Last year rather than a patio dining table I opted for a settee and a coffee table and it worked out great but I really missed eating meals outside so last weekend I moved the coffee table aside and put a small round outdoor dining table in it's place. Now my daughter and I can eat our meals outdoors again!
I got so excited about having an eating area outside that for our first meal I decided to make it nice and pretty! Uh huh....any excuse to play with dishes!
I brought out my nice linen and lace napkins and my little bird napkin rings that I picked up at an antique faire a few months ago.
I even hung my big birdcage from the tree! I also layered lace tablecloths on the table...
and picked some flowers from the garden for the centerpiece...
and brought out some fluffy pillows...
and some pretty dishes...
and enjoyed the warm California weather and some yummy grilled salmon with my daughter.
And we've eaten out here every evening since! 
If you want to see more tablescapes please stop by to see Susan's ~Between Naps on the Porch blog!
I'm also joining in on Rhondi's Porch Party. Since I live in an apartment I don't have a porch so I hope it's okay that I used photos of my patio!
99 comments:
It's so pretty! I have to ask though.. what do you do when it rains? Do you have a roof over your patio?
I live in California, it doesn't rain here at all in the summer! Although it's supposed to rain on Monday. I don't leave the pillows out there all the time.
Wonderful table for dining outdoors. Beautiful!!
Oh Cindy, this is absolutely gorgeous!!!
Beautiful setting!
Glenda
Hi Cindy,
Just dropped by to see what you had new.. And, I just fell in love with your back patio,dining area.. It looks simply sweet, and I bet the food tastes even better on this pretty table..hahaha.. Don't you LoVe our beautiful California weather too !! Such a wonderful time of year.. Soo LoVe all the pics of your beautiful apt.. I have never seen one as pretty as yours.. Such a wonderful landlord you must have..Gorgeous..hugs to you ~tea~
Cindy,
It looks so pretty and elegant! Love the lace and china. That pattern is one of my favorite blue and whites. Did you add your beautiful ruffled umbrella, too. As always, inspiring!
Sandy
So beautifully done! Love the table linens and the birdcage! I adore the color scheme of your flower arrangement, everything is delightfully feminine and gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! ~Katy
Cindy, That is the most beautiful little garden dining area....I love it! A cup of tea there in the afternoon....would be so nice too. I'm envious!!! pat
Beautiful! Even a PB&J sandwich would taste elegant here!
OHMYGOSH..... that is the most perfect.... the most serene setting..... it just drips with romance..... the bird cage.... the lace.... really it is just amazing what you can do..... gorgeous...
HUgs
Linda
This is so pretty, Cindy! I love it and it's also romantic! Imagine that! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)
OMG! Stunning.
I have to ask - where did you find those amazing dishes.??
Cindy...this is soooo beautiful and romantic...totally could be in a Romantic Homes magazine! I love all the layers of lace and those wonderful, fluffy pillows! I'd be eating out here every day, too! Unfortunately, here in the south, we have a short period in the spring before the mosquitoes arrive...so the outside dining is limited after about May...unless it's a screened-in area. How wonderful to dine outside all summer! I know you are so glad to have a table back outside now. :-) Thanks for a beautiful TT! Susan
Absolutely gorgeous. I would eat out there breakfast, lunch and dinner... and maybe every snack in between! ;) Love the pillows and the lace tablecloth...and the birdcage is to die for!
I can imagine enjoying tea with you. Very nice!
This is beautiful Cindy! How large is your patio? Looks like you're an awesome space planner! ☺ Diane
What a pretty setting you've got to dine outdoors in! The salmon sounds delicious!
hi cindy, I really think that all in your blog it·s a dream ,also white and blue in the tea set it·s my favorite,pretty ,pretty. cariños Pame.
How beautiful and romantic, Cindy.
I love all the fluff...just delightful.
Out here in West Texas, we can't eat outside after May...too many bugs, dust, wind and sand...
Enjoy your area!!
Cindy - What an absolutely beautiful tablescape. Any girl, little or grown up, would love to sit there. It is just perfect. You know, I think the dish thing begins when you are very young. Some of us, self included, still love to "play dishes".
