What a fantastic weekend here in upstate New York—warm and full of sun! After last week's al fresco fête we threw for the Storque (not to mention a whirlwind of meetings in the city), dinner with friends on our porch seemed like the perfect way to wrap up the weekend.
The table blends vintage creamware, yellow Bakelite, and French Ivory, all from the flea market in a palette inspired by nature. Forsythia is everywhere these days—lush, vibrant, and, best of all, free! So I thought, why not use what I already have to make a fast, inexpensive flower arrangement that's beautiful and sophisticated?
To see how I did it, check out this video!
Hello Edward
I planted 6 forsythia plants against a wall to remind me of happy times.I use the glass frogs to keep my flowers in a vase.I have some bakelite cutlery that is if Catherine has not thrown them out.Will keep saving things in a box for you.
Love and hugs
Isabella.
Posted by: Isabella Macleod | May 27, 2009 at 06:37 AM
It's very useful ideas!
I love the table settings~
Thank you Eddie for your wonderful blog!!
Posted by: Chloé | May 13, 2009 at 09:55 AM
I love all the cream and white together! The Yellow, flatware,yellow cloth, and the white( I call a table scarf) so Spring! Wow, Your forsythia is beautiful, While traveling up in the Northern, States from Mississippi. They have huge forsythia plant too. My are very small! I love you used a hurricane globe for the candle outdoors.
Posted by: Lady Katherine | May 10, 2009 at 03:50 PM
I love that table and your vintage blends, beautiful!
Posted by: Gabreial | May 08, 2009 at 09:16 PM
Oh my goodness, your porch is gorgeous!!! What a beautiful setting...thank you for the tutorial!
Posted by: hanako66 | May 05, 2009 at 11:19 AM
I am a place-setting junkie and I absolutely LOVE your blog. Naturally, your tablescapes are my favorite part. More, more, more!!!
Posted by: Ann | May 03, 2009 at 10:28 AM
So cool! I bet you have so much fun hunting for all those great things! You are truly an inspiration! Thank you for having such great ideas and sharing them! I really look forward to reading your blog!
Posted by: Sonia Hess | May 01, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Hi Ennis,
Thanks for the question! For this party, I had a little demilune table I brough out to use for a buffet. Worked like a charm!
Eddie
Posted by: Eddie Ross | May 01, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Thank you for sharing. When you set a table so beautifully with the plates already out, how do you usually serve the food? Host takes up the plates? Guests bring their plates to a buffet? or clear everything out to set out the food family style?
Posted by: Ennis | May 01, 2009 at 08:28 PM
what a gorgeous arrangment ... wonderful
Posted by: sabine, la marquise des anges | May 01, 2009 at 01:46 PM
Thanks for the tip on chicken wire - I learned something! Beautiful setting for your guests. :)
Posted by: Juice | April 30, 2009 at 11:26 AM
I am in love with this table setting!
Posted by: Nichole @ ScrappyTime | April 29, 2009 at 10:48 PM
love it!!! (Looking at the weather it looks to be about a month cooler than here- craziness!!)
xoxo
Posted by: Lauren Liess | April 29, 2009 at 02:19 PM
I love that this table setting is casual AND elegant! It looks so inviting!! I'm loving the yellow and white combination - it's SPRING!!!
Posted by: Mona from Toronto | April 29, 2009 at 11:19 AM
EDDIE, I POSTED A LITTLE PLUG FOR YOUR AWESOME BLOG, ON MINE.
HUGS FROM MAINE
Posted by: Lisa | April 29, 2009 at 10:25 AM
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
YOU ARE LOVED!
HUGS FROM MAINE
Posted by: Lisa | April 29, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Love the table Eddie of course never disappointed with your style! Forsythia looks great!
Posted by: Nenaghgal | April 29, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Forsythia, yellow bakelite! Add a lemon meringue pie and you have HEAVEN!
Posted by: acannthus | April 29, 2009 at 01:08 AM
oops! P I E! all that yella musta gone to my head!
Posted by: acannthus | April 29, 2009 at 01:06 AM
forsythia and yelow bakelite...add a lemon meringue oie and you have HEAVEN!
Posted by: acannthus | April 29, 2009 at 01:04 AM
I am so sickly jealous...it is too cold for forsythia to grow here, so I had to buy some for $7 a branch. The things we do for love.
Beautiful post and video (love the green gingham? shirt)!!!
Posted by: Terri | April 29, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Great video Eddie. I absoulutely love your table. I learn so much for you.
Posted by: Judy | April 28, 2009 at 09:26 PM
What a beautiful table. It is so impressive how a casual end of week dinner party can look so comfortable and pulled together at the same time.
Tricia - Avolli
Posted by: Tricia - Avolli | April 28, 2009 at 08:02 PM
Love the look! Our Florida eat-outside season is coming to an end soon. I'll miss scenes like this between May and September.
Posted by: Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS | April 28, 2009 at 02:52 PM
Beautiful! I have not used yellow for table settings, but may give it a try!
Posted by: Boxwood Terrace | April 28, 2009 at 12:30 PM
This is so cheerful! Love all the white with the yellow. Your table linens are beautiful!
Posted by: alice | April 28, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Hi Eddie!
I love the forsythias, your arrangement looks like the eternal torch of spring in the tall white vase and the outdoor dining porch looks so inviting and welcoming. The wood shingled walls give it an almost 'Luncheon of the Boating Party' ambience - very nice! The New Orleans dining room is awesome as well, love the mirrored back fireplace. The whole scheme is nice. Great job!
Thanks Eddie,
Ciao.
