After a number of false starts and considerable frustration, I’m relieved to finally be able to share a palm leaf and birds of paradise tropical tablescape.
Consider this setting plan Bee. Or, maybe it’s C or D? I had to come up with a new table styling plan when my initial vision didn’t pan out. Finally, a lovely bird of paradise stem provided new inspiration and direction.
Hosted by Chloe of Celebrate and Decorate, today’s post is part of the Late Summer Tablescape blog hop.
I’m really excited to see what so many talented and clever table stylists have to share. With several weeks of August still left, I’m in no hurry for summer to end. Are you? I especially like the opportunity to dine alfresco.
Come on and join me, outside, on the covered porch. Imagine a paddle fan circling overhead, creating a cool breeze while you sip a refreshing, frozen concoction.
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Palms at the Heart
Initial inspiration for a tropical tablescape began late last summer. That’s when I scored six palm-print, melamine plates on clearance (Pottery Barn). Too much of a steal to worry about storage! Besides, I’d always wanted to set a Palm Beach style table.
Fast forward to May, when I came upon a package of six palm leaves (Hobby Lobby). I figured they’d bee perfect placemats for the tropical tablescape.
Later that same afternoon, I found darling plastic parrot glasses (Home Goods) on clearance. Aren’t they fun?’
Back then, I figured my tropical tablescape was well on it’s way to coming together. And the price had been right too!
Because we were on a Provocative Peru Trip for most of the following month, I had to miss June’s patriotic tablescape hop. I figured I’d have all of July to gather everything else together for August’s party. You’d think right?
No to Flamingo
Shortly after July 4th, I started shopping for flamingo accent plates. I wanted them to add a pop of pink and whimsy to the tropical tablescape.
They’d coordinate well with the pink tablecloth, napkins and glasses I already had. You can see them in Vintage Easter Table and Alice in Wonderland Table and Party Favors.
Plus, I figured it would be fun to Play Flamingo Croquet after dinner.
Before we had gone vacation, I had mailed all kinds of flamingo theme tableware as a housewarming gift to a friend. But, when I went back to Dollar Tree, everything was fall and Halloween already! I was kicking myself left and right that I hadn’t picked up more of the melamine flamingo plates before. Dumb, dumb Debbee!
So, I expanded my search to also include plates decorated with pineapples. I went all over town; from Tuesday Morning to Pier 1 to William Sonoma. Nothing!
Switching Gears
With August fast approaching, I briefly considered using a completely different table that I was styling in the dining room.
A Greek Tablescape & Olympic Torch Napkin Fold was another table nearly a year in the making — ever since a trip to Amazing Ancient Athens.
The formal setting didn’t really fit the blog hop theme for a Late Summer Tablescape. And, I’m ever the Queen of Theme, LOL!
After retrieving faux olive trees from basement storage, I decided to reorganize my seasonal decor and tableware downstairs.
See the detailed post, how I Pack and Store Holiday Decorations, Tableware.
That’s when I happily came across two forgotten sets of clear, fish-shaped plates. Fish are in tropical waters, right? Even better, I’ve never shared them in a tablescape post before.
But, clear plates weren’t going to provide a pop of contrasting color. So, I came up with a new table styling plan. Another trip to the store for faux palm and bird of paradise stems (Target) — also on clearance — put me back on track to create a tropical tablescape.
Still, challenges continued to plague the tablescape I envisioned.
Tropic Troubles
As pretty as the tropical tablescape looked on the covered porch, it proved to be stubbornly unphotogenic.
All the bright light surrounding the glass tabletop, clear fish plates, water-filled vases, and plastic stemware created a lot of reflection. I tried taking pictures from different sides of the tropical tablescape at various times of day — to no avail. Still glare!
See what I mean?
After I photographed the tropical tablescape, I also realized that ironwork of the pedestal and chairs made for a cluttered view. A tablecloth would have helped with both problems. But another wasted, half-day shopping excursion left me empty-handed again.
Bee that as it may, let me show you around.
