A Summer Table Inspired by Provence

  • A pale yellow gerbera daisy with pink tips in a small glass vase sits on a colorful tablecloth with floral patterns, surrounded by white daisies and blue-and-white ceramic jars.
    A pale yellow gerbera daisy with pink tips in a small glass vase sits on a colorful tablecloth with floral patterns, surrounded by white daisies and blue-and-white ceramic jars.
  • A colorful outdoor table setting features blue patterned plates, woven placemats, blue glasses, yellow-handled cutlery, and red gingham napkins with blue monogram initials. Flowers and blue vases serve as the centerpiece.
    A colorful outdoor table setting features blue patterned plates, woven placemats, blue glasses, yellow-handled cutlery, and red gingham napkins with blue monogram initials. Flowers and blue vases serve as the centerpiece.
  • A table setting with a fork featuring a yellow handle, blue and white patterned plates, a woven placemat, and a red and white checkered napkin on a colorful floral and striped tablecloth.
    A table setting with a fork featuring a yellow handle, blue and white patterned plates, a woven placemat, and a red and white checkered napkin on a colorful floral and striped tablecloth.

Our family had the trip of a lifetime this summer. We celebrated our oldest daughter graduating from college and our younger daughter’s graduation a year early by traveling to Switzerland, The South of France and London. One of my favorite memories from our trip was spending a Tuesday morning wandering through the market in Gordes, France. If you’ve never visited this dreamy hilltop village in Provence, put it on your list! The market happens every Tuesday morning from 8:00 AM- 1:00PM and is filled with beautiful linens, pottery, baskets, flowers, and treasures around every corner. While there were so many things I loved, this colorful tablecloth immediately caught my eye.

The Linens

  • A person in a floral skirt holds up a colorful patterned fabric at an outdoor market stall, evoking a French inspired vibe. Rolls and stacks of vibrant fabrics fill the scene, with clothing racks visible in the background.
  • Outdoor market scene with colorful fabric stalls in front of a historic stone castle tower; two women examine fabrics, while others shop nearby under white tents, capturing a French inspired ambiance on a sunny South of France day.
  • A hand with a watch and rings touches a stack of colorful, patterned fabric squares—evoking French-inspired decor—featuring floral and geometric designs, displayed on a table reminiscent of a vibrant summer table in the South of France.
  • A colorful outdoor table setting with blue patterned plates, woven placemats, red-and-white gingham napkins with monogram “JPS,” blue glasses, gold cutlery, fresh flowers in vases, and large blue-and-white ceramic jars.
    A colorful outdoor table setting with blue patterned plates, woven placemats, red-and-white gingham napkins with monogram “JPS,” blue glasses, gold cutlery, fresh flowers in vases, and large blue-and-white ceramic jars.
  • A table setting with a fork featuring a yellow handle, blue and white patterned plates, a woven placemat, and a red and white checkered napkin on a colorful floral and striped tablecloth.
    A table setting with a fork featuring a yellow handle, blue and white patterned plates, a woven placemat, and a red and white checkered napkin on a colorful floral and striped tablecloth.
  • A colorful outdoor table is set with patterned plates, blue glasses, wicker placemats, yellow-handled cutlery, blue-and-white pottery, and red gingham napkins. Fresh flowers in small vases complete the vibrant setting.
    A colorful outdoor table is set with patterned plates, blue glasses, wicker placemats, yellow-handled cutlery, blue-and-white pottery, and red gingham napkins. Fresh flowers in small vases complete the vibrant setting.

This summer table started with the beautiful French market tablecloth. I fell in love with the bright mix of colors and intricate patterns. It feels collected, casual, and perfect for summer entertaining. It reminded me of some Pierre Deux pieces I’ve treasured for more than 25 years, and I knew it had to come home with me. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of the charm and beauty of Provence.

To complement the colorful tablecloth, I used some of my favorite red and white buffalo check monogrammed napkins. The bright blue monogram ties in beautifully with the dishes and glassware while adding a personal touch to each place setting. Woven placemats help soften the bold patterns and add natural texture to the table.

