The calendar has flipped to August and right on time, the limelight hydrangea has begun its annual transition, beginning with the delicate green for which it is named. As the month progresses, the blooms will gradually fade from green to creamy white before eventually taking on soft blush tones in autumn. It is one of the satisfying cadences of gardening, watching those changes happen almost unnoticed from week to week.

 

 

For now, though, they are at their freshest—cool, luminous and inspirational for a table celebrating one of summer’s hardest-working visitors.

 

 

I decided to stick with a monochromatic theme, so went digging around in my linen cupboard for a suitable tablecloth. Done. On to the plates.

 

 

Anthropologie introduced a series of Nature Studies plates a few years ago, and typical of their slightly offbeat aesthetic, “series” is not to be taken too literally. Each is  distinctive and features an animal or insect, but the similarities end there. The plates aren’t the same shape, some have gold trim, others are plain. The colours do not coordinate. They remind me of Victorian botanical illustrations—beautiful enough to frame and whimsical enough to make you smile. So I bought a few in each pattern, figuring I would set separate tables with them.

Remember the goofy owl?

 

 

Still to come are the Tiger…

 

 

…. and the Lemur. The tables have all been set and photographed — just waiting their turn to be published.

 

 

But back to our bees, which hover against a fresh green border accented with delicate gilt scrollwork and tiny wildflowers.

 

 

Natural woven chargers add warmth and texture beneath the porcelain, while green-edged scalloped dinner plates keep the setting light and fresh. Antiqued “gold” flatware introduces just enough warmth to complement the bee motif without overwhelming it.

 

 

Beaded bee napkin rings add a little more bling.

 

 

And beehive dishes are scattered around the table, ready for butter, olive pits or a pinch of flaky sea salt.

 

 

I dug out some of my favourite honey pots, too.

 

 

One of the things I enjoy most about summer entertaining is that nature does so much of the decorating for us. A few armfuls of freshly cut hydrangeas, a simple colour palette, and tableware that celebrates the season are often all that is needed.

 

 

So let’s pour a glass of something chilled and enjoy one more leisurely meal outdoors while the bees are still humming and the hydrangeas are in their glory.

Cheers!

 

Sources:

Tablecloth: Enchanted Home (discontinued)
Dinner Plates: Aerin White scalloped porcelain (discontinued) 
Salad Plates: Anthropologie Nature Studies Bee plates (discontinued)
Flatware: World Market Twig Antique gold finish (discontinued)
Glassware: Antique Wheel-cut goblets (Elise Abrams Antiques)
Napkin Rings: Pier ! Beaded bees (discontinued) 
Accents: Bee honey pot and miniature bee dishes