Last week, I had the extreme pleasure to design a summer tablescape for La Pinata Party Rentals new showroom in Gardena, California with some very talented vendors and friends! I wanted to design a table that looked like “summer” as soon as you saw it. When you think summer, you think yellow!
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
La Pinata stocks a gorgeous china pattern called the Corsica Collection that instantly reminded me of a summer I spent in Positano, on the coast of Southern Italy. I’m pretty sure I ate off of similar plates when I was dining at the local restaurants. Positano is a celebrated beach community, known for their relaxed hospitality and love of limoncello. Southern Italy is known for All things Lemon! Using these inspirations, we set out to create a table that would be right at home in any of the villas on the Amalfi Coast.
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
One of the challenges of designing a showroom table is the longevity of the floral design. You have to use fakes! Most florists balk at the idea of faux florals, but when your design is on display for a month or more, what can you do? Sophie from Sibyl Sophia Floral Design was up for the challenge, and then some! Look at these amazingly vibrant centerpieces she created!
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
You guys, this is a fake flower! Can you believe??
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
Sophie zhuzhing her “permanent botanicals” (see what I did there?) like a pro!
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
One of my favorite things to explore as a designer is mixing patterns. I absolutely adore patterns and try to use as many as possible, all the time. I love how this watercolor menu by Pigment & Parchment plays off of the pattern of the china.
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
We also styled a sweet little invitation suite, also from Pigment & Parchment. Who doesn’t love a good flat lay? Love the use of small, medium, and large design elements in this flat lay.
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
Photographer Julie Shuford also caught me, endlessly straightening all the table elements. I could be there all day, truth.
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
I am also a lover of custom details like this amazing watercolor coaster, also from Pigment & Parchment. Two of the most essential wedding directions: 1. Don’t take my drink. and 2. Meet me on the dance floor.
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
I’m so thrilled with this entire design, and how all the elements came together so beautifully! Also, I’m a sucker for the overhead shot.
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
Pro Tip: If your venue comes with a French Bistro slatted chair like we used above, do your guests a favor and rent the custom seat cushions that La Pinata has manufactured specifically for these chairs. Seriously, it’s a must do.
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
Seat cushions for the win!
More overhead tablescape loveliness. Special thanks to Julie Shuford for braving a super tall ladder to get this shot!
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
Photo by Julie Shuford Photography
Thanks to the entire creative team, and to David at La Pinata Party Rentals. David, thanks so much for inviting me to design for your showroom, I had a blast! I hope the table brings your visitors a little sunshine this month!
Creative Team
Design: Moxie Bright Events Photography: Julie Shuford Photography Florals: Sibyl Sophia Floral Design Rentals: La Pinata Party Rentals Paper Goods: Pigment & Parchment
Jun 10, 2018
Oh this SCREAMS summertime!! I absolutely adore that beautiful blue china and how it reminds me of a gorgeous chinoiserie ginger jar! I also had no idea those flowers were faux until you said something! Impressive! I just love how clean, bright, simple yet purposeful and intentional this setup is. It’s the perfect recipe for a beautiful summer soiree!
Yes! I also love chinoiserie! All the patterned blue china for the win!
I absolutely adore the look and design of this table. I cannot believe you can get such a fresh and light look with fake flowers! In fact, this post inspires me to look more closely at the fake flower section at Homegoods. Thanks for the summer inspiration! I’m super excitied for summer entertaining and visions of Italy are dancing in my brain.
Thank you so much! Faux flowers have really come along way, right? Thanks for reading & commenting!
This is so lovely and definitely feels full on summery!
Thank you! I love designing for the season!
Omg this color palette! Such gorgeous design! And of course, Julie’s crushing it with the amazing photos ✨✨
Thanks so much, Courtney! This color palette makes me so happy, I hope it spreads the love around!
So many beautiful things here! I’m a major fan of all things citrus but I’m really surprised by how much I love the copper utensils with the blue and white china. It’s simple but so striking and I never would have thought to combine those.
You hit the nail right on the head! I haven’t been to Italy, but this design feels like everything I would expect from an al fresco dinner in a quaint little courtyard. Love!
I’m a sucker for yellow and blue paired together. Beautiful tablescape design and it totally screams summer.
Thanks so much, DeNeitra! I also love blue & yellow together, it’s always so cheerful!
Beautifully organized the all stuff here. Really it can make any party memorable. So simple, clean and bright look this table has. It is very Attractive and amazing, Renee Dalo.