Thanks for sharing,
Charla
What a beautiful setting. I love the birdcage in the garden...and all the frills you've added....stunning!
You haven't missed a thing. It is perfect. You have a way of making things look so inviting.
No rain, but too much dust here to leave those things out. But it would be worth the set-up once in a while. I too love your dishes and everything else too.
Beverly
* What a beauuutiful, clean, crisp tablesetting, and those FLOWERS!!!... Are they from your YARD???? They're MAGNIFICENT!!!
Many thanks,
Linda in AZ *
Oh Cindy!! This is so exquisitely beautiful it brings tears to my eyes. the colors are so soft and restful, so, so pretty.
You inspired me to do more this Summer but I can't leave it out, only for evenings out on the porch.
I hope to get some pictures of it all up soon...thank you for your inspiration!!
Love,
Sue
Oh Cindy that looks like it needs to be in a magazine! How DO you do it? I have tried to get that look for a few years now and I just can't get mine to look like that!!! It's AWESOME and SO INVITING! Don't blame you, I'd have to eat out there to!
I just dearly LOVE those little bird napkin rings to! GOTTA find me some of those!!!! LOVE EM!
Comfy cottage cozy...alL ineed more is a spot of tea. I'll make cherry almond scones.
I just commented 2 posts ago, but I could not help myself. This patio setting is so stunning I just had to drop by and tell you so and let you know how much I enjoyed this post. Great photography,too!
~J~
Oh Cindy its so pretty. OK, I'm gonna copy your beautiful idea.
Cindy, you just continue to amaze me. What an absolutely beautiful garden setting to dine alfresco! Thank you for sharing these beautiful and inviting photographs. ~Arleen
Beautiful table you have covered outside in the garden
So cozy with lots of pillows and flowers in the vase from the garden
So beautiful
Have a nice day in California!
So beautiful - like a fairytale. I'm enchanted . . .
Oh it's so romantic and almost ethereal.. like from a fairytale. It's truly just gorgeous. In fact it's quite like the magazines I keep forever with pictures of little secret garden spots like this that I dream about one day having myself. You are so lucky! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Oh My!!!
That table it's fantastic my dear!!
I'm in love with a table...how freaky is that?
Oh my! ☺ Thanks for the treat, Cindy! You're awesome and don't ever forget it! ♥
Your patio is like something out of a magazine! Beautiful!
~Patti
So elegant, and peaceful. Your dishes are very pretty.
Absolutely enchanting. Crisp! A little piece of heaven beckoning you out into the garden.
Enjoyed,
Candy
What a lovely setting. Wish I could join you on your patio for a cup of tea and good conversation. It's those small things in life that are so worth it. Enjoy enjoy.
Can I come to dinner too? man that is beautiful. To my deepest chagrin, my dear sweet husband, coaxed on by our darling granddaughters put up colored lights over the patio.. I so wanted white. But what can I say now? I'll have to see how it all works with good dishes! thanks for the inspiration
What wonderful memories you are giving your daughters!
Cindy,
I'm in love! I would have to eat out there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I just started a new diet and it would be extra nice to be able to eat out there! It would even make the food taste better!
This needs to be in a magazine! Better yet...you need to publish your own decorating book! We would all buy it...I promise!
Hugs,
Lee Laurie
Very Lovely... You are lucky you can do a setting and not have it destroyed. This would be lucky to last one afternoon in my area here in Ohio. The elements would not allow it. Like today is rainy and has been rainy and windy the last 2 days. The birds can't even keep nest in the trees{yesterday I picked 3 up totally destroyed and discarded them} let alone trying to keep a tablecloth on a table... I could do that for one special event and then have to put all away so enjoy the lovely setting and we will all look at your lovely pictures and dream ..... Your posts are always lovely .....
I am not generally a blue and white fan, probably the only one in the world who isn't, but these blue vines on your dishes are so pretty. I'm a fan of the purple and pink bouquet. Your whole presentation is gorgeous. Of course here in the valley it's already almost too hot to eat outdoors. (Stockton/Modesto) Enjoy the weather!
