Bonjour, mon ami and welcome to the Bee-utiful Bee Table Settings Blog Hop! Today, eight of us are getting together to share casual to elegant tablescapes and centerpieces.
I was motivated to host the hop in honor of World Bee Day, next Thursday, May 20th.
Hoping you’ll find inspiration for both spring and summer seasonal tables and gatherings. Perhaps even for a “Meant to Bee” or “What Will It Bee” bridal or baby shower?
Here at Debbee’s Buzz, the bee theme table was influenced by French ancestry and the pronunciation of my first name. Set on a black and white backdrop, the striking tablescape includes lots of metallic gold accents. Bees are featured on plates, glassware, flatware and napkin rings, along with a theme centerpiece vignette. There’s even a royal French bee shape napkin fold!
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Elegant Tablescape Fit for Queen Bee
I’m delighted to have seven talented stylists join me for the Bee-utiful Table Settings Blog Hop. You’ll find links with titles and thumbnail photos for each tablescape listed at the end of this post.
To create the feel of a Parisian cafe, my bee theme table is set on a black and white, wide stripe cloth (Kate Spade). Providing a bit of glitz are narrow strands of metallic thread that also tie-in with other tableware gold accents.
I first used the cloth for another French-inspired tablescape a few of years ago. Meet Me at the Eiffel Tower Table Valentine features dishes depicting the Paris landmark.
Family-heirloom, etched crystal belonged to my French great-grandmother — Dora Henriette Francois Marie. She had not one, but three middle names — ooh la la! Grand mere and my great -grandfather immigrated from France in the late 1800’s. Both of their très Francais surnames begin with the letter “B”; as do several others in their combined family tree.
Although my name is actually Debbie, grand mere pronounced it with an strong emphasis on the “bee” ending. So there you have it; my love of bees and nickname Queen Debbee. It’s how the name of this blog came to bee too lol!
And, why I chose a French Queen Bee theme for the very first My Favorite Things Party.
Going for the Gold
Underlying the plate stack is my Lenox Eclipse (retired) china; a wedding gift from my parents. This is the first time I’ve featured them in the open kitchen, on the round glass table.
Normally, the china is used for more formal Thanksgiving or Christmas meals in the dinning room. Or for larger dinner parties, like the Exotic Peacock Table or Greek Tablescape & Olympic Torch Napkin Fold.
For the bee theme table, I’ve used the elegant gold and black decorated dinner plates in lieu of chargers. Set for four, the ornate gold chargers would have taken up too much space on the intimate round table.
Plus, I like how the gold and black china edge compliments the tablecloth and bee motif luncheon-size plates.
Bee Tableware Collection
Making their debut as part of the bee theme, favorite things party are the striking Anthropology (retired) plates. Such pretty details; include the scalloped edge, bright celery green color, and of course the classic bee motif. I love everything about the specialty plates — except that the metallic details require hand washing lol!
They appeared on A HapBEE Birthday Table with Beehive Dessert for hubby, along with more of my bee tableware collection. Hanging above both tables is the easy DIY Bee Decorated Chandelier.
And, covering the Meyer lemon-favor cake is a large beehive-shape glass cloche (William Sonoma several years ago).
Napoleonic Bee
After being crowned emperor of France, Napoleon adopted the eagle and bee as symbols of his dynasty. Bees tied him to the origins of France, and are considered the oldest emblem of its sovereigns. I suspect it also had something to do with “Bonaparte” starting with the letter “B”?
Flanking the dish stack is Wallace Napoleon Bee flatware. For the spring and summer seasons, the stainless is one of my everyday patterns.
So does my love of bees mean I have a Napoleonic complex lol?
Authentic French Glassware
Also part of my everyday bee motif tableware are La Rochere glasses in several sizes.
Pictured above are the water tumblers. I also have the taller beverage glasses, but decided not to use them on this bee theme table.
Instead, I incorporated Libby Rose Classic (vintage) stemware. I like how the etched roses and gold bows coordinate with the plates. For some reason, they look French to me. Maybe bee-cause my grand mere’s beloved crystal is etched with roses too?
Golden Nectar
There’s also an aperitif glass included in the trio. Here, it’s filled with one of my favorite liquors — Limoncello.
Although it’s Italian — not French — it and the lemons in the water tumblers add a pop of yellow to the bee theme table.
