How to Create a Spring Tablescape with Bright Pastels
May is a wonderful time to entertain. With springtime weather, we can host parties indoors and out. May has several opportunities for creating tablescapes for brunches, luncheons, dinners and special occasions. I can’t wait to show you how to create a spring tablescape with bright pastels.
What better way to celebrate the beautiful month of May than by designing a lovely tablescape for a meal with friends? This May tablescape will work for any spring or summer party you want to host. It’s been one of my favorites for a long time.
Flowers are blooming everywhere. Hydrangeas and peonies are showing off their blooms. We’ve planted our annuals for the season: impatiens, geraniums, angelonia, mandevilla, hibiscus. With the yard looking so pretty, this is the season to invite friends over.
I wanted the prettiest view and brightest light for this luncheon celebrating May. I chose to create my May tablescape in our breakfast room, which is surrounded by windows. Here is the best ambiance for a girlfriend lunch theme.
My May tablescape is inspired by the colors in the backyard – pinks, yellows, aqua, blues, even a bit of orange, and beautiful green foliage. These bright pastels that are my happy colors.
Celebrate the Holiday/Season
Today is our monthly blog hop celebration of the current holiday or season. Since there are so many special occasions in May (Kentucky Derby, Mother’s Day, graduations, bridal showers, end-of-school celebrations, Memorial Day), we are celebrating the whole month of May.
I’m so excited to host this lovely gathering of bloggers, each sharing their idea for May celebrations. If you are joining me from Wendy of WM Design House, I know you loved Wendy’s lovely garden party.
Bright Pastels Make a Spring Tablescape
I always start with a theme – this one is a celebration of spring and May.
Then I recommend that you choose a color palette that reflects the season or the occasion for your gathering. My color scheme is bright pastels.
Next, gather those items that reflect your color scheme. I had a few pieces would work well in my pastel tablescape.
- This teapot, given to me by a good friend, was the first on my list of tablescape must-haves. All I had to do was fill it with lovely pink roses. (Here are some “behind the scenes” preparations.)
- Next on my list of tablescape necessities were my pastel stripe Fiesta glasses. I found them at a local antique store several years ago, There were only 7 with a pitcher and so I guess that’s why I got them for a great price.
Because our breakfast room table is an antique pub table with a brown stained top, I first covered it with a white tablecloth to give me a neutral background to layer placemats on top.
I have several shades of round woven bright pastel placemats, but after trying several combinations, I decided I needed new ones.
During a trip searching for lamps, pillows, and planters, I found these aqua placemats with a diagonal pattern at Home Goods. I brought them home and was thrilled that they complimented the aqua tea-pot just right.
Then I could use my multi-colored floral napkins that I made several years ago from fat quarters.
Our white Villeroy & Boch everyday dinner plates would serve as chargers. I used my mother-in-law’s mother of pearl silverware.
Then I needed a salad plate. First I tried these gorgeous pink hibiscus plates that I had seen at Pier 1. I loved them, but somehow they just didn’t fit the color scheme and I couldn’t set a dish on top.
On the same trip to Home Goods, I saw these awesome plates from Portugal and they are a better fit.
I had planned to use these pink sherbet glasses (another antique mall find a few years ago), but they were just too light in weight and color.
Looking around the kitchen, I spied one of my favorite finds from Pottery Barn a few years back – these sweet pastel ice cream cups. I have 8 in different colors. Unfortunately, I don’t think PB has them anymore. These cups completed the place setting perfectly.
BIG TIP: Just like with pillows, lamps, or art, sometimes you have to bring home several candidates and try them out to see which ones work the best.
Pastel Floral Place Card
I love place cards because you can be creative and add color and a fun element to a table.
I used four small ceramic glasses (antique mall find in Atlanta) as mini-vases. The colors were just right.
I cut a piece of florist foam to fit inside, filled the glass with water and stuck a rose in. Then I made the floral place cards.
Originally, I set the tea pot on a small clear cake plate. Then I realized that I needed a place for the fruit that I planned to serve.
I switched out the cake plate to a larger size and that gave me the perfect place for the fruit. I chose fruit that complimented my tablescape colors.
I added a small crystal pitcher to hold the “jeweled” picks for the fruit and another little crystal pitcher for vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt to serve with the fruit.
In addition to the fruit, I included some ladyfingers with raspberry preserves.
