inspired - tablescaping

I will confess that until fairly recently

I was unfamiliar with the term 'tablescaping'.

It's something I came across on one of the interiors blogs that I read,

and basically it's all about laying the dining table to look all pretty.

Before our beautiful boy came along

we used to have more little dinner parties with friends than we do now.

And one of the things I always prided myself on

was the fact that I know how to set a really good table.

My lovely hubby always takes control of the cooking

because he loves experimenting with recipes,

but I would always take control of getting out our best table decorations, cutlery, crockery and glassware to make the table look very glamourous.

Then I discovered that many fabulously creative people out there

like to lay the table just for fun.

Now this sounds like a hobby I could really get in to.

So this week I'm going to share some of the pretty tablescapes that I have stumbled across.

How pretty is this crockery?

We have a very lovely white set with a cream trim

which was a wedding present from the parents at my work.

But sometimes I would love some pretty, flowery, dainty, vintage looking ones

just for when we want to be posh

or have a very special table setting.

I love the little chalkboard place mats.

And the fact that there is chalk left on the table

so you could continue to write, draw or play noughts and crosses all evening.

I think it's really lovely that this tablescape has been achieved with ribbons.

I think it's a bit fancy and wedding-y for someone's house

but I definitely want to have a go at using ribbons to make the table pretty.

I'm obviously not normally one to like too much colour

but I LOVE this.

It's so bright and cheery and perfect for spring or Easter.

I want to sit down at this table and eat cupcakes.

I would love this little arrangement just for everyday.

It doesn't look like too much work

but it still looks pretty and fresh and lovely.

(All pictures found via Pinterest. Click on individual photographs for original source.)