Springtime is a time of rebirth, growth, renewal, another beautiful turn around the sun and a look forward to long, lazy days at the beach, gentle breezes and cold refreshing drinks…

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, Let’s Party!”
~Robin Williams~

I’m always excited about the change of seasons in New England as everything is new and different; climate, clothing, food choices and the best… alfresco dining. Now that almost everyone we know is vaccinated, I jumped at the idea of a spring dinner party. I decided on a simple buffet so guests could mull around with cocktails and have plenty of time to socialize after the long-awaited release from the isolated existence we have all lived through during the Pandemic…

Begin with a Theme

Spring Green would be the theme for my tablescape since everything is green in spring! Green has long been my favorite color and of course, the LyonsLifestyle signature color. It’s the color I’ve chosen through the yearsl for several sets of china, crystal and table linens. My first thought was to create a celebration using beautiful spring vegetables as the table decor. I wanted it to be light, bright and airy, yet whimsical.

Add Whimsey! I wanted the table to look and feel like a walk through the garden, using hyacinth, tulips, hydrangea, pussywillow, carnations and lillies. !VOILA!, A Springtime Tablescape and Dinner was born with vegetables taking the lead on tablescape design by standing at attention like little soldiers.

Coordinate the colors in your tablescape with your menu selections. You will see on my blog on Food & Cocktails (Part 2) how I brought in more greens with my menu!

Spring Has Sprung And So Have We!

A Celebration of Spring Green

(Enjoy this video and music on my YouTube Channel!)

The table linens are a key component of a beautifully composed table. It creates the feeling. However, it can be a challenge to find the exact cloth in your exact size to complement your exact tablescape vision. Consider making your own tablecloths or having them made. I often glean inspiration from fashion. For this table, my inspiration was a beautiful spring cocktail dress in a floral print on a white background from one of my favorite fashion designers, Oscar del la Renta. I wanted a bright springy feel to the table which was easily achieved through this beautiful crisp, white polished cotton with florals in pastels and bold fuchsia. I scoured the basement of my favorite fabric store and came upon the perfect bolt of fabric. Within 3 days, they whipped me up a 120 inch round. I just love it. I can’t wait to use it again in a completely different way.

Tablecloth
Waverly Print
Leonard’s Upolstery, Norwalk, CT

Monogrammed Napkins
Trellis Napkins Williams Sonoma
Buffalo Check Napkins Williams Sonoma
Monograms A COOK PRINT, Norwalk, CT

Brussel Sprout Topiaries
7 Pounds of Brussel sprouts.
2 Styrofoam cones 14 inches
Toothpicks
Slice the hard stalk down a bit to make toothpick insertion easier
Insert toothpick into sprout then insert into styrofoam.
Begin at the top with smaller sprouts graduating to larger ones at the base.
I put one large one at the top of each cone.

(They last 2-3 days)

Asparagus Trees
Cut to desired height
Rubber band and stand in water for a day or two
Then wrap in twine and remove rubber band

I just love the way these look on a table, I carried the asparagus theme through in my pasta entree

(They last one day)

Mr. Punctilious Placecards
A logical brainstorm idea by Mr. P and his wife! Placecards come with all kinds of fun designs. When everyone is seated, you see only the white backs of each card. They created mini works of art, to show in reverse! So, when your guests are seated and you look around the table, you see tiny pieces of artwork at each placesetting! And they will print the cards with the names of your guests for no extra charge. Genius.

“Topiary” Table Accents for flatware placement
It’s all in the details, right? It’s what I call “making the ordinary extraordinary”! The beatiful cards with a topiary design can be used as placecards (which I will do in the future) or as decor for your table as a flatware rest, which I’ve done here. They come in a set of 12.

Terrain Westport, CT
Desinged by Hester & Cook Table Accents

Martini Glass Decor
Ivy Roping by the package Factory Direct (Online)
Silk Leaves by David Tutera

China
Bernardaud “Cafe Paris” (Private Collection)
Chargers Christofle NYC (Private Collection)

Martini Glasses
Pier 1 Imports! (Private Collection)

Flowers
Compo Farms Westport, CT

Candles
If you’re looking for beautiful colored candles, which I love, then look no further…Caspari it is!

Visit Menu Recipes under Food &Cocktails! (and on Part 2 of my YouTube Channel!)

Signature Cocktail
Raspberry martini

Soup
Sugar Pea Soup with Creme Fraiche’

Salad
Spinach Salad with Bacon and Blueberries & Strawberries

Entrees
Stuffed Cornish Game Hens
Spicy Sausage and Green Olive Pesto Pasta with Asparagus

Dessert
Lemon Coconut Cake
Fresh Fruit

Thanks for Joining Me on this Springtime Journey!

Watch the full video for this tablescape here.

Tablescapes

Springtime is a time of rebirth, growth, renewal, another beautiful turn around the sun and a look forward to long, lazy days at the beach, gentle breezes and cold refreshing drinks…“Spring is nature’s way of saying, Let’s Party!” ~Robin Williams~