How beautiful and relaxing! I know that you love having such a fabulous space for dining.
Have a lovely weekend,
Jennifer
Oh my goodness. How do you come up with such gorgeosity? Is there such a word? There should be.
Hugs,
Charlotte
Everything looks so cozy! Thanks for sharing and have a great day!
Cindy: this is so beautiful!! I love the napkin rings and dishes, bird cage, the centerpiece is to die for!! I would sit out there ALL the time!!
Lucky you in California! It has been raining for two weeks here. But there is a "rumor" that we are supposed to have a beautiful weekend!!
Hope you do too!
Lou Cinda :)
This is so pretty! What great examples your setting for your daughter.
Ginger
Your patio is so beautiful. How relaxing it must be to sit and enjoy and also eat dinner in such a wonderful space.
Sandy
That is such a pretty table. I would love to sit there with a cold glass of white wine and just soak in the romanticness of it all!
Good grief ! It's too beautiful to eat on!!
Dear Miss Cindy,
As always, it is such a joy to stop by your blog to catch up. Life is hectic, but I always try to catch up with you once a week. This past week was simply stunning and breathtaking. Your photography is so inspiring... I only wish I had such beautiful scenery to photograph. You are so fortunate to live in such a gorgeous area... and 1/2 hour to here, and a 1/2 hour from there.
I love your little side line "because you're never too old to play house". I've never thought of it that way. Very sweet. I reminds me of my sister, Becky. She's very much into home decor and is constantly changing and rearranging. She's very good at it too. I've been trying to get her to join blogspot, if for nothing else, the amazing things she'll see.
My last thought to leave you with is this; If men (and women) can "create" such beauty here on earth, can you only imagine the beauty heaven holds in store! It blows me away. Thank you for sharing such beauty with me. It humbles and sooths my soul.
Hugs,
Penny Sue
That is absolutely beautiful. That defintely makes dinner a more special event.
Hi Cindy! CHARMING...just charming are the first words that come to mind. Your pictures are gorgeous too! ~ xoxo Joy
beautiful home!
Beautiful...it's so pretty:)
Love your china og birdcage...thank you for sharing:)
It looks so pretty Cindy!! Ok now I want to be your neighbor and hope for an invite, LOL!
Hugs~Kelly
Oh My Goodness, ABSOLUTELY, stunning! When I finally scrolled down and saw the entire setting, my eyes widen and breathing stopped. JUST GORGEOUS!
Everything looks so dreamy and romantic! Love your style and femininity! Head on over to my blog and if you aren't following yet, please take a look around and if you like what you see, click on the "Follow" button. This way we can inspire each other often!
Im inspired......thats so pretty. Im not doing any of this right now because Im trying to sell my house but I intend to do something like this once I find a new home. It will have to be on a covered porch because it rains alot where Im going but I can see my bf and I eating at something like that outside for our dinners.
Oh Cindy,
Your table out doors is a slice of heaven.. So cozy and pretty..Where did you get that ruffled umbrella, love that!
happy Dinning Cindy!
Jo
xo
Just lovely. Lovely.
I have enjoyed the weather so much, I spend a lot of time outside in my yard. Our weather is so multi climate you never know how it well be from one city to the other.
Your yard looks great.
Ciao
What a wonderful place to enjoy a meal.
After the big party we had here last Saturday, my patio area is a mess. You've inspired me to get out there and get things arranged and welcoming again.
Enjoy your day!
It just keeps getting more amazing every time I visit your blog! It just proves you don't need a huge area to create such a breathtaking, peaceful, inviting space.
It has been chilly and raining here for the past three days:(
Karin
Hi Cindy
You are so lucky to have such a sweet little yard. It looks so pretty...I'd be like you and have dinner out there all the time too... You've set up the table and everything so lovely.
hope you are having a great day
Judi
All I can say is wow!!!
Anita
Hi Cindy, ANOTHER inspiring idea, soooooo beautiful. You really do have a talent for setting a beautiful scene. Love your attention to each little detail.
i love eating outside, even if it only a bowl of cereal in the morning. what a lovely, romantic spot you've created!
