This decorista is feeling the by the sea table setting ideas vibe.

For those of us who look for any opportunity to show off our tablescape chops, the summer entertaining season is opportunity supreme.

There’s something about the combination of a summer day into afternoon or evening, good friends, great food, and a table set in by the sea style.

If summer entertaining in coastal style is your thing, grab a cool beverage, get comfy, and settle in.

Before we set the table, let me set the scene:

An interesting article in Better Homes & Gardens highlights findings from the book Blue Mind by author and marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols.

Blue mind is the reflective and peaceful state experienced as result of being on, in, or by a body of water.  Research backs up the author’s theory of proving how being on, in, or by a body of water as in lake, river, sea or ocean bolsters happiness.

Replicating a day or evening at the coast, beach or seashore in the form of tablescape set with striking place settings and tablewares engages the senses of sight, touch, taste, and sound, promotes visual happiness, and gives those who love to set a gorgeous table a stylish dose of vitamin sea.

Architectural Digest

By the sea table setting ideas, indoor or alfresco, serve as a passport to dining adventures where the dining table top becomes an inspired canvas.

Elle

Visually interesting, unexpected, and conversation worthy pieces in colors and patterns not typically associated with the tablescape theme at hand is a fun and fresh way to approach place settings and serving pieces.

From coastal casual to elegantly formal to whatever floats your by the sea boat, well-appointed table setting options remain the best friend of the entertaining decorista.

Mary Hannah Interiors

Let’s by the sea table set, shall we?

Placemats and chargers made of natural materials such as wicker, water hyacinth, sisal and seagrass are decorating chameleons, and by that I mean they adapt beautifully to the style situation they are in.

Petal Fiber Flower-Shaped Placemat

Round Capiz Periwinkle Placemat

Food Network Resin Wicker Charger

Faux Wood Charger Plates

Faux Wood Charger Plates

By the sea inspired, the Shell-Rimmed Charger from Pottery Barn is a shell of a good charger inspiration for a by the sea place setting accent.

When “no longer available” search returns leave you empty handed, grab the glue gun and DIY.

I’m thinking a knock your sandals off knockoff DIY project option may be a stylish alternative.

Woven chargers as well as plastic chargers in your choice of color create the canvas.

Lay out your choice of seashells to get the pattern and sizing right.

You may prefer the look of the shells placed at the edge of the charger, in one concentrated area of the charger, or covering the entire rim in an impressive mix and pattern.

Once you get the placement and look to your liking, go ahead and place a dinner plate on the charger to make sure there is another clearance between the edge of the plate and the shells.

Stack a salad plate atop the dinner plate to make sure it too clears the shells.

**A hot glue gun is just that, hot.  Use caution and protect your fingers.**

Using a hot glue gun, glue each shell to the charger.

Prepare to impress.

After all, isn’t that the point?

Pier 1 stores will be closing soon, and their Going Out of Business Sale is currently underway.

There’s no time like the present to add dinnerware, placemats, napkins, and chargers from the sale to your place settings inventory.

4pk Capiz Shell Charger Plates White

Dainty Home Metallic Lace Crossweave With A Sunburst Metallic Lace Pattern

Beaded Aqua Round Placemat

Blue Embroidered Placemat

Food Network™ Solid Round Placemat 4-pack

Braided Flower Placemat

Frank Pitman Designs

Not all residential dining rooms or outdoor areas are lucky enough to come with an authentic by the sea view, but don’t let that detail impede the by the sea details.

Lacquer Square Charger Plate, Set of 6, Silver

Seashells are brimming with by the sea color, texture and pattern inspiration.

Flickr

The distinctive colors, textures, and pattern play of the conch shell horn.

Tales and truths of lustrous pearls found at sea.

Amina Dinner Plate

I love the colors in the Amina dinner plate from Crate & Barrel as the palette is reminiscent of the colors found in seashells by the seashore.