Styling a Tropical Tablescape
Palms Down
Initially, the dinner plates completely obstructed the palm leaf placemats from view. So, I played around positioning the leafs, which were smaller than I realized.
Angling the placemats to the left at each setting, resolved the problem.
Something Fishy
Next, I layered the larger fish-shaped dish on top of the palm leaf plate; with the tail slightly extending over the edge.
I bought the fish platters before I was married, while living in Washington, D.C. Come to think of it, that may have been the start of my plate addiction?!
They compliment my Kitchen Coastal Decor and mix and match with the seasonal tableware.
Can you make out the curved sides of the fish platters? They’re nice for keeping juices and sauces from spilling over the edges. I often used the fish dishes whenever we fondue.
Fondue was all the rage back in the 1980’s. Because of their popularity, I think we received three or four fondue pots as wedding gifts. I still have one sterno and another electric fondue set. Do you fondue?
Later, I found four smaller fish dishes to use for appetizers or side salads. Little dipping cups fit in the right-hand indentation (circled in orange); good for holding cocktail sauce or melted butter. Since I’m serving a salad at the tropical tablescape, they aren’t needed.
Bird of Paradise Napkins
Instead, I’ve placed a napkin on each plate, folded to resemble a bird of paradise.
But, they weren’t the pretty tangerine shade or print I wanted, in order to add color to the tropical tablescape. Off I went on yet another shop and purchase mission. But, once again, I came up empty. The only orange napkins to be found had pumpkins on them!
So, I used the dark green cloth napkins I already had. A little boring color wise, I know.
Update: Subsequently, for the Fun Flamingo Tropical Table, I used the same napkin fold. But this time, I used bright pink napkins that popped.
I was inspired to create the napkin fold from the faux bird of paradise in the centerpiece.
“Bird of paradise … is the quintessential tropical flower. It originates from South Africa, where it is also nicknamed the Crane Flower… gets its name from the fact that its flower is made of three bright orange petals and three blue petals which are fused together into a single bud. As the flower blooms, each petal makes its debut and the resulting shape mirrors that of a tropical bird in flight.” FTD
Can you see the resemblance to the flower?
Folding a napkin in the bird of paradise shape was surprisingly easy. Although, a stiffer fabric would have been more ideal. I simply searched Pinterest and found lots of tutorials.
Napkins folded into clever shapes is sure-fire to impress guests. Often, no additional napkin rings are required. Check out, Napkin Folds for All Seasons, Holidays & Occasions for more ideas.
Leafs & Twigs
For the centerpiece, I used a single, large palm leaf placemat in the center of the table.
Then, I filled a trio of tall, clear vases with water. Next, I inserted a faux palm or bird of paradise stem (Target) in each. I literally tied them together with a wide, palm-print ribbon (Hobby Lobby).
Table Tip: Adding water helps create the illusion the florals are real. But, don’t leave the stems in the water more than a few of days, or you might get an rust stain on the bottom of the vase.
For the flatware, I pulled out my copper twig pattern.
When I purchased the flatware, I envisioned it primarily for fall tablescapes, like Birds of a Feather Gather Together. But, Moose Toboggan Ride Tablescape Winter Fun, and A Tweet Tablescape to Welcome Spring, extended its use.
Now, with a summer tropical tablescape, I’ll have used the twig flatware year-round.
Sure, bamboo flatware would be ideal, but I didn’t think it was a necessary expense. What do you think, does the twig flatware work in a tropical tablescape?
Parrots Party in Paradise
And, those parrot stem glasses add a little height and whimsy to each place setting.
More green though, doesn’t add much color contrast. But, if you look closely, the clear plastic has a light purple tinge.
Thinking about the parrots, macaws, toucans, and flamingos we saw, Bird Bonding at the National Aviary last week. And yes, no tropical bird plates in the gift shop there either!
Update: A year later and I’ve created another tropical tablescape, Summer Jungle Table & Palm Leaf Napkin Fold. It features exotic animal print plates and a beautiful pop of turquoise in a simple napkin fold. And I found a work-around with the glare issue too!
