Simple Summer Dining Room
So a few days ago I was walking through our dining room, probably on the way to the kitchen for some form of snack or caffeine, and I suddenly realized how our dining room is the most unappreciated room in our home. To be totally honest with you guys, I think we’ve only had two or three meals in there since I gave this space a little makeover last year. Can you believe that? It’s so bad. I don’t know if you guys are better about using your dining room that we are, but gosh we’re terrible over here. And it doesn’t even make it on the blog much either, which is even crazier because we put so much time and effort into that makeover. Anyway, the more I thought about it the worse I felt, so I decided to crank up some music, grab a bunch of lemons and fresh flowers, and play around with bringing a bit of simple summer charm to our dining room. Now you guys know I’m not one to do a lot of fancy schmancy tablescape looks. I don’t consider it to be one of my strengths actually, but I’m kind of loving how this turned out. And I thought it would be fun to share this happy, summer-y look with you lovely folks today!
I had so much fun mixing vintage accents into this look. I just can’t help myself, guys. I.MUST.HAVE.VINTAGE. Antique jars, a vintage white table runner, lemons, and a ton of yellow flowers–that’s all it took to create this easy peasy summer table. And I have to say, I’m a bit obsessed with all this color. I am still on my blue kick and I adore these antique ball jars paired with fresh yellow flowers. Who knew roses and sunflowers paired so beautifully together?
I love these cement pedestals to add some height and texture to this table. And how fun are all the lemons? I thought about leaving them out, thinking I was going a bit overboard with all the yellow, but I just couldn’t help myself. Lemons make for easy and cheap summer decor.
I’ll be honest, I’ve always been a bit intimidated by the thought of doing tablescapes. In the past I’ve typically thought of them as being only for “fancy events” with lots of sparkly dishes, wine glasses, and salad forks. But I realized recently that I’ve been thinking about them all wrong. Tablescapes, just like anything in your home, are a great way to express yourself and get creative. It doesn’t have to be perfect, full of fancy things, or reserved just for special occasions. It’s simply about creating a welcoming spot for your family to gather. I want to spend less time using this table to store things like junk mail and random stuff from around the house, and more time using it to celebrate everyday life. Even if it’s just a Tuesday night and we’re eating spaghetti again. I want our dining room to be a place we gather together, share a meal, and talk about the highs and lows of each day. It’s really been ignored for far too long, but I’m determined to change that. Fingers crossed I can make it happen!
I’m so glad to have you drop by the blog today friends. I hope today’s post brightened up your Monday and you all have a wonderful week ahead!
Shop the room:
Here’s a few other summer posts you might enjoy:
The Comments
Mrs.Peny
Formal dining rooms definitely get ignored 80%of the time. I decided to use mine as my craft/sewing room while not in use! I mean how awesome is a big huge table to work on?! Great pictures!
Sarah
> Mrs.PenyThat’s a great idea! I actually thought about converting mine into a home office, but I just hate to lose the dining room. I’m going to try really hard to start using it more. We’ll see if I can make it happen!
Vicki
So pretty!!! I love the yellow roses, daisies and lemons paired with the blue jars, lovely color combination????
Sarah
> VickiThanks Vicki, I’m on a blue & yellow kick lately!
Donna Bergthold
Looks Beautiful as always! Lots of great ideas here, thanks for sharing!
Sarah
> Donna BergtholdThanks Donna, glad you liked it! 🙂
Deanna
SO pretty! Very fresh and bright! Where do you pick up your blue Ball jars btw?
Sarah
> DeannaThanks Deanna, I actually got those vintage ball jars from my sweet neighbor. She gave me a whole bunch of them!
Susan
Love all the yellow and especially the blue Ball jars! You’ve inspired me to use my jars now!
Thank you!
Sarah
> SusanYes, definitely bring those jars out and use them Susan! 🙂
Heather Olinde
It looks beautiful, Sarah! My formal dining room is currently my storage/craft room. I am so ready to give it a make over and start using it more. Thanks for the inspiration! ????
Sarah
> Heather OlindeThank you Heather! And I’m right there with you on using our dining room more. Fingers crossed I can make it a habit for us!
GLENDA
Where did you get the wall decoration that looks like a table. Withmarket list sign?