One of my favorite cookies is macarons. Where else can you get crunchy sweetness in a variety of flavors, fillings and colors? And they are just so French!
I stopped into Tart Bakery Dallas to pick up a dozen in 3 flavors: Raspberry, Orange Vanilla and Pistachio Crème.
For a beverage, I chose pink lemonade, one of my favorite girlfriend drinks. If you want, you can add Prosecco or Limoncello for an extra treat.
First, I made some ice cubes by adding some red food coloring to the water and using my flexible ice-cube trays from Sur la Table.
TIP: In warm weather, making ice cubes from the same liquid as your drink helps the drink not get watered down when the ice melts.
I added pale blue straws from IKEA which I already had on hand. I just cut off a couple of inches so they fit in the glass.
I also found this precious pink-and-white striped pitcher at Home Goods and I could not resist. A perfect addition to the table to serve the pink lemonade.
As a final touch to the table, I went to my closet and pulled out 4 pashminas in shades of pink, aqua, green, and blue. Tied around the chairs, they add a pop of color and softness.
Pastels can be found in so many items: flowers, plates, placemats, napkins, paper, food and drinks, and ice cubes. The possibilities never cease.
I stepped away, surveyed how my spring tablescape looked, straightened a fork, moved a glass over a smidge, and declared the table complete.
The bright pastel table was ready to receive my guests.
I was thrilled with the results and I love sharing with you how to create this spring tablescape for a May luncheon with bright pastels.
Here are a few more springtime table settings you will enjoy:
Favorite Spring/Summer Tablescapes
Next up on our Celebrating May Blog Hop is my friend Laura of Everyday Edits. Laura has our first patriotic decorations for you.
Carol, I absolutely adore your bright pastel table. The flowers in the teapot are stunning. Now I’m going to be looking for small blue teapot.
Lovely table Carol! So many great details. I love the pashmina wrapped chairs and the mother of pearl flatware is amazing. 🤩 That’s one of my coveted items and having it be from your family is fantastic. I love all your attention to detail like those colorful picks for the fruit and the Fiesta glassware is so fun. The food looks delicious btw. Happy May! XO- MaryJo
Love this pastel spring tablescape Carol! The centerpiece combination is both brilliant and beautiful! Pinning!
It’s a teapot! I thought it was a bowl! So pretty Carol!
Thank you for organizing this holiday tour! Have a great weekend and party!
Hi Carol,
Your dining table is so vibrant and cheerful. I love the teapot centerpiece surrounded by finger foods in array of colors. The personal touches with the name cards is cute too!
Today your post was featured on my features for Thursday Favorite Things. Just a note about the link party- Our scheduled time for going live is now at 7 a.m MST instead of Wednesday evenings.
Thank you for sharing with us. Your post is Pinned in our Thursday Favorite Things group board.
Olivia
Thanks so much Olivia for all the sharing. I really appreciate it.
Your table is so fun!! I love the teapot serving as a vase. I have featured you as part of Thursday Favorite things! Angelina @ Peonies & Orange Blossoms
Awesome, how exciting. Thank you so much.
What a fun post…photography, color, food, details…such a beautiful Spring table!
Nancy, thank you so much for your compliment. I’m so glad that you enjoyed my spring tablescape.
Carol, this is certainly a beautiful Spring table setting, so refreshing! Love all the pastels! Great job.
Hi Kim, thank you for the positive comments.
I really enjoyed reading and seeing how you put this fabulous spring tablescape together – so interesting, inspiring and beautiful! I just love how those little bowls look mimic the colours of Easter eggs and add so much to the table. Your centerpiece is wonderful and the little picks would make picking up that fruit so fun! Pinned! Happy Spring!
Lori, you are so sweet. I appreciate your comments and your Pinning!
Your pastel tablescape is so fresh and screams “spring.” I love it . Sheila
I forgot to say…I pinned some of your pics for inspiration on my tablescapes board. sheila
Thank you soooo much!
You made my day. Thank you.
Your table is beautiful but the teapot centerpiece is my favorite part of it! What a fun idea. I have pinned it and will be inspired by it the next time I set my table for tea. Thanks!
Thank you, Joy. I’m so happy that you liked that sweet tea~pot. I have a friend to thank!
Carol, your spring table is so pretty and fresh. The pastels are perfect to help celebrate the awakening of spring. Cheerful and bright, especially in your lovely breakfast room. The teapot filled with those roses is gorgeous, surrounded by colorful fruit. I love the layering of your plates. Spring has arrived. It’s been so much fun sharing on this special blog hop.
