As part of the Summer Tablescape Hop, I’ve set a bee theme tablescape outside on the covered porch.
Once again, Rita of Panoply has organized a group of 20 talented table and centerpiece stylists to share their latest summer settings.
My tablescape was inspired by a yellow and white floral arrangement I received for Mother’s Day. A thoughtful gift from my three “kids,” the pot and flowers were embellished with bees! A honey of an idea, as bees are kinda my “thing” lol!
Since we were enjoying gorgeous weather, I put the flowers to use as a bee-ut-i-ful centerpiece for the holiday dinner. It was our first alfresco meal of the season.
Drawing from my extensive collection of bee-decorated dishes, glasses, napkin rings and flatware, it also provided a new opportunity to style a bee theme tablescape.
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Five Years Blogging & Counting
First thing I did, was gather together all my bee-decorated tableware. Next, I pulled out complimentary glasses, plates, chargers, and linens. Then I mixed and matched, until I came up with a new styling to accompany the lovely floral arrangement.
For the tablecloth, I selected one with a honeycomb-like design. I was surprised to discover that today is the first time I’ve shared it as part of a tablescape blog hop.
However, I did incorporate the tablecloth into another bee theme tablescape. It was A HapBEE Birthday Table and Beehive Dessert for Mr. Buzz with a Meyer lemon-flavor cake. Overhead, was a Bee Decorated Chandelier.
That was way back in 2018, during the first year I started blogging. Later that summer, I participated in my very first Tablescape Blog Hop. One of the nicest things about blogging is all the new friends I’ve made over the years. See links to the other summer tablescapes at the end of this post.
It was My Favorite Things Bee Party with Bee Theme Party Food Featuring Honey, Lemon that led to me creating Debbee’s Buzz.
Buzz-Worthy Centerpiece
Inspiration to set a new bee theme tablescape was the whimsical floral arrangement.
It actually arrived Saturday morning, as I was talking to eldest son on the phone. Whiskey, our Scottie dog, was going crazy barking at the front door. Turned out, he wasn’t the only one jumping up and down — once I realized it was floral delivery!
Since it such a sunny and warm weekend here in Pittsburgh, I decided to showcase the floral arrangement as the perfect centerpiece of a bee theme tablescape. Isn’t it sweet?
See how I incorporated the bee embellishment into the the bow of my Easy Refurbished Butterfly & Bee Theme Wreath.
Setting a Bee Theme Table
After I placed the flowers on the honeycomb tablecloth, I got to work styling the place settings.
Stack ’em Up
Bold black and white stripe chargers (Hobby Lobby several years ago) are the foundation of each plate stack.
Next, are are my go-to white dinner plates (Mikassa English Countryside). Around the basket weave embossed rims are strawberries and other berries. The plates came from Tuesday Morning. I was so sad to see them go out of business!
Layered on the top of the stack are my much-loved, Anthropology (retired) plates. Pretty details include a scalloped edge, bright celery green color, and of course the classic bee motif.
Bee Napkin Fold
On top, sits a fleur-de-lis (bee symbol) napkin fold made from 17-inch square, black and white buffalo check napkins (see Amazon below). Holding the folds in place are jewel-encrusted bee napkin rings. So not to cover the bee design on the plate, I positioned the napkins to the left of each plate stack.
I first made the fold, but with larger napkins, for the busy as a bee, Back to School Table. Later, I used bright pink fabric for another bee theme tablescape; French Inspired, Royal Bee Theme Table.
Although not the simplest fold, it’s pretty easy. Learn how in the six-step Fleur-de-Lis, Bee Shape Napkin Fold Tutorial.
Bee-Embossed Glasses & Flatware
Flanking each dish stack is Wallace’s Napoleon Bee stainless flatware (see Amazon link below).
Bee embellished glasses (La Rochere, see Amazon below) are one of several sizes that are part of my everyday collection.
Rather than pair them with another La Rochere glass, I chose a yellow lemon ice tea (Dollar Tree). I purchased the glasses and matching dishes last summer, but see they are carrying them again in 2023.
The collection was featured in last year’s, When Life Gives You Lemons, Set a Lemon Table. Stuck at home with Covid, I set the sunny alfresco table to brighten our mood, while having to quarantine with my elderly mom.
