A celebration of the Last Day of Summer on the actual last day of Summer. I mean, who wouldn’t want to bust out the cocktails? If you know my mother Carol, then you know she loves any excuse to throw a fab dinner party. Kids are back in school! Check! Cooler temps are moving in! Check!


This seasonal table was designed around a coastal theme using various types of coral, starfish, sand dollars and Tridacna gigas clam shells.


Three crustaceous floral arrangements placed on glass risers were filled with 20 stems of white Hydrangea, 20 yellow and coral Roses, 2 stems of yellow Cymbidium and 40 stems of yellow Oncidium Orchids. The larger arrangement in the center of the table was topped off with a wooden sail boat.



Bright turquoise napkins and striped placemats symbolize blue Caribbean water. The flatware for this place setting was Laguiole and the vintage Stuart Crystal dessert compotes were topped off with antique David Andersen sterling silver guilloche enamel demitasse spoons.

Mom used silver starburst chargers, along with complimentary dinner and salad plates, all from Z Gallerie. She then paired standard Fleur dessert plates with the crystal dessert compotes. Color tinted stemware for water and wine tied it all together.

For the kitchen centerpiece, in addition to the flowers used in the giant clam shells, 1 bunch of Dianthus and 2 bunches of hanging Amaranthus were tightly packed into the large green urn.

As a gesture of thanks for attending dinner, these darling octopus kitchen towels and Stonewall Kitchen jams were the favors guests took home with them.

Summer Tablescape RECAP!
Yup, I know what you’re thinking. Why in the world is Christy talking about a summer tablescape, when Central Market already has pumpkins spilling out their doors. Well, nothing like planning a photoshoot on Friday, September 22nd (the actual last day of Summer), waiting for the rushed images to be edited, all while October is coming in hot. Sometimes, it’s just the way the ball rolls. In the meantime, we are knocking out the punch list on this website and I’m still learning the back end of Word Press with all of its bells and whistles.

Tridacna gigas clam shells in Large and Extra Large
Kitchen towels and jams
I didn’t have links for the items below, but sourcing these with a simple website search should produce many options to help you achieve the perfect look.
Coral, starfish and sand dollars
Glass votive candles
Vintage Stuart Crystal dessert compotes.
David Andersen sterling silverware
Large ceramic green urn
Colored glass stemware
A special thank you to Jim Irwin Floral and talented photographer Jodie Miears with Reverie Photo Co.