A Picnic Inspired Summer Table with Talking Tables

***This post contains gifted items***

I love all the projects I get to work on with Talking Tables. This picnic inspired table might just be a new favourite. I never know when a box of treats will arrive. When they do I’m always excited by the unexpected delights. I didn’t know I needed a picnic blanket until this lovely one arrived. Now I won’t be able to live without it. As the summer holidays beckon, it’ll get plenty of use on our adventures.

Before I let my children loose on the beautiful new blanket I wanted to photograph it. The ‘picnic’ theme was taken quite literally. I created a picnic inspired table because let’s face it a picnic on the ground never stays pretty for long! It’s also important to me to show what can be created in real life with existing pieces. Vintage tablecloths, plates or cutlery makes something new feel part of the story.

For this table I lent into a mix of playful checks. First layering our garden table with a vintage tablecloth and then adding the picnic blanket (at an angle) on top. From there I grabbed a jug of table flowers. These are the flowers I have in my home when I’m not working. They are a simple mix of blooms gathered from the garden and allotment. As I’m in wedding season creating precise arrangements. I want my personal flowers to feel loose and pretty. This arrangement includes; Olive, Sedum, Strawflowers, Ammi and Echinops.

To go a little extra and bring the allotment to the table. Branches of plums were snipped (don’t tell my Dad, guardian of the plum tree) and laid along the centre of the table. It was hot at the allotment last week, the plum tree gave much needed shade and cast everything in such a pretty dappled light, I couldn’t resist. Even unripe they smelt so sweet, it kept wafting over the table as I was setting it. Gorgeous!

These super reusable stainless steel plates were included in the box. They are great, light weight enough to be carried around but also sturdy enough to hold a plate of food. Obviously, you could use them as plates are intended, to eat from! However, they are pretty enough to take centre stage and hold a little platter or two. Much to the delight of my children, I made a petite treat plate using mini cakes and strawberries. Everything came from M&S because it’s not a proper picnic without something from M&S! I dressed the plate with stems of tart blackcurrants rescued from the allotment.

Aside from the plum branches, the temptation to create a little extra is always there. I created some sweet floral napkins that would look great for a summer baby shower or hen party. Using the yellow gingham napkins, short stem flowers and pocket boutonnieres. A new discovery from wedding work.  These floral napkins added a touch of whimsy and joy to the table.

Good news is they are really easy to make.

First set the napkin so it’s a ‘diamond’ shape with all the openings at the top. Place the pocket on top and fold the edges around creating a pocket shape. Make sure you can’t see any of the plastic.

Take a small piece of tissue, a pocket tissue is an ideal size and place in the pocket. Then add a few drops of water. You want the tissue to be wet but not dripping. Pour out any excess water if needed.

Then taking small individual flower stems place them into the pocket leaving enough stem length to miss the top of the napkin.

Once happy, slide the pocket of flowers into the napkin and place in the table.

To finish I added wooden cutlery. Also included in my parcel.

These little pockets are great. The flowers can be reused and in this case as we head into high summer many can be saved and used for drying.

One of the pleasures I’ve experienced in this year’s wedding work is witnessing the coming together of people and families. So often we wait for a big event to sit down with one another. It has always been my belief that life is made up of small sparks.

Whilst my own children object to sitting down to eat together. My husband and I insist we do once a week. The meals never meander or last and quite often they’re unforgettable. But the feeling of togetherness is one I hope they’ll remember forever. When ever I set the table, whether that’s for an event or every day I am setting the intention of being together.

Thank you, as always to Talking Tables for the supplies. Styling, photography and words all my own. And thank you for supporting these posts that allow me to bring some inspiration to your day. You can see some past projects here.