Bee Friendly Environment
Behind the alfresco bee theme tablescape is a bay bump-out on the porch. It’s where I plant seasonal flowers in a pair of matching black urns.
Black and white outdoor drapery panels and seat cushions compliment the stripe charger plates nicely.
Each planter features a small bee-theme garden stake (local grocery store, last year).
Every year, I like to change the mix of colors and flowers in the planters — depending on what’s available and inspires me. This year, the urns are planted with Crazytunia Cosmic Purple Petunia, Rockapulco Wisteria Impatiens, and purple vines.
I hope you’ve found something sweet to inspire your own summer tablescape.
Related Post Picks
Summer Tablescape Hop
Time to hop ladies! It’s a summer open house of 20 table settings, with a wide variety of motifs and themes to enjoy.
Panoply – Up, Up and Away With Summer Dining
Home is Where the Boat Is – Hydrangeas and Butterflies
Everyday Living – Welcoming Summer With A Garden Tablescape
Life and Linda – A Boho Alfresco Tablescape
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Summer Plaid and Polka Dot Picnic
Living With Thanksgiving – Summer Blessings
Debbee’s Buzz – Alfresco Bee Theme Table and Florals
The Painted Apron – Boats, Floats and Fish!
The Little Yellow Corner Store – Pucker Up Lemony Tablescape – It is Time to Have a Bee-utiful Day!
The Cat’s Whiskerz – A summer picnic tablescape for Canada Day
Pandora’s Box – Summer Blues
Me and My Captain – Florida Blue Crab Summer Tablescape
From My Carolina Home – Welcome Summer Tablescapes
The Bookish Dilettante – Summer Tablescape: Old Glory
My Thrift Store Addiction – Summer Picnic Brunch under the Texas Mountain Laurel
Red Cottage Chronicles – Lemon Tablescape for Summer
Hyacinths for the Soul – Long May She Wave
Celebrating Everyday Life – Create a Chic Seashell Table Setting This Summer
Dinner at Eight – A Summer of Colors
Bluesky at Home – Pretty Table for a Ladies Dinner Party
The very first Tablescape Blog Hop I participated in was five year’s ago! Wow, where has all the time gone? That summer I shared a patriotic summer setting; Give Me Liberty Blue Tablescape .
A year later it was an Absolutely Mad, Summer Tea Party. Next was the Palms, Parrots & Paradise Tropical Tablescape in 2020, and a Fun Flamingo Tropical Table in 2021. Last summer, was Botanic Garden Dishes: Floral & Butterfly Table.
I’ve had so much fun styling and sharing those tablescapes! And, I’ve been inspired and awed by the varied tablescapes of the lovely and talented ladies who take the time and effort to present their creative settings.
Buzzing Along
Over the past three or four months, followers and readers of Debbee’s Buzz may have noticed I haven’t been publishing blog posts as frequently as normal — about twice monthly. That’s bee-cause 2023 is a year of celebrations and pent up travel.
First, was nephew’s fun-filled wedding in Charleston, S.C. over Easter weekend. The following day we flew to the Netherlands on a pandemic-delayed, two-week vacation. While there, we visited Holland’s Tulip Fields & Keukenhof Garden. There’s still so much more I plan to share of our river cruise throughout the country, museum visits, and exploration of Amsterdam and other charming towns.
Since our return, however, I’ve had cataract surgery in both eyes, severely limiting screen time and blogging.
Plus, I’m having a grand time entrenched in the planning and preparations for eldest’s son’s late summer destination wedding in Highlands, N.C. I’ve been making all kinds of decor and personalized items for the Welcome Party hubby and I are hosting in a mountain-top barn. But — so not to spoil the surprises — I can’t share those until the early fall!
Hubby and I both are in the midst of celebrating “big” milestone birthdays. Several weeks after our son’s wedding, we will be toasting our own 40th anniversary — on a river cruise through Provence, France! A year to remember for all the right reasons!
Until next time, I hope you are enjoying a happy and healthy summer!
Pin for Later
Link Parties
I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Wow, such a great collection of bee themed tableware! Love the plates, and especially the flatware!
Debbee, your lovely flower arrangement was the perfect inspiration for your bee themed table. Also, what a sweet gift from your sons. I have always loved the bee plates from Anthropologie and almost bought them and I am sorry I didn’t. I love that you always include a napkin fold with your tablescapes. The napkin rings is the ideal jewelry for your table. Bee flatware and glasses complete your theme so perfectly. It is always a pleasure to hop with you. Have a wonderful summer!
