A Flamboyance of Flamingos – From Florida – Fly in for our Featured Feast

The Flamingo Tablescape Video

Press play below to see the tablescape video.

Flamingo Inspiration

Today’s table was inspired by the flamingos themselves. I can remember being fascinated with flamingos as a child – the way they balance on one leg, and can completely fold up and hide the other, their bright colors, the way they hang out in groups (called a Flamboyance of Flamingos), the way their knees bend backwards compared to humans and many other things. I don’t remember exactly where I first saw flamingos, but I always associate them with Florida. I’m guessing that I first saw them in Cypress Gardens Florida.

I grew up in a suburb of Cleveland Ohio and since winter can involve a snow even in April, many “Buckeyes” head to Florida for spring break, for the sun, the sea, and many tourist destinations like “Cypress Gardens”. (in my younger days Florida was not famous for Disney World, as it had not yet been built – although the land was being gradually purchased in secret). It is hard now to believe that there once was a time with no Disney park in Florida.

Cypress gardens was famous for its world class garden, its swamp ride, water ski show, flamingos, concerts, and many other things.

Cypress Gardens is the site of LEGOLAND®  now, and LEGOLAND®  has kept much of the original gardens, and also continues to have a waterski show (though the show features skiers in Legoland character costumes, rather than the traditional costumes of Cypress Gardens.

The Flamingo Dinnerware

I found the Flamingo Dinnerware at Sur la Table around 2012. It is Melamine and contains a dinner plate, salad plate and pasta/soup bowl. The soup bowl was not used in this tablescape. At the beginning of our time in the lake house, we only purchased dinnerware that was lake or ocean related, in order to have the dishes fit the “weekend getaway” idea. At this point we had fish melamine dishes and seashell ceramic dishes. This seemed like a fun set to add. Overtime, the lake house dish collection has grown to include additional themes.

Pictured above is the dinner plate. I love the single flamingo, the hibiscus flower, and palm leaves in the dinner plate. The palm leaves placemats in the center of the table coordinate well with the plates. I often add hibiscus flowers from our yard to this tablescape, however, most of our hibiscus plants succumbed to the freeze this year and we haven’t yet had time to replace them.

New to the Tablescape this Year

When I’ve done this tablescape in the past, I have used pink placemats, but this year I decided to reuse the fuchsia Kate Spade tablecloth that was in the recent “A Special Spring Table for Someone Special” post.

In addition, the flowered napkins by “April Cornell” are new this year and were purchased from Homegoods. I love the way they coordinate with the pink, green and blue in the flamingo plates. I bought these napkins just because I loved them, even though I was not sure if I had anything else to coordinate with them. I was surprised and happy to realize they went with this tablescape.

Also, new to the table this year are the above beaded and feathered flamingo napkin rings that are from the closed Pier 1 store. Although I am partial to ceramic napkin rings, I love these and they have the advantage of being ideal outdoors in a light wind as they are unlikely to blow over and break, and they are great for very young guests.

The flatware was a Homegoods find, and I purchased it specifically for this table. The pattern name is “Claro” and it is made by “Godinger” I love the way the flatware looks with the solid color tablecloth.

The Bobbing Flamingos

My very favorite things on on this table are the metal flamingo figurines. I saw them in Hobby Lobby a few years ago with the air movement in the store making them bob up and down. I thought they would be perfect for this tablescape. I also love that each one is posed a little differently – one looking forward, one looking back, and one with his neck bent forward.

To see the bobbing action of the flamingos, check out the video below the “Flamingo Tablescape Video” section and above the “Flamingo Inspiration” heading at the beginning of this post (it takes a minute or so to load) . The flamingos “bounce” or “bob” when the table is bumped, when a ceiling fan is going above, and outside, whenever a light wind moves thru. For heavy winds the flamingos will need to be anchored with rocks, or seashells or perhaps secured to the table in some other way.

