Summerscapes with the Red Cross!

The Lee County Red Cross is hosting the Summerscapes fundraiser July 1-July 9. Businesses and individuals submitted their best take on a summer themed tablescape to be voted on by the public at large. The whole event is a fundraiser for the Red Cross as each table submitted made a donation and each vote is a $5 donation. The tables are set up for viewing at Flip Flop Foto’s studio. On July 9, they will be holding a wine tasting (sponsored by Flip Flop) with final voting and winner announcement at the end of the night.

When I saw this posted on Flip Flop’s website, I had to get in on it! So, I called my friend Nancy with Classic Party Rentals and we sponsored a table together. She was nice enough to let me go where ever I wanted with the summer theme. So, I got to brainstorming. Where would I want to be and what would I want to do if I could choose anything at all for a summer night’s entertainment? Hands down, it would be to go to Spain and enjoy tapas and great wine and completely eat up the culture! I would just have to translate that little excursion onto a local tabletop .

When I started putting the design together in my mind, I found that I kept thinking of red as the base color in the table. So, I did some searching and found this fantastic vintage tablecloth:

Don't you love the red poppies around the center?

From there, I put the rest of the table together. I wanted to bring in some wood tones. So, I had Nancy bring some wood chargers for the top of the table and fruitwood folding chairs:

I also wanted to bring in lots of other colors for the table. To do that, I found some great pillows at Pier 1. Here a few of the ones I found:

I love the colors in these! I used the pillows to inspire a menu that I wrote up and designed for each place setting. I thought a menu would really pull together the theme and help people understand the table as a whole (as most menus should do for a table). So, here’s a look at the menu:

As for flowers, I had hoped to have fresh flowers, but that just wasn’t very realistic. I would have to refresh them through out the week+ length that the tables are on display. So, I went to my local Hobby Lobby and bought all their best looking poppies, sunflowers and black eyed susans. I loved the way the yellows popped off the red tablecloth. I put them in white porcelain containers to give a break in the color on the table. I don’t have photos of the actual flowers. I promise that it doesn’t look as good in the photos as it does in person. Mostly because these photos were taken from my phone. But, you will get the idea. Another thing I did was bring a little blue into the table by getting some blue glass candle holders. I think it helps!

I love the way it turned out! The only thing I wish is that I had done burlap instead of a white table cloth under the red. But, I think it is fine. It really makes me sad that I am not in Spain! I would love to live there for a spring/summer stint. If only I were in college again… .

At any rate, you know that this table is the best in the group so vote us number 1!!! Click here and vote!!!