It is {almost} spring and that is cause for celebration all by itself here in the Northeast - it means we’ve survived another winter and I haven’t frozen to death {much}.
But add to that the spring holidays like Passover and Easter, AND the ability to actually entertain again without killing anyone off, and it is REALLY cause for celebration!
Gathering with family and friends around a table to share delicious food and drink together always constitutes a celebration. And celebrations call for a pretty table!
Here are 3 tips for ways to elevate your spring table settings so every interaction feels like a celebration:
Use layers
The bottom layer of most of my place settings is a charger plate. I have an entire wardrobe of charger plates, but my favorites for spring are scalloped spring green ones, and brown wicker ones - these feel very nature-inspired to me and spring is all about new life bursting forth in nature!
For this Easter table I used the spring green ones with a mixed variety of china.
We also take adult Easter baskets to a whole new level here with be-ribboned stacks of gourmet chocolate bars rather than baskets of barely edible marshmallow chicks and chocolate bunnies 😂
Easter treats for grownups
Stacks of gourmet chocolate bars at each place setting are each tied with a different spring ribbon
spring green charger plates topped with Bavarian china dishes and shallow bowls for a delicious strawberry-goat cheese salad.
When I use clear or cut glass plates, I like to layer in these gorgeous round botanical placemats (a beautiful gift from my children) underneath so the pretty design adds some interest to the plain glass.
These wicker chargers make frequent appearances for a casual texture. Here they are paired with embossed plates layered with pretty floral plates and topped with a tiny nest with a bird for a fun flourish.
Mix and match dishes
Mixing different china patterns with porcelain and stoneware and glassware makes for a far more interesting table than a matched set of dishes.
I have to confess, I am a dish addict, and all of them have a story. Many were gifts from dear friends or family, some were discovered poking around in antique shops while vacationing, and some are from discount shops and just followed me home…
Pierced china fruit plates and collected teacups serve up afternoon tea with lemon ginger scones in style
Mining botanical plates with our everyday white tableware, live edge wooden salad bowls, and horn-handled flatware is a perfect juxtaposition of textures for a casually elegant table.
Potted lavender plants at each place serve as place card holders and a sweet favor for guests to take home.
Our Easter table contained a mix of Bavarian china discovered in an antique shop, teacups collected and given to me by dear friends and family, and discount store botanical plates, champagne flutes, and serving bowls.
Looking at these pictures it is pretty evident I have a thing for anything scalloped!
An artful mix of hi-low. Our Easter table sports a mix of Bavarian china, collected china teacups, and discount store botanical plates alongside vintage Limoges and Home Goods serving pieces.
layered plates and a napkin with a sprig of fresh rosemary tucked into the napkin ring
antique scalloped plate and collected china teacup
embossed base plate topped with chintzware plate and bowl with a blue and white berry motif
For an afternoon tea visit on the porch, I assembled china teacups with different fruit patterns, and fruit plates to hold the caramel sea salt brownies I made (best brownie recipe ever!).
I made these gluten free for my GF chocoholic guest and they were perfect! I merely substituted King Arthur measure-for-measure gluten free flour for the flour in the recipe…easy peasy since it already contains all the necessary magic/weird ingredients that make GF baked goods work.
GF caramel sea salt brownies for your favorite gluten free chocoholic served on painted fruit plates with a beaded edge
Finishing Touches
For the finishing touches, you can never go wrong with flowers! Even grocery store blooms or realistic faux blossoms will brighten a table or tray.
Cluster them in teapots, or creamers, or pitchers. Arrange them in bowls or tureens (floral foam is helpful for arrangements in a larger or shallow container).
Seasonal elements can be part of the centerpiece, or arrayed at individual place settings.
A ladies luncheon table features dollar store white cardboard tote boxes filled with miniature potted plants and candy treats as favors at each place setting
Other spring details that work well are herbs, like the fresh rosemary, tucked into the napkin ring above or potted herbs and plants that can do double duty as table decor and guest favors.
Nests, birds, and eggs always evoke springtime, along with garden elements like moss orbs, birdhouses, or watering cans.
A cloche of pastel eggs on a pierced verdigris plate makes a pretty Easter table addition.
a cream pitcher filled with grocery store blooms in spring yellows and pinks
a teapot filled with, aptly named, tea roses!
