Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Tete-a-tete Summer Tablescape on the Balcony

Welcome to Panoply! While many of us are looking forward to the transition of seasons by August, we are still very much in the throes of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Today I'm inviting you out on our balcony, where we can share a little tete-a-tete meal. 
Tete-a-tete comes from the French tête-à-tête, which literally translates as head to head. In our new loft location, our tete-a-tete refers to a private meal set for two. 
I want to thank Chloe Crabtree from the blog Celebrate and Decorate for hosting and organizing several bloggers each day this week, bringing you late summer tablescaping ideas, all in one convenient place. You'll find the list of other stylists and their blog links at the end of this post.
We can enjoy dining alfresco on our balcony for casual meals during the warm weather seasons. Our dwelling is oriented with primarily southeastern views, where sunrises fill our space with abundant light once above the distant hillside and cityscape. The high position of the summer sun and its directional movement through afternoon and evening allow for sitting on our balcony without direct sunlight glare for most of Spring through Summer. I shot both morning and evening photographs for this tablescape to demonstrate the flexible use of the light and space. 
Sunrise over the cityscape
Early morning hours show a city waking up, and a common river sighting is barges going up and down river, transporting coal. In the photo below, the barge is going up river to receive a load.
Summer sunsets, though not in direct view from our balcony, generate some spectacularly reflective shadowplay on the buildings and light in the eastward sky as the sun sets in the west, dropping out of view over the river. It's a show in itself to watch the sun, clouds and weather patterns, both east and west.
Evening shadowplay

Evening light from the west, lighting the eastern clouds
Overhead outdoor fans and southerly breezes from the river keep the air circulating on the balcony. Food fare this time of year for Mr. P. and me is quite simple and easy. The balcony accommodates a small table with service for two quite nicely.
Of course, there is always a plan for dessert in our home after each meal! 
Evening views on the river will likely include recreational boaters enjoying the water.
Or, the skyline in the distance....
From a professional lens (below, by West Virginia photographer, Jesse Thornton), this is a closer view of the skyline from our balcony. We recently purchased this photograph and framed it for our loft. It is known around town as the 'church and state' view, popular among both amateur and professional photographers.
The photo  of my tablescape below was taken from inside our loft, looking through the plate glass windows. The reflection was minimal so I took advantage of seeing the view from a center angle.
We're still feeling the sense of vacationing in our loft, or maybe it's just that summer living seems easier, in general. One thing's for sure, we are enjoying downsized living. 
Summer Balcony Tete-a-tete Tablescape Source List
Dinner plates - Dollar Tree
Enamel salad / dessert plates - Pottery Barn
Solid Blue, Yellow Napkins - Waverly 
Lemon / bee towels - Williams Sonoma
Napkin Rings, Tablecloth (Ralph Lauren) - HomeGoods
Bee glassware (La Rochere) - Sur La Table
Flatware - Oneida
Daisies and Greenery - Grocery
Clear pyramid vase - Blenko 
Be sure and stop by each day for updated links below, taking you directly to each blogger's table setting with a late summer theme. Check out Jenna's post at the The Painted Apron next.


Please let me know you were here by leaving a comment. I appreciate each one of you, and getting to know new visitors is an added bonus to continual blogging. Hopefully, you'll return again. Thanks so much for your visit and readership today.

(A special thanks to Cecilia of My Thrift Store Addiction's Vintage Charm Party #196 for featuring this post!)
Rita C. at Panoply

46 comments:

  1. Rita, Your balcony offers the perfect view and spot for tête-à-tête late summer dining. Your Dollar Tree lemon plates look sensational served up on your blue and white RL tablecloth...what a literal bang for the buck! What a handsome photo of the ‘church and state’ view too, I can see why it’s popular. I would love one of the Charleston, SC skyline and with the steeples and buildings on the peninsula. So glad to know you’re enjoying your downsized living! As always it’s a treat to blog hop with you. ♥

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    1. Thank you, Mary, we are enjoying our less complicated living here. And yes, the Charleston SC skyline would be gorgeous. You probably already have a quality photo you could use from your visits!
      The pleasure is mine to be alongside you on this hop!

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  2. Rita, your balcony views are just fabulous and provide a perfect spot for tête-à-tête dining. The lemon plates are so pretty and I would have never guessed Dollar Tree. The blue and white tablecloth provides a lovely foundation. The photo of the church and state view is fabulous, and I know you are enjoying it in your new home. I am so very happy for you in your beautiful down-sized home and I am sure you have more time to linger over meals with no garden to weed. It is always a pleasure to blog hop with you!

