Our Take 3 series has moved to Mondays. Today we’re talking picnics and the weather in Richmond is perfect for just the occasion. I chose the conventional picnic table because I have always thought with a little imagination it is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture — a dining table or a desk, in a playroom or in the yard, painted, stained or au naturel. I just love the picnic table!
Rachel’s Take: Smokey Floral
The color scheme for my picnic was inspired by this lovely floral lantern
from Pearl River. I’m picturing several of them hanging from a big tree in my
back yard over a whitewashed picnic table. I would set the table with
a charcoal runner and pink napkins made out of shot cotton from Purl Soho.
The place settings would be slate and ash plates and bowls from Gretel Home
and bamboo utensils. The final touches — moody peony flower arrangements
and orangesicle candle holders for a punch of color.
Stephanie’s Take: Rustic French Country
I would use this picnic table in my backyard with some rustic touches. I love this burplap table runner with black, screenprinted, Parisian inspired design. I would add several of these lanterns with candles for some soft lighting and use these fun typewriter coasters for beverages. To complete the look, and provide seating for more guests, these stools could sit at each end of the table. Bon Appetit!
Juliet’s Take: Fox Hunt
I am so ready for fall and I have colorful wool plaids and bold red wine on my mind. For my picnic table, I would combine these Dorian of Wye small plates from Anthropologie with a more contemporary red-rimmed dinner plate from Crate & Barrel. Colorful steak knives, like the Spectrum Set from Laguiole are perfect for a hearty meal.
I have a small collection of depression glass goblets, just like these sold on Ebay, from my Grammy’s house that I love to use for outdoor entertaining — they are both elegant and invincible!
I would toss a few sheepskins on the benches and lay some wool plaid scarves or swaths of wool plaid fabric under each place setting as table runners.
Finally, rich fall flowers arranged in a trophy, like this arrangement from Studio Choo (via Design*Sponge). I love the modern effect of the porcelain trophy but I think a vintage silver or brass one would be stunning, too.
What would you do with a picnic table? Do you have one at home? Do you love it as much as I do?
{all images linked to sources}
A close friend of mine recently had a baby and I wanted to make something special for little Franklin. A few years back I screen-printed some onesies, so I thought that would be a cute gift and a fun project to work on, too. I’ve purchased some plain, white onesies at Target and now all I need is to decide on is the design. This is what I’ve come up with so far as options…which one do you like best: cute owl, frankie + bird, or gator?
On Saturday mornings, we’ve been grabbing a cup of coffee at one of our favorite breakfast spots and walking over to the 
