Thursday, July 31, 2014

Tropical Fish Tablescape

Sometimes there is a journey involved with creating a tablescape.  Somehow an idea sparks and the journey begins.  Maybe it was the colorful napkins I found several months ago when I was out thrifting.  The bright green napkin bordered in yellow and orange could have inspired any number of summer tablescapes. Or maybe it was the happy tropical looking Department 56 Mirage salad plates that I found a few weeks later, either way the search was on for all things tropical suitable for a tablescape.  Things just start to fall into place.
Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.

Mirage salad plates.
Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.
 Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.
Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware. Gibson striped plates.
The colorful Gibson striped plates were already in my stash of summer plates waiting to be used for a happy colorful summer table.
Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.Gibson striped plates.
 The tropical fish tumblers managed to jump into my cart at the VOA a week or so later.
Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.

Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.
 Various tropical fish and seashells seemed to be everywhere over the last week or two.
Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.
 A pelican even managed to hop into the shopping cart even though I kept telling him that I was making a tropical fish tablescape NOT a beach tablescape.  He didn't listen.
Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.
I even made a "mock" aquarium out of an old rectangular vase that I had in my stash of vases.  I was going to use this aquarium as a centerpiece before I found the flip-flops.
 Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.
There were tropical fish suckers at the Deals Dollar Store with colorful stripes that looked perfect in my mock tropical aquarium.  Even the "new in a sealed package" aquarium plants showed up on the shelf at the Goodwill Store last week. Darned if they didn't hope into my cart too!  Along with the cute little pair of flip-flop votive candle holders.

Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.
Little things that had been packed in storage boxes have been brought out to brighten the summer decor in the windows.  It was good to see these old friends again.
Tropical decor

In the end the tablescape evolved into the table pictured below.  
Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.
The flatware was purchased new from the HomeGoods store for $12.99 for the 20 piece set with a silverware caddy.

Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.
The place mats are a thrift store find as are the dinner plates,  salad plates,  glasses,  and napkins.
Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.
The lanterns and table scatter came from Marc's.  The lanterns were a beachy white color that I painted  turquoise several years back.
Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.
The table cover is a beach mat that was bought at Big Lots at 90% off many years ago. It fit the table perfectly!
Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.

Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.

Tropical fish tablescape, Department 56 Mirage plates, tropical fish glasware.
See the three little fishes around the flip-flops below,  they arrived in the mail last week.  My friend JoAnn had found them while she was out thrifting and sent them to me for my tablescape.  Having a tablescape buddy is the best!!!  Don't these cute little blue and pink striped fish look great with the flip-flops?
I spent several days arranging and rearranging this table.  I have a definite tendency to overdo when I tablescape. So I started with a lot of things that were removed one item at a time until I was happy with the end result.  In this dry run picture taken the night before the you can see the candle holders that I made from tall champagne glasses,  a little vase filler,  and the lollipop fish suckers. 
 There were light houses and coral posed next to the lanterns.
More colorful tropical fish and a lot more scatter had been placed around the table.

 Looks a bit cluttered doesn't it?  I removed and replaced a little at a time.

Many of the unused items were placed on the shelves (cluttering them up) with the other beach and nautical stuff that I have collected over the years.

As always - thrift on ladies, thrift on.


These are the parties I like to link to:


 
Susan's Tablescape Thursday                                                             




Kathe's You're Gonna Love It Tuesday           



11 comments:

  1. Oh how I love your fishy table. At first when I sent the three fishes I wasn't sure they would go with your other more flashy fish - but they sure do fit right in. I love all the different things that you gathered over time that all go so well together. That silverware is absolutely perfect for the table - the different colors really add the right touch - great table!!!!!

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  2. It's beautiful. Love all the wonderful colors. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. No matter what the route of your journey in creating this tablescape, the destination remains the same: a little place called Fun & Fish-tastical, U.S.A.!!! You have so many cute details on here, and that's what makes a table interesting. I understand editing, though...I have a knack for wanting to put every bloomin' thing I own on a table, too, sometimes. Over the course of several hours or days or weeks or however long it takes, though, I am able to successfully edit and get the look from Crazy Clutter to whatever it's supposed to be. I'm glad you have the patience to take your time with it and get it the way you want it.

    You made really good use of items you already had on hand that you were able to mix with your cool new finds. Even the pelican looked like he was cool with it being a beach scene!

    I LOVE the "aquarium"!!! That is SUPER creative!! A first of its kind for me! You did a really great job with that!

    This was so much fun. Have a great weekend, and I hope you still have this up so you can enjoy it a bit longer. It's worth it!

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  4. Oh Candy I love the whimsy of this table. I can't decide what is my favorite the colorful napkins(can I borrow) the glassware, the flatware amazing all the colors or the little fishes. this is just so cute boy are you lucky to have a tablescape buddy in which to share. I wish I had one.This was so bright and cheerful table.Where did you land up putting the aquarium?Even putting the napkins at an angle to resemble a fish is so unique!. I redid my sunflower table last night in a birthday tablescape seeing as my Birthday is a week a way. have a good week so enjoyed this table.Susie

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    1. Hi Susie! The aquarium is on the kitchen island. It is so cute and makes for a cheerful place to have breakfast.

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  5. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I love to hear from visitors to my blog.

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  6. This is just adorable Candy! I love all the brights and the glass scattered! You know fishy beachy scapes are my very favorites! I need a pelican now...
    Jenna

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  7. Such a fun and colorful setting! It's adorable! Thanks for sharing.

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  8. So summery and bright! Love the colors, especially the turquoise!

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  9. So pretty and colorful! I love it. This will be attractive to kids too...Christine

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  10. I love kitschy tables, you must have had so much fun putting this together, I can imagine you dancing around the table doing the Conga! All the brightly colored fish, did you call any of them a nameI The aquarium is clever! All the colors made me smile, thanks so much.

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