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Casual and Elegant Come Together for a Beautiful Table!

July 15, 2023 31 Comments

15 Jul
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Casual and elegant come together for a beautiful table!  Farmhouse blue check tablecloth, Lenox china, daily silverware and paper napkins come together for a casual elegant table!

My parents always said there was no use having china and silver and not use it. They also thought children learned manners when eating at a nicely set table in the home or out. I agree.

Plus, it is fun to be creative from simple to extravagant!

summer bold flower colors

Zinnias are old fashioned flowers. Mom always planted them. They are easy no maintance flowers to plant and grow. Their bold colors just say summer!! Jim plants some very year.

use colors from nature and china

Did you notice how those colorful zinnias have the same colors as the Lenox china? Colors don’t have to be match match; they just have to not clash!

When I chose the Lenox china I had no idea how much I would use in so many differnt ways both casual and elegant!

Looking with fresh eyes may help you to create a beautiful table for a casual yet elegant using what you have. That’s the beauty of basics. I have both the basic white dishes that are truly affordable and china like my Lenox Autumn.

https://rstyle.me/+KqQqp1UqPs7FKGmtLp6ToA

Picking up random items for setting a table like the floral paper napkins I used for this summer table get tucked away in my cabinet drawers for when inspiration strikes.

These napkins were leftovers. Aren’t they a great addition with the Lenox Autumn china, the blue checked tablecloth and the vibrant summer zinnias?

https://rstyle.me/+dskv9AU-D3VdsGCBGcw89Q

Grandchildren are my sweet helpers

I had a sweet helper who loves poking in the china cabinets for something that catches her eye. Her siblings often pitch in too.

Cor with Summer Zinnias
Cor with Summer Zinnias

Earlier that morning, Omega and Cor cut zinnias from Grandpa’s garden. Those folksy blooms look right at home on the blue check tablecloth. It’s from the Pottery Barn outlet years ago.

Extras for the table

Beginning of the Table

This graceful hand blown pitcher is from the Original Jamestowne Glasshouse. Old Jamestowne is a national park located on the original settlement in Virginia.  (https://www.nps.gov/jame/planyourvisit/glasshouse.htm)

I also used one of the oval vases from Colonial Candle collection. 

The summer floral paper napkins are a nice touch with the flower colors and the blue that is often used in Williamsburg textiles. 

dinner is served

We were having spaghetti and meatballs so I used the Autumn soup plates. I don’t have enough for all of us so I also set out dinner plates to fill out the table.  

On the dining table, I set out luncheon plates for bread plates. anf little dishes for herb and olive oil dipping sauce. The warmed loaves were served on the bread cutting board and ‘Blessings’ platter.

assorted serving pieces

I have an assortment of small china round and odd shape dishes for the herb and olive oil bread dipping sauce. My family loves the dipping sauce so the herb shaker is set on the table along with the olive oil bottle.  

The warmed loaves were served on the bread cutting board and ‘Blessings’ platter.

I used our regular Oneida silverware and bistro glasses. Amy made us salad and just grabbed dishes out of the cabinet for serving. Casual, remember!

CASUALLY ELEGANT

Mixing fine china with paper napkins and classic checked picnic tablecloths with old fashion flowers makes us feel special. We hAD our easy meal of spaghetti and meatballs.

Casual and elegant can come together for a beautiful table!  

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This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. 

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Previous Post: « Sloppy Joes and Neat Janes
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Reader Interactions

linda

Comments

  1. Rosemary Palmer says

    July 16, 2023 at 2:15 pm

    I love mixing patterns – fancy and casual – get more use of your dishes and glassware.

    Reply
    • Linda Johnston says

      July 18, 2023 at 2:48 pm

      So true! Opens up endless possibilitiesS

      Reply
  2. Marie says

    July 28, 2021 at 4:27 pm

    The checks with the bright flowers are so pretty. I loved looking through my grandmother’s china cabinet when I was little, but everything was off limits! Wish she brought out all her pretty things more.

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 28, 2021 at 4:56 pm

      Thank you Marie. I do have special things I rather not have broken. The kids know which ones those are andcome ask me it they can open whatever cabinet and hold, look and touch. I still help the youngest with his looking.

      Reply
  3. Danielle says

    July 23, 2021 at 5:26 pm

    Your parents gave you great advice! Why have it if you don’t use it!

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 23, 2021 at 5:49 pm

      They were wise people!

      Reply
  4. Juliet says

    July 21, 2021 at 3:59 am

    My mother-in-law had this gorgeous china and I always loved it. I would never have thought to pair it with blue and white check … what a brilliant idea! It works! And, a great reminder to get out the good stuff and use it everyday. Your spaghetti and meatballs looks so scrumptious … always a mistake to read blogs when hungry. 😉 xo

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:15 pm

      Kind fo like going grocery shopping! The Autumn goes with so many styles and colors. Thx for dropping by.

      Reply
  5. Cara says

    July 20, 2021 at 11:59 pm

    I love that you get the good stuff out… my grandmother always said to keep things for special occasions. She is 98 now and I asked her shouldn’t life be a special occasion? She has table linens she received as a wedding gift all those years ago and she has never used them, saving them… I think we should use our nice things for everyday life. Thank you for this post!

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:16 pm

      I totally agree!

      Reply
  6. Tammy says

    July 19, 2021 at 10:31 pm

    Your table is beautiful – so is your little helper!

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:16 pm

      Thx, she is a sweetie.

      Reply
  7. Cindy says

    July 19, 2021 at 8:32 pm

    Love the check and the salad looks yummy

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:17 pm

      Salads are so good this time of year!

      Reply
  8. Melba says

    July 14, 2021 at 2:36 am

    Beautiful Table!

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:17 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  9. Lynne says

    July 13, 2021 at 3:41 pm

    You set such a lovely table, with a sweet helper!

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:17 pm

      Thank you. It’s always more fun with one of my creative helpers.

      Reply
  10. Paula@SweetPea says

    July 13, 2021 at 10:16 am

    Your table looks beautiful!

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:18 pm

      Thanks Paula. Good to see this past weekend.

      Reply
  11. Anita Holland says

    July 13, 2021 at 4:02 am

    I love how you mixed it all up, most people have posh or casual. You showed they can both work well together.

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:19 pm

      I appreciate the compliment! I’m always looking for ways to use all that I have.

      Reply
  12. maria says

    July 13, 2021 at 1:57 am

    What a sweet helper, that salad looks so yummy.

    Reply
  13. Yoon says

    July 13, 2021 at 1:37 am

    I miss your comforting tables and the yum food.

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:20 pm

      I miss having you around our table!

      Reply
  14. Carol+Karl says

    July 12, 2021 at 6:26 pm

    Love the floral napkins with the checked tablecloth. Beautiful dishes.

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:20 pm

      Thank you Carol!

      Reply
  15. Libbie says

    July 12, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    Love this and your sweet little helper!

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:21 pm

      Libbie, I love having her around!

      Reply
  16. Rosemary+Palmer says

    July 12, 2021 at 12:13 pm

    Love the mix and match of tables, yes use your good stuff. I have a few pitchers to use but also keep clear carafes on hand.

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      July 12, 2021 at 2:31 pm

      A little thought of necessary piece those pitchers!

      Reply

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Welcome Friends !

Welcome! I’m Linda and I’m so glad you stopped by.
I live a rich and full life in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in a very, very old farmhouse. Bushel & a Pickle (named for my daughter’s childhood saying) is my story of life experiences, family, travels and faith.

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