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    1. Pam, thank you. Certainly starting our life here in the warm weather months has given me the opportunity to see how much more carefree the days can be, and right now I quite like it. Joining your company this week has been a treat for me.

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  3. How lovely! I would enjoy that view and want to be out there in the mornings to catch the early day. Love your dishes and table setting.

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  4. Rita, you would find me on your balcony quite often. How delightful to view the river, skyline, cloud formations and sunset glows. Glad to know its quite comfortable with overhead fan and river breezes. Love the rainbow capture!
    I love your happy lemon table for two! Simple and easy and just right.Your new uncomplicated life is sounding so nice.
    I am so glad you shared the professional photo of the skyline with the gorgeous moon. It is beautiful.
    You are going to have fun capturing the river traffic with your camera with such great light.
    Lovely post. Your commentary is always delightful!

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  5. Good Morning Rita,
    Such a fabulous view every moment of the day. I can imagine that you enjoy the panoramic visions all throughout the day.
    It is always a joy to visit you and see what creative adventures you might be up to and naturally I enjoy the table setting posts extra much! So very pretty.

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  6. Oh Rita, I am thrilled to see more of your loft life and delighted you feel like a vacationer! After all your hard downsizing work, it is wonderful to see you enjoying your new home and your table for 2 is just perfect! The view of the river is such a great way to enjoy the action going on around you as the boats go by. The Church and State print is fantastic, yes I can see how that is loved by many. You will have fun discovering the different lights and feelings your balcony space will bring throughout the different times of year...Love the lemon theme and the pretty dessert table nearby! Thanks for sharing~
    Jenna

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  7. Your urban setting is a lovely contrast to your pretty lemon and blue inspired tablescape. The dishes you have selected for your table is so pretty and a nice place to sit down and take a quiet moment in the middle of a busy life. That tablecloth is beautiful, is it Ralph Lauren? thank you for joining us in another hop and sharing your table styling talents with us again!

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    1. Thank you, Chloe. The mix of yellow and blue is so soothing, isn't it, and I totally get your comment on the contrast to the urban backdrop. Yes, that tablecloth is RL. Thank you again for organizing this hop. I'm so happy to be among the group.

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  8. Rita those views are fantastic! I'm afraid that I would be hard pressed to get anything done as I would be out on that patio morning and evening watching all of the wonderful things going on. That bridge.... Your tablescape is perfect for late summer. Love how the "cool" colors seem so refreshing. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Tammy, well, you must be watching me because it IS hard getting much else done. Even if I'm not on the patio, I am so easily and totally distracted with all the window views we have. There's always something going on! Thanks for the visit.

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  9. Rita, it's so nice seeing more of your new lifestyle and abode. And, your outdoor photos during different times of the day really compliment the tablescape. Can't believe those beautiful plates are from Dollar Tree -- I assumed they were one of your vintage finds! And, you know I love the bee glasses. The little side dessert table is a great use of space.

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  10. Your balcony is a real asset to your loft. I can imagine that it is a relaxing place to enjoy coffee in the morning and perhaps wine in the evening. You sure do have a nice view there!

    Your table looks so pretty with your lemon plates and blue tablecloth. I never would have guessed that the plates came from the dollar store! Your flower arrangement is also very pretty and I love the vase that you used for it.

    I'm really enjoying seeing your new loft. It looks like a great place to live.

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  13. I am so happy to see you enjoying your new loft with so many interesting sights while dining al fresco. I love how you incorporated the lemons plates with blue! I am using those plates in my tablescape as well this week, but I never would have thought to pull out the blues. It looks so lovely and French, especially with your little bistro set and flowers. Very pretty Rita!

    I hope you enjoy the rest of summer and all the wonderful river views!

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    1. Amber, great minds??? Can't wait to see your take on the DT plates. We are really enjoying this new lifestyle, and are both happy with the loft. It's a change but it was welcomed and we're both embracing it.

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  14. Rita, I do love your balcony. The photos are wonderful, especially the one with the rainbow. You must really be enjoying your new home, it was so worth all the work you did to get there.
    Your table set for two is perfect and what a spot to enjoy your lovely table and a nice meal. I know you will continue to enjoy your balcony through the fall.
    Happy day to you, Rita.

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    1. Thank you, Sandra. I'm really looking forward to seeing how it feels through Fall here in the loft and balcony. The overall less complicated household list is certainly a welcome change!

