What would be the best items to put on an end of summer tablescape?

I love sunflowers at this time of year as they are a last-minute homage to summer before bringing out the hardy mums.

And what about lemons for fun and a little more yellowy dazzle?

Maybe add in a red pickup truck that usually comes out to play for Christmas?

Any candles you have lying around?

You get the idea…

As we approach Labor Day, many of us go with the traditional red, white, and blue tablescapes as it is a patriotic holiday. I do too.

But this Labor Day, I think I am going to go with a Lemons and Sunflowers theme for my end of summer tablescape. I have a somewhat Provencal-looking tablecloth (similar, here) that will pair perfectly with lemons and sunflowers.

Let me show you how I put together my end-of-summer tablescape.

In this post...

Step One (for my End of Summer Tablescape): Tablecloths

Here's the tan tablecloth that starts the tablescape. — Here’s the basic tan tablecloth that starts the tablescape.

Here's the pretty yellow and red Provencal tablecloth on the table at an angle. — Here’s the pretty colorful tablecloth (similar, here)

Pro-tip: I love to use a tablecloth on an angle as it’s more interesting and it displays more of the prettiest parts of the tablecloth. And it takes away the concern of the cloth not being big enough to cover the whole table. Since my dining room table is fairly long, I typically first put on protective mats, that I then cover with a neutral tan tablecloth. Then I added the decorative cloth as shown in the photos below.

Step Two (for my End of Summer Tablescape): Placemats

Here are the gorgeous brown rattan oval placemats layered over the two tablecloths. — Here are the oval placemats that I frequently use.

Now I add the next layer which is made of rattan placemats. These are so versatile and truly make the table more beautiful and interesting. These placemats are virtually indestructible. I just wipe them off after the meal and store them away in my hutch. They also look great on a kitchen table or island for regular dinners.

Step Three (for my End of Summer Tablescape): Plates

Now I have added bone ceramic plates on top of the placemats. — Here are the bone ceramic plates on top of the placemats,

I love the look of neutral plates. I usually use bone or white ceramic plates (similar, here) as they coordinate so well with most table settings. I also layered a sunflower dessert/salad plate (very similar, here) over the dinner plate.

And next, I Iayered sunflower dessert plates over the bone ones. — Here are the sunflower plates layered over the bone ones.

Step Four (for my End of Summer Tablescape): Glassware and Candles

I then added glass candle holders, battey-operated pillar candles and red tumblers. — I then added glass candle holders, battery-operated pillar candles, and red tumblers (similar,here).

I use red glasses a lot throughout the year. They work well for Valentine’s Day, as well as all of the red, white, and blue holidays. They also work for the Christmas table settings. Here is a set of red glasses that I use a lot.

Since the little grandkids will be present, I will use battery-operated candles for safety. I will place them on clear glass candle holders.

Step Five (for my End of Summer Tablescape): Flowers, Napkins, and Flatware

Here are the flowers in clear glass tumblers, flatware, and yellow cotton napkins.

I love sunflowers and actually grow different little annual ones in my garden. I also grow the perennial informally named black-eyed Susans. I cut a few from my yard and placed them in clear glass tumblers. The napkins are a pretty yellow color. I prefer 100% cotton or linen napkins as they are softer and more absorbent than polyester. Lastly, I used my everyday stainless steel flatware.

Step Six (for my End of Summer Tablescape): The Truck and Lemons

For a really cute centerpiece, I took a red vintage truck and put real lemons in the back of it.

This is the cutest part of the tablescape! I found a little red truck and filled it with a few lemons. Aren’t the sunflowers, truck, and lemons all so cute together? They really make me smile. I know my grandsons will definitely want to play with that truck!

For a really cute centerpiece, I took a red vintage truck and put real lemons in the back of it. Here is the truck from a different angle.

Happy Early Labor Day to all of you! I hope you enjoy the unofficial end-of-summer tablescape as well as the holiday.

Here is a close-up of the sunflowers and Black-eyed Susans. Oh, and little chicken salt and pepper shakers!

Please follow me @drjuliesfunlife.com for more recipes, table settings, dermatology tips, and fashion ideas. And please share my blog with your friends and family. I so appreciate all of you!

XO,

Dr. Julie

PS Here are a few of my favorite posts for you to enjoy:

The BEST Ginger Cookies Ever

Dermatologist Advice for Anti-Aging Products

How to Make a Fun Red White Blue Tablescape!

Black Blazer Outfit, Six Different Looks

Easiest Appetizer Ever

2 Comments

monoco58 on August 29, 2023 at 4:06 pm

Oh now that is just the cutest!! Love the sunflower plates and the red truck with lemons. So clever and creative, Julie. You’ve definitely got the touch and thanks for sharing it.
xo, Mol
- drjulie on September 1, 2023 at 2:04 am
  
  Thanks Mol!