The Plate Stack

The Plate Stack begins, as many of my animal tablescapes often do – with a Bordallo Pinheiro green charger. On this table I used the Geranium Charger – a current pattern. However, the vintage “Lemon Leaf” Bordallo Pinheiro Charger would be great as well (often available on eBay or Etsy). The second plate is a dinner plate from the Sur la Table Flamingo set, which is then topped with the Sur la Table flamingo salad plate. Although this Sur la Table Flamingo dinnerware set has been discontinued , the Sur La Table store frequently has some type of flamingo plate, and Homegoods often carries Flamingo plates too.

The Flamingo Goblets

I was so excited a few years ago, when I walked into Homegoods and saw 8 of these flamingo goblets. These are glass, but I think the new ones sold this year are acrylic. I like both types, so I would have purchased either at the time, as long as they were pink. Surprisingly, to me, a lot of the newer flamingo glasses and dinnerware items often have a salmon/orange/peach/red tint. The salmon color is typical with the flamingos from the Caribbean whose diet contains shrimp that have eaten algae with a different carotenoid level than the algae in drier areas. Flamingos with a pink color usually have eaten Shrimp who have eaten algae from less dry areas. I’m a fan of all the colors of flamingos, however, if color similarity on your table is important to you, like it is to me, you may want to chose flamingo table items in a similar hue.

Also in the Dining Room…

I added my Homegoods Flamingo Pitcher to the Dining Room – on top of my Jewelry chest of drawers, which I use to store some of my frequently used Napkin rings. Although this pitcher was originally purchased for beverages, I decided to display it with silk flowers for this tablescape.

Simba

Simba stopped by to say “Hi” while I was doing the tablescape. Dogs we have had in years past often laid underneath the table for the whole process, but Simba, weighing in at 80 lbs. is a little big to fit under the table with all the table and chair legs. So he has settled for just wandering in from time to time to say Hi”.

Outside the Window

A Lakeside post is not the same without the lake, so here are some photos of the view outside the window while I was making this tablescape.

Table Details and Origins

For

“A Flamboyance of Flamingos From Florida

Fly in for our Featured Feast”

Flamingo dinnerware – Sur la Table – around 2012

Claro Flatware by Godinger – Homegoods – 2022

Bobbing Flamingo figures – Hobby Lobby 2019 approximately

Flamingo napkin rings – Pier 1

Acrylic Flamingo Pitcher – Homegoods 2021

Hydrangea silk flowers – Michaels and Hobby Lobby

Spring  small dark pink flowers – Hobby Lobby

Kate Spade Larabee Dot Tablecloth – originally sold at department stores – now occasionally for sale on eBay or Etsy

April Cornell Flowered Napkins – Homegoods

Flamingo glass goblets – Homegoods

Palm leaf Placemats – Hobby Lobby – 2023? 

Lit Raz Imports Birch Tree with colored lights – Amazon

Bordallo Pinheiro Green Geranium Chargers –    Also available at Neiman Marcus, Horchow,  and Amazon  (when checking prices please be aware that some stores sell these individually and some sell them as a set of 2) 

In This Post

To see what’s “Coming Soon”, and “Posts I Hope You Will Enjoy” please continue scrolling. Below these, you will find the “Link Parties” section. Then, at the very bottom of the post is a place to make comments. I would love to hear your comments about summer tables, traveling to Florida, Flamingos, Tablescaping or anything else you would like to share. Thanks so much for “stopping by”!!

Happy Summer!!!

Coming Soon

New and old posts coming soon are a “Disney tablescape for the 4th of July”; “a Father’s Day Harley Davidson Tablescape”; and an outdoor Patriotic Tablescape or Seaside Table. I hope you can stop on by here at Lifeisbetterlakeside.com and check them out.

Posts I Hope You Will Enjoy

If you enjoyed this “bird” post, I hope you will enjoy the following:

April Showers Bring May Flowers!! But Do They Also Bring Ducks with Umbrellas????

If you enjoyed this “pink” tablescape, you may enjoy the Barbie Tablescape too.

The “Eras of Barbie” Tablescape

If you enjoyed the lake views, I hope you will check out the Sunset on the Lake” posts below:

Romantic Lakeside Dinner for Two at Sunset

A Glorious Sunset on the Lake – April 15, 2023

Sunset on the Lake – April 2, 2023

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! 

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!

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