When you think about styling a tabletop for entertaining in spring, your mind automatically goes to pastel colors, right? Well, there’s always a place for gorgeous pastel hues in spring, which I wrote about in this post. But today, I’m veering from the usual spring color palette and showing you how to create a beautiful dinner party table, inspired by the colors of Tuscany in springtime.
MY INSPIRATION: HUES OF BLUE & GREEN
The inspiration for my “Springtime in Tuscany” tabletop was the colors in this stunning tablecloth by the venerable French linen company Garnier Thiebaut in a pattern called “Giardino” (which is Italian for “garden”). In the detail shot above, you can see the rich details of the flowers, leaves, artichokes and grapes in layers of blue and green, with intermittent pops of olivey-yellow-green.
I first spotted the tablecloth in an Instagram photo, so I took a screenshot and did a Google image search and found the pattern. Garnier Thiebaut has a video that shows their design process, which shows the beautiful botanical designs that are meticulously hand-painted by talented artists. The final design is then digitally printed onto pre-washed 100% linen fabric. It’s fascinating what goes into creating a gorgeous textile!
The tablecloth comes in several sizes: 102″ length (which I used on my dining table that seats six), an 89″ long rectangular size, a 45″ x 45″ and 61″ x 61″ square size (which would look beautiful layered over a cream or white rectangular linen tablecloth. These are not inexpensive, but they are definitely special – and would also make a lovely housewarming or wedding gift. A set of 4 large napkins are also available in this pattern (although I like to use the napkins as part of another table setting, without the tablecloth, as I think it’s a little too matchy for my taste).
SETTING THE TABLE
When I placed the tablecloth on my dining table, I decided that it needed to be the star of the show, with the dishes, flowers (or, in this case greenery) and other tabletop items serving as supporting players.
To layer each place setting, I started with light wood charger plates, which contrasted nicely with the tablecloth. I also found another wood-looking charger at a great price (a set of 6 for under $30 – they’re acrylic but no one will notice because they’re under the dinner plate). Since this is a “garden” theme, I like how the wood texture echoes elements you would find in a garden (namely, tree branches).
Next, I added classic cream-colored dinner plates (these Lenox Perle Beaded dinner plates are very similar in style to the ones pictured). I layered the dinner plates with my favorite light-grey rimmed salad plates by Gien (link to a similar salad plate here and here). Keep in mind that the goal is to layer shades of creamy-white on top of wood, to complement the tablecloth.
If you wanted to style this table for fall or winter, you could add salad plates in a rich shade of green (like these Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage plates or Noritake Infinity pattern, which also comes in a pretty shade of blue).
For the glassware, I kept things very simple and casual, with shapely water goblets (similar style here and here) and European-inspired wine glasses. I like the La Rochere brand of wine glasses, which are similar in style to the ones on my tabletop from Crate & Barrel. Here are a couple of options in the Perigord pattern and the iconic bee pattern. You could also use water glasses in shades of spring blue and green, which would give the table an additional pop of color.
The sterling silver belonged to my husband’s family (the pattern is Towle French Provincial), but a much less expensive option is this Pfaltzgraff “Vienna” stainless flatware set, or Oneida “Louisiana” flatware set.
The napkins are from one of my favorite Amazon vendors, Solino Home – the quality is fantastic, they’re 100% linen and they have lovely colors to choose from. For this tabletop, I chose a light natural linen color.
A TOUCH OF GREENERY
I decided that flowers would compete with the tablecloth, so instead I took my clippers and went out into my spring garden and clipped a few spring branches and a few lime-green leaves from my perennial heuchera plants. I’ve been collecting vintage clear glass bottles for years, and I’m always on the lookout for different shapes and sizes when I’m at flea markets and vintage stores. I simply filled a few bottles of varying sizes with the clippings and put them down the center of the table. The key is to mix varying sizes of clear bottles, so everything isn’t all on the same visual plane. A few shapely glass bottle options can be found here, here and here.
Candlesticks do a great job of adding height (but not volume) to a tabletop, so I decided to mix vintage inspired green pressed glass candlestick holders with the more earthy mango wood twisted candlestick holders (a steal at only $11 each). Spiral twist taper candles in off-white add a subtle textural element.
THOSE LITTLE “EXTRAS”
It’s the little things and an attention to detail that make a tabletop special. For the wine bottle and water carafe, I used a pair of antique Italian leaf plates I found on Ebay several years ago (this leaf plate would serve the same purpose). Also, a pretty pewter wine bottle coaster would also look right at home on this tabletop (they also make great hostess gifts).
The last final element to my “Springtime in Tuscany” tabletop are a few lemons, casually placed around the center of the table. After all, it wouldn’t be an Italian tabletop without lemons!
SHOP THE LOOK
Below is a gallery of the products I’ve mentioned in this post, to help you re-create this look in your own home. The numbers on the image correspond to the numbers (with links). Just click on the link to shop!
1 – Lenox dinner plates (set of 4)
2 – Wine glasses, La Rochere (set of 6)
4 – Blue and green glass water tumblers (set of 4)
5 – Lenox salad plates (set of 4)
7 – Oneida “Louisiana” stainless flatware set
8 – Bormioli Rocco Italian glass water carafe, 33 oz.
9 – Leaf plate
10 – Set of 2 green glass vintage style candle holders
11 – Bud vase
12 – Bud vase
13 – Bud vases (set of 2)
14 – Garnier Thiebaut “Giardino” tablecloth (102″ long), 89″ long, 45″ square, 61″ square, and matching napkins (set of 4)
15 – Spiral twist candles (set of 8)
16 – Mango wood twist candle stick holder
17 – 100% linen napkins, natural (set of 4)
CHEERS TO SETTING A BEAUTIFUL TABLE
All you need is a nice bottle of Italian pinot grigio and your favorite dinner guests, and you’re all set!
I hope this post has inspired you to Make Your Every Day More Beautiful by transporting your guests to a dinner party inspired by Springtime in Tuscany!