Related Post Picks
Table Hop Time
It’s a weeklong celebration of summer, with two dozen table stylists sharing their creations. With all the issues I had with the tropical tablescape, I’m sure glad to bee at the start!
Monday
Debbee’s Buzz | A casa di Bianca | Red Cottage Chronicles | The Little Yellow Corner Store | Sweet Pea
Tuesday
White Arrows Home | Living With Thanksgiving | Life and Linda | Everyday Living
Corner of Plaid and Paisley
Wednesday
Home is Where the Boat Is | Celebrate & Decorate | Panoply | The Painted Apron
Thursday
Intelligent Domestications | Sweet Sensations | Our Crafty Mom | Bluesky at Home
Friday
My Thrift Store Addiction | My Family Thyme | Katherine’s Corner | Zucchini Sisters
Follow the Yellow Brick Home
I can’t wait to visit each one! Which are your favorites?
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Featured Post
Link Parties
I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Your tablescape has me dreaming of Hawaii, the only place where I’ve seen Birds of Paradise blooming outdoors. I love your palm leaf placemats layered with the tropical leaf plates and fish platter. I collect antique fish platters and when I saw your set, my eyes lit up. Your creative napkin fold also caught my eye and made me think of a napkin folding book that I have somewhere that I need to peruse to add some creativity to my next tablescape. I really enjoyed seeing this tablescape.
You collect fish platters? What started that — a gift or find? Have you shared them before, bee-cause I’d love to see them! Although, no new theme collections for me, LOL! I’m on a napkin folding kick lately, even though I never was good at origami. Last week, I came up with Greek Tablescape & Olympic Torch Napkin Fold. I realized they weren’t that hard when I made napkin roses for Alice in Wonderland Table and Party Favors.
Lol, first world problems of tablescaping! I love your thought process, Debbee, and the table is certainly creative. Funny how the fish came to the rescue and you’d forgotten you even had them, isn’t it? Those dipping bowls on the fish plates look like water bubbles! I personally like the semi-monochromatic appeal of the black, green and clear use. I do understand the dilemma a clear glass tabletop brings though, and have dealt with the same issue.
Rita, you always make me laugh — “world problems” really puts things in perspective! Sitting on the porch, the monochrome look feels cool and refreshing, especially with bright color, fresh foods served on the table. But, I never seem able to time/juggle photographing tables with cooking and entertaining. Plus, my husband hates when I take blog photos at the table. Even though, I’ve put a tablecloth and napkins on my spring shopping list to deal with the glass table issues.
Hey Deb! I for one, love your more monochromatic tablescape! Birds of Paradise are stunning blooms and they way you folded the napkins to match was genius! Those tropical glasses were a fabulous and fun find. I would be using those all the time. I have been in your position more times than I can count, when I have a specific vision and at all loss to find all the elements to complete it! You have done a fantastic job, and I think your table definitely has met your tropical theme goals!
Because they are lightweight and not so breakable, the plastic parrot stemware and melamine palm dishes are much easier to store. I can just toss them in a stackable box. And, if they crack or break, they weren’t expensive or vintage to anyway. Hubby and I have gotten a lot of use out of the parrot glasses — since he’s retired, Mr. Buzz has become the “official” frozen cocktail maker. Wish you could join us on the porch!
I like all of your tropical leafy greens, that allows your bird of paradise stand out and take center stage. This definitely calls for a nice tropical drink in those new glasses!! Enjoy the little bit of summer we have left!
I do like how the flower pops, Ann. The tall stems don’t block views or conversations, and the water and ribbon help “ground” it from tipping over — even in the breeze of the paddle fan. I confess, the parrot glasses have been getting a lot of use —a great thing about early retirement!
I think bird of paradise flowers are so dynamic, and really don’t need anything distracting from their beauty, so your choice of lots of green palm accessories is just perfect! LOVE the napkin fold and the cute parrot glasses! Shopping must be done a season ahead of time these days for sure!! Happy hopping Debbee!
