It’s July and time for an alfresco coastal table, set on the covered porch for a meal of king crab legs. The Don’t Be Crabby, sea life tablescape, features some of my favorite crustaceans and friends.
Bee sure you visit the links at the end of this post to see the other alfresco tablescapes they have created throughout the entire week.
In last months’ Red, White & Blue themed blog hop, I shared Give Me Liberty Blue Tablescape Celebrates July 4th. The sea life table has the same color scheme, which allows me to easily transition from patriotic to coastal tableware, accents and porch decor.
This alfresco tablescape features mostly crabs and lobsters — with an octopus and a few seahorses joining the party.
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Finally, the Perfect Tablecloth
I’ve had the crab and lobster dishes for awhile, but the Kate Spade lobster print tablecloth is new this year.
Previously, I set the coastal table on round navy placemats. I decided that layering the placemats on top of the lobster tablecloth, however, would overly crowd each of the four place settings.
Often with these crab and lobster dishes, I use big navy and white check napkins. But for the coastal table, I decided to use cute cocktail size napkins (Anthropologie). I paired them with seahorse napkin rings.
The napkins are a little too small for the rings, but I really wanted to incorporate the seahorses into the coastal table. I also didn’t want to cover the anchor on the salad plate. Here’s a much better look at one of the four napkin designs.
In hindsight, I probably should have gone without the seahorse napkin rings. What do you think?
Coastal Table Deconstructed
All of the porcelain dishes are Kohl’s Sonoma brand. The pattern is appropriately called, Nantucket — the site of a great vacation several years ago. If you haven’t been, be sure Nantucket is on your bucket list.
Unfortunately, the pattern is no longer available. I was lucky to have also purchased a number of fun serving and accent pieces to go with six place settings.
This is one of the lobster butter dishes. They also have warmer stands, but I forgot to put them out on the table!
I wish Kohl’s would carry some of their cute seasonal patterns for several years. Most seem to be one and done.
The dinner plates are primarily red, with a lobster and crab at top or bottom. I usually alternate which crustacean is at the top of the plate by simply rotating them around.
There are also four different appetizer plates. In the pictures above and below, you can see the two lobster designs.
On top of each red dinner plate is an anchor motif salad plate. All the nautical plates and coffee mugs (Tuesday Morning) were made in Portugal.
The anchor plates pull the blue in the dinner plate rim, and coordinate with the stemware (Goodwill).
Red, White & Blue Tableware Goes Coastal
I used the same dark blue glasses and red flatware (Hobby Lobby) in both recent July 4th tables.
Patriots Table With Betsy Ross & Paul Revere and Give Me Liberty Blue are other great summer settings.
I also have matching anchor mugs, which are great for drinking morning coffee on the porch during the summer months.
And, no, I don’t serve coffee with seafood meals on the porch on summer nights — you’ve got me there! It’s more apt to be ice tea, beer or a coastal cocktail with king crab legs. I confess, I just wanted to show the matching mugs.
Here’s the navy mug, with an up close look at the lobster tablecloth print.
Tools of the Trade
Set on the two crab appetizer plates are a claw cracker and fork — to access the delicious meat in king crab legs.
I only have two crackers, so we share. Red-handled shears and crackers (Amazon) are ordered and on their way.
Crabby Centerpiece
The large crab bowl is my favorite Nantucket pattern serving piece. Here it is with a fish motif salad set (Home Goods).
I elevated the crab bowl by setting it on top of an octopus beverage stand (Pottery Barn). Isn’t he awesome?
The octopus stand is sitting on a round seagrass placemat, and surrounded by seashells we’ve collected over the years.
I love being able to mix and match my dishes, serving pieces, decor and linens to create a coastal table.
In Not So Crabby Coastal Buffet Table, I’ll show you more coastal tableware and coordinating Nantucket serving pieces.
The buffet is set on an antique wallpaper table along the wall of the covered porch.
Alfresco Tablescape Blog Hop
Time to check out all the other creative interpretations of an alfresco tablescape.
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I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Turn About Tuesday, Centerpiece Wednesday, Whimsical Home Projects, In Link Party, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Fabulous Friday, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Wow what a great table! I really like this pattern. The deep navy and red tones are really striking. Love the KS lobster tablecloth- great find! I agree about Kohl’s and their dishes. If you really like something you better buy it all that season! Love that crab bowl set and the fish serving pieces.