Like always Debbee, you are busier than a bee ! I love those plates. What a nice floral arrangement.
Can’t wait for wedding details.
Hi Myrna, thanks for stopping by. Always have time to “visit” with you! Taking a break from working on place cards and a seating chart display for the welcome party. It’s so exciting and fun! In a couple of weeks my mom arrives for a visit. Taking her with me for my first gown fitting, oh la la!
What a cute table – i love that you have so many coordinating bee themed items – especially the flatware and glasses. But what i like most is the pretty patterned tablecloth! Enjoy the summer
Debbee, how fun your bee themed table is. Love your pretty floral arrangement with the bee. I have those bee plates from Anthropology bee plates, They looks lovely on your plate stack. How special to receive those from your sons.. The jewel encrusted bee napkin rings are so elegant. The bee planter signs are darling. Wallace’s Napoleon Bee stainless flatware and the bee theme goblets are perfect. Gotta love your napkin folds too Debbee. Happy summer.
Deb, I don’t need to tell you how my heart is buzzing over this table and all the fun details. I absolutely adore your bee napkin fold idea. Rest assured, I will be using this clever idea! I have the same bee plates and fancy napkin rings. I need to pull them out and set a bee table here. Recently returned from a trip to Dallas where I spoke on my Napoleon souvenir collection. Of course many of the items are bee related. Yes, I think you have inspired me to set a buzzing table.
Happy Summer!
Sarah, of all the collections you have, how did I not know you had a Napoleon collection?! What inspired that and what kinds of things are in it? I’m all abuzz lol! Would have loved to attend your presentation!
I know you were delighted when the flowers arrived buzzing with bees! How sweet of your sons! Yes, a flower arrangement demands a tablescape and yours is so pretty with the “honeycomb” tablecloth, beautiful bee plates, glasses and flatware. I love seeing another signature Debbee napkin fold and love the way you placed it on the top left side of the plate stack. It sounds like you are going to have an amazing Summer, Happy Anniversary and enjoy that special cruise!
Thanks so much Jenna! That bee fold has become one of my favorites. It allows me to also incorporate pretty rings. Enjoyed celebrating hubby’s birthday at the tulip fields in Holland, and mine in Philly and NYC with friends and family. My mom arrives in a couple of weeks and before you know it, will be my son’s wedding. Then we’ll be toasting our 40th! I want to enjoy every moment!
Love your bee tablescape Debbee…I also have the Wallace bee silverware and the La Rochere glasses. Did you know World Market carries them as well as Amazon? That was where I purchased mine many years ago and they still carry them.
You know we like your napkin folds so thank you for that. your tables are always bee-u-ti-ful and inspiring. and what a wonderful contribution by your sons. so sweet. I hope your vision gets better as I am sure it will, it is just inconvenient for a time.
Take care my friend always love to blog hop with you. Happy Summer
I have bemoaned not having a WM in Pittsburgh many times, and now you’ve provided another reason Kari! And now, we don’t have Pier 1 or Tuesday Morning to find great tableware either. My eyes are pretty much done healing, just adjusting to the drastic changes in my prescription glasses. Since I also have double vision, it takes a little while longer for the ol brain to adjust. Thanks for your good wishes!
Debbee, You had me at bees! I’m all about our pollinators (next week is National Pollinator Week!) I have long admired your Anthro bee plates. I could kick myself for not buying them when I saw them years ago. I love your bee-utiful floral arrangement…such a wonderful Mother’s Day gift and centerpiece that’s buzz-worthy for your table. 🐝 Adorable planter stakes to accompany your flowers too! I know you’re busy as a bee with a destination wedding to plan for…much fun and work too. As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you, Happy Summer! ♥
Debbee, your Mother’s Day floral arrangement is so pretty – I can see how it would inspire the bee-autiful table you have set! Your honeycomb tablecloth is the perfect background for the bee-autiful plate stack that you put together. I love the contrast of the black and white chargers and how it accents the napkins and the black in the bees on the napkin rings and those gorgeous bee salad plates. Love the La Rochere paired with the DT lemon glass. It’s all so lovely. Happy upcoming milestone birthdays to both of you and enjoy your cruise. Happy summer to you!
