A Beautiful Table Setting and an Epic Fail

A Beautiful Table Setting

Beautiful table setting with pink, orange, and red flower centerpiece

This might honestly have been the most beautiful table setting I’ve ever done! The tablecloth was elegant; the flower arrangement, lush and full.

The china was lovely. Copper glowed. Gold gleamed. And the knotted napkins against the blush roses made me so happy my heart melted every time I saw them.

I set up the table in a cozy unused corner of our garden. It’s bordered by a European-looking stucco wall, and surrounded by plants and birds at the feeder.

Pink and orange tablescape outside in the yard

The sun was just setting as I lighted the candles – a gorgeous wash of pink light and orange cloud. A picture from a story book. The romance dazzled me.

Closeup of candles in beautiful table setting

And as night fell, the candles glowed gently. The glass sparkled and the flowers nodded in the delicate warm breeze.

I totally loved everything about it. I took a zillion pictures.

But honestly? None of them turned out even close to how gorgeous and romantic this table was! My photography just couldn’t capture the magic and the enchantment of this beautiful table setting in the sunset.

Of the many, many, many photos I took, these few were all I could salvage.

An Epic Fail

The reason I call this an EPIC fail, is not necessarily that the pictures were that horrible themselves. Though the quality isn’t stellar, it’s that they fell SO far short of the real thing.

I was so in love with my beautiful table setting, that I was all the more disappointed when I downloaded the photos.

Slightly fuzzy photo of pink and orange tablescape

For instance, in real life, the bird feeder was charming. In the photos it looked like an old rusty space object falling! (Really! I couldn’t even bring myself to put one in just to show you how bad it was!)

In real life, the table was beautifully lit by the setting sun. But in the pictures, it just looks dark. And/or blurry. Maybe I was so misty-eyed that I couldn’t focus properly!

Closeup of wine glasses and candles in a pink and orange tablescape

(I think actually, I need to take some more photography classes! Help me ala Jamie!) (And speaking of ala Jamie, you can read about how much she’s already taught me in this post.)

In any case, you’ll need to use your imagination. Maybe narrow your eyes a little to get that dreamy, shimmery effect.

Copper & China

So. Now that we’ve shaken off the photography fail, let me tell you about the table!

The china was actually a gift from my wonderful cousins. They know I love anything Table, so they VERY kindly sent up these lovely Villeroy & Boch plates. I always love when my friends clean out their closets!

I also love the copper chargers! You can get them from Amazon HERE.

As well as the gold flatware HERE.

Beautiful table setting - close up of plate stack.

Beautiful Table Linens

This beautiful tablecloth was one I bought for myself last year. It’s not in stock anymore, but Here’s something kind of similar.

And those napkins that make me so happy are from my wonderful friend Deb at Made on 23rd. I got them with a gorgeous matching linen table runner, which you can get from her shop.

Blush pink napkin in beautiful table setting with flower arrangement

(I was so excited when I got them, that I wrote a post about my new blush table linens! Check that one out for another way to use them.)

Flowers Make the Beautiful Table Setting Even Better

Well, that’s actually a slightly misleading heading. It was the flowers that really started the beautiful table setting. I saw these gorgeous peachy pink roses and just had to grab them.

Full table from above

Also, the red and pink spray roses, and orangey dahlias. Then the seeded eucalyptus, which I buy whenever I can. I love that stuff!

Closeup of flowers

While I was looking for something to put the flowers in, I came across this pretty little tub. I love the embossed leather look, though I’m sure it’s heavy cardboard or balsa wood.

Flower arrangement in brown tub-shaped bucket

I think it was originally one of those gift baskets with delicious crackers and cheese and chocolates! But it’s perfect for four water glasses full of flowers.

Lots of Candles

And to top it all off, lots of candles. This is one of the taller brass candlesticks we have. There are also some short ones, and some gold votives too.

Flowers and candles in a beautiful table setting

After Sunset

And now I’ll leave you with a couple photos of our beautiful table setting once the sun went down.

Full table setting in the dark with candle light

As I mentioned, it was absolutely gorgeous at night. Someday I’ll figure out how to take those lovely magical night photos. Then I’ll recreate this table and try again!

close up of plate stack and flowers

Until then, I hope you enjoyed it anyway! Let me know what you think in the Comments below. (And if you have any night-time photography tips, I’d particularly love to hear from you!)

Thanks so much for joining me – see you next time!

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40 Comments

  1. My imagination simply went wile. I could feel a light breeze, her the birds, and smell the flowers and the burning wax of the candles. Did I hear a Champaign cork??
    Love your wonderful sense of beauty!

    Reply

    1. Ha – you absolutely DID hear a champagne cork! One of my favorite things of all time. 🙂 I’m so glad you liked the description – too bad you couldn’t have been here to see it in real life, but you obviously got the gist! Thanks so much for being here Donna. ♥ I love sharing all this beauty! Take care and Happy Weekend!

