Poolside Dining with Pink and Purple Posies

A Summer Poolside Tablescape – And Backyard Garden – featuring flowers safe for “Fido” or in this case – safe for our “Simba”

This topic will spread over 2 posts. This is post one and focuses on the “Summer Poolside Tablescape”. A second post (within the next few weeks) will focus on the Garden pictured here and how we are working to make a “pet friendly” and “pet safe” yard.

Elegant Poolside Dining

We have eaten often “poolside” in our backyard at the “City House”, however, it has always been very casual dining, and often consists of take out meals that we eat while on break from whatever the current home project is. I have always wanted to set a more elegant table here, like I do occasionally on our outdoor tables at the lake.

If you are new to our website, what you will be seeing today is the “City House”. Although the title of the website, “Life Is Better Lakeside” pertains more to the house at the lake – which is the one most frequently featured in posts, I occasionally show our “City House”. This is the house we had built about 8 months after we got married, when my husband’s company transferred him from Ohio (where I grew up and where we met) to Texas. This house has been “home” since 1989. The lake house did not get added to the mix until 2008 when Wayne’s schedule at work did not allow for many vacations or much time off. We decided to purchase the lake house to have a “get away” that was only one hour away, where we could escape and have a mini vacation. We also purchased it with retirement in mind. Wayne has recently retired and we are currently figuring out future plans. In the meantime, we are enjoying more freedom to enjoy both houses.

So all that being said, “Welcome to the City House” !!!!!! We are glad you are here!!!!

This week we headed to the city house to do some projects, see some friends, and let Simba swim. We found that the latest storm had made our “Texas Sage” bloom profusely. This plant has the potential to bloom thru 3 seasons in Texas but only after rain. (i.e. the sprinkler system does not cause it to bloom).

These beautiful blooms inspired me to try out an elegant tablescape. Unfortunately, because we were only going to be at this house for a short time, and had not had a chance to either grocery shop, or invite someone over, this would be an experimental tablescape only. As we were on a tight schedule and it was a experimental tablescape only, I decided not to iron the tablecloth and just go straight for set up – turns out that was a mistake as I ended up loving the tablescape and wish I would have taken the time to iron that tablecloth. – Live and Learn.

Seeing the Tablescape Via Video

Click on “play” and in a under 10 seconds the video should play.

Choosing the Dinnerware

Because the catalyst for this tablescape was the purple Texas Sage blooms, I decided I wanted to choose dinnerware with a floral theme and that had some purple flowers. When I started thinking through my dishes, I remembered that my American Atelier “Hydrangea dishes featured pink, purple, blue and limelight hydrangeas – so they were a perfect choice. These are the dishes I used for our friend Kirstyn’s shower, which you can see here in the – “A Special Spring Table for a Someone Special” post.

I believe this is the first time I have used these dishes outdoors, and I think am excited that they worked well both indoors and outdoors!!

The Plate Stack & Other items in each Place Setting

The second plate in the stack is an American Atelier “Hydrangea” Dinner plate. I love how it includes all 4 Hydrangea colors that are represented on the salad plates – the blue, purple, pink and limelight hydrangeas, as well as 1 butterfly, 1 lady bug, 1 bee and one dragonfly. To me it is these dinner plates that pull the whole tablescape together.

The third plate in the stack is a salad plate from the American Atelier “Hydrangea” pattern. The salad plates were available with 1 of 4 different Hydrangea colors – the above plate is the purple hydrangea and the below plates are:

Other items in each place setting include:

the Golden Affection flatware by Oneida, and the Waterford Shannon goblets we received for our wedding. Also, in each place setting, is a purple goblet I purchased at Homegoods about 5 years ago.

On the left of each place setting is a lavender napkin (purchased originally for Easter) with a napkin ring from the Philippines with either pink, blue, or lavender hydrangea flowers. The napkin rings are marked. The blue hydrangea and pink hydrangea napkin rings are pictured in the photo above.

