Nautical Tablescape with Shell Chargers and Fish Flatware

Welcome to the 348th Tablescape Thursday!

It’s sunny and gorgeous out today, how about a beach trip?

Nautical Table Dining on Screened Porch

 

This week’s tablescape was inspired by flatware I purchased this past January. Do I hear “Jaws” music? Ummm…

 

Nautical Table Setting on the Porch

 

Small lanterns at each place setting echo the larger candlelit lantern in the centerpiece. I wish I had thought to add a little white sand in the bottom of each of the small lanterns, along with a small seashell. Oh well, next time!

Nautical Tablescape

 

You may remember the napkin rings from this Starfish Napkin Ring Tutorial. They are super easy to make!

Shell Chargers for a Nautical Table

 

It’s been a while since I last used these shell candle holders in a table setting. They were a find in HomeGoods six years ago. I passed them up initially but turned around in the store and headed back to get them. I was lucky they were still there. Twice before when shopping in HG, I’ve looked at something, decided to wait, then changed my mind and went back to find it gone. Has that ever happened to you while shopping?

Shell Candle Holders

 

I started out with plans to use another dishware for this table but I’m crazy about these David Carter Brown “Driftwood” plates. I’ve used them once before for Tablescape Thursday but at that time, I only had one set…which is four plates. This past winter I checked on eBay to see if I could find anymore and I spotted one more set. So, today I was able to set a table for six.

Beach Themed Tablescape

 

Lighthouse Ferry, 2 Miles

The “Driftwood” pattern is so cute! Love David Carter Brown’s whimsy! I wonder if he’s still designing dishware patterns, I hope he is! I was kind of late in discovering him. Many of the patterns I’ve purchased over the last few years were already retired by the time I discovered them.

Nautical Table Setting with Shark Flatware

 

Lobsters Fresh Off The Boat, Live and Ice Cold 

David Carter Brown Driftwood Plates

 

Boat Rentals, Daily, Hourly, 1/2 Hour, Next Right!

I pulled out my DIY (Pottery Barn Knockoff) shell chargers for today’s table.

Beach Themed Plates & Shell Chargers

 

You’ll find the tutorial to make your own shell charger plates here: DIY Shell Chargers Tutorial

Pottery-Barn-Knockoff-Shell-Chargers

 

Fresh Clams, Crabs, Seafood

Did you notice the flatware? This is the first time I’ve used it in a table setting for Tablescape Thursday. I’ve been searching for a couple of years for affordable fish-design flatware. Most of the patterns I found in the past were ridiculous expensive. Last year I found a set on Amazon that wasn’t exactly what I wanted but was pretty close. I ordered it and when it arrived, it was such poor quality, I immediately returned it.

This past January I started looking again and was so excited when I came across this shark flatware. It feels well made, is super cute and best of all, it’s reasonably priced!

David Carter Brown Driftwood Plates with Shell Chargers & Shark Flatware

 

It cracks me up every time I look at it! (It’s available here: Fish Flatware and here on sale: Fish Flatware

Galleyware Fishstix Nautical Shark Flatware

 

Wouldn’t it be perfect for a beach house, lake house or a house boat? It would also be great for dining poolside during the summer.

Shark Fish Flatware for a Nautical Table

 

For some odd reason, it makes me think of this…I can’t imagine why! 😉

Jaws Movie Poster

 

I love the fish tail handles! I turned the knife on it’s side in this picture so you can see the fin across the top. When you set the table, you turn the knife up on cutting edge and it looks like a fish or shark swimming through the water with the fin sticking up on top.  🙂 I love how it’s designed–so fun!

Fish Flatware

 

It’s hard to see it in this photograph, but the knife has the face of a fish/shark etched into the blade.

This set also comes with a tablespoon/soup spoon. I wish more flatware sets included that. I just looked to see if it’s still available and it is. You’ll find it here: FishStix 20 Piece Flatware Set

Nautical Flatware

 

As I was taking pictures, the sun kept ducking behind the clouds. It was perfect timing to catch a few pics of the table by candlelight.

Nautical Beach Table by Candlelight

 

I found these cute lanterns a couple of years ago in a Family Dollar store. They were only 50 cents each so I purchased six in this clear color and six in a pretty blue. I’m just using the clear ones in today’s table; I’ll have to think of another table setting for the blue ones sometime. I think dinner guests would love having their own little candlelit lantern to enjoy while dining.

Candlelit Nautical Table Setting

 

The large lantern in the centerpiece was a find in Marshalls (I think) a couple of years back.

Candle Lantern for Nautical Tablescape

 

Eventually, the sun came back out to play again.

Nautical Themed Table Setting

 

Normally I use these star-covered napkins for patriotic holiday tablescapes, but they work well in a nautical-themed table setting, too.

Beach Themed Table Setting

 

Do you love creating beach-themed table settings? Even if we’re landlocked, it doesn’t mean we can’t indulge our beach longings, right? If you enjoy beach themed tablescapes, you’ll find 20+ more here:  Beach Themed Table Settings. You’ll find 3 nautical/beach-themed napkin fold tutorials at that link, too.

Nautical Table Dining on Screened Porch

 

Looking forward to the wonderful tables posted for this Tablescape Thursday!

Tablescape Thursday

If you are participating in Tablescape Thursday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address.

To get your permalink, click on your post name, then copy and paste the address showing in the address bar, into the “url” box when you link up. You’ll need to include a link in your post back to the party to link up and participate.

That’s so visitors to your blog will be able to find the party and the other Tablescape Thursday participants. Requiring a link back also prevents businesses from linking up to sell their products. (Yep, that really happens, unfortunately.)

