It’s been a summer, well a year actually, of not entertaining. It’s made it a little hard to put together posts for my favorite series on my blog, Dining Decor. I have very much missed setting a pretty table and enjoying a great meal with family and friends. I think food is one of the best excuses to gather with those you love, and giving just as much love to the table decor really takes your meal to the next level. Thankfully, we are at a point where small, safe gatherings are happening a little bit more, which gives me a big reason for a shell-ebration, which was the inspiration for this outdoor dining decor tablescape.

If I was asked each time I sat down for a meal, “indoor or outdoor dining?” it would hands down always be al fresco for me. I always have loved dining outside, whether it’s at home or a restaurant. It’s more colorful and vibrant, takes away technology distractions, allows better conversations and just seems more peaceful. Plus, it’s a great excuse to use my brightest, most tropical table decor!

Outdoor table decor options don’t consist of basic boring paper or plastic plates and cups anymore. There are so many beautiful melamine pieces, which look like “real” dishes, but are actually made of a durable (dishwasher safe) plastic. The options are truly endless, and I imagine some people are even loving them so much, they use them indoors too – perfect if you have kiddos. What’s great about melamine dinnerware is it’s not only unbreakable, making it safe outdoors, but it’s really affordable. It easily mixes with more traditional dinnerware and accessories too, like cloth napkins and placemats.

The mix of bright colors, cute beachy details (hello crab napkin rings), palm leaf placemats and tropical flowers made this particular tablescape feel like the epitome of summer dining. What else is the epitome of summer? The beach! Sand and seashells are abundant at the beach, so they were a natural fit for a centerpiece. And also, easy to get and affordable! I just used the melamine ramekin bowls as little buckets, used sea shells that had been collected over the years and totally nixed the sand – because who wants to run the risk of that in their food!

Depending on how many pieces of dinnerware you have, you can go all out with layering or keep it simple. I always say, use what you have and make it work! Any little bit of dining decor will turn an ordinary meal into a true shell-ebration.

All dinnerware and accessories on this table (minus sea shells and napkins) are from Pier 1 Imports. They are having great sales, sadly because they are going out of business. But, that makes now a good time to stock up on tablescape decor.

See more of my Dining Decor posts here.

Signed with Style,

 

 

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