Bees and Sunflower Tablescape

I LOVE bees! They are the symbol of an industrious nature, they makes sweet stuff (honey), they only sting if provoked and they are one of God's most fascinating creations!

Bees are the inspiration for today's table...

Pairing bees with Sunflowers makes this table sunny and fun!  My style is NOT cutsie. But I found these funny little bees and could not resist.

 To keep this tablescape from getting too cute I kept the color scheme simple and pulled in several patterns in black. Black is a wonderful color to bring a little sophistication to a design!

A stack of black, white and golden yellow dishes is anchored by a ruffled black straw place mat.

A deep golden bowl sits on top of the dishes. The bowl is gently rimmed and resembles the pattern on a bee skep.

A good quality tea towel (Wm-Sonoma) doubles as a napkin. It's sunflower and bee motif make it the perfect choice for this table.  The napkin is folded into a pocket. Little sprays of fluff and a tiny bee skep are tucked in along with a honey dipper. 

The dipper will be a little take home gift for my guests!

A happy sunflower and little bee welcomes each guest.

 A simple folded black and white cloth napkin sits at the side of each plate. 

Napoleon Bee flatware is mixed with vintage caramel handled pieces I bought at a local antique shop. I like mixing elements. It creates interest.

I am so taken with the beauty of the old flatware. It has such a richness about it that the camera doesn't pick up very well.

Gold pedestal bubble glasses continue the honey color.

Coffee mugs match the deep bowls and sit on a little braided coaster. I though the colors coordinated so well with the theme.

The centerpiece is a huge bouquet of real and faux sunflowers. I bet you can't tell which are real and which are not! There are only 2 real ones in that whole bouquet. A few years ago I invested in several stems of good faux sunflowers. I have used them dozens of times in arrangements... they have really paid off.

                 

The earthiness of the rustic bee skep brings a natural element to this buzy bee table.

                                

A hand painted scherenschnitte bee skep in a black frame sits next to the large bee skep. There is a good possibility you have seen these beautiful works of art done by a local artist, Pam Hultz. They are now sold nationally. I have know Pam for years and she is one talented and lovely lady!

A second smaller bee skep graces the opposite side of the table. There is just something about bee skeps! I love to decorate with them.

The bee skep theme also shows up in the lighting. Honey colored bee skep lanterns are elevated on wrought iron candle sticks. Getting elements off of the table in differing heights gives such interest.

LED tea lights in a caramel color give a warm glow from within the lanterns

And yet another bee skep element. Tiny individual glass bee skeps (Wm-Sonoma) with white candles sit at every place. These are adorable! They were a gift from my sister. Thanks, Lisa!!

Speaking of gifts and bee skeps, my friend Cathy got me these darling salt and pepper shakers on a recent trip. Cathy I just love these!

Bees and Sunflower find a home together at StoneGable!

The Menu

Tomato and Basil Bisque

Honey Mustard Chicken

Potatoes Anna

Roasted Asparagus With Shaved Parmesan Cheese

Biscuits and Honey

Fried Ice Cream with Honey

StoneGable Iced Tea

Coffee

 

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I am participating in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch. Thanks Susan for hosting! Click HERE to visit all the fabulous tablescapes.