What we wouldn't give to dine at Martha Stewart's table. While this is (unfortunately) not a reality for most of us, the next best thing is looking at her magnificent tablescapes on her Instagram page.
Her latest endeavor? A summer tablescape at her historic Skylands property in Maine, where she featured an impressive collection of vintage plates depicting natural scenes, lace placemats, fluted drinking glasses, and a touch of greenery with herbs in mini vases.
'On Thursday of this week after my whirlwind trip to Paris, I entertained the Friends of Beatrix Farrand Society at lunch at Skylands,' Stewart states in the caption of the post. 'We set the faux Bois dining tables with the original Ford linens, my collection of Spode Bar Harbor plates, Bacarrat glasses , Wedgwood drabware.'
While tablescapes transcend seasons (indoor table settings can be just as stunning as outdoor ones), it's undeniable that they thrive in the summer, when outdoor dining is at its peak. While Stewart's table setting is inside her New England property, it takes inspiration from the great outdoors – a trend that experts say is essential to this season's decor.
'One of my favorite aspects of summer tablescapes is to use items from nature that are in season,' says event planner Annemarie Schumacher. 'Of course, this includes florals, but also branches and leaves/greenery.'
She continues, 'A big trend this summer season is a coastal tablescape. This tablescape design incorporates neutral beiges and blues, as well as sea shells, textured burlaps, driftwood and lots of candles.'
We can see that Stewart has given her own twist on the summer tablescape trend, with scenic plates and natural materials making her table feel closer to nature. Schumacher recommends some additional accessories to achieve a quintessential summer look.
'Essential items for summer tablescapes for me include curated linens (they can truly set the mood, whether whimsical or elegant. and everything in between), well-thought seating options (don't just reach for your same old, same old outdoor chairs), and an interesting floral display, which could be one big arrangement, multiple individual vases or a seasonal garland of greens down the center of the table,' she says. 'The key is to truly embrace the season and its wealth of treasures.'
Once items are selected, layout strategies are just as important. While vintage pieces and fresh flowers naturally look beautiful, they look even better when arranged in a way that is visually pleasing.
'Since it's summer and the weather is great, you can first get creative with the space in which you are hosting and take it from there,' Schumacher says. 'Creative spaces can lend themselves to a variety of interesting entertaining options. Square, oblong, round, or multiple smaller tables. The great outdoors and the space it features can allow you to use it to its full potential when determining a layout.'
This plate depicts an idyllic, Italian countryside scene, making for beautiful summer table decor.
With fluted design and durable glass, this drinkware set is a host's essential.
Elegant and light, these lace napkins are a fabulous accompaniment to an upscale dinner party.
We recommend selecting a variety of materials, such as glass, ceramic, and linen, so that even if the approach is more monochrome, there is still visual interest from textures.
