Farmers from California to the Mediterranean will soon be harvesting olives to press for our much-loved olive oil. While we live in the city and not on a farm, I thought I would set a pretty table outdoors reminiscent of our trip to Italy. We stayed in an Agriturismo where the olive trees were plentiful. Today with the addition of stoneware provided by Old Time Pottery, we can experience farmhouse dining in a city courtyard.
An Alfresco Table for Two in the Courtyard
We live in a small condominium where our courtyard is the perfect place for entertaining. This table is set for two. It could be two friends on a warm summer night, catching up on life, or talking about the good old days. Perhaps it’s for me and 007 or me and Princess Van Gogh having a fun mother/daughter dinner.
Setting up was a labor of love on a very hot summer day. There was blue sky and one dark cloud that blew in from the east. A glorious rainbow arched overhead while thunder threatened rain. I said a little prayer and asked the Lord to please not let it rain until I got a few pictures.
For summer or winter, the fireplace adds warmth and ambiance to a table for two.
I used the table runners in a non-traditional way and repeated the pattern with iron chargers.
An intimate spot for a romantic dinner.
Double napkins and rings, all from Old Time Pottery.
Meant for wall art, I thought they made beautiful chargers.
Glassware at Old Time Pottery is so much fun to pick out. The iced tea glass is a replica of the Old Williamsburg pattern manufactured from 1966-1980.
And this delicate, green pitcher in the old Hobnail pattern could hold water, iced tea or margaritas on a hot summer day.
“Vintage” glassware adds character to any table.
The fountain in our courtyard provides a steady, calming background sound.
Yellow daisies are the perfect summer flower.
The storm cloud passed right over me. Not a drop of rain. The sun slid down the sky and the lights popped on.
What summer tablescape is complete without a White Wine Sangria? My beverage dispenser sits in a lovely iron tray and guess where I got it? Yep, Old Time Pottery!
As most of our gatherings do, this one could last well into the night.
Cheers!
It is such an honor to be part of this fun and creative blog hop with 25 other fabulous bloggers! You will find so many great ideas for your tablescapes, you’ll have to party all year to use them! Thank you Chloe with Celebrate and Decorate, for including me!
MONDAY
Starfish Cottage | Knock it Off Kim | Life and Linda | Southern Hospitality | Everyday Living
TUESDAY
My Kentucky Living | DesignThusiasm | Simple Nature Decor |
WEDNESDAY
Red Cottage Chronicles | The Little Yellow Corner Store | Ramblings of a Southern Girl
THURSDAY
Panoply | Flourish & Knot | The Painted Apron | Dining Delight |
FRIDAY
B. Lovely Events | Lolly Jane | A Toile Tale | Bluesky Kitchen | Rattlebridge Farm
A special thank you to Old Time Pottery for sponsoring this post. I will be linking with these utterly fabulous parties:
Celebrate Your Story, Mommy Moments, Rustic and Refined, Coastal Charm,
Cooking and Crafting with J&J, The Scoop, Inspire Me Tuesday, Tasty Tuesdays
Inspire Me Monday, Tickle My Tastebuds, Wow Us Wednesday,
Full Plate Thursday, Work it Wednesday, Creative Spark, Your Inspired Design, Home Matters, Idea Box,
Poofing the Pillows, Sweet Inspiration, DIY Sunday Showcase, Get Your DIY On,
What a lovely post, such a serene place to enjoy! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday today. Have a great day and come back soon!
Miz Helen
What a gorgeous tablescape and lovely space! We’re thrilled to be a part of it!
You have a fountain. In your courtyard. I don’t even know what to say to that, other than “wow”! Your table is lovely – I adore the green and yellow colour scheme!
What a beautiful area to entertain in…I love it! Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty
I could totally see myself having a glass of wine at this table! The green and the yellow are so fabulous together.
Thank you, Emily. If you ever find yourself in central Alabama, we could have a glass of wine together!
Kim, Glad the rain missed your lovely evening. The table is lovely with the pottery, one of my favorite place to shop too! I feel like I’ve just had dinner in Roma!
Hugs…………
Emily, it is SOOO good to hear from you! Next time you head to Old Time, let me know! I’ll meet you there. 😉
Oh, I love this! Refreshing greens and yellows, string lights, a fountain, and magic!
Thanks so much! Living in the Magic City, you just never know what’s next.
What a beautiful and inviting setting. Love the colors. I need to make a trip to Old Time Pottery.
Thanks, MGC! Love and hugs…
What a beautiful courtyard you have. The fountain, the fireplace, and the tablescape all work together to really create that feeling of dining in Italy! I am in love with the green glassware and those chargers. What a brilliant idea. So glad the rain didn’t interfere with your plans!
Thank you, Maureen! I’d go back to Italy tomorrow if I could. And, I’d take a moving van with me! I love Italy!!!
You have a lovely porch! Love it at night too!
Thanks so much, Lolly Jane!
What a beautiful setting! The courtyard is such a cozy spot! Love the color scheme of your tablescape! And the iron chargers are an unique, pretty touch! ~Rhonda
Thank you so much, Rhonda! We have really enjoyed the courtyard.