Posted by: Ralphie | April 28, 2009 at 10:43 AM
I'm glad you said that you put chicken wire in the urn because right before you did, I was looking at the urn and thinking about how often you use them and wondering what you put in the bottom to hold your flowers. And I'm glad you didn't say oasis.
That was a good tip.
Posted by: paul | April 28, 2009 at 10:07 AM
You know that forsythia roots very easily so that you can have even more next year!
Posted by: Bob Schulenberg | April 28, 2009 at 06:46 AM
I cannot believe all of that perfectly paired tableware came from a flea market! Amazing!
Posted by: Ashley | April 28, 2009 at 02:35 AM
Hi,
That is the fullest most gorgeous Forsythia I have seen in a long time. The arrangement is perfect. Love the entire table.
ABC
Posted by: ABCOroville | April 28, 2009 at 01:05 AM
What I really love about your decorating is the simplicity and the use of natural elements. It's also a plus that your style doesn't require much money to create a classy look. Keep spreading the word!
Posted by: Sheila | April 27, 2009 at 09:54 PM
Magnificent*** My kind of relaxing, beautiful setting.
Loooove it!
Posted by: Deborah Milne | April 27, 2009 at 08:56 PM
Love, love the yellow in the napkins, tablecloth and handles....and, of course....the FORSYTHIA!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the video too! Beautiful as usual! Pinky
Posted by: Pinky | April 27, 2009 at 08:43 PM
Oops - please edit my comment to say "all types of branches." I guess you know I meant to say that!
xoxo
Evy
Posted by: Evelyn Weiss | April 27, 2009 at 07:45 PM
I adore Forsythia, a beautiful table!
Posted by: Karen | April 27, 2009 at 07:21 PM
Such a cheery tablescape and terrific video! Thanks for that chicken wire tip and a reminder to score the branch bottoms. Do you do that to all cut branches?
xoxo
Evy
Posted by: Evelyn Weiss | April 27, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Yellow and white it doesn't get much better than that,unless, it is black and white. Love the arrangement and the table is simple and elegant and cristp, all of my favorites. Now I am wondering ,what did he serve for dinner,is that the next post?? I don't have any forsythia growing in our area but I am on the hunt for some real looking artificial, I love the grandeur and the pop of color it gives to a space. Hugs, kathysue
Posted by: Kathysue | April 27, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Thank you Eddie. Beautiful arrangement and table. Great inspirations!
Posted by: Julio | April 27, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Eddie, What an awesome idea to use chicken wire in side of the vase. Your table as always "maravilloso". Jaithan, thanks alot for impleting these short videos for us to view the process. I hope you guys are doing well.
Elsa
Posted by: Elsa Guzman | April 27, 2009 at 03:38 PM
HUNNNNNN- you need to have your own show!!! xx
Posted by: Jackie O.K. | April 27, 2009 at 02:49 PM
Hi Eddie, that's a simple, clean, fun and elegant table all at the same time! Love the yellow!!! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Clara & Marcela | April 27, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Love your table -- nothing like hosting friends on the porch for a dinner -- we have forsythia in iron urns on our porch -- love the rustic with the flowers!
Posted by: Linderho | April 27, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Wonderful! You cannot beat forsythia .....it is so gorgeous! Thanks for the tip on cutting the stem so the water can get to it....makes for a longer lasting arrangement! Your table looks lovely!
Posted by: Lee Moates | April 27, 2009 at 09:56 AM
Nice job!
Posted by: Renovation Therapy | April 27, 2009 at 09:42 AM
Beautiful. Any idea what the bottom scalloped plate pattern is? Dying to see some Mother's Day Brunch options...
Posted by: Liz in Upstate NY | April 27, 2009 at 09:34 AM
I remember you! So happy to find your blog!! Spring is grand isn't it??!! I have to get back to reading more of you blog...
Posted by: jewel | April 27, 2009 at 09:24 AM
Hope your evening went well, you could not have asked for more beautiful weather. Yellow is wonderfully bright and cheery. Enjoy.
Posted by: Susan | April 27, 2009 at 08:42 AM
Very elegant table. Love the chicken wire trick. BTW, down here in the South, we call Forsythia- "Yella Belle."
Posted by: Kimberly | April 27, 2009 at 08:25 AM
Your table is lovely! Are those Bakelite handles on your silverware!? What a find!
The forsythia is gorgeous!
Posted by: Kathi | April 27, 2009 at 06:14 AM
I love your blog so much! Hope there will be more wonderful things in your blog. Happy every day!
Posted by: star trek voyager | April 27, 2009 at 03:59 AM
Very pretty table Eddie - somehow the natural arrangements make everything feel more casual, love the forsythia. xv
Posted by: Vicki Archer | April 27, 2009 at 02:51 AM
Simply beautiful! I'm speechless....my kids tell that NEVER happens!
Posted by: desiree@lookiloos | April 27, 2009 at 02:20 AM
Eddie, it all looks beautiful! Love the color palate. Looks like yellow is one of the hot colors this spring! Btw, the tablecloth looks familiar? Didn't you just purchase it at the flea market? Love it!
Posted by: Lanette | April 27, 2009 at 01:03 AM
I used to hide in a giant forsythia bush while waiting for the bus to elementary school! What a memory and what a cheerful arrangement!
Posted by: Phillips Phamily Mama | April 26, 2009 at 11:39 PM
What a beautiful tablescape!! I am in love with the dishes and they look stunning against the subtle yellows. I am definitely inspired!
Posted by: julie - eab designs | April 26, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Love it! We had forsythia at our old house and I miss it. Mad for the yellow, naturally.
Posted by: Mrs. Blandings | April 26, 2009 at 11:19 PM