Centerpieces and Other Tablescape Decor

Other Items on the tablescape include the American Atelier “Hydrangea” pitcher, teapot, sugar bowl, creamer, and salt and pepper shakers pictured below.

The pitcher holds Texas Sage branches with blooms and also Crape Myrtle flowers – both from our poolside gardens.

Also on the table, are vintage rose candle holders from China. (see below)

The View from the Table and Yard

Simba is a huge pool fan and spends a big part of his time at this house swimming or sitting in the pool.

The pictures above and below are a little deceiving due to the Texas sun. The siding in both halves of each photo below are exactly the same color – it is the bright direct sun that makes the siding on the left of the pictures appear white, when it’s actually a soft yellow.

Simba, The Tablescape and the Waterfall Video

Click “play” above, and in under 10 seconds the video should begin.

Table Details and Origins

Vintage Hydrangea Dishes – American Atelier pattern “Hydrangea” – eBay and Etsy

Bordallo Pinheiro “Lemon Leaf Charger” – discontinued – Occasionally available on Ebay or Etsy. You can substitute a different Bordallo Pinheiro charger from the Bordallo Pinheiro website or Amazon, Neiman Marcus or Horchow. When not using the Lemon Leaf Charger, I often use the Bordallo Pinheiro “Geranium” Pattern charger which is a current pattern.

Flower Napkin Rings – these vintage bone china napkin rings are marked “Philippines” and were originally sold at department stores – now available at eBay, Etsy, (search Pia Napkin Rings and Philippines napkin rings) also available at various vintage/antique shops 

Vintage Hydrangea Serving Pieces by American Atelier – Pitcher, Teapot, Creamer, Sugar bowl, Salt and Pepper Shakers – occasionally available on eBay, Etsy, or local vintage shops, antique shows, and auctions.

Vintage Rose Candle Holders from China – sometimes available on eBay, or Etsy or local vintage shops, antique shows, and auctions – often these are mislabeled napkin rings – though they are to small to actually fit most napkins.

Moving Wick Battery Operated Candles – Amazon

White Table Cloth – Oval – Homegoods 2024

Lavender Napkins – Bed, Bath and Beyond in approximately 2010

Purple Goblets – Homegoods – 2019

Golden Affection Flatware from Oneida – now discontinued – Occasionally available on eBay and with other secondary sellers

Waterford “Shannon” Goblets – leaded crystal made in Ireland – 1988

Other Posts I hope you will like

If you enjoyed this post you may enjoy the following post using the same dishes and serving pieces – but with a completely different “look”.

A Special Spring Table for Someone Special

If you enjoyed this Outdoor Tablescape – you may enjoy these other outdoor tablescapes from the “Lake House”

“Happy Spring!!!” – Table & Sunset

Romantic Lakeside Dinner for Two at Sunset

Comments

I treasure your comments! If you have time to comment, I would love it if you would scroll down to the very bottom of this post – to the comment section – and share your comments on this post, as well as your favorite places to eat outdoors, or if you prefer inside dining – your favorite place to dine with a wonderful view from the window.

Link Parties

Following is a list of websites I really like!  They are listed under the day of the week where they also host a Family Friendly “Link Parties” aka “Blog Hops”.

If you click on the name of the blog (in blue) on the evening of the day of the week they are listed under, it should take you to the Link Party, where many bloggers have joined with them to share their own ideas.  I love how the link parties connect you with both a great blog, and other blogger’s ideas as well!  Many thanks to all these bloggers for bringing so many ideas to all of us!!! 

You can actually find these link parties any day of the week, by clicking on the website name below, but once you click, you may need to scroll thru a few entries to find the link party you are looking for. 

Sunday 

Life as a Leo wife (Nikki), Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly),  Décor Craft Design (Mel) ,A Labour of Life (Linda),  Ducks ‘n a Row (Sinea),  Love My Messy Messy Mess (Katie)   host “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party.  I love checking out the home decor, holiday decorations and current projects of all the hostesses as well as the ideas from their link party ! 