I’ll also be adding homemade, honey and sage-infused lemonade to the vintage glasses for the actual meal. Originally, I served the lemonade as part of Bee Theme Party Food Features Honey, Lemon in a beehive-shape drink dispenser. It has the cutest black iron stand with bees on it. Whenever I make the tasty beverage, it’s always a big batch, as it refrigerates well for several days.
So refreshing and tasty with sage from my herb garden. Plus, steeping the sage fills the house with the most wonderful aroma!
For large groups of guests and parties, I use mason jars and bee and honeycomb-embossed jugs (Tuesday Morning several years ago) and straws. There’s even a matching carafe. You can see them on the Easter Hunt in Mr. McGregor’s Garden table paired with the La Rochere glasses.
As you probably have figured out, I have a large collection of bee theme tableware!
Royal French Bee Inspired Napkin Fold
Another part of my collection are these gorgeous napkin rings with lots of bling. They go perfectly with the plates and other metallic gold elements on the bee theme table.
Plus, they hold the fleur-de-lis napkin shape fold in place.
So as to not cover the bee motif and accentuate the flower in the design, I used smaller raspberry napkins and positioned them to right of the plate.
Many believe the ancient royal fleur-de-lis symbol represents a bee. I first made the fold, but with larger napkins for the busy as a bee, Back to School Table. Although not the simplest, it’s pretty easy. Learn how in the six-step Fleur-de-Lis, Bee Shape Napkin Fold Tutorial.
Over the years, it’s one of many Napkin Folds for All Seasons, Holidays & Occasions I’ve used to embellish tables. It’s also an easy, inexpensive way to carry out a theme without buying special plates or napkin rings. Other napkin options for a bee theme table include a quick and easy rose fold, or more complicated, Pretty Flower Blossom Shape Napkin. Just replace the bird place card with a chenille bee, and perhaps use a yellow or floral print napkin.
Find Your Place at the Table
For the bee theme table, I simply took bee clip-on embellishments and attached them to gold-framed place cards. Something similar could also be used in lieu of napkin rings.
Bee Theme Table Centerpiece
Finally, to compliment the place settings, I created a bee theme vignette as the centerpiece.
Anchoring the centerpiece is a clear glass wasp catcher, with a little chenille bee buzzing above.
Next to it is a little handmade bee skep I made as part of Bee Wreaths & Bee-autiful DIY Party Decorations.
I also included three tiny clear vases, filling them with white lilac and cherry blossoms from the yard. Shades in the flowers compliment the color of the napkins.
There’s a handcrafted honeypot with dipper I picked up at the Three Rivers Art Festival too.
It’s decorated with different vintage bee images on the front and back.
See the DIY Elegant French Queen Bee Invitation to find free vintage, royalty-free imagery. Use them to create table place cards, napkin rings, linens and favors to embellish a bee theme table.
Incorporated into the center vignette is this little bee server with matching spreader vignette. I found it and other bee theme table, decor and garden items on a visit to the Spring Flower Show at Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory.
You’ll also find linens, signs and cute bee gifts on a Hunt and Finds at Trax Farm.
Right now there are lots of bee tableware and decor items at William Sonoma and other retailers. I just showed great restraint while at Home Goods, where I saw these cute melamine plates and glasses lol!
To recreate the look of my French-inspired, bee theme table, see the links below.
Related Post Picks
Buzz About
Time to hop — or buzz — from bee theme table to table! I love all the creative stylings these talented ladies have put together and shared.
Next up is Mary of Home is Where the Boat Is, and her delightful Hive Rules. It’s set in her garden shed and includes a vintage bee smoker and honey cans.
French Inspired, Royal Bee Theme Table & Napkin Fold ⚜ Debbees Buzz
Hive Rules ⚜ Home is Where the Boat Is
Kings Corners for the Queen Bee ⚜ Panoply
Sweet Yellow & Gray Bee Tablescape ⚜ Corner of Plaid & Paisley
Buzzing About ⚜ Hyacinth for the Soul
Bee French Country Tablescape for Entertaining ⚜ My Hubbard Home
Bees & Sunflowers Tablescape ⚜ Life & Linda
A Bee Table for Two ⚜ Zucchini Sisters
Bee Theme Party Food & Buffet ⚜ Debbees Buzz
Thanks to all my blogger buddies for taking part in today’s Bee-utiful Table Settings — only the second time I have hosted. As the so-called, “Queen of Theme”, I hope to organize several other theme-specific events throughout the year. See the first hop at 14 Stylists Share St. Patrick’s Day Table Setting Ideas.
