It sure feels like summer time here, and when its particularly warm I can’t help but think of afternoon escapes. One of my favorite ways to escape is with a delightful cup of tea in the cool shade. This summertime tablescape perfectly embodies the dreamiest of summer afternoons. Touches of traditional seersucker and delicate eyelet are perfect embellishments for a mid afternoon summer tea.
I’m sure you know and adore the classic seersucker cloth. This time of year you’ll see it everywhere. I was intrigued when I learned that this cloth first gained popularity in the warmer regions of the British colonies, such as India. As a staple in the US for summer clothing, this cloth can be overlooked as a decorative piece. But as you can see here, it is a wonderful addition to this traditional mid afternoon summer tea tablescape.
Enjoyed quietly alone or amongst the chatter of a small gathering, I’m sure this setting will inspire a delightful afternoon. Teatime guests will be delighted with any assortment of treats; you can find the menu and recipes in the July/August issue of TeaTime magazine. They provide an exquisite pairing of tea and dishes for a scones, savories, and sweets course that I know you will enjoy!
What is your favorite summer afternoon escape?
Comments 23
There is something wonderful about walking barefoot in the lawn feeling a soft breeze. If I am lucky to see a lady bug or 2 well then I know nature is singing my heart’s song of summer! Beautiful tablescape… makes me want to run right out and buy gingham!
Reminds me of afternoons on my mom’s deck, surrounded by flowers and tall trees. I had a miniature set of tea cups identical in pattern to her rose splashed bone china. We had matching napkins of seersucker gingham.
What a beautiful table! I was particularly struck by the stemware. It is so delicate and shimmery!
Lovely table!
It has already become quite humid in Texas this year; thus, being inside while looking out at God’s creation is preferable in the afternoon. I, too, enjoy Lady Grey – iced or hot along with some tea cakes on which to nibble and a good cozy mystery to read are my idea of an enjoyable way to spend a lazy summer afternoon.
I have an outdoor sitting area right off my bedroom. I love to grab an Ale 8 in the morning and go sit in my red rocker with a Victorian Gothic novel and enjoy the scent of the herbs and grass surrounding me. Later on when it starts getting warn (although we’re having a bit of a cold spell here in Southeastern Ky right now), I’m very happy to go in to the air conditioning and surround myself with a pile of magazines while watching classic movies.
What a beautiful table! Love, love the china…..And the seersucker and eyelet are perfect! Bet I have blue seersucker in my stash……gotta go make some napkins! Thanks Phyliss!!
What a beautiful tablescape! I would love to do something similar but am always fighting off flying insects…any helpful hints would be much appreciated. My ideal summer afternoon escape is sipping a fruity iced tea, nibbling lemon tarts,and reading a good book, preferably something by Jan Karon. I usually do this in my upstairs sitting room , that overlooks a big leafy maple tree. I open the window to to let in a cool breeze.
Well Phyllis I’m running to the fabric store now to get some seersucker fabric to make some placemats and napkins, I have a funny seersucker story, my husband Mike asked me one day to get him some of those sucker fabric shirts from Sears for the summer since they are nice and cool , I couldn’t remember buying him shirts there and then realized what he meant Seersucker shirts, he’s a funny guy . I just got my Tea Time magazine and love it !!
OMG I remember sewing myself a seersucker outfit years and years ago. I thought it was the nec plus ultra.
Sitting on my back deck in my blue Adirondack chair, reading a good book. Sipping a glass of iced tea with lime (unsweetened for me). Listening to the birds sing, the squirrels fuss. Just enjoying the flowers and beauty of a summer afternoon in Michigan.
Donna
So excited to see your email notice pop up and the title “Midafternoon Summer Tea” of course I love Tea as owner of Tea & Thyme -a Tea Catering company…then fell instantly in love with your photos…gorgeous! Oh how I would love to be a guest at your tea table! I do love all of the recipes from Tea Time magazine. I have created many of them for our special events or used your beautiful photos for inspiration! Check us out on Facebook – Tea & Thyme!
Sitting in an air condition room watching The Mets or The Baltimore Orioles.
Marilyn
Sitting in my bedroom watching a good movie.
Joan
Reading or watching a good TV show in my air condition bedroom.
Joan
I love to stay in an air condition room and read a favorite book.
Marion
Such pretty photos and I love the blue and white. Seersucker is truly a summer favorite of mine. It brings back so many happy memories of childhood. An afternoon tea with summer breezes on the porch would be heaven.
My ideal summer afternoon escape?…
Lying on a canopied daybed in a garden while reading a good book and drinking iced Lady Grey tea served with tea sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, raspberry jam , fresh berries and a slice of Victoria sandwich for dessert.
The seersucker table linens certainly give a shout to summer. Beautiful table.
Such a beautiful setting to enjoy friends and a cup of tea. I do love the crispness of the seersucker! Here at home I love nothing more than to set an elegant table using antique cups and an antique silver tea set in the garden. A wonderful way to spend an afternoon in the shade of an umbrella!
Quite lovely and I do adore the seersucker cloth & napkins, though I don’t recall ever seeing them before. Hot tea during the middle of summer doesn’t sound all that appealing but a tall glass of ice completes the scene for me.
Where to purchase seersucker napkins or placemats?
Google them. I found that there are several places that sell these. they are really fun and come in many colors.
So beautiful and inviting!