

BAR CART

-gold bar glasses from www.crateandbarrel.ca

-flour sack towel from www.walmart.ca

-glass cocktail pitcher from www.chapters.indigo.ca

-bar tools such as zester and peeler from www.dollarama.com

-white bar cart/trolley from www.ikea.com