Appreciate all the good wishes Kim, thanks! I had the happiest of birthdays, celebrating with family and friends in Philly and then NYC. There was much merry-making. I even had a girls overnight with my college roommate where we had a fashion show as she tried on various dresses and accessories to wear to my son’s wedding and welcome party. Such fun!
What a gorgeous floral arrangement. I love the cute little bee pick in it! I like the bee theme of your table and blog. Bees are so important to our very survival. Your bee plates are so beautiful. I like the tiny berries on them, too. I know you must be happy to begin your alfresco dining for the season. You have a beautiful space to enjoy summer weather. Happy summer!
What a great gift from your kids, and perfect springboard for your bee-u-ti-ful table, Debbee! The stack of plates is perfectly paired on the honeycomb tablecloth, and having the black & white striped panels on the porch is the bee’s knees! All the accompanying bee details – the napkin rings, the flatware, the Rochere highballs – all make for a well-pulled together look. I love the DT glasses. I’ve had the plates for several years, and have resisted any additions to that particular collection, but never say never, right??
Thank you for joining the hop, and yes, blogging and tablescaping particularly, has brought many of us into some treasured friendships. Happy summer!
Glad you enjoyed the tablescape Rita! It was another great hop. Like you, I really enjoyed seeing the diversity of table themes and settings. Seeing another table using the DT dishes/glasses got me dashing out to the local store to buy the lemon luncheon plates and more glasses. I’m appreciative that these hops and blogging has led to me “meeting” and getting to know you, even if only virtually! May-bee someday we can actually meet in person!
What a lovely table Debbee! And such a sweet gift from your kids! How fun that you started blogging the same year I did! You’ve shared so many wonderful tables during those five years. Thanks for all the inspiration, and here’s to the next five!
Appreciate the good wishes Barbara, and all your supportive comments on my tablescapes. Didn’t realize we started blogging the same year! So, here’s to us both!
What a Bee-utiful table!
How thoughtful your kids were to give you a bee-themed flower arrangement for Mother’s Day! It looks beautiful on your honeycomb tablecloth with all your bee glassware, cutlery, exquisite bee plates, and fabulous napkin fold and rings.
You have been buzzing quickly with travel, eye surgery, weddings, and that special cruise.
Your post was so enjoyable.
Have a lovely summer. Bonnie
Bees are quintessentially summer visitors, as welcome on the table as in the garden! I love how a surprise floral arrangement becomes the centerpiece of a lovely table. I always enjoy your bee tables and the creative ways you mix, match and combine table items you’ve used before in new and exciting ways! My favorite details are the honeycomb tablecloth and the pretty napkin rings. And the cute bees alighting on the flowers!
Debbee, I love bee decor and your summer table is as cute as can BEE! 🙂 It’s a pleasure to hop with you again. Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Hi Debbee, I see you were thinking bees and lemons too for this blog hop. It is the picture perfect summer time tablescape. Your bee themed floral centerpiece was certainly a lovely gift from your family and made a lovely inspiration piece for your tablescape. I love your combination of plates with your exquisite bee napkin ring. So elegant. Your choice of tablecloth really does portray a honeycomb. Happy Summer!
Debbee, your bee-themed table is so fun. Your collection of all things bee is quite impressive. You use the pieces so well together. Enjoy your summer table.
Debbie, your tables are always such a delight, and this one is no exception. My eyes are immediately drawn to those gorgeous green/bee plates. I was sorry to read they are retired 🙁 . Seriousously though, your entire plate stack is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing the link to the napkin fold tutorial! Your floral centrepiece is so fun, and what a lovely gift! It is perfect for your table!
Your table is lovely! I love all things bee too and you have an amazing collection of pieces. I have one of those anthro plates as an accent piece and I love it. Btw, looking on the anthroliving webpage yesterday I saw that the plates are in stock. I might get a few more since I would love to set a table like you did. Thanks for the inspo. Your sons did good! That’s a beautiful arrangement and a great muse for your lovely table. XO- Maryjo
Thanks so much MaryJo! I have several one off Anthropology luncheon sizes plates from various collections I also use as a decor accent in the kitchen. My favorite is actually blue/white with a octopus on it lol! That’s terrific they have the bee plates back in stock! I get asked where to find them all the time, and appreciate you sharing the news. Bee sure to let me know when you set your own bee theme table!