You can spend a pretty penny on dinner plates, and understandably so in some settings, but when a stylish pattern or color is available on the shelves of the dollar store and gives a good look, why would you?

Royal Norfolk Turquoise Swirl Stoneware Dinner Plates

Affordable options such as the Royal Norfolk Turquoise Swirl Stoneware dinner plate make a solid style base to build your by the sea place setting upon.

Coastal Home Small Sea Urchin Bowl

Color choices need not be too matchy-matchy.

Contrast keeps things visually interesting.

Hand Painted Coral Embossed Glass Side Plate, Aqua, Set of 2

I like to color, texture, and pattern outside the lines of what traditionally identifies the coastal look.

Vietri Earth Glass Dinner Plate

Gold Scalloped Rim Glass Plate

Celebrate Summer Together Beaded Placemat

Reactive Glaze Salad Plate, Set of 4, Celadon

Primrose Gold Dinner Plate

Julo Blue and White Salad Plate

Ruffled Gold Rim Salad Plates, Set of 4

Place setting accents and accessories in Louisiana Gulf Coast fashion incorporate the style of home.

Cronk Duch Architecture

Blue and white with shades of gray.

Need I say more?

Royal Norfolk Classic White Round Stoneware Dinner Plates, 10.5 in.

IMPULSE! Fantasy Crystal Clear Small Salad Plates – Set of 6

Round Deniz Flower Silver Glass Charger Plate

Mercer Grey Round Appetizer Plates, Set of 8

When I was sourcing items for this post, I could not get immediately happy with the placemat selections in the coastal category.

Much to my delight, I came across this Oisin Sea Creature placemat which set into motion a sourcing session with not your average by the sea place setting options in mind.

Royal Norfolk Classic Black Stoneware Dinner Plate, 10.5 in.

Black & White Batik Printed Stoneware Bowl

Amari Ceramic Plate

Luxe Interiors +Design

Sea Sponge 4 Piece Charger Set

Penzo Dinner Plate Feathers with Gold Rim

Denby Dinnerware, Halo Wide Rimmed Dinner Plate Set of 4

Julo Blue and White Dinner Plate

Prosecco Gold Foil Rim Glass Bowl

Seaside Small Oyster 6.5″ Bread Plate (Set of 4)

Although a red, white, and blue palette is more closely associated with a nautical theme, it is 4th of July appropriate for a by the sea table setting.

Hanabi 12 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4

Gold leaf oyster shell salt and pepper cellars add a touch of unique by the sea elegance to the tabletop.

Gold Leaf Oyster Shell Salt and Pepper Cellars

As far as flatware patterns go, I’ve sourced several color, texture and pattern selections in various price points and styles.

Reed & Barton® Seashell 5-Piece Flatware Place Setting

20-Piece Bamboo-Style Flatware Service

Inox Copper Antique Sundance Design 5-piece Flatware Set

House Beautiful – Photo Björn Wallander

  Blenko 384 Cosmos Water Bottle

Target

Libbey® Cobalt Blue Goblets Set of 12

Rumi Tortoiseshell Highball Glass

Hive LA Home

Organic Teak Wood Decorative Bowl

Walnut Brown Mango Wood Serving Bowls

Still Teak Wood and Black Resin Bowl 

2-Piece Sadye Resin Salad Server Set

Crofton Round Wood Tray

Seafood Shell Baking Dish

Acacia Wood 4-Piece Calabash Bowl Set

Planters and urns make super chic additions to your coastal tablescape or themed home bar.

Vintage fish plate sets, platters, and cutlery sets make such a pretty place setting.

Martha Stewart

On one of our treasure hunting trips over to Houston, Dave and I lucked up on an antiques shop specializing in English smalls (china, silver, decorative accessories).

Etsy

I bought a divine service for 12 fish service with platter and a set of fish knives and forks for a phenomenal price.

We were big eBay sellers at the time, so listed they were.

