Anchors Aweigh, Set Sail for Summer Days

Anchors Aweigh!

I've set sail for summer days

with a simple table for two.

It has been decades since we owned our sailboat

and spent our days sailing on Lake Travis,

yet a nautical theme still speaks to me.

A nautical theme filled with red, white, and blue

is a perfect launch into summer and a nod to 

the upcoming 4th of July holiday.

The only new purchase for my table was a set

of enamel spoons by One Hundred 80 Degrees.

I couldn't resist the set of four, each done in a 

different "stars and stripes" theme design.

When I spied the ruby dahlias, I immediately knew they would 

be the festive touch needed to fill our Nantucket baskets.

How I wish I could grow my own, but I've learned

central Texas is not ideal for these beauties.

The crisp white linens from Crown Linen Designs 

bring to mind our crisp white sails taut against the wind.

I used the Royal large white napkin with

the pop of red to anchor each place setting.

The plate stack is a mix of textures.

I started with our Wedgwood Nantucket Basket 

with its basket weave border, layered it with a MacKenzie-Childs' 

Royal Check enamel plate rimmed in brass, and topped off

the stack with an inexpensive melamine salad plate with an anchor.

For an added touch of whimsy, I tossed on some sea shells 

that have been dipped in sterling silver. 

A basket filled with nautical cookies adds a bit more whimsy.

Williams Sonoma sells these sweet treats. 

The Crown Linen Design anchor cocktail  

napkin adds the final detail that says,

"Anchors Aweigh, Hoist the Sails"

Drop me a note and let me know where 

the summer winds will take you.

Safe sailing, my friends!

You'll find the same little anchor plates 

used in a 4th of July table here.

A friend in Dallas sent me the cute anchor salad plates that she found at Walgreens.  I reciprocated with the blue plaid dinner plates that I found at a local grocery here.  All are melamine and perfect for summer alfresco dining.  I added in a touch of MacKenzie-Childs with Courtly Check chargers.  Flatware is from Pottery Barn, long ago.

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Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner Charming Homes and Gardens @ Shiplap and Shells  Embracing Home and Family @ The Everyday Farmhouse   Farmhouse Friday @ The Painted Hinge 

Inspired Tables of Red, White, and Blue

It's the first Sunday in June, and I'm sharing some

past summer tables with links for those interested in 

a little red, white, and blue table inspiration. 

Hurray for the Red, White, and Blue

America the Beautiful

Celebrate the patriotic holidays of summer 
and indulge your patriotic spirit.

Seaside Entertaining

www.Vietri. com

"By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea!

You and me, you and me, oh how happy we'll be!"

It's summer time and definitely beach weather, but

for those of us who live inland or don't have a beach house,

~ VIETRI ~ has the perfect

selection of dishes to whisk us away to the seaside.

I recently saw the following table settings at two different locations of a local store. Each of these tables offered lovely seaside ambiance for summer entertaining. I adore VIETRI style! When I saw these tables I knew I wanted to share them with all who visit HFTS.

So grab a cool drink and let these tables

take you to the summer breezes of the ocean.

The natural color and texture of the linen table covering gives one the feeling of eating right on a sandy beach, and the mix of aqua and white lends a cooling touch. One can almost feel the ocean breezes.

I especially love these layers of Incanto Aqua mixed

with the rough textures of rattan and natural linen.

But the piece de resistance is the

whimsical turtle plate atop the stack.

It brings to mind the natural look of

tortoise that is reflected in the nearby flatware.

Antique Lattice flatware in

Aladdin Tortoiseshell by VIETRI

Fluted stripes highlight this cup in Incanto Aqua.

The Incanto Mare Turtles come in a variety

of sizes ranging from salad plates to platters.

Additional details of metal sea shells

lend this table even more style and texture.

Mix in Incanto Mare canape plates to

offer the feel of an ancient fossil imprint.

Or add pieces of Incanto Metallic and Sea Turtles along

with a few aqua glass bottles for a sense of found sunken treasure.

As the VIETRI catalog states,

"These whimsical baby turtles might be migrating back to the sea."

The second table offers a bit more elegance with damask textiles,

predominate use of Incanto White, and just a touch of Incanto Aqua.

I like the additional metal details in the

fabulous pewter candle holder and tray.

What an amazing piece!

This candelabra is 15" tall and perfectly sculpted.

Notice the fine details of each of these ocean creatures.

Even the back and underside is done with attention to detail.

I'm partial to this little fellow who

is swimming under that giant octopus.

Life like details also enhance the white serving platter.

These pewter crustaceans are not only decorative,

but serve as perfect handles for this large white porcelain tray.

Can't you envision it full of steamed lobster or crabs?

Look at the amazing textural

details on these serving pieces.

"This large round platter has a personality all its own!

Each shape is different, as are the designs

on both the front and the back of each piece."

Two of my favorites are these Incanto White Lace cake stands.

Anything presented on these would look spectacular!

"Hand-washed glazes varyingly show the

tera cotta below the surface, like one's view

of the sand seen through Italian waters in the sun."

The colors and organic feel of this bowl in the Organica pattern

give one the feeling of scooping a seashell right off the ocean floor.

And those wonderful three dimensional

turtles are back again to offer a whimsical touch.

While the sculpted edges of the ceramics,

the beautiful damask cloth, and the . . .

Jeweled napkin rings give an elegant feel to seaside dining.

I share these tables and this pottery because I love the look and the quality of VIETRI ceramics. Photos and text are my own except where noted from Vietri.

A previous HFTS posts is here featuring Vietri Bellezza.

Thank you to VIETRI for permission to use catalog photos below for a recap of patterns in today's post. You can click each pattern link for more details and photos of individual pieces should you be interested.

Sea Turtles

A series of whimsical turtles

"swim across a white background sprinkled with sand."

Incanto Mare

Ocean inspired shapes in both white and aqua

offer a treasure trove for the shell collector.

Incanto Metallic and Incanto Aqua

An amazing metallic glaze offers a nice paring to Incanto Aqua.

Bellezza Fish

A collection of wonderful fish shapes in white,

celadon, or sky blue are a great catch for any seaside tablescape.

Organica

Organica offers both an artistic and organic touch.

Joining

No Minimalist Here for Summer Entertaining

BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday

The Charm of Life for Home Sweet Home

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday

Don't forget to check out all the Summer Blog Parties this week.