The Plates and Glasses

  • A blue and white patterned plate sits on a red and white checkered napkin with blue monogram "JPS," atop a woven placemat. Blue glassware and floral arrangements decorate a colorful, patterned tablecloth.
    A blue and white patterned plate sits on a red and white checkered napkin with blue monogram “JPS,” atop a woven placemat. Blue glassware and floral arrangements decorate a colorful, patterned tablecloth.
  • A colorful outdoor table setting with blue patterned plates, woven placemats, red-and-white gingham napkins with monogram “JPS,” blue glasses, gold cutlery, fresh flowers in vases, and large blue-and-white ceramic jars.
    A colorful outdoor table setting with blue patterned plates, woven placemats, red-and-white gingham napkins with monogram “JPS,” blue glasses, gold cutlery, fresh flowers in vases, and large blue-and-white ceramic jars.
  • A close-up of a colorful outdoor table setting with blue and white patterned plates, blue glassware, a small vase with a yellow daisy, and large blue and white decorative jars on a vibrant patterned tablecloth.
    A close-up of a colorful outdoor table setting with blue and white patterned plates, blue glassware, a small vase with a yellow daisy, and large blue and white decorative jars on a vibrant patterned tablecloth.

Whenever I use a colorful tablecloth, I like to keep the dishes classic. My Spode Blue Italian plates were the perfect choice for this table. I’ve collected and used Blue Italian for years, and it remains one of my favorite patterns for every season.

The rich blue details pair beautifully with the colors in the tablecloth and coordinate perfectly with my cobalt blue glassware. Bamboo flatware and woven chargers add a relaxed, casual feel that works especially well for summer gatherings. The combination feels collected rather than matched, which is always my favorite approach when setting a table. Bright summer tables are a favorite of mine! Here is a LINK to another table I created using my Spode Blue Italian and fun monogrammed napkins.

The Centerpiece

  • A close-up of a colorful outdoor table setting with blue and white patterned plates, blue glassware, a small vase with a yellow daisy, and large blue and white decorative jars on a vibrant patterned tablecloth.
    A close-up of a colorful outdoor table setting with blue and white patterned plates, blue glassware, a small vase with a yellow daisy, and large blue and white decorative jars on a vibrant patterned tablecloth.
  • A colorful outdoor table setting with blue patterned plates, woven placemats, red-and-white gingham napkins with monogram “JPS,” blue glasses, gold cutlery, fresh flowers in vases, and large blue-and-white ceramic jars.
    A colorful outdoor table setting with blue patterned plates, woven placemats, red-and-white gingham napkins with monogram “JPS,” blue glasses, gold cutlery, fresh flowers in vases, and large blue-and-white ceramic jars.
  • A colorful outdoor table is set with patterned plates, blue glasses, wicker placemats, yellow-handled cutlery, blue-and-white pottery, and red gingham napkins. Fresh flowers in small vases complete the vibrant setting.
    A colorful outdoor table is set with patterned plates, blue glasses, wicker placemats, yellow-handled cutlery, blue-and-white pottery, and red gingham napkins. Fresh flowers in small vases complete the vibrant setting.

The centerpiece couldn’t have been easier. I gathered a few of my favorite blue and white ginger jars and scattered small bud vases down the center of the table. For flowers, I used simple gerbera daisies and delicate chamomile stems.

One of my favorite entertaining tips is to use several small arrangements instead of one large centerpiece. Guests can easily see one another across the table, and the overall look feels effortless and welcoming.

A Little Bit of Provence at Home

One of my favorite things about traveling is finding special pieces that bring back memories long after the trip is over. Every time I look at this tablecloth, I will be transported back to the charming Tuesday market in Gordes, surrounded by beautiful linens, fresh flowers, and the simple beauty of Provence.

While I may be thousands of miles from the South of France, creating a table inspired by our travels allows me to bring a little piece of that experience home. And really, that’s what entertaining is all about—creating a welcoming space where family and friends can gather, share a meal, and make memories together.

I hope this table inspires you to add a few special touches to your own summer gatherings. Whether it’s a treasured souvenir, a favorite set of dishes, or flowers from the grocery store, sometimes the simplest details are the ones that make a table feel truly special.

Grateful for you,

Julie

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