Dave tried to convince me to keep the service, but I reasoned we would come across more of the same in our hunts.

We have, but not of the quality or the fabulous price.

Live and learn.

Limoges Fish Plates Set

Variegated colors.

Patterns and textures created by nature’s wonder.

Salt kissed air.

A symphony of sea waves.

Place settings, serveware, and tabletop accessories in a by the sea theme set a coastal scene and seen.

Next up in this By the Sea Table Setting Ideas series is serving pieces, table linens, a simple DIY project idea, and tabletop accessories.

Sea you then.

The first four letters of the word epicurean spell epic, and epic is what this Chinoiserie themed tablescape feature has turned out to be.

Color, pattern and texture sets quite the impressive Chinoiserie themed tablescape.

Believing and adhering to the notion we eat first with our eyes, the visual appetizer is the tasteful first course of a palatable dining experience.

Chinoiserie

sheen-wah-zuh–reez

noun, plural chinoiseries

1.  a style of ornamentation current chiefly in the 18th century in Europe,
characterized by intricate patterns and an extensive use of motifs identified as Chinese.

2.  an object decorated in this style or an example of this style: The clock was an interesting chinoiserie.

Veranda

The lines and color palette of Chinese and East Asian influenced dinnerware and decorative accessories create beautifully Chinoiserie themed tablescapes.

The retail selections available make it easy to set your table as Chinoiserie chic casual or formal as you wish.

Rosser 12″ Charger – Set of 4

Bordallo Pinheiro Vista Alegre Tropical Charger Plates (Set of 2)

Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Dinner Plates in Beige – Set of 4

 Jacqueline Salad Plate~ Set of 4

Si Kiang Cocktail Plate

Aveline Double Old Fashioned Glass

Three Star Cristalleria Fratelli Fumo Wine Glasses in Amber (Set of 6)

Color, Pattern, Texture Options:

Echo Design Parvani 52-Inch Square Tablecloth

I own this table runner and I love it!  The design is versatile and the quality is exceptional.

Sherry Kline China Art Table Runner 

Options make the decorating world go round.

East of the Moon Cinnabar

Bed Bath & Beyond Beaded Placemat in Jute/Coral

Matte Golden Beaded Square Placemat

Chinese Bowl on Teakwood Stand

Cambridge Silversmiths 20-Piece Bamboo-Style Flatware Service

Leopard love it and the Chinoiserie themed tablescape – an excellent pull from one to complement another choice.

Desert Leopard Plate (Set of 4)

Animal Print 8 oz Martini Glass

Geometric Design Dinner Napkin

Traditional Home

Gien Set of 4 Jardins Canape Plates

Christian Lacroix Sol y Sombra Dessert Plate

Ricci Argentieri Ricci Bamboo 5-Piece Place Setting

Figural Cabbage Bowl

Michael Aram 2-Pc. Palm Serving Set

Petrus Regout Maastricht Platter

Meakin “Jamaica” Octagonal Plates – Set of 6

Thibaut Gazebo Collection ~ Masquerade

Thibaut Gazebo Masquerade marks the genesis of my decorating fascination with the colors, patterns and textures of Chinoiserie finery.

Aliza Teal Dinner Plate Set of 4

Lenox Pleated Colors Aqua Salad Plate

Vintage Mismatched Fine China Luncheon Plates – Set of 4

Hybrid Cloe Porcelain Fruit Bowl design by Seletti

Classic Touch Tumblers with 24K Gold Artwork in Assorted Colors (Set of 6)

Byzantine 24 Karat 5 Piece Flatware Set

Osaka Bamboo Trellis / Teal

Safavieh Lighting Serenity Teal Buddha Lamp

Havana Jacquard Napkins

Julie Accent Plate – Set of 4

Modern Chinese Porcelain Bowl w/Hand Painted Iris

Rose Medallion Bowl

Vintage Chinoiserie Foo Dog Ceramic Platter

Foo Dog Lion Statues

Mix patterns and textures while incorporating whimsical details.