Will you celebrate World Bee Day in some shape or form?
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Very French, indeed, Debbee! Love how the Kate Spade cloth handsomely sets the base for your colorful dishes and paired napkins. That fold is terrific! Of course, all the bee elements in the rings and other small table accessories pull it all together bee-utifully. This was such a wonderfully fun table event to participate in. Thank you for bee-ing such a gracious hostess! Oh, and thank goodness I still haven’t made it to HG yet. I probably would’ve fallen hard for those items. You should go back, Queen Debbee!
Delighted you enjoyed it Rita! I love that easy napkin fold. It’s a pretty table addition; especially in the center of plate to showcase the print or colors of the napkin fabric. It was my absolute pleasure hosting and so happy to have your bee a part of it! Only wish we could actually sample the desserts, like the one you shared. The downside is now I have a long wish list of bee tableware. Such a dangerous theme for a plate addict named Debbee.
Ooh la la Debbee! Such a bee-utiful table with that stunning Kate Spade tablecloth! The black and white is a striking and appropriate foundation for your table and I’ve long admired those Anthro bee plates. I adore your bling-y napkin rings and wonderful fleur-de-lis fold. The napkins provides provide such a wonderful bright pop of color! Thanks so much for your organizing efforts and for hosting today. As always it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you. Happy Wednesday ♥
Thanks so much Mary! It was fun finally setting a table that combined those plates with a bee shape napkin fold and rings. It’s been an absolute pleasure hosting such a wonderful group of talented ladies for a honey of a theme. Appreciate you bee-ing a part of it.
What a pretty table! Love the bee dishes and the bee napkin rings. The napkin fold is beautiful! I didn’t know the story about the flatware, which is interesting!
Thanks so much Liz! It’s a really easy fold and I’ve been looking forward to an opportunity to pair it with the bee plates and rings. I’ll bet your garden, planters and landscape is a paradise for bees!
Oh Debbee, your table is gorgeous and those plates are stunning! I love the unexpected pink and green, those colors take your BEEautiful table to the next level! Such a fun theme for a tablescape hop, you have me in the mood for all things BEE! The napkin fold is beautiful~
You are always so sweet and generous with your comments Jenna — thank you! World Bee Day seemed liked the perfect occasion to showcase my bee tableware and pair it with the napkin fold. Have you ever tried it? It’s one of my go-to’s when I want to show off a pretty napkin’s fabric print or color in the center of a plainer plate.
What a bee-utiful table!
I didn’t even think about going to Home Goods for bee items! Darn!!!
Debbee, everything on your table is so beautifully coordinated, down to the color of the napkins matching the flowers. I’m absorbing every last detail. Your great grandmother would be proud! Leaving off the chargers was a smart move. The plates and tablecloth really work well together. And the bee plate with the knife is really cute. This has been such a fun table setting to embrace, and I thank you for pulling it all together and inviting me along!
Merci mon ami! Going to Home Goods is always dangerous for a plate addict like me. Now, I’m regretting I didn’t pick up the melamine plates for more casual settings and outdoor dining. Setting that small round table is a bit of challenge sometimes, so I rarely use chargers there. It was a fun change of pace to use my china in the kitchen. My pleasure hosting and delighted to have you share your honey of a tablescape.
You, my dear, are a queen bee of table settings! I am always in awe of the beautiful ideas you think up. Love how your pretty Eclipse china goes so well w/ various top plates. Everything is fabulous right down to the bee on the place cards. Hope you are having a lovely spring. Ours has been the best I can remember in years; very little rain and bright, sunny days–I’m loving every minute! Hugs, sweetie.
Bobbi, so lovely to hear from you! Thank you for your kind and generous remarks. I’ve been on a hiatus from blogging since before Easter. Glad you are having such a great spring! Ours, not so much. Lots of rain, wind and even snow and hail. This past week plus the overnight low temps have been between 35 and 42 degrees! Poor hubby has had to bring in the hanging ferns every night. Waiting until we bring my mom here from Charleston to buy flowers for the pots and planters. She has the greenest thumbs!