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  15. I think I would be on your balcony daily...enjoying a good book and dining, too....so happy you are settled in

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  16. OMG that view and a rainbow to bout!!! What a beautiful place to sit on a nice evening and have dinner. I am living vicariously through you my friend. Ahhh to have the view of the city like that!!!
    Happy Wednesday.
    xoxo

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  17. I really love your plates. Dollar Tree? You have to be kidding! Blue, yellow, lemons...what's not to love!

    And then you add to that lovely setting a divine view on your own balcony. I love the metal bridge we see and that Church and State print really is beautiful. Your sunsets are gorgeous and I can see how you will make great use of this "extra room." It's all lovely, Rita, and most of all, it's home.

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  18. I'm so glad you have an outdoor space; it's just perfect for a quiet dinner for two. Your tablescapes are always lovely Rita! and oh... that view!! I'd love you to come link up at the new party! xo

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  19. Rita, love your tête-à-tête. I learned something today. What a magnificent view you have from your balcony. The views are stunning. Such lovely sunrise to sunsets to enjoy from your very own balcony. Your table is lovely with the lemons. The blue tablecloth is a perfect backdrop for those luscious lemons. A truly romantic spot to enjoy a meal for two.

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  20. Rita, a tête-à-tête on the balcony is perfect summer dining for two. Your cute table and chairs are also perfect for this space. Are they vintage? I like that they fold for storage. Your lemon plates at a fabulous pop on that pretty RL textile. Thanks for sharing your lovely setting. I'm happy you are enjoying the new downsized life.

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    1. Sarah, thank you. No, that little table/chair set is not vintage, but the seller had it and I asked him to leave it because it's sized perfectly for the space. I sometimes add lumbar pillows when I sit out there to read, and they're really quite comfortable.

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  21. The intimate table is so pretty! And your descriptions are poetically lovely. It's obvious you're enjoying your new lifestyle.

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    1. Thank you, Sandra. The feelings are genuine, we do love the new, uncomplicated lifestyle, and are happily embracing the change. Our vertical neighbors are great!

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  22. What a perfect view and you must have one of the best dollar stores on the planet! This is a cozy setting and your chosen color palette is beautiful. Take a bow, this is gorgeous!

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    1. Sandra, how very sweet of you to say such lovely things. Thank you!

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  23. You must enjoy the ever changing scenery, Rita, from your balcony view! Your table for two is set so prettily for you both. Those lemon plates from the Dollar Tree are outstanding!! I love the the skyline photo that you bought. I can see why you did! I’m happy that you’re enjoying your new loft.

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  24. Rita, your balcony setting looks so peaceful and cozy. Your bright and cheery table for two in blue and lemony yellow makes for a festive and relaxing setting. I love your choice of using lemon plates which reminds every how fresh and vibrant eating outside can be, especially on such a lovely balcony like yours. I love your special touches of daisies too. It is such a tranquil and serene loft. I hope you enjoy it very much

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  25. I love the picture with the spires, domes and the sun. Gorgeous!

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  26. Rita, your balcony looks like a wonderful place to sit back and watch the world go by!! It always amazes me when someone mixes in some plates from the Dollar Tree with items from William Sonoma and Sur La Table and it looks like a million bucks!! Great job! That photo of the spires and domes is amazing - I can see why you framed your own copy. I hope you are enjoying your new digs!

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  27. Love how you styled your table! That balcony view is amazing! What gorgeous photos and how relaxing to be able to sit out there to relax! Absolutely perfect! Love and hugs!

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  28. Rita, such a charming table and what a view! Loving the new home! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction

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    1. Thanks for sharing your lovely table at Vintage Charm, Rita! Pinned!

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  29. Looks like a beautiful spot for al fresco dining! Great views! Enjoy it while the weather stays warm!

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  30. Rita your table on the balcony is wonderful. The lemon plates bring summer to mind and your photos are beautiful.I love yellow and blue together. I especially love the rainbow photo.Pinned and it's a pleasure to be on the hop with you. Hugs!

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  31. I loved getting to see some of your new space, Rita! And it's just lovely--terrific views and such a pretty bistro set-up for your evening dining. I'm loving those dollar store plates and hope there are some left when I get over there to check them out!

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  32. Rita C. What an absolutely stunning view you have from your balcony. YOu must love enjoying the sky and cityscape while enjoying a lovely meal. I love your lemon dishes. Such a bright and happy look. Oh, and that rainbow was amazing.

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  33. What a perfect spot you have on your balcony ! It is beautiful now....and as the Fall arrives it will continue to be a great spot for meals and drinks! Enjoy !

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    1. Thank you, Ann! We are truly enjoying our new space and the freedom that comes with a smaller space to care for!

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