      Reply

    1. Yaay! Aren’t those great? I’m so glad you like them, and I can’t wait to see them on one of your tables. Hope you have a lovely weekend my friend – here’s to Mothers! ♥

      Reply

  3. s.t.u.n.n.i.n.g !!! This table is absolutely beautiful and you are being too hard on yourself. I totally get it. And maybe the photos aren’t exactly what you hoped for, but believe me that everything I see is perfection. Lighting is a bear to master perfectly but your table and setting are captured beautifully through your lens. I love all your tables but this is truly magical. ????????. XO- MaryJo.

    Reply

    1. Oh MaryJo thank you so much – I know another photographer and tablescaper understands! 🙂 Thanks for stopping over, and Happy Mother’s Day weekend to you!

      Reply

  4. So many elements came together to make this dreamy scene. From the lush flowers to the gorgeous place settings to that beautiful tablecloth and everything else in between, looks like the stars lined up. It was a “had to be there” moment. Although the camera wasn’t able to capture this magic, your written description painted the full picture in my mind just like an author sets the scene in their novel. Absolutely beautiful.

    Reply

    1. Oh what a sweet thing to say – thank you Karen! I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks so much for stopping by, and for being an M&T member. ♥ I hope you have a lovely weekend!

      Reply

  5. I hate that too. We work so hard to make things look amazing. Honestly though, your tablescape is gorgeous! I love everything about it. Hugs to you, my friend. Btw, I’m hosting a retreat I. October-I have a photography expert presenting. She is amazing.

    Reply

  6. Isn’t that the truth that as beautiful as something may look through our eyes, we can never quite capture that in our photographs. It does hurt a little that we are unable to convey that to our readers, doesn’t it? Your table is lovely, just enjoy!

    Reply

  7. This tablescape is so dreamy and romantic. I love the worn wood in the background too. Low light photography is so tricky. I definitely need more lessons! I’d say you captured that twilight magic pretty well. Visiting today via The Charming Homes & Garden Tour 🙂

    Reply

  10. This tablescape is stunning, Barbara! I love it so much and I really appreciate all the thoughtful details and fabulous way you added so many beautiful layers of rich color and texture. It’s truly magical. As far as the photography goes, I wouldn’t count it as a fail at all. It looks like you’re having a romantic dinner in a beautiful French garden the minute you see the first photograph. And while they might not be as perfect as you wanted them to be (I can totally relate to this as a fellow blogger) they’re definitely worth celebrating. Pinning, subscribing and super excited to be following along on all your adventures, CoCo

    Reply

    1. Oh CoCo – thank you so much! I’m honored with that compliment from such a beautiful stylist and photographer as you! And thanks a million for subscribing – it’ll be so fun to follow each other’s posts! I’m so happy to meet you!

      Reply

  11. From my amateur perspective, these photos are wonderful! I love how the candlelight reflects off the glassware and those votives with the plate pattern are especially romantic without the sunlight. It will be fun to see a before and after once you feel like you have received the right photography tips. I look forward to it!

    Reply

    1. Hi! Hey, that’s a great idea! I’ll put a Before and After on my list. Plus it’s a good excuse to set my favorite table again! 🙂 Thanks so much for always being here! Happy Friday!

      Reply

  12. Barbara, your table is lovely – the flowers are stunning and you can just feel the ambience! And tablescapes are always better in person (at least mine are) and low light photos are often tricky. Thanks for sharing and if you come across any photography tips, I, for one, will certainly lap them up! Happy Thursday to you!!

    Reply

  13. I think this is beautiful and we are our own worst critics. However, I have been there and it’s hard. Sometimes it’s hard to capture the beauty we see in real time.

    Love your honesty!

    Cindy

    Reply

    1. Hi Cindy – thank you so much! I know other photographers have had this same challenge and have overcome it, so I’m just going to keep learning as much as I can! It’s so nice to have input from other bloggers who have been there! 🙂

      Reply

  14. Barbara, those flowers are so gorgeous and the V&B plates are wonderful. I too have difficulty with night photos. Maybe when we get together we can set up a tablescape at night and practice. Would love to improve my photography and do dreamy shots. Nonetheless, I think your table is truly lovely.

    Reply

  15. Barbara, we are always our own worst critics. Your table is beautiful and elegant and I also think it your best one to date. Don’t be too hard on yourself, I see nothing wrong only an amazing table!

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much Pam! I didn’t actually mean to complain – I guess I was feeling a little more disappointed than I realized! 🙂 I’m so excited with the inspiration and things I’m learning from people like you whose beautiful tables I admire so much! Thanks for being here to cheer me on!

      Reply

  17. I think your table setting is beautiful friend. I love your honesty and it makes you human to show us what didn’t work as well as you’d like. We all have those errors. I think it’s still amazing as are you! Hugs

    Reply

  18. Your pictures and table setting are beautiful Barbara. But I understand the disappointment as I have experienced the same. Photography is so tricky…if you learn the trick please let me know!!

    Reply

    1. Hi! It was really so much fun – you know how when things just come work out right? When this is all over, we can all get together for a candlelit dinner of our own! Love you – take care up there!

      Reply