Ooh la la, madam! Your French inspired table has my French and bee loving heart all a buzz. What can I say, but you and I are simpatico when it comes to all things French and bee themed. The plates, the glassware, bee flatware ~ all in my tabletop stash. I even have a bee step cake dome and bejeweled bee napkin rings. Seriously, your post was exceptional from start to finish.
It’s fun to know of your French heritage. My grandparents were from England and Germany. My mother’s name is Henrietta and she had two middle names. Each detail is special and your information appreciated. I’ve shared several bee posts over the years, so I intend to link back to each of yours and revisit. Can’t get too much inspiration. I may do a second bee post next week for World Bee Day. Thank you again for all the effort to organize our buzz!
Sounds like we could setup quite a spectacular bee theme table fest if we joined forces Sarah! It was nice to see the variety of table settings and tableware across the blog hop. Although, now the plate addict in me is longing for those William Sonoma plates and other dishware. It’s probably good I’m out of any storage space!
Debbee, What a fun hop! I am still visiting the blogs but so far I am enchanted with all things bee. Your post is amazing and so many beautiful items. Everyone has done their part celebrating and creating awareness of World Bee Day and the importance of bees. Your plate stack is stunning! The bee plate, fushia napkin fold, and bejeweled bee napkin ring are beautiful. Enjoyable post.
We missed you Bonnie, but am delighted you enjoyed my tablescape and the hop. The ladies really did a great job embracing the theme and putting together inspiring posts.
Beautiful Debbee. I adore anything French. Your Kate Spade tablecloth is lovely. always fun to see the napkin folds. The bee napkin ring is calling my name. I love bling! Wonderful plate stack and fun accessories. I did buy those melamine bee plates from HG. Thanks so much Debbee for organizing this fun be themed hop.
Not surprised you liked that tablecloth Linda, as I know how partial you are to MC. Those rings are one of my fav things and seem like they were meant to accompany the Anthro plates. Regretting now I didn’t pick up those melamine plates for outdoor dining. I may have to circle back to HG — always dangerous for a plate addict lol! It was my pleasure hosting and so glad to have you bee a big part of it.
First I have to say Thank you so much for organizing this hop!! I am so enjoying all the bee facts and creativity with the theme. Your table is so striking with your Kate Spade striped tablecloth, it is the perfect backdrop for your French inspired table! So many great details but I think your plates and napkin rings are my favorite!! Your collection of bee items have been pulled together so artfully for your centerpiece, such a pretty table!! Thanks again!!?❤️
Well, it was a theme party “meant to bee” for someone named Debbee — so glad to have your sweet table part of the hop Ann!
Wow, bees galore! Love the napkin rings, glassware, your DIY skep, the beehive drinks dispenser and the clip-on bees attached to the place cards!
Hi Debra, glad you enjoyed the bee extravaganza! I get a little obsessive about themes, that’s why my family and friends call me, “the queen of theme” lol!
Pretty awesome table. I am curious as to why the spoon is next to the plate instead of the knife. Collectors are always on the lookout for the unusual. Have to stay out of Home Goods. So addictive. Debbee, where is our babee puppy ?
Myrna, so observant to notice the flatware — got me! It’s because I needed the space above to better accommodate the trio of glasses. I did get to shop at HG for our son. We’re heading there this weekend for 10 days. In appreciation of him putting us and Whiskey up all that time, I bought all kinds of nautical, coastal outdoor tableware and fun serving pieces. So fun to go on a shopping spree! Whiskey is doing well, and is almost 15 pounds. We finished 3 kinderpuppy classes and he earned AKC STAR Puppy. But, I’ve been struggling the last month with this painful hip that really has limited my mobility and ability to get much done. Happily, I finally got a steroid shot last week, but I start PT again. All that put me on mostly a pause from blogging of late.
This is the PERFECT blog party for you to host!!!!!!!! I’ve visited a few of the other ladies’ blog posts, and everyone has done such a bee-eautiful job with their own interpretations! Not to be outdone, you have created an inspiring representation yourself!!! This is really pretty, Debbee. The green of that plate is so striking! That’s a color that just stands out head and shoulders above!
Have a peaceful weekend!
I know, “meant to bee” right?! It was wonderful to have the others join the party. Maybe I can entice for a future theme hop Alycia?
Love this table with our garden loving bees! Love all your details especially the green plates. Pinned!
