Sunday Favorites-Happy Sunflowers

This is one of my favorite tablescapes...and my choice for Chari's Sunday's Favorites. I use sunflowers in my home in the fall as well as summer -so I thought it would be a good re-run post. Drop by and visit our amazing hostess Chari to see everyone's favorites this week. She is definitely one my favorites!!

Originally posted (5/13/09)

Sunflower Inspired Tablescape for Two

Last summer while shopping I found the cutest sunflower tablecloth and napkin set. The best part was it was a Department 56 ensemble on sale for 75% off-how could I resist? I hadn't found any dishes that would coordinate so I put out an APB with my girlfriends. I finally found my sunflower plates at Pier One this past weekend and I just love how they look layered with two other plates.

I think yellow sunflowers are such happy flowers and they come in so many colors and varieties. Bright yellow is definitely my favorite!

I grew sunflowers from seed last summer and ended up with a six footer...I think the variety was Mammoth...so appropriately named. I definitely needed to stake this one as it grew taller than me!

One of my dear friends Luann was out helping me locate dishes and found this adorable sunflower serving piece at a garage sale! She gave it to me for Mother's Day and will be so cute to serve chips and dip or vegies on. It's such a nice piece and just love it ! Thanks Lu!!

I looked in thrift, gift, and antique stores thinking I might find some bright bold fiestaware plates in yellow, orange or red but when I spotted the sunflower dishes I was sold!

I have layered red chargers from Portgual ( I got on sale at T.J. Max shopping with my fellow blogger Tina) with my grandmother's "Brentwood" dinner plates as a background to the sunflower luncheon plates. I haven't used my grandmother's china in many years...but the periwinkle blue was a perfect match to the blue in the tablecloth! I am so happy to use these plates again in a new updated setting.

She gave these to me as a wedding present 33 years ago!

I found the sweetest florist in a little shop in the historic district of Crown Heights. Her shop is called "A Date with Iris" and the owner's name is Stephanie. I showed her my napkin and she helped me pick out a few sunflowers and gerbera daises along with a lovely little periwinke flower that I have never seen. She was a delight and wrapped the flowers in brightest colors of tissue paper.

Her business card is adorable!

(Thanks Deb for the garden bench)

The border of the tablecloth is so fun...black and white checks along the edge just give it a touch of whimsy! I love whimsy.

I even had a few early visitors to my table... They just arrived and it was their first visit to my home. I think they love sunflowers too!

....our maybe they just wanted a "Date with Iris."

Hope your day is filled with sunflowers and sunshine!