Peony-Themed Luncheon

Teaming up with Kristin from White Arrows HomeAndrea from Design Morsels, Tarah from Grandma’s House DIY and Chas from Chas’s Crazy Creations for our DIY Blog Hop this month with projects for our dining rooms! (Make sure and check out all of the dining room projects following this tutorial) 

Many of my friends are still hunkering down due to the virus, but I long to have them over for a meal. I dream about entertaining again and since it is June, it is peony season. Unfortunately we cannot grow these beauties in Phoenix~~way too hot. Getting peonies at the store is unpredictable due to lack of inventory or poor quality.

But I love this ruffly, delicate flower and I wish I could just go outside and cut them. Instead, I get to create the atmosphere of peony abundance in our dining room and thankfully there are items that can help.

Hester & Cook sells “Peonies in Bloom” placemats, wrapping paper and place cards. The placemats are in a pad of 24 and they are designed and printed in the USA. I love the size~~12 1/4″ x 18 1/4″ ~~large enough for a full place setting.

Their coordinating wrapping paper is perfect for small guest gifts or to use as a runner down the center of the table. The place cards come in a pack of 12.

I tend to over think the dishes I will use. Selecting a plain white plate (from Pottery Barn) with a simple gold edge doesn’t compete with the beautiful peony pattern.

Organizing my china storage with photo labels

Though the dishes are a bit whiter than the placemats, I like them better than a creamier pattern. After trying multiple combinations of different china, I stick with my first choice. To see how I organize my china, please click here.

Once the dishes are selected, the table is able to come together rather quickly.

Using artificial white and blush peonies, I make simple napkin rings by wrapping the stem in a circle. These silk peonies are from The Enchanted Home.

Faux peony napkin holder with antique napkins

The pink stemware is a combination of new and old. The wine glass is a Pier 1 Imports purchase, while the water glass is a vintage shop find.

Wine glass from Pier 1

The flatware is from Horchow and I find it so versatile because of the combination of gold and silver. The bee motif complements the flower theme. It appears that Horchow is out of stock but you can get this flatware through Wayfair.

The peony place cards fold and stand by themselves.

The dining room table is set for 6. The floral arrangements are a combination of fresh and faux peonies, cut low enough for conversation.

I like the colorful placemats against the mahogany table. I may not be able to grow fresh peonies here in the Valley of the Sun, but this happy, colorful and floral setting is perfect for a June luncheon.

So now that I have the table all set, my family will get the chance to enjoy it this weekend. I hope everyone can enjoy some peace and quiet this weekend. Have a blessed weekend.

This is my first “link” party and here is some information about the other participants.

Andrea from Design Morsels has such an eye for great design. Check out her custom dining room bookcases!

Kristin from White Arrows Home has a fabulous lakeside log cabin in Wisconsin and I love her mountain style.

Summer outdoor tablescape with buffalo plaid pillow

Chas from Chas’s Crazy Creations is so innovative! She can turn just about any thrift store item into something delightful!

I painted each candle holder with Folk Art White Wood Tint using a chip brush going for a Farmhouse look. I painted on 2 coats and let them dry completely.

Tarah from Grandma’s House DIY lives in a 1915 farmhouse in Minnesota and is constantly sharing her renovations and inspirations.

May 2020 was a far less freaky month for me than April was - I guess I adapted to the pace of quarantine. The farm here bleeding heart spring photo gallery

Now if you would like to share your dining room projects or ideas, please click on the link below.

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26 Comments

  1. Your tablescape is absolutely lovely. I could almsot smell the peonies! I bet leftovers would taste good in such a beautiful setting! Wonderful job and attention to details!

  2. Look at this gorgeous table! Everyone loves peonies, and the lovely paper goods from Hester & Cook are a beautiful way to celebrate peony season. All of the details are so perfect! I am loving this!

  3. Mary, I love Hester and Cook and their products are so fun to play with. Your table looks gorgeous. I feel the same way about missing entertaining with friends and family. Stay safe.

    1. I know you use Hester and Cook items too. So far I’ve been impressed with their quality and selection! Soon, I hope we are entertaining again. Since my son has been home visiting, we’ve been having sit down dinners in the dining room nearly every night!

  4. Mary, I love Hester and Cook and their products are so fun to play with. Your table looks gorgeous. I feel the same way about missing entertaining with friends and family. Stay safe.

  5. Mary, I love how your beautiful table turned out! Everyone will forget you can’t grow them in Phoenix when they are surrounded by your lovely Peony table! The Hester & Cook placemats and cards are beautiful with your dishes and goblets! Love your idea for photos on dish storage too!

    1. Kristin,
      Thank you so much! I love the fact that we are on the link party together. All your ideas about your gorgeous mountain cabin are inspirational!

    1. I just discovered Hester & Cook and am impressed with the quality of their goods. I wouldn’t typically do paper place mats, but I just love these! And easy to clean too!I would love for you to be able to come over!

  6. Mary – your table is absolutely beautiful! And… by the way… I’m coming over lol. It’s so inviting and I love all your little touches to make it absolutely amazing friend. Thanks for hosting our DIY Blog Hop with us.

  7. Your table looks so dreamy it would be a shame not to have someone over. I hope your family can at least enjoy those beautiful peonies. They are so pretty.

  8. Lovely. I would have never thought of paper placemats…I have been out of the dinner with friends scene way too long. I, too, love peonies. They do well here; but there bloom time is way too short. I now need to read your china organization entry…all of my goodies are still packed in boxes I packed when I left NYC in 2003. No typo there…it has been a very long time. I am so enjoying your blog — so happy that we “met!”

    1. Tanya, I am so envious that you live where peonies grow! It’s time to take your china out of those boxes and put on a dinner party! I am so happy we “met” too and I want to order another piece of jewelry from you. 🙂

  9. I was so excited to discover that we have peonies in our yard in Baltimore. They are spectacular right now and smell unbelievable. What a lovely table you have set. Please give our love to your family. XO

    1. Effie,
      Please take pictures and send them to me. I am so J.E.A.L.O.U.S!!! Truly, every year in June,I buy armfuls of peonies. But the quality is not the same as homegrown ones. However, this year with the virus and all, I just haven’t been to the store to do so. I’ve tried ordering them online through The Bouqs but they are out of stock. Please enjoy them for me!!!!

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