Life and Linda hosts “Love Your Creativity Link Party”.  I love checking out Linda’s gorgeous holiday decorations and tablescapes, and her chandelier decorations are a beautiful finishing touch!!

The House on Silverado  hosts – “Sundays on Silverado” link party. I am fairly new to Niky’s site but am loving her holiday decorating and her new grandma stories!!

Ridge Haven Homestead  – “Sunday Sunshine” Blog Hop.  In addition to the blog hop, I am enjoying reading about Laurie’s homestead, the “off the grid” lifestyle they are living and the cabin they are building. 

April J Harris – hosts Hearth and Soul Link Party monthly on the first Sunday of the month. I am enjoying reading about April’s traveling adventures, as well as her projects at home!  

Monday

Life Tales Books Blogspot  hosts Will Blog for Comments Link Party. Jennifer is a Photos and Story Treasures Consultant, and I am enjoying her ideas on photos and memory books, as well as her link party!  

Holly-Pink Lady(Holly) and Sunshine and books blog (Sarah) host “Hello Monday Link Party”. In addition to the link party, I am enjoying Sarah’s book recommendations, and Holly’s recipes and party ideas.  

Between Naps on the Porch hosts  “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters”. I love seeing Susan’s amazing home projects which are very inspiring!! I always come away with some great ideas from her posts and from those who have linked up!! 

The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!

Charlene at A Pinch of Joy hosts “Busy Mondays”. Charlene’s website is all about home decorating, and holiday decorations and recipes. The first two things are things I love to do and the Recipes are things I like to eat!

Good random fun blogspot hosts The Good.Random.Fun. link party  Tamar’s website has some great photography, interesting places to visit, and thoughts on many things. Recently, I enjoyed reading about Hanukkah celebrations! 

Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn, Nicky at  Life as a Leo Wife, Michelle at  Moms are frugal and a few other hostesses host “You’re the Star Blog Hop” I love checking out these websites and the link party for holiday decor, crafts, money saving ideas and tablescapes. 

Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life   hosts  the “Inspire me Tuesday” link party. Marty has an eye for design and decorating, and turning your house into a home. I always enjoy reading about her projects. 

Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly)  and Penny’s Passion (Penny) host the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” which often opens on Tuesday evenings. I have enjoyed Beverly’s Red Barn project and her projects and decorating . Penny’s website has both projects and recipes I have enjoyed reading about – and more – see “Thinking Out Loud” under “Thursday” in this list. 

Jenerally Informed  hosts the “Happy Now Link Party”. Jen from Jenerally informed and Leslie from playmates to parties host “happy now” which brings many craft and decorating ideas and recipes for fun holiday foods. 

Perfectly Imperfect-LWL hosts the “Tell It To Me Tuesday Link Party” which brings many decorating ideas, recipes, and ideas for family activities. 

Kim and Cassie from Lou Lou Girls host the the “Fabulous Party”. Lou Lou Girls post unique recipes, family activities, DIY and party ideas! 

Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures hosts “Tuesdays with a Twist”. Marci posts on gardening, sewing, recipes, crafts and books! Marci’s link party contains many other fun ideas as well. 

My Wee Abode (Julie) hosts the “Tuesday Turn About” Link Party. Julie is turning her small home into a charming coastal farmhouse home. Her website and link party include great home decorating, DIY, craft projects and recipes.

Wednesday

Karin’s Kottage hosts the “Karin’s Kottage Link party”.  I am also enjoying keeping up with Karin’s Italian Palace remodel! as well as her decorating ideas, crafts, grandchild activities and home projects. 

French Ethereal hosts a “Share Your Style”  link party where decorating, recipes, fashion, tablescape styles are all shared. 

Esme Salon recently began hosting a “Wordless Wednesday” photography link party – I can’t wait to link up!

Creatively Beth  hosts the “Creatively Crafty” Link Party. Beth’s website contains wonderful craft posts, including amazing up-cycle, from scratch, and Dollar Store Crafts. Beth’s link party contains a variety of family friendly posts including recipes, crafts, and holiday decor. 