Thank you Linda. I appreciate your comments.
Oh Carol,
I cannot tell you how much I adore this table setting! Love it to absolute bits. Brought such happiness to my day. Could not wait to share it on Facebook. Nothing beats a table set with love and filled with special people. Your friends will feel so treasured.
Truly beautiful! (still gasping with delight…)
Julie, your comments have me overwhelmed. Thanks so much. I’m thrilled that you liked the tablescape.
Gorgeous tablescape! I am pinning this! I am in love with the colorful macaroons. You out did yourself.
Maria
Thank you, Maria. I always love your comments.
Hello Carol,
I love love your table in those pretty pastel colors. It doesn’t get more spring than that. I am admiring all the wonderful and creative touches of your table. I have to begin by saying that the blue tea pot is lovely. How clever to make it the center piece for your fresh fruit tray. I also love your choice of glassware. The Fiesta glasses are so pretty. The individual flower vases are darling but my favorite is the added Pashminas to the chairs. That as very clever.
How wonderful to be on this blog hop with you.
Janet
rosemary-thyme.blogspot.com
Janet, I love your positive feedback. Thanks so much for taking the time to visit Bluesky Kitchen. I really do appreciate it.
What a perfectly pastel Spring tablescape you have put together! Lovely! The pashminas were a great addition, but the whole thing is so well themed. You really pulled it all together, down to the littlest details, like the pastel straws! Thank you so much for being a part of the tablescape blog hop!
Chloe, hostess with the mostest, thank you so much for your sweet comments. It’s been a great week and I’ve so enjoyed everyone’s contributions. It’s always a pleasure to be part of your blog hopper team.
What a bright and full of joy tablescape! Love the color palette and every single detail 🙂
Donna, thank you very much. I appreciate your comments.
I love those giant gobblets! And the little place card holders, too cute!
Ariel, thank you so much. It was a fun tablescape to put together.
Your table came together beautifully and one can’t help but smile while reading this post. Using fat quarters for napkins is very economical as is using the pashminas. I’m sure your girlfriends would want to linger at this pretty table!
Those colors are ah-mazing and perfect for spring. And I love the added scraves!
Your table is just lovely, Carol. I especially liked the idea of the cake stand with the flowers and fruit around it. So cheery — I know your guests were enchanted!
This is wonderful spring fun Carol! Love your bright light filled table with a rainbow of foods to match your pretties!! the teapot centerpiece is just adorable! Love all the fun details too, you’ve thought of everything to bring out ohhhs and ahhhhs!
Carol, I love this table! It is so pretty with its colorful color palette. Your place card holders are adorable, and I adore teapots and your new teapot is beautiful! What a perfect container for those gorgeous roses, and the food looks delicious! I would of loved to be a guest at your beautiful table!!!
Beautiful table!! I love doing the same as you, shopping the house and trying different ideas to get the perfect mix. Your Fiesta glasses are really neat, I’ve never seen those and I would have snapped them up too. The entire post was so interesting to read. Now, all I need to know is what time are the cookies being served? Yum!!
Certainly a ‘sweet’ tablescape, Carol. My favorite element is the pashminas on the chair backs! They totally finish the overall beauty of the pastels used. Your methodical approach to setting the table is exactly how my mind operates, trying different looks, mixing, nixing, and then settling on just the right look desired. Very pretty, very springy, very nice!
I love your pretty pastel table set for spring Carol! Your teapot makes the perfect blooming centerpiece with your roses. I love how your dressed your chairs with your pashminas!
Carol, So many creative touches! I love your pastels so soft and pretty! First, the pastel blue teapot filled with pink roses is a showstopper and then surrounded by an assortment of fruits wets the appetite and senses. I love natural elements and the real food on your table makes me hungry this morning bright and early. Macaroons are my favorite.
Pashminas were a clever touch, too.
I am so inspired by your beautiful Tablescape! Everything about it is so fresh & inviting! The rose place card holders are beautiful! But the display with the teapot & fruit just blew me away! So thrilled to be hopping with you today!
Carol, you had me for sure at macarons! Your color scheme pulls at my heart strings! I absolutely love it, from the pretty roses to the stemware to the cute pink and white pitcher to the fruit! What a delight to sit at your stunning table!