Thanks Jenna! I was delighted to find the high quality, large stems on clearance at Target. But, you’re right about having to shop ahead of time. Learned my lesson. Gonna start looking for flamingo plates next March!
You are the queen of the theme! Such a lovely table with a true summertime vibe. The tropical feel is certainly in keeping with the tropical temperatures we are experiencing here in Florida! The clear fish plates are a nice way to top off your plate stack! Thank you for joining the hop and sharing your table styling talents!
Just talked to my mom Chloe, and she said the temps hit 100 yesterday in Orlando! Ugh. Hope you’re staying cool? Having gone through my downstairs stuff was actually a good thing — couldn’t believe the number of things I either forgot I had, or never used in styling a table for the blog. Now I just need to make an inventory list like I do for my holiday decorations.
Deebee, I have been in your position many times. You are so right about photographing a glass table, and anything that reflects. I think you did an excellent job!
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts about your table progression. It is amazing when our first plan doesn’t work and other things make it work.
I love your napkin fold! That is an area I should incorporate more. It was a great focal point.
Yes, I think the twig flatware worked well. All the elements in your table are attractive and creative.
It is frustrating how finding items in season is too late these days.
So glad you think so Bonnie! Learned my lesson about the glass table though; for photographing blog posts, I’ve gotta have a table covering of some sort. In actual use, however, it’s nice just using placemats outside — no fuss. I was really thrown when my pink flamingo plan went bust, LOL! There I was with money to burn too! I’m now addicted to napkin folding. Before, it just looked too intimidating. But, there’s so many DIY posts and video tutorials that make it simple.
I can’t think of a better theme to use than tropical when seeing your beautiful outdoor setting. I could certainly appreciate nature all the more being among your beautiful table with palms , bird of paradise flowers, and fish. I can imagine hearing the call of a tropical bird and feeling the cool moist breeze in the shade. I love the parrot stemmed glasses. What a joy to have a tropical drink in such darling glasses. I don’t think I would want to leave this beautiful table any time too soon.
Thanks so much Marsha. We’ve enjoyed numerous meals — and cocktail hours!— seated at the tropical table on the porch. Last week, hubby and I had a great afternoon surrounded by actual tropical birds (including flamingos, parrots and toucans) during Bird Bonding at the National Aviary. Now, I’m expanding my plate search next spring for toucan or parrot motifs!
Hi Debbee, you and I are on the same wave length, tropical. Birds of paradise are such a cool flower. I love the beautiful setting you set. The palms truly set the mood. Very cute napkin fold to compliment your themed plant. The palm plates are perfect and look great with the clear fish plates. Sometimes we have to tweak our tables. The sun does not always give us the desired look. Love the twig flatware. I would love to be a guest at your lovely table.
I’ll bet your tropical table is gonna be stunning — can’t wait to see! Last week, we were on the same wavelength with our head planter centerpieces (Greek Tablescape & Olympic Torch Napkin Fold). Linda, you’re always welcome at my table!
Debbee, what a tablescaper will do to style a table, I have been there many times. I love a tropical theme and you presented it perfectly. All of your elements work so well together and the copper twig flatware adds a beautiful finish to the table. Photographing a table presents its own set of problems, but yours turned out lovely!
Pam, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one that has struggled at times to style a table. Thanks for all the encouragement!
WOW Debbee, with all the work and trials you went through to create this tablescape — IT’S BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much Sandy! Hope I didn’t do too much moaning and groaning — it’s just a tablesetting after all!
What a wonderful start to this week’s blog hop Debbee! I love your tropical table with the different shades of green and the perfect pop of orange. My favorite touch is the parrot stem glasses. I can relate to the disappointment of shopping for seasonal decor and coming home empty handed because the stores are already a season ahead. So frustrating! Thanks for sharing your behind the scenes table styling trials. I think the twig flatware fits right into your tropical paradise! Always a pleasure hopping with you!