Ridge Haven Homestead hosts the Homestead Blog Hop.  I am also enjoying reading about the off the grid home that Laurie and her family are building. 

Karin at Fifth Sparrow No More, hosts “Whimsy Home Link Party”. Karin posts about Finding the Beauty – in decorating, travel and faith and family! 

Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction hosts “Vintage Charm” link party. What Cecelia does with her thrift store finds is so creative!

Lydia at  Pandora and Max hosts the “All Seasons” Link Party. Lydia’s recent blog entry was all about her trip – and the sunsets are a “must see” – fabulous!

Thursdays

I often participate in Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. I have been following Susan for quite a long time, and absolutely love her Tablescapes!!! I also love the ideas shared on her Tablescape Thursday link party! 

Katherine’s corner hosts the  “TFT – Thursday Favorite Things” blog hop.  I love the assortment of wonderful decorating, recipe, tablescape, and inspirational ideas found here. 

Southern Sunflowers   hosts their “Home Matters Link Party” at 8 CT on Thursday.  I have really enjoyed linking to their link party and the various decorating, recipe, tablescape and craft ideas found on this website and their “Home Matters” Link Party. 

Penny’s Passion  hosts the “Thinking Out Loud Link Party” which often begins on Thursday. Thinking out Loud is a great post published each Thursday, and covers many interesting topics. Today the topic was “elf on the shelf – for empty nesters” and I love the traditions Penny has started in her home. So cute!

Roentare.zenfolio blog hosts a photography link party each week.  The photography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the places he and his wife photograph! 

Good Random Fun  hosts the “Little Things” link party, which I enjoy. Its a place for sharing and reading about lots of different topics and ideas. 

Marsha in the Middle and Melynda, from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People, and Lisa, from Boondock Ramblings host “Weekend Traffic Jam” which goes live on Thursday at 8:30 pm CT. Marsha posts about Fashion and the link party contains holiday decorations, fashion, and recipes (to name a few of the family friendly links). 

Friday

Stephanie at Crazy Little Lovebirds hosts the “Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.” It is a gathering for home decor ideas, recipes, tablescapes, reflections, etc. I am enjoying being a part fo this group. 

Building Our Hive hosts the “Funtastic Friday” Link Party which includes recipes, home decor, tablescapes, crafts, travel and other family friendly posts. 

Cindy at County Road 407  hosts the “Farmhouse Friday” Link Party, which begins at 6:30 am CT each Friday and features home decor – all styles; holiday decorating, tablescapes, crafts, etc. 

Andrea at The Cottage Market hosts “A Morning Cup of Joe” link party. Both the website and the link party feature DIY projects, Recipes, home decor, crafts and holiday decorations. 

Erika at A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea at Momfessionals, host “Friday Favorites”. Both websites and the link party feature family activities, home decor, fashion, entertaining, recipes, and holiday decorations and traditions. 

At Lou Lou Girls Kim, Cassie and Amber bring lots of good recipes and family activities to us and also host “Fabulous Friday” a link party that brings us recipes, holiday decor, family activities and many other family friendly ideas! 

Carol at Answer is Choco hosts BFF Link Party. Carol’s website contains lots of ideas about crafts, scrapbooking, recipes and many other things!

Saturday

Pieced Pastimes  Hosts “Saturday Sparks Party”  which includes home decors, recipes and holiday fun foods, tablescapes, crafts, etc. Among the many things I appreciate at Pieced Pastimes is the first picture of many posts, where Suzanne shows her current view at home (in New Hampshire) I love her wonderful view in all weather!

Pam’s Party and Practical Tips hosts the “Dare to Share Saturday” Link party – which includes some great party ideas, recipes and crafts!

Thanks so much for stopping by at the City House!! I hope you can join us next week, as we celebrate the Olympics, and the week after that as the post features the garden from the city house and how we are striving to make it “pet friendly” and “pet safe”.

Wishing you a Wonderful Week!!!!

Please “stop by” again soon!!!!