Sarah
> GLENDAHi Glenda! I actually made that, you can see the tutorial in this post: https://sarahjoyblog.com/diy-shelf-with-vintage-dresser-harp/
Julie Briones
very pretty, Sarah. The blues and yellows are just so ‘sun-shiney’. Praying for you as your near your due date. I can’t believe it’s (and she’s) already almost here! >.<
Sarah
> Julie BrionesI can’t believe it either Julie! Could be any day now, although I really shouldn’t get my hopes up. I’m sure I’ll be overdue like I was with the other two!
Brenda
Loving the blues and yellow, two of my favorite colors too, not to mention I love anything lemon! It’s so cheerful and bright!
Sarah
> BrendaIsn’t that so true, Brenda!? Lemons are so happy. And they make great summertime decor! 🙂
Doreen
You did a wonderful job. I love yellow for a burst of color in the summer. Your dining room table looks fabulous. ????
Sarah
> DoreenThank you Doreen, I think yellow is the perfect color for summer!
Karla Brekke
Am trying to keep my dining room table decorated and keep the junk etc. off of it. Love how it looks decorated and uncluttered. You keep inspiring me.
Sarah
> Karla BrekkeYou and me both Karla! It’s like the dining table is a magnet for junk–it just piles up so easily there! But I’m going to try really hard to start using this room more. It’s a shame how empty it sits 95% of the time.
Pam
Just looking at your space made me feel energized and happy! The yellow is beautiful and those roses are amazing! Beautiful space and I too need to get my jars out and fill them with sunshine!!!!!!!!!!!
Sarah
Love your tablescape! When my children were young we rarely used the dining table – for years I didn’t even have one – but once they were older it became a great meeting place – sometimes the only time you get them all together when they are busy with studies, sports, jobs and friends 🙂
Sarah
> SarahThat’s what I want it to be for us too Sarah–our meeting place!
Jenn @ Loveland Lodge
Beautiful! Love the aqua, milk glass and yellow flowers and lemons mixed together. So cheerful for summer!
Sarah
> Jenn @ Loveland LodgeThank you so much Jenn!
Judy
Looks nice but I would iron the table runner!
Eve Kyle
Your photos are so pretty & inspiring! Love the simplicity and freshness of this. I could spend all day in this lovely space????.
Tracie
So cute! Sarah, tablescapes I kinda discovered by trial and error. The formal ones are just at a crazy level of “not me, either.” Lol! I have a farmhouse style craft table someone made to mimic Restoration Hardware style that the individual donated to a thrift store for some insane reason!
It has two metal pieces that are the “legs” forming each of the two ends beneath to support the wooden tabletop. The metal pieces are not attached to the underside of the table. The table top piece sits in grooves on them. I may add brackets once I live in a house to make it one. I could, but I haven’t attached them.
I live in an apartment with my dog. She is not good help for carrying furniture. The table top is heavy but I can do it. The fact that the metal pieces are not attached is NOT a con for quality, or having this table!
I have 4 gray upholstered dining chairs with nailhead trim. I had the chairs long BEFORE the table. On the table I put this corny chef holding a chalkboard and wrote “Welcome!” on the chalkboard. My aunt gave him to me, he has red accents on him, and he coordinates pretty well with my checkered red and white napkins, two red urns I saw at Pottery Barn, and a wooden Pepsi tray. I have white marble coasters. I put a little ornament I found that looks exactly like my dog and two silver Pottery Barn salt and pepper shakers, plus white napkins and silver napkin rings that go with the salt and pepper shakers.
I didn’t worry about the corny, chubby chef guy on the table or the little dog ornament or anything. Lol! I change up things every so often, but I gravitate to weathered red, white, and silver for that table usually throughout the year.
Magazines sometimes show these elaborate tablescapes and fancy stuff. That look is great if it speaks your language, but it is not my language, nor does it seem like yours! People it speaks to decorate beautifully with it, though. Though I would make an exception when it came to one dining table shown with a Christmas magazine issue I saw years ago that had taxidermy going on all over the table for a woodland theme, then all kinds of glitz on the table. It was real taxidermy, and you couldn’t have seen the person directly opposite you at that dinner! Only a dead turkey’s eye on you!
I think there is just a history about dining tablescapes and ideas that there is a “right” way to do it, or “how it is done” or “what things go on the table.” I used to keep my grandmother’s old Avon bottles from the 60s in a basket as the centerpiece and a few bottles and candleholders as the loose items around it.
You do the cutest looks with unexpected items throughout your home in pretty, simple ways. I think you nailed a beautiful look with how you arranged the details on the table! It looks wonderful!!!
Tracie
Sorry I rambled long! Lol.