Very kind of you to say Rebecca. I’ve come to have a far better appreciation of what goes into styling, photographing and creating a tablescape post since starting to blog nearly 2 years ago! Especially when taking part in blog hops where you have a hard deadline. More time and effort than I imagined. But, what fun it is too!
You were a woman definitely on a mission. Mission Accomplished this table is beautiful! While reading your post I could feel the frustration of not having all the elements come together as you envisioned. In the end, it all paid off, beautiful styling.
Oh, Sandra I was! A downside of being a Queen of Theme is that I sometimes get too caught up in things needing to be matchy, matchy.
Debbee, Wish I were in a tropical paradise right now. Love the birds of paradise, which make me think or our Hawaii anniversary trip almost 2 years ago. Your tablescape definitely has a cool vibe to it.
We celebrated two anniversaries in Hawaii too. Talk about paradise! Maybe if we click our sandals together we can magically travel back there?
Deb, what a creative tablescape! I adore your palm leave placemats! You’ve achieved such a tropical setting–love it!
Thank you Cecilia. A great thing about those placemats is their easy to store and could also be used to create a “runner” down the center of a rectangular table.
Hi Debbee, this is such a gorgeous tablescape. All you gals that are tablescape geniuses amaze me at the detail, themes, and beautiful china and pottery. The twig flatware is wonderful! Beautiful photos too, I loved hearing how you came to your finished tablescape. The Bird of Paradise bloom is so wonderful! thanks for linking up with us for our first Link Party!
Thanks ever so much for taking the time to visit and comment! I’m a Debra too — although only my grandmother and people at work called me that. Nice to “meet” you! Thanks for taking on a new link party; I know it takes a lot of time and effort.
I love reading your posts Debbee! They make me smile! You are so creative! I love how you thought to fold your napkins and how you worked to make the entire beautiful table come together!! I think it turned out beautifully!!
Making someone smile is the loveliest compliment! You’ve made my day Kristin!
I like you coastal decor. I just arrived back from holidays at a Coastal town in New Brunswick. I bought a few souvenirs for my kitchen. I will post it on my next blog “St. Andrews by the Sea.”. Thanks for the inspiration. Thelma xo
Thelma, I just visited your blog for the first time, and look forward to seeing your upcoming post! Didn’t realize you lived in gorgeous Quebec. We want to make a trip some fall, aftera holiday trip there — Christmas Card from Old Quebec City.
Debbee, I saw those adorable parrot glasses at HG, they add the perfect touch to your tropical table. I love the napkin fold too. Tablescaping and photographing outdoors ain’t for sissies….heat, rain, too much little light, too much sun and glare. There’s a reason professional photographers come with assistants, sunbounces, umbrellas and a ton of other lighting gear for a photo shoot. 😉
As always it’s a treat to blog hop with you!
Mary, thanks for your supportive remarks on outdoor photography. I’ve learned my lesson — must have a tablecloth on the glass table for photographs! You can tell I’m no pro, just using my iPhone and PicMonkey software for editing. Hoping someday to take a basic photography class.
This turned out great! Love the center arrangement in the glasses tied together. I do love the Bird of Paradise flower and they last a long time. The fish plates turned out to be perfect especially with the palm plates underneath. The parrot stemware pieces are so cute and the napkin fold turned out looking excellent!
Oh Liz, you’re always so generous with your compliments — thanks! My guests loved the tropic tablesetting, and that’s what we primarily do this for right? Of course, I did ply them with amble refills of pina coladas in those parrot glasses…LOL!
Can I help?
I assume you mean drinking the cocktails, LOL? Did you see how I incorporated the bee napkin rings you gave me in, Greek Tablescape & Olympic Torch Napkin Fold?
Debbee, you are a genius. For a stand in, you did better than okay. I was thinking next time you want to use those leaves, they make a great impression in concrete for stepping stones.
I bought some of the flamingo plates to make a birthday gift basket for my daughter. When you can’t find something in one DT, go to another. My closest one never has a full set of anything, but the one near my daughter had a big assortment. I also bought the turtle plates. You will have to give a shout out when you need something to make a set.