Selecting pieces and accents in complementary colors creates visual flow and ensures continuity.

Apple Green Monogrammed Check Chinoiserie Napkins

Vietri Pastel Glass Collection Pink Salad Plate

Lenox® Pleated Colors Dinner Plate in Red

Pip Studio – Spring To Life Side Plate – Pink

Elephant Theme Celadon Salad Plate

Resler 5 Piece 18/10 Stainless Steel Flatware Set

Pretty In Pink Napkin

English Staffordshire Style Poodles

Elegant Covered Vegetable Server

Bamboo Chinoiserie Lattice in Pink + Bubblegum Pink Serving Tray

Chinoiserie chic meets On the Lanai.

Home decor pieces and fabrics and Dual purpose similar aesthetic characteristics

Bamboo Lattice in Peach Fizz

Gladys Glover Vintage Bamboo-Style Chopstick Rests, S/5

Q Squared Aurora Ruby Double Old-Fashioned Tumblers, Set of 4

Coordinates Drinkware Set with Cherry Blossom Design

Jusalpha Fine China Tea Cup and Saucer Set

Pip Studio – Spring To Life Teapot

Dana Gibson Ming Tray Table 

Art & Artifact Buddha Drinking Glasses – Set of 4

Madcap Cottage Windy Corner Rhubarb

Vintage Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Ginger Jars – A Pair

Veranda

La Gallina Matta Parentesi Placemat

Staffordshire Red Old Willow Chinoiserie Dinner Plates

Juliska Siam Dessert/Salad Plate

Loveramics – Willow Love Story Salad Plates – Set of 4

Classic Blue and White Dinner Napkins

Chinese Pagoda Embroidered Linen Hemstitched Cocktail Napkins

Argent Orfevres Orava 5-Piece Flatware Place Setting

Blue & White Chinoiserie Glasses

VIETRI Accordion Marine Tall Tumbler

Churchill Blue Willow Round Vegetable Serving Bowl

Noritake Bleufleur Oval Vegetable Serving Bowl

Indigold 13″ Serving Bowl

Chinese Five-Claw Dragon Bowl

Vintage Blue Willow Steak Knifes – Set of 6

Handled Willow Platter   –    Willow Platter

Vivid colors, rococo styling, and sumptuous patterns are the hallmarks of the Chinoiserie themed tablescape.

Tobacco Leaf Tin Plate 10″ Set (4)

Portmeirion Sara Miller Gold Plated Assorted Plates

Thirstystone Jewel-Tone Salt & Pepper Shaker Set

East of the Moon Porcelain

Williamsburg Dunmore Dragons Cobalt

Ralph Lauren Home

Atmosphere is an important aspect of the memorable dining experience.  A table lamp(s) on the dining table promotes soft lighting beneficial to mood and tone.  The height of the  East Enterprises LPBFW088N Table Lamp, Multicolored  is dining tabletop friendly at 19.5 inches tall.

East Enterprises LPBFW088N Table Lamp, Multicolored

Classic blue and white porcelain accessories instill the all important touch of elegance.  Use decorative picture frames and easels with a bamboo motif for displaying a printable menu or place card.

Charlotte Moss ~ Architectural Digest

Charlotte Moss Mougin Linen Coral

Benzara 57519 Pagoda Lanterns

Accessories

Shepardson 2 Piece Sitting Foo Dog Statue Set

Oriental Furniture Rosewood Carved Pedestal Stand 

Sandalwood Fan

White Ceramic Tureen

Decorative Picture This Chinoiserie Decorative Wall Art

Newport Mansions Chelsea Bird Mug

Foo Dog Salt and Pepper Shakers

As previously stated, destination decorating creates a passport to dining adventures, where the dining table top becomes an inspired canvas.

From place setting to ambiance to gracious detail, a Chinoiserie themed tablescape travels well.

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