white linen table clothes

 . . . . a must have in your linen closet!

Two important, basic entertaining items you should have are white stoneware/dinnerware and white linen table clothes. 

I have several white linens; one for each size dining table that I have in my house and garden.  

White linen table clothes can dress up any table, whether old or new. It bears a clean, fresh look that can make any setting feel special. 

Want to personalize your table setting to an event, holiday, or season?

My favorite thing to do is find a fabric that I love and buy enough to cover the table, as well as several inches to drape on all sides. Most fabrics don't even need to be sewn or hemmed. A sharp pair of scissors will leave a clean cut. 

This piece of fabric ~ in essence ~ serves as a table cover on top of the white table cloth. 

With the white linen table cloth peeking out from beneath ~ you'll find your setting extra beautiful and charming.  This is also an inexpensive way to personalize your space and/or decorate for a gathering or party.  

I adore shades of blue and green during the summer months, and found this paisley fabric to use as a table cover on my dining room table.  

I simply . . . love it!

Choose a fabric that catches your fancy . . .

and add charm to your table setting!

alfresco dining

Simply stated . . . Alfresco dining means eating outside.

This time of year, there are plenty of reasons to throw open your doors and gather family and friends for an outdoor party. Outdoor entertaining is, by definition, a casual affair, so don’t stand on ceremony when it comes to planning your next summer party. It’s less about the formality of matching plates and table linens and more about enjoying a great backyard barbecue with family and friends. 

 

There are so many beautiful ways 

to entertain outdoors.  

Create a summer home for dishes. Station an armoire on a covered patio or clear a few shelves in the garage to hold items devoted to alfresco dining. Affordable, unbreakable, brightly hued tableware, mix-and-match acrylic glassware and sturdy flea market finds are all good ideas to have on hand for a planned or impromptu gathering. 

  

Multiple beverage stations help ensure that guests can get a refill without waiting. Galvanized tubs, colorful enamel buckets  and planters work perfectly. With ribbon, tether an opener to a handle of each bin; drape a dish towel nearby to take care of condensation. 

If  it’s an especially warm day, keep plenty of fruit or citrus-infused water on hand for your guests. A drink dispenser will allow them to refill their glasses at the table with ease.

Accommodating a large group for a sit-down meal outside can be accomplished easily and elegantly by topping a few folding tables with a rustic flat-panel door or a single piece of plywood covered with cloth. 

 

Setting a stunning table can be surprisingly simple with a little creativity. Don’t be afraid to play with patterns, add bursts of bright color, and mix the old with the new. 

Create centerpieces using foliage from the yard. Flowering or fruiting branches look elegant atop a table, as do fern fronds and leaves arranged in jars.

 

 

Happy Summer Entertaining!