As the flowers poke out of the ground, and the leaves bud on the trees, another force of nature comes back alive: my desire to entertain. In the winter months, Dan and I don’t have folks over as much, preferring to cocoon when we’re home. But one of my rites of spring is dressing my table and sending out invites, welcoming friends back to our cottage.
Maybe that’s why one of my favorite parties at Nell Hill’s is our Spring Tabletop Event. We fill the store with dining tables, all dressed up in unique ways, some for formal dinner parties, some for fun family gatherings. Our designers outdo themselves year after year, finding ways to pull in some of the most unusual objects to tell a story on a table. The event is zooming up quickly – April 27 and 28. I hope you will join us for all the fun, ideas, and, of course, a glass of Prosecco!
I couldn’t wait until the event, though, to set my table for spring. It was a quiet day at the cottage, so I pulled out all my must-have tools for setting a great table, many of which are brand new pieces from Nell Hill’s. Then, I went into my table-setting zone and pulled together this lovely spring arrangement, perfect for a Sunday brunch or casual dinner with great friends.
So what are my must-haves? First, a good base. One of my favorite tricks it to use a 60-inch square tablecloth, turned on the diagonal, placed at the center of the table. I think full-sized tablecloths are a hassle. They are expensive, hard to launder and difficult to iron. The small squares give you the same lovely textile base, with none of the headaches. This tablecloth is an all cotton, hand-blocked print, and is perfect for spring and summer. We also have a great group of hand-blocked print napkins right now that are as beautiful as they are fun.
These woven wicker placemats are one of our biggest sellers this season at Nell Hill’s. We have them in lots of different shapes. They are one of my top picks for spring because they are cute, inexpensive and can be used to create a wide variety of looks.
If you only have room for one set of dishes, make them white, because they allow you to create a million different looks on your table. If you have space for a second set? Majolica. I lost my heart to this unique Victorian era pattern years ago. When I’m setting a table at my cottage, I can’t seem to not use majolica, somehow, somewhere, on the table.
I like to mix the stemware on my tables. Often, I will find a colored glass that brings out a hue in the dishes or napkins, like cobalt blue, amber or amethyst. If the table is neutral, I might stay with clear glasses, but they won’t be a matched set.
When it comes to the flatware, I’m a fan of bringing in something a bit different and fun, like these bamboo handled pieces for spring and summer.
If you look closely, you can probably tell the napkins on this table are really kitchen towels. Often when I set a casual table, I will use towels because I love their generous size, how easy they are to launder and how they look on the table. And, best yet, when they become too dingy for the table, I relegate them to the kitchen, where they get to work.
What’s left? The little details that make a table special. Fresh flowers. Candles. Place cards to mark each guest’s spot, and let them know you are excited to have them with you.
Please join us at Nell Hill’s April 27 & 28 for our Spring Tabletop Event. You’ll have a great time and leave inspired to make your table beautiful for entertaining, or every day.
Next Week … Pamper yourself with beautiful bedding.
Fall Shop Tour
Pretty and Painted: A New Way to Look at Wood Furniture
Stunning Summer Bedding 2022
Finding the Perfect Upholstered Piece
Cindy Weis says
April 16, 2018 at 8:18 amI love your beautiful table, so many interesting textures and colors. I love the small rattan glasses, do you sell them at the store? I live outside of Chicago, so I am not close to your beautiful store, but I think you ship? Let me know. also do you have something similar in a rattan candle votive? Aerin used to carry those, but has since discontinued them, and I have been looking all over and can’t find them. thank you so much….Cindy Weis
Mary Carol Garrity says
April 17, 2018 at 11:38 amHi Cindy, give us a call at the store for info on ordering the glasses and more. 816-746-4320.
Polly says
April 16, 2018 at 11:17 amI grew up with glasses similar to the rattan glasses at my grandma’s house. I always thought they were so neat.
I love a table like this but would love to know how to use it…how to make it practice for a actual meal with guests. If I’m not surving soup, I could maybe do cut fruit in the small tureen? Do you just set it like this for show then change it when you actually set for dinner? Thank you!!
sandy mccune says
April 16, 2018 at 2:22 pmSo glad you used my favorite table colors/blue and white. Must look at the rattan placemats when I come up. Mine really aren’t big enough for my plates so I need to get new ones. Loved seeing the lake out your window in one photo. I just have an old creek in my backyard.
See you soon.
Jan says
April 16, 2018 at 2:37 pmAbsolutely love the table setting! I too love white dishes – can you please tell me your pattern and make of your white dishes? And also love the birds! Are they in the store? I know you can ship them to me here in Ohio! Oh, how I wish I lived closer, but cherish the visits I did have when we stopped on our way to Colorado and meeting you! What a memory! 🙂
Mary Carol Garrity says
April 17, 2018 at 11:36 amJan, just give us a call at the store for all the info: 816-746-4320.
Tricia says
April 16, 2018 at 3:33 pmI love the hobnail glasses! I’m obsessed with hobnail glass. The whole table looks beautiful and makes me wish we were friends so I could some over and enjoy it! Ha ha. Once again you did a great job and those wicker place mats are just a little different and I love them!
Teri says
April 16, 2018 at 4:07 pmI am interested in purchasing the wicker placemats. In California, so I would want to ship them. Will you provide purchase details? Thanks so much!
Mary Carol Garrity says
April 17, 2018 at 11:35 amHi Teri, just give us a call at Nell Hill’s for all the info: 816-746-4320.
franki says
April 16, 2018 at 4:20 pmThese are my favorite…beautiful tablescapes…and why. Something about knowing the thought and “respect” for taking the “extra step.” Just lovely!! franki
Sherri Wakefield says
April 16, 2018 at 5:04 pmIve been trying to find a tablecloth for a 48 in round breakfast nook table, that’s FUN! Would the square cloth work? Thank you!
Mary Carol Garrity says
April 17, 2018 at 11:34 amYes, that would be adorable!
Dodie Jacobi says
April 18, 2018 at 7:16 amMary Carol, one of the most inspiring tabletop tips I’ve taken from my many visits to the store is your use of antique and vintage pieces integrerated with what’s fresh, new and colorful! I’ve taken my “wedding china” out of third tier storage and it’s now displayed in my china cabinet, also easily accessible for mixing with any of my other pieces or ready to sparkle formally on its own.
Mary Carol Garrity says
April 23, 2018 at 9:23 pmThat is awesome, Dobie!