Hi Liz, so glad you enjoyed the table. My delay in responding was because I couldn’t access WordPress while traveling the Ring Road in Iceland. I could see comments but not respond. The crab and lobster tableware is one of my favorites, although storing the serving pieces is a bit problematic. You’ll see what I mean with the lobster “platter” when I show it in part II (it’s on the buffet). I usually hold out on Kohl’s until it’s 50% off and I have an additional 20-30% coupon as a credit card customer. I carry few cards, but find Kohl’s customer coupons worthwhile.
Girlfriend!!! First thing to catch my eye was that tablecloth!!! ? ? ? I feel the NEED to order one! But, then again, I’m feeling the “need” to order everything on this cool coastal table!!! Having a Kate Spade tablecloth would pay wonderful homage to her every summer. (You know she was from Kansas City and was also a product of our Catholic school system. I almost attended St. Theresa’s, but then I decided an all-girl school wasn’t my cup of tea. My best friend DID go there and I ended up at an all-girls college my freshman year!) What a treat! By the way, I AM apt to serve coffee ☕️ after the meal, even in summer. There are those who may have just a drop too much of the wine ? or beer ? served with dinner who need to get right! So the coffee mugs were on the mark, even if it’s a rich iced coffee on the menu to cool off! I am SO in love with those little lobster butter dishes!!! They are perfectly suited to hold decadent melted butter in the cutest way. Nantucket is THE name for your dishware as it totally speaks to that region. Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are on my bucket list, but I fear I may never get there. We don’t fly, and it would take FOREVER to drive there!!! But I digress…
I like your setup on the buffet behind the table. It looks terrific! That’s one whale of a whale ? ? whale!!!
This is such an imaginative interpretation of such a gorgeous area that I hope to visit someday!
Heh twin, I’m back from the land of glaciers and volcanos. We ate a lot of great seafood while there, including Icelandic lobster — but the settings were a lot different from my tablescape! So very sad about Kate Spade…it’s hard for me to get my head around why she would do such a thing, leaving a young daughter behind. I would have hoped she would have had access to the best therapies.
You don’t fly? A long drive and then ferry to Nantucket then! It’s so special there. We flew to Boston and drove a rental car to Martha’s Vineyard for several days, and then high speed car ferry to Nantucket. It’s like a historic time capsule there. And the restaurants are a foodie paradise. It’s also very pricey, like Hawaii. I was really surprised to see how far from land and out into the ocean Nantucket is. We flew home via a puddle jumper to Boston — I didn’t like that at all as it was delayed 2 hours due to storms. A little too small a plane to my liking.
I’ve flown a puddle jumper. Years ago. I’m STILL shaking in my boots!!! I’ve heard how exorbitant prices are in Nantucket, but I figure…I’m worth it!!!? I hope you create a tablescape based on your recent travels. That would be fun and interesting to see! Have a great week ahead!!!
Debbee, I am in love with this setting! The deep colors are so pretty and your octopus is a great touch. Have been to Nantucket many times (have friends who live there)–wonderful, wonderful in any season. You probably noticed my Nantucket board on Pinterest–love that place!
Hi Bobbi, I’m back from Iceland! I did notice your board and am deeply envious of you having friends who live on Nantucket that you can stay with! How fabulous is that? It’s kinda like me having a sister who lives in the Charleston area.
Oh my! I need to take a trip to the coast. I’ve been living in the desert too long for a girl from Maine! 🙂
Donna, the tablescape was this Pittsburgh gal’s trip to the coast! Maine is so beautiful. I use to go there on business and once had lunch with Stephen King. After that, he sent me Christmas cards for several years! Nicest man.
I can’t say enough about this tablescape, Debbee, to let you know how much I love it! I am a big fan of richly saturated tones of our red, white & blue, and this serves me well. That octopus is a show stealer, yes to all the utensils and napkin rings, and I can’t wait to see that side table in detail. Great party table!
Hello Rita, I always appreciate and look forward to your comments. The coastal tableware is always good for a stay-cation dinner party here in Pittsburgh. A little music, light the candles, good company and we can imagine we are actually on the coast. Thanks too for reaching out to me while I was in Iceland and letting me know about the date mix-up.
This is so cute Debbee! I love all your crabby things, and the lobster tablecloth is perfect!! Your dishes are very unique, not to mention adorable! I am crazy about the whale basket on your sideboard and all the nautical touches! Your tables are always bursting with details and fun!
Once I get stuck on a theme, I’m like a dog with a bone, LOL! Everything has to match the theme. I’m so glad you enjoyed the tablescape. The whale basket is from Tuesday Morning. I’ll be showing more of it in part II of Don’t Be Crabby.