Woweeee, I'm going to do this too! CHEERS! Michele
So beautiful! The perfect tea party setting.
Just beautiful Cindy! Please tell me you are going to put this on HGTV's Rate My Space
Roylene
Roylene, I think I'll put it on RMS tomorrow.
I can't believe how much life you've been able to bring into such a small space. It's so charming!
~elaine~
I can't believe how much life you've been able to bring into such a small space. It's so charming!
~elaine~
It's so beautiful!!! I would eat out there every night as well.
never fail to be nothing other than inspired when I come over here
love ya cindy
happy weekend
Sarah
Oh Cindy! Your photos are awesome. You do such a great job.
~Liz
Oh Cindy! Your photos are awesome. You do such a great job.
~Liz
Hi Cindy,
We have 2 things in common for sure, our names and blue is my fave too! I just got some china at a garage sale and e-bay called myott finlandia and yours looks to be the same. I love it and you are such an inspiration. Cindy
Oh, Cindy.....
Absolutely beautiful! Your patio is so cozy and inviting. I think I'd be eating every meal outside.
I consider it not so much a patio, but a lovely garden room!
Marilyn (in Dallas)
Your daughter must feel like a princess when her mother goes through all that trouble - in the name of love.
Cindy,
Beautiful! I wish I had a cute small yard to make it cozy again. My yard is desert landscape with a pool in Az. I had a nice garden when I lived in San Jose. I added your button on my blog.
I love your decor!
congratulations to your lovely home. :)
it's so girly and gorgeous!
love EVERYTHING about your outdoor living space!
have a wonderful day.
chasity
Cindy, this is truly lovely! I adore your flower arrangements and the complete prettiness of this area. This is what dining outside should be about! We could only do this in the winter months and part of the spring in Florida because it rains every day, but oh, this is just SO pretty. I like the dishes you chose, too, and the lace accessories. Your napkin rings look so much like the cute Target birdies that are making the rounds.
I loved seeing this. You really do have a romantic home (and garden)!
XO,
Sheila :-)
Hi Nice to meet you! just beautiful pics!
you have such a cute blog!
xoxo
This is still one of my favorite romantic spots in Blogland..
So glad to see it again !
*swoon* it's all just so beautiful! Such inspiration! Thank you for inviting me to your beautiful porch party.
~Kalianne
Hi Cindy
You have such a talent for making things beautiful. That is such a lovely arrangement you made with the table and all the linens and pillows. I'd be eating out there every night too! Thanks for joining the party.
Hugs, Rhondi
Hi Cindy,
Your beautiful setting is so inspiring and cozy with all your special touches. I love the lacey table, the hanging birdcage and your lovely garden flowers pull it all together.
So enjoyed my visit to your lovely blog. I invite you to stop by my porch party if you have a moment.
Have a great week.
Celestina Marie
What a beautiful setting! I wonder if Lauren giggled with glee when she saw this pretty tablescape, like my Mary Ashley and Emma would? I'm glad you still enjoy special times with your daughter! It makes me look forward to the days ahead.
It's gorgeous, Cindy!! How wonderful that your daughter is growing up with such beautiful memories of meals with her mom. You're an inspiration to us all -- and the teens!
xo, Andrea
Cindy, I am enchanted. Of course, you must know I love everything you do.
You have a true eye for beauty, and a very generous heart for sharing with us.
Hi Cindy!
Your patio is one of my all time favorites! I love it when you take us outside to show off all that cuteness and boy oh boy did you put together a gorgeous setting yet again!
I have some catching up to do here, don't I? LOL It's been a busy spring and I am so far behind.... off to read more...
xoxo,
rue
You have the most wonderful house.So pretty!! Love the little courtyard. But the star for me is that birdhouse table! I wish someone would make that for me!Come an visit my garden party since I have no porch either.You are most welcome.
Ohhhh...everything about this post is pure magic!!! You sure have a way with photography too. just lovely!
Hi Cindy,
I have just found your blog & I have really enjoyed reading all of your posts. Lots of great information! Your home is gorgeous & I just love this setting of your table for two! What a beautiful way to dine outside!!!
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