Chinoiserie Between the Raindrops

We've had an entire week of rain, so I was doubtful that we'd be able to have our lunch outside today, but a break in the weather allowed a quick lunch with some old friends.  I have been dying to use these Caspari placemats and so, since the day was still grey, I brought out the bright with this table.

I initially wanted to use these with pale colors but here's an example where circumstances changed my mind.  

I used the table out by the pool, because it was the closest to the door and the easiest to bring stuff inside if the rain returned. Fortunately, the weather held and we even had a nano-second of sunshine.

These chargers/placemats are a heavy cardboard with a water resistant coating, and they are made by Caspari.  I found them at the local Ace Hardware store!!!  Can you see that I have used an octagonal clear glass plate so that the placemat shows through?  Then I chose bamboo flatware.

These bright green stems picked up the green in the design.  Here's where I was going to go with pale turquoise, but thought better of it.

These napkins are from the Palm line of linens and the Chinese knot napkin rings are from Boxwoods.  The tablecloth is a simple white caterer's linen.

I stuck these hydrangeas and some begonias into this little metal building.  I know it's an English conservatory, not a Chinese pagoda, but I felt it had a similar feeling and it worked pretty well.

How about these salt and pepper foo dogs?????  

They gave a wonderful pop of red. 

I almost spray painted the metal conservatory red to echo this pagoda, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. 

These turquoise tumblers were plain, but I added a pagoda.  I cut them out of adhesive vellum on my Silhouette Cameo.  I can remove the pagodas in a heartbeat, but I could also keep them on, even through the dishwasher.  I also used these Caspari paper napkins for drinks.  Also from Ace Hardware!  You never know where you'll find something that will inspire you. 

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The Summer of Orange and Turquoise

I seem to be in love with this color combination, so I've re-done our terraces in these cheerful cushions and pillows.  Even the pots have been planted in a much more vibrant, coral and white palate. 

(Disclaimer: I've been waiting weeks to have our stonework pressure washed.  I finally decided to photograph for this post with grimy stones, because, well, summer is almost HALF OVER!!!!)

This makes me smile every time I look at it.

Doesn't this make you want to grab a good book and chill out?

This has so much more pizzazz than our former color selection for the cushions.

 

This was last year on the terrace.  I was all about a woodsy color combination, and it worked really well........

until I spied this fabric!  Then some sort of hunger for color kicked in and I was all about turquoise and coral.  

I'm so glad for the change.

I even changed all of our swim towels to turquoise and coral.  Monogrammed, of course!

This large pot at the corner of the wall is loving the summer rain.  Can you see those tiny coral petunias?  They are so cute.

This pot has just a touch of coral begonias in with the hardy grass.

This one is full of begonias with a couple of white impatients.  

 

The hummingbirds just love this hibiscus.  And I love it, too, as it is just outside my kitchen window and I can admire it AND the hummingbirds!

And this $15 palm from Lowe's makes us all feel like we are in the tropics.

Let's go up the stairs to the white deck.

With the left over material, I made a runner for this table, and turquoise stripped cushions for these side chairs.  Things are looking so good.  Usually, we are beginning to feel the effects of the 90 degree weather by now, but we've had lots of rain to help things stay green.

Even the fern pots are filling in nicely.  Thank goodness that one of the improvements we made when we first moved in was to add drip lines to all of the pots.  I could never keep them watered by hand.  We also just had the deck re-stained and it's beautiful.

That's the view from the upper terrace to the lake.  Maybe I'll soon find time to take those kayaks out, but for now, I'm anxious to set this table for our neighbors tonight.  Wait till you see what I have planned!