Very pretty Debbee…. your attention to detail is perfect. Red, White and Blue is so patriotic as well as nautical. I, too have set up nautical tablescapes in the past and they always make me smile. The octopus dish stand is a really nice holder for your crab bowl. I must have missed the lobster tablecloth at Home Goods, but then Our home goods is sometimes lacking in products. The Naples Home Goods always has a better selection, but it is about an hour away. I think it has to do with the individual store’s buyers. None-the-less, you have set a pretty table. Welcome to our blog hops, they are such fun. Chloe does such a great job putting this all together.
Thank you Kari! I’m lucky my Home Goods is a good distance away, otherwise I’d be in there buying stuff all the time! Ariel and I both created tablescapes with the same lobster tablecloth — it was fun seeing the different interpretations, plus all the other alfresco tables in the blog hop.
There’s that tablecloth! Great minds think alike eh? I love how you’ve styled yours – proof that two creative people can do amazing things with the same item!
I hope you got to enjoy your tablescape with friends! Happy summer
Well Ariel, it’s obvious we both have exceptional good taste! Everyone seems to love that tablecloth we both featured. We had a lovely evening with another couple prior heading off to vacation in Iceland. Believe it or not, we ate lots of seafood there. It was delicious!
Debbee, I love the mix of dishes and all your “crab” accessories. The tablecloth is a winner. Great way to dine on the porch with such cute pieces. Very well done. I wanted to read about how you are in Iceland, but I couldn’t find your About page.
Hi Carol, I was in Iceland on a 10-day vacation which I plan to share over the next month or so. I actually live far from the coast in Pittsburgh, PA. I started blogging last Halloween and have yet to create an About page. Your comment has motivated me to get it done!
Debbee, that tablecloth is fabulous and with all your crab and lobster details it is so fun and festive. The octopus could not be more perfect along with the dishware. I love your nautical tablesetting and blog hopping with you!
Thanks Pam! I was lucky to come across that tablecloth. Now I can’t imagine setting this table without it!
Debbee, You do a great job coordinating your flatware and glasses in different tablescapes. Your coastal crab and lobster theme is great for a summer alfresco table. Your dishes and accessories are all adorable. That tablecloth was a great fine to steel the show for your sea theme tablescape. I look forward to your upcoming post on your buffet. Fun blog hop this week.
Thanks Bonnie! Coordination is necessary, as storage of more tableware options would be impossible. I’m pretty much maxed out on space. Now that I’m back from Iceland, I hope to get that post on the buffet published soon.
Debbee, this is so adorable! I love it, and it is perfect for an alfresco summer meal! You must have the best collection of themed dishes and items to style your tables! I saw that octopus piece years ago, but didn’t indulge myself! I would love to shop your cupboard one day! Thank you so much for joining us in our blog hop!!
Chloe I think you have an incredible collection of tableware! If you are ever in Pittsburgh, bring me a set of those little boats you found at Target and we can do a swap!
I love this, another dish freak like me, LOL!! Isn’t it fun when so many things from different places and times come together just right? You did just that, so fun! My SIL would knock you over for those lobster butter dishes. I know what you mean about dish patterns, Pier 1 is the same way, cute stuff doesn’t stay long. And heaven forbid if something gets broken, it becomes irreplaceable.
Oh yes: I. Have. A. Dish. Problem. Participating in blog hops only compounds the problem, LOL! Usually, I just go with table accessories, servers and linens from Pier 1, rather than dishes. Although, it’s always fun to mix and match when you don’t have enough of any one pattern.
Love everything about this tablescape! I can taste the seafood! The appetizer plates are darling.
Thank you Maria. I only wish I had a few more place settings and a couple more lobster butter warmers. Of course, then I’d have more to store and my cupboards are packed!
Just love that you found the perfect tablecloth to go with all of your seafood tableware!!! What a great table! That octopus stand is fabulous as well as the little lobster butter dishes. All of your little details are just shining through for a fun seafood experience! It was wonderful to hop with you this week!
You should have seen me crossing my fingers and toes in the store, hoping they had the lobster tablecloth in a large round size. I probably let out a little squeal when I found it, LOL!
This table is just adorable! It is the perfect theme for a summer alfresco table. I love the red and navy color scheme. The octopus cake stand is so cute and makes the perfect centerpiece.
Thank you Shannon! The octopus stand was too hard to pass up, especially when I had a coupon that cut the cost in half.
Hi Debbee, I’m crabby that I missed that wonderful Kate Spade lobster print tablecloth at HomeGoods! I love all your fun seaside accessories and nautical details! It’s always a pleasure to blog hop with you.
Thanks Mary! Maybe you could just pick up some of the lobster print napkins? They’d go great with all your red, white and blue nautical tableware on your boat.
