Late Spring 2019 found us deep in an endless run of cold, gray days, and we found ourselves literally sighing for the warmth, light, and color of Summer. With barely a thought, we knew the perfect theme for our table at this year’s Celebration of Tables charity fundraiser. We christened our display, “Sighing for Summer”, and we dove right in gathering elements to create an oasis of tropical escape. To begin, we dipped into our beloved collection of mismatched blue & white tableware, choosing the most exotic patterns from among them. We then played against the traditional, elegant vibe of the dishes by combining them with loads of tropical greenery, sleek modern glass, rush placemats, West Indies inspired accent fabric, and a plethora of fresh citrus. Peonies, double tulips, gloriosa lilies, protea, & ranunculus were accented with tangerines, grapefruits, & limes to form a sumptuous floral runner whose scent & colors infused our entire setting with their vibrant energy & warmth.

Created for Celebration of Tables 2019, benefitting The Glen Ellyn Food Pantry

Photos by Julia Maruyama