Welcome, to my summer dinner party. Today I am doing something a bit different.
You see me and the incredibly talented bloggers of bHome App & Community have organized a special summer open house. 31 bloggers, 31 homes, one amazing week…and even a special $200 giveaway.
Summer is all about relaxing, enjoying friends and family and eating. Since I know a little something about eating, I thought I would throw a little summer dinner party and show you some photos from behind the scenes for setting the table for a perfect summer soiree
By the way, if you haven’t already downloaded the bHome app, you should. It is a truly fantastic way to follow tons of amazing bloggers in one place (including yours truly).
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When ever I throw a dinner party I start my meal planning a few weeks in advance, thinking of the season and picking my menu based on what will be freshest and readily available at market. Though I always look to my favorite food blogs for inspiration, I also have an extensive cookbook, magazine collection and I like to sit down at the window seat in my kitchen flipping through the beautiful pages.
The way a table is set contributes to the ambiance of a meal as much as the food and wine. I was having an informal fun party for the girls, so we could sit and relax and catch up on the comings and goings of our lives. I wanted the table to be pretty and fun. I made sure my stemware, flatware and napkins matched and were clean and ready several days before the party.
Creating a mix-and-match table from my collections of china, glassware, and silverware is always fun– and has the benefit of providing me with a unique table setting for each event. Just keep in mind that something should tie the elements together: I used the color scheme as the anchor to pull the pieces together.
Candles are a must for my table, I have a collection of silver and gold votive’s that I use every time I entertain. They are pretty and match almost any entertaining scheme.
On each place setting I added some fresh lavender that I cut from my garden, bundled and tied together with butcher’s twine. A simple and beautiful way of bringing a bit of the summer garden to the table.
After the menu is chosen, I pick the wine. If serving a white make sure that it is chilled before the party starts. I love placing the wine on the table in my copper wine coaster. It adds rustic warmth and style to any gathering. It provides a beautiful presentation for a bottle of wine – and protects surfaces from condensation and drips. 
Flowers are a must! Place flowers around your home other than the tabletop. I love using unusual items that I have around my home as vases. Like this adorable rain catcher that was a gift from a friend. It is the perfect size to sit on my kitchen island to show of a bloom or two with some fresh fruit.
Hope you’ve enjoyed my little sneak peek behind the scenes and you are now inspired to throw your own summer dinner party. Don’t forget to check out the other amazing Summer Home Tours. You won’t be disappointed!
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In thanks for being part of the bHome family already…or to welcome you today, we are giving away a $200 gift certificate to Painted Fox Treasures. It is simple to enter. Just download bHome (the app) for free and leave me a comment with your bHome username. If you are already a bHome user, just comment and include your user name. Winner will be chosen at random on June 20th and notified with a message on bHome. Android users: don’t worry! We will offer this again when you can download too! Download bHome HERE.
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What a exquisite table setting. Love that you used your beautiful lavender from your garden at each place setting. Not only is it beautiful, but it must start of each persons meal experience so wonderfully with that amazing and soothing scent. Thanks so much for the tips for setting the perfect summer tablescape. Great to party with you today!…
Thanks Shriley, I am glad you liked teh lavender. I always like to have a little something for my guests to take home with them, and who doesn’t love a few springs of fresh lavender to brighten their homes.
amy, love your entertaining ideas. especially love how you used your rain catcher for some flowers. this should really help others to think outside the box! Happy summer and entertaining!
Thanks Laura!
Great tips for summer entertaining Amy. I love that copper wine coaster… I’ve never seen one like that before. It’s fun to be on the bHome tour with you today.
Thanks Kerryanne, glad you like the coaster. Can’t wait to stop over at shabby art boutique and see what you have in store for all of us today.
What a perfect post for the bHome tour… a summer dinner party! The little touches and tips you gave have given me some ideas for my next dinner party. The lavender idea is wonderful, it creates a charming and personal feeling and I love that!
I’m up on the tour tomorrow and can’t wait! All the tours have been absolutely wonderful! Isn’t bHome fantastic!!
Thanks Cynthia, so glad you enjoyed the tour. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us.
Gorgeous table and love the idea of the copper piece under the wine bottle.
Thanks Kim. I love wine coasters and have a small collection. They always get plenty of compliments at my parties. Not sure if it is because they hold the wine or just their good looks? 😉
Lovely post, Amy! I always love having fresh flowers in my house when I have guests. Love the little sprigs of lavender!
Thanks Ashley! I love the smell of fresh lavender and use it everywhere I can.
This was a real treat Amy! Very inspiring…..thanks for brightening my rainy day. ( :
My pleasure Sarah, hope you are doing well!
Hi Amy! I would love to be a guest at your table. How pretty. And the lavender is an amazing way to be greeted at the table. I bet your food is just amazing! I can’t even tell you how many of your yummy recipes I’ve pinned!!!!
Thanks Yvonne, and thank you for sharing my recipes!
I love your summer entertaining tips – using lavendar from the garden to dress up each place setting is so clever and beautiful! I love those metallic votives!! It’s been so fun to join you in this amazing bHome Summer Open House series – Happy Summer! Heather
Thanks Heather!
Gorgeous! Your table looks like a 5 start restaurant!..how I would love to be there right now.
Thanks Debbie!
So glad I stopped in..everything looks amazing
bhome username: ginette4
Thanks for stopping by Ginette!
I love the little bunny rain catcher. We had one similar but it was a turtle. The glass broke 🙁 I would have never thought of using it as a vase. how clever! Thank you for sharing your home with us…xo
That stinks Lucy! I hope you find a new one, they are so whimsical and fun. Thanks for stopping by!
Your entertaining tips are fantastic and the table is gorgeous! I can almost smell the lavender. 😉 So fun to be part of this tour with you!
Mix and match, test tubes, and lavender! I knew your home would be fun to tour! Thanks for the tips – I’ll be pulling them out this weekend.
Thanks Stephanie. Loved your garden tour!
Such beautiful details! So excited to be a part of this tour with you!
xo Michael
Thanks Micael! I love your site, it is such an inspiration!
Your table-setting looks absolutely lovely and the lavender is the perfect touch. I’m so glad to have been a part of the first bHome tour with you!
cheers, mb
Thanks Mary Beth! Glad to be on the tour with you too!xo