Wow! Debbee, what a delightful crabby table. Love all of your fun crabby elements. The navy blue and red is lovely. That octopus stand is fabulous and so fun. Great tablecloth too, especially Kate Spade. You set the prettiest table. Always a pleasure joining you on this fun tablescape blog hop.
Thanks Linda! It’s fun going all coastal and a bit nautical when landlocked here in Pittsburgh!
Oh my goodness Debbee! This table is fun, fun, fun!! I just love every element and don’t think I cold pick a favorite! But that octopus sure stands out! You have outdone yourself on the Lobster and Crab theme and I love how so many of the elements of the table can be used in other tablescapes as well! Really, an outstanding table 🙂
Thank you Maureen for such a glowing commentary on the table! I’m trying to regroup from vacation and working to publish the complimentary buffet table.
Such a wonderful table! Wow! ! Love this octopus stand and this adorable little lobster butter dishes. So many beautiful and charming details!
Thanks Jemma; it seems those table elements were everyone’s favorites. Heh, I saw you on TV this week! I just stumbled onto the show and I thought you looked familiar… and when I heard your name… well I knew it was you! Congratulations, I thought you did an amazing job! It was also nice getting to “know” you a little better.
I adore your tablescape. It certainly says summer. I love the colors and how you styled it. It looks great.
Thanks so much Debra! It’s all about those great dishes I was fortunate to find.
A fun table – love that tablecloth!
Thanks for visiting Carol, I’m glad you enjoyed the tablescape.
Such a fun table for summer Debbee!
Fabulous! Absolutely fabulous! You are so talented!
Thanks so much Rennie! You give me far too much credit; it’s all about those dishes and tablecloth.
Where did you purchase the seashell bowl and octopus cake stand? Love all of your decor!
The seashell bowl was probably from Home Goods. Pottery Barn was the source for the octopus beverage stand — but that was several summers ago.
Love love all these dishes! You are so clever! Such fun to see it all!
When I saw them on Pinterest I went on a treasure hunt to find them! Hope u r having a great summer.
I love this! The dishes, table cloth and napkin rings are just adorable! Really summery and fun!
Hugs, Karin
Thanks so much Karin! Since we can’t go to the beach right now, it’s the next best thing!
Wow! This coastal table is amazing! I love the crab bowl, the fish serving utensils, the octopus, and all the plates, especially the anchor plates! I love the coastal theme, and it’s also perfect for 4th of July since it’s all red, white, and blue. I’m selecting this as one of my features at this week’s Snickerdoodle Link Party! Thanks so much for sharing with us every week!!!
Glad you liked it T’onna, it’s my go to summer table and fits with the decor on the deck too. Delighted to be featured; thanks so very much!
I was thinking of you yesterday as I tried working my first crochet project in decades — a small bee using a magic circle. Wish I had you peeking over my shoulder for a little guidance! Slip stitch the circle closed each round if the pattern doesn’t call for it? Chain 2 before each round if double crocheting? My next project is a much larger octopus after I get this figured out.
I don’t like sea food but, this is fabulous.
Thank you Rebecca! I’ll tell you a little secret, most times I use the dishes seafood isn’t even on the menu!
So fun! I especially love the octopus and the seahorse napkin rings!
Thanks Theresa, I love ’em too!
Debbee, This table setting is absolutely adorable. I love it. Congratulations, you are being featured at Thursday Favorite Things. I hope you stop by. Hugs,Bev
Thanks so much for the feature Bev! And, I try to never miss a TFT party. During the pandemic, its especially nice to have a weekly resource of interesting and entertaining blog posts to read/see.
Oh my goodness! I live near the Chesapeake Bay where crabs are everything! This is a super fun tablescape and would fit right in for all of our riverfront parties!
What a fabulous place to live Cynthia! I’ll bring all the tableware if you host at your place, lol! Sorry for the delay in responding, we’ve been out of town for the July 4th holiday.
Debbee, I have always loved your crabby tablescape. It offers up many different themes, and all your coordinating plates are a testament to this. The tablecloth is a total find – how great is that! The seahorse napkin rings fit so well with your theme and the octopus stand is just gorgeous! Many a person would be happy to dine at your lovely table and thanks so much for sharing your beautiful collection. I hope everything is well with you in your neck of the neighborhood.
Kim, you are always so generous with your compliments. Very nice of you to return to my table and take the time to comment! Due to a broken finger on my right hand, I’ve been unable to pull out summer theme tableware and I sure miss it! We had a great 8 day visit in Philly with fam and friends for July 4th, and brought my elderly mom home with us. Although all double boosted, we came down with mild COVID within two days. So now we’re just isolating at home and going a little stir crazy!