How to Set a Colorful Casual Summer Table

Matching china is not a prerequisite for a casual summer dining table. In fact, an eclectic mix of colorful ceramic serving pieces and miss-matched plates and cups can turn a pitcher of iced tea or good wine, some fresh fruit and grilled Salmon into a colorful casual summer feast, for the eyes and the palate. Summer theme ceramics abound at thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets in bright colors that complement each other. After the fun of collecting what you like, use them to brighten a summer supper table, indoors or out. If you serve on your deck, you can linger and enjoy the sweet smell of fresh cut grass or listen to the kids splash in the pool.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An eye for a bargain
• Spare time & money
• Summer table cloth
• Handful of fresh flowers
• Shade for dining comfort
• Summer menu

1. Find garage sale listings in your local paper, or just drive around on Saturday & Sunday. You’re sure to spot yard sale signs. Ceramics vary in price and quality, but there’s a ton out there and half the fun is hunting them down. Serving pieces are slightly more than the miscellaneous dish usually, but still can be had for a buck or two apiece.
   You might even find that rare and valuable Majolica, on someone’s sale table. The thrift store and flea markets are great sources for colorful plates, bowls and serving ware.

2. Keep a complimentary color scheme in mind while you collect. Bright happy colors like orange, yellow and red look good paired with deep lavender, cobalt blue and dark green. Food looks great on all of these colors, especially fruit. If you already have a few pieces in your collection, change it up a bit with something entirely different. Bold pieces seem to work better with bold pieces, and delicate pieces work with florals and china, but there is no rule involved here except pleasing your own eye.

3. Look for pieces in good condition, free of cracks and stains. Keep some wet wipes handy, so you can remove a little soil from good prospects if needed. Hand sanitizer is a great item to pocket before you go treasure hunting too, providing germ killing action that will prevent transferring germs to your steering wheel and gearshift after you’ve handled items that your fellow ceramic seekers considered.

4. Remove stickers, wash thoroughly and dry your find before serving in it, of course. Even pieces that were stored clean may have been handled by many bargain hunters before you got them. Add some bleach to the water to remove any surface stains, and the ceramic polish used on glass Cook tops works great too.

5. Assemble your collection on a table cloth, and see how it all works together. Add or take away items until you get a harmonious look. Tinted wine glasses add a bit of elegance, and they don’t need to match to do so. Add a handful of fresh flowers in a small vase.
   
   Add the food, the people to savor it, and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a collection of non-matching china cups with saucers to serve freshly brewed coffee after the meal.
• Shiny flatware that matches is an investment worth making when setting even a casual table.
• Cloth napkins are an elegant touch, and very practical.
• Big dogs who have bad manners should be crated while using breakables!

Resources

• "eHow Home and Garden Topic Guide."

[LilacGirl]

on 8/10/2009 Great article and lovely photo.

[edieness]

on 7/29/2009 Great tips on How to Set a Colorful Casual Summer Table.

[magnadea]

on 7/25/2009 Nice tips for setting a colorful casual summer table. I love mismatched china and tableware and great idea to recycle by buying them at garage sales. 5*

[gahazeleyes]

on 7/25/2009 Very nice article. Thanks for sharing.

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 7/24/2009 Beautiful table setting! Great resources to find these beauties!