What a beautiful setting for your tablesetting! I love the fountain its so grand! The lights are my favorite. I think this has been one of the best blog hops I have been to, great to meet you.
Maria
Maria, I agree that this has been a very fun blog hop! I’ve had the opportunity to meet other great bloggers like you!
Your shades of various green in your tablescape enhances your outdoor theme, especially among the shrubs and the water element of the fountain. The outdoor party lights and the candlelight really puts me in a relaxed mood. The touches of bright yellow in the flowers and beverage adds a pop of color. A perfect summer time party tablescape!
Thanks, Marsha! I was pretty relaxed too, once this was finished!
Kim, This looks so beautiful and relaxing. I could sit for hours (in every season but summer here!) and enjoy conversation and good food. This does remind me of the little sidewalk cafes in the alley ways of Italy. We were blessed to travel there this spring to see one of our military sons and his family. Your table settings are beautiful; I love the vintage glassware! Thanks for sharing!
Becky, you are so precious! And so are your sons! What a mom you must have been to have raised more than one who serves our country. Thank you!!!!
Kim, you have created a beautiful table! I love the olive dishes and the repurposed wall art as chargers is so clever! Every element is so perfect and the courtyard is stunning with the fireplace and fountain! I would love to dine in that gorgeous setting! Pam @ Everyday Living
Pam, you are welcome anytime! I loved the olive dishes, too and we are very fortunate to have this courtyard. I’ve loved seeing all of the tablescapes. Thank you so much for your compliments!
Kim, I love your alfresco tablescape in the courtyard with the relaxing sound of the water flowing in the fountain. Glad the weather cooperated. The pottery and glassware you selected look so inviting and the colors are so cheerful. Love your beverage dispenser and the unique way you used two table runners and two napkin colors. Perfect flowers and glassware. Using something vintage always adds just the right touch I think.
Glad you could linger with candlelight and enjoy the evening. Cheers to you!
I enjoyed your post and blog hopping with you.
Bonnie, you are so kind. Thank you for such sweet compliments. I agree that vintage adds a special touch. The blog hop has been a VERY fun experience for me! It’s good to hear from you again. Wish you could join our meetings here on the Gulf Coast. Hugs!!!
How pretty your courtyard table looks! I just love the citrus colors – they’re so summery and cheerful… 🙂 Thanks for sharing this lovely table with us!!
Thank you, Lory. You are too kind.
Kim, I love the Mediterranean feel of your tablescape. What a delight to have the fireplace to add wonderful ambiance to your alfresco dining. The greens and yellow colors are so pretty together.
Thank you Carol! I can’t imagine the fireplace today. Over 100• today with humidity. But it is lovely in the fall.
What a gorgeous courtyard, fireplace, fountain AND table. I just love the yellows and greens. Hope you are having fun with the blog hop this week, nice to meet you!
Thank you, Kristy. I’m having a delightful time! It’s great to meet you too.
P.S. I wanted to also comment on your genius idea to use 2 table runners on your outdoor table thereby circumventing that “umbrella pole in the middle” issue that so many of us alfresco diners have. Will use that idea for sure!
Lori, thanks. I struggled with that umbrella! I couldn’t decide whether to remove it completely or not. The runners were my quick solution. I’m glad you like the way it turned out!!
Such a beautiful courtyard setting for a little “trip to Italy” alfresco tablescape! Love the green colour combo you chose and the terrific place settings – wall art as chargers, great idea! I’d love to sit at this table and have a glass of sangria from that gorgeous dispenser. Your outdoor lighting is fabulous – no wonder your gatherings last into the night. I’m so enjoying checking out all the different versions of alfresco dining on this Blog Hop and my stop here was memorable!
Lori, that is so very kind of you to say. I am touched that my stop was memorable. Thank you so very much!
Your courtyard table and setting is just perfect! I love almost every shade of green, so you grabbed me with your green glasses, napkins, and placemats/runners. A perfectly executed table scape and location. Love everything about it. Sheila
Thank you so much, Sheila. I love green, too!
Oh my, I am swooning over those evening photos with the light draped over your patio. I wouldn’t need anything else, and yet, you have made even more special with your lovely table setting! Those pieces you used for chargers are gorgeous! The white wine sangria is the perfect beverage to share with friends on a summer evening!
Chloe, I would love to share a glass of Sangria with you! Thanks so much for your sweet compliments. I have so enjoyed this blog hop and am thrilled to have met you in the process.
Forgot to say I need to go to Old Time Pottery! You found some fantastic things!
I’ll meet you there!
Kim, your table is fabulous! What a setting, and how did you keep that courtyard all to yourself! Love the way you used the metal decor for chargers, and the things you chose to use really did feel like you are in Italy! I could almost taste cool summer sangria-
Wonderful job!
Thanks Jenna! I can’t wait to see your fabulousness on the blog hop!
Lovely Alfresco tablescape. You have a lovely setting with the fireplace and beautiful fountain. Adding the lights makes an evening shine. Loving your green theme and using the wall art for chargers is so smart! you have covered the bases for a truly lovely alfresco evening. Glad there was no rain. Fun hopping with you.
You too, Anonymous! Thanks so much.