Thanks Cindy! But, it didn’t take much styling talent on my part when working with those fabulous plates and napkin rings. The table sorta set itself lol!
My gosh, I have never seen so many bee motifs on a table before! The little details make your tablescape so bee-utiful, Debbee! I’m obsessed with your green Anthropology plates. I was sad to hear they’re no longer available. They look perfect with your elegant Lenox china and the striking raspberry fleur-de-lis napkin fold. And of course the gold bee napkin ring with the bling is fabulous, too! My other favorite touches are the bee drinking glasses and the bee flatware. Thanks for organizing such a fun hop! Now I’ll be on the lookout for more bee items to add to my new collection!
Well Rebecca, as the queen of theme, I tend to go a “little” overboard lol! Plus “bee” is part of my name. If it makes you feel any better about the plates, they were expensive (of course they are obscene on the secondary market — I could sell them to fund retirement lol!). I was fortunate to receive 4 of the 6 as gifts. The rings were a gift from my most devoted follower who also has purchased 5 of my wreaths. A very kind, funny and generous lady. The glasses and flatware are modern classics. Appreciate you bee-ing part of the hop!
What a charming tablescape! It was fun to find you on the Zucchini Sisters link party. Love your creativity!
Thank you Missy, it was fun creating and hosting the hop.
This bee theme is awesome! I really like the green bee plates and the bee utensils!
Thanks so much, it’s sorta of an addiction — acquiring bee theme tableware! I just can’t bee stopped lol!
Beautiful Tablscape. Those green bee plates make my heart pitter patter.
Thanks so much Renae! Would you bee interested in possibly participating in a future theme specific blog hop?
I am sorry I am so late to the bee party! I love your French inspired table honoring all things bees. I admired the Anthropologie plates when they first came out and I am smitten with them on your table. I do adore the napkin rings. Everything is just beautiful and a fun hop for sure.
Not late at all, always a seat at the table for you Pam.
Oh. My. Goodness, Debbee!!! What and adorable tablescape! I LOVE the bees and I LOVE how it is so YOU! Oh…and those bee plates are sooooo cute and they look bee-utiful on your layered plates! Thanks for sharing your wonderfully creative ideas with us!
You’re so sweet Tiffany, thanks! You’re right, it is so me — that’s probably why the glasses and flatware are part of my everyday tableware.
Such a beautiful tablescape. I adore your green bee china. Amalia xo
What a beeutiful tablescape, Debbee! Wow, you’ve got quite a lovely collection of bee-themed tableware.
Thanks so much Marie! After hosting the bee themed hop — and seeing other wonderful items — I’m trying hard not to add to the collection (which I had no storage room for) lol.
I just loved this tablescape, of course, you KNOW I love a themed tablescape at any time! I appreciate the detailed napkin fold. It may be just what I need for my “Traveling Tablescape”, which I have not gotten started with, but plan to do soon! I will be sending around four salad plates and four place settings of flatware for stylists to incorporate into a table with their own styling! It is always a pleasure to stop by and see what you are up to!
Glad to have you stop by, as we missed your creative talents at the blog hop. Looking forward to seeing what you’ve got for the Traveling Tablescape elements.
Oh, Debbee what fun to see this table. It was indeed a fabulous Bee Hop. You should host another! I haven’t had the opportunity to style many tables of late, but I pulled a table out of my archives to share today. It uses the same Anthro bee plate in my stack. Love those plates. Love your big brass bee dish. Who makes that piece? You are inspiring me to set a new bee themed table for the 20th.
Hope you have enjoyed a wonderful Mother’s Day!
It was fun! Unfortunately, I haven’t much time to blog, let alone host a hop. Planning a bee theme roundup for later this week but no new table. Do you mean the pewter bee dish? Just checked, and there’s no manufacturers mark — sorry. Had a great Mother’s Day thankyou!
Debbee, your bee-themed table is gorgeous!! The dramatic tablecloth sets of your plate stack just bee-autifully. And oh my, those Anthro salads – they look fantastic on your black and gold dinner plates. I love the napkin fold and the bee goblets and flatware are perfect. You have such an enviable collection of bee accessories and it all looks fabulous. Happy upcoming World Bee day!
Thanks so much Kim. Today the kids sent me a gorgeous bee themed floral arrangement for Mother’s Day that has me motivated to use it as the centerpiece for an updated setting. I can never get enough bee stuff lol!