Yes, those faux Bird of Paradise are beautiful. The real ones in my yard-not so much. They grow really tall-like 25 feet. Never buy a white one. The big leaves fall over and turn ugly when dead. You can’t kill them.
Genius Myrna? — that gave me quite a giggle! A number of interesting things in your comment beginning with the stepping stone idea; good for those with gardens, landscaping in warm climates. I actually visited three DT looking for the plates and couldn’t even find one! Looked at DT online too, but none left there either. Why didn’t I think to reach out to readers before? Will remember that next time.
Never realized BofP came in white; I thought they were always orange. I thought my stem was big, but 25 feet?! Wow. Sounds like something from the Jurassic era LOL!
Just found your blog. I love everything that is tropical.The fish plates are fun. I collect oyster plates.
Glad you found me — was it via the tablescape hop? Can’t believe I forget about the fish plates, because they go with any color scheme. If you collect oyster plates, is it because you live somewhere you can enjoy eating them often too?
I discovered your site through the tabletop. We are from Charleston, SC but live in Hilton Head. Both places are coastal. We announced our engagement at an oyster roast at one of the plantations. My plates are very old and elaborate. We bought a few in New Orleans. Has been my husband’s hobby for 31 years.
What a fab place for an engagement party! My sister lives on Folly Beach. Her husband’s ancestors were the first two royal governors of SC.
The struggle is real sometimes and I understand. I went shopping a half dozen times to every home store I love looking for anything special with a lemon theme. I found my Melamine dishes on clearance last summer too. But I waited to late to shop this year. Regardless, your tables is gorgeous as usual and I very much enjoyed following your thought process as you pulled it all together. Your Bamboo flatware is perfect and the napkin fold is so fun to match your Bird of Paradise centerpiece. It looks great for a fun summer table dining al fresco.
It’s frustrating for sure! Sounds like we had a similar situation; starting with a clearance find last year. Nice to know others could identify, although I’m sorry you had difficulty too. Always a pleasure hopping with you Shirley!
Your perseverance paid off in a big way. You are very talented and your creative vision, although frustrating at times, is highlighted in your beautiful tropical table. I love the napkin folds, the fish plates and all of the detail you put into this lovely tablescape. Of course, I pinned and it’s a pleasure to be on the hop with you xo
Katherine, it’s such a relief that you and the other tablestylists on the hop think it worked out in the end! Doing napkin folds is my new “thing” — great when you lack the right napkin rings, and a snazzy way to jazz up a tablesetting.
Lovely tablescape! The bird of paradise sets the tone, and then the details can be taken and appreciated. I love your parrot stemmed glasses!
Thanks Michelle. We continue to enjoy the tropical tableware, although I move it back and forth from inside to out. Right now, I’m enjoying a frozen cocktail in the parrot glasses as I work on my next travel post — visiting Machu Picchu.
The greens are lovely, Debbee, especially with the floral pop of color! Very fun!
Thanks Julie. Still hoping to find coral or orange napkins for next year’s bird of paradise napkin folds.
So many great details! I really like the parrot glasses and how you picked up various pieces all over the place. I’ll be doing my first tropical setting soon, so this is great inspiration.
Can’t wait to see! Will your table have a Hawaiian flare to it?
Yes, but it will be a tropical Halloween table. I’m hoping to slowly build up my tablescape stash like you did over the years.
I always love your creative tables, Debbee, and I appreciate how you shared your process of putting it all together! You stayed with your theme and it came together beautifully! I love the layers and the unique napkin fold! So fun to be hopping with you!
Reading all these comments almost a year later, I have to agree with every one! Your idea was great, your struggle hysterical, (only because it’s so frustrating, if we didn’t laugh we’d cry!), and your end product stunning! 😉 I know what you mean about your dinner partner not wanting to be interrupted by the camera. It’s a challenge!
Thanks for the wonderful entertainment and inspiration!
Barbara, thanks for visiting and even reading through all the comments! Glad you got a giggle out of the post, and appreciate the lovely compliments on the plan D tablescape. Best laid plans right?