Please, don’t add your post name/blog name ALL IN CAPS…it tends to create big spaces between the rows of links.

Please do not link up table settings that were just recently shared in the last few weeks for Tablescape Thursday.

*If a post is sponsored or a product was provided at no charge, it will be stated in post. Some links may be affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. *



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Comments

  1. Susan – Simply exquisite! Your attention to detail amazes me. You are so creative and I love reading and learning from you posts. Thank you Susan!

  2. Susan, Your flatware is a hoot and floats my boat! Fortunately the fish in our lake don’t have that many teeth 🙂 Thanks for the table fun, love all your nautical and shell details!

  3. Beautiful table as usual, Susan!
    Love all the beachy elements….Christine

  4. pam ~ crumpety cottage says

    I think a combo of nautical and patriotic is perfect for this holiday weekend. You know, I actually think your shell chargers are prettier than the pottery barn version! And no doubt, a lot less expensive. I like the touch of the little lanterns at each table setting and Mr. Seagull coming to visit. And I love ALL your David Carter Brown plates – he just has a way with whimsy. Speaking of whimsy, congrats on finding that fish themed cutlery. Love the fin! 😀

    • Thanks, Pam! I had fun making those, despite having sore fingers when I was done. lol Yup, they were a lot less…just a little time consuming to make. Fun to do while watching a few movies, though.

  5. So wonderful to have awoke with a cup of coffee and read your post and look at your pictures!
    It has set my day to a pep in my step!
    What a beautiful talent of table beauty you have been blessed with.
    Thanks for sharing it with us!
    Absolutely beautiful it all is!!

  6. Peggy Thal says

    Another beautiful table. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend. Just planning my table decorations.

  7. I love nautical things. I’m surprised I haven’t dedicated more decorating for it! Those plates are cute and with your seashell chargers they’re perfect! That lantern is just right for a nautical display. I love lanterns and have acquired a small collection and should use them more often. That flatware is excellent- love the details on them.

    • Thanks, Liz! I’ve gradually accumulated a few nautical things but I discovered yesterday, that they are all stored in different closets and cabinets. Oh, for a HUGE Butler’s pantry…I can dream! 🙂

  8. Really enjoyed your beach theme tablecloth, and the nautical plates and flatware especially. 🙂 Pam

  9. I could spend days telling you how much I love everything on this table Susan, but I must start with the flatware! I’ve got to have that! I splurged this spring and bought, cough, 3 different sets of fish plates for our beach house, and have just gone fish crazy! I did make a shell charger several years ago inspired by you, but just 1, didn’t have the patience to make 6! Now I need to make some shell napkin rings and star studded napkins! Your driftwood plates take me right to Maine, I can almost here the fog horns and see the lobster boats coming in! Wonderful table, and I love the mini lanterns at each place! Happy Memorial Day, and thanks for the table top party!

  10. Susan, I’m such an easy sell when it comes to beach things for the table! I just popped over and two sets of that flatware are on the way to my house right now! When I see something I love in HG it goes into my cart. My sister calls it “taking it for a little ride around the store.” If I still love it by the end of my shopping visit, I buy it. If not, it goes back to the original shelf. Love your cool, refreshing, beach table! Linda

    • I’m so glad you got some, Linda! I noticed they have a limited number of sets left. You’re going to love it, I love mine. It’s makes me laugh every time I look at it. 🙂

  11. What a great table with so many fine details, Susan. That flatware is the bomb, for sure. It reminds me of barracuda – just as ominous-looking as sharks (at least when scuba diving and seeing a school of them hanging out by the mooring line of the boat!). Those chargers look really good, but oh they look like they were a LOT of tedious work! And yes, I’ve definitely gone back to HG only to find ‘my’ finds gone. Have a great weekend.
    Rita

    • lol Too funny! Okay, I had to google barracuda, and do those look scary! They were a lot of work but they were worth it. I just kept telling myself the whole I was making them, I’ll have these forever. 🙂 Yeah, here’s my snooze you lose, story. I was looking at white, office sorter shelf thingy in Marshalls one day, and I had the sense someone was near me. There was another woman behind me and she kept just hanging around me. I didn’t look at her but she was not leaving. I wondered if she was eyeing the sorter, too. I couldn’t decide if I wanted it, so I walked away. The next day I decided I did want it, drove back to the store and it was gone! I looked that store over good, too. I’m pretty sure the woman standing behind me was just waiting for me to walk away. I eventually found it in another Marshalls a few weeks later. I was shopping with a friend and telling her this story when suddenly she looked down and spotted it on a shelf…I couldn’t believe it! I was so happy! lol I immediately stuck it in our basket. So yeah, if you see something in HG, Marshalls or TJ Max, pick it and carry it around with you or put it in your basket, because stuff flies out of there!

  12. Every time I see your chargers, I get determined to make some! They are wonderful and add the flatware and it is even more fun. Yes, the plates are great. Glad you could find more.
    I love what Linda said about taking a HG thing for a ride. That’s what my friend and I do. Then we edit the cart. We have learned to do that as we have found that if we pick something up and admire it, someone else snatches it!
    We are at the beach this week, but yes, a beachy table always makes me feel happy!

    • Jacqueline, I’m going to start doing that because things disappear way too fast. That’s a great idea! Happy Beach time…wish I was there with you! 🙂

  13. Mary from Virginia says

    Pinned this, and sent a link to my friend, Bonnie who is moving this weekend and plans to decorate her keeping room off the kitchen with a nautical theme. This is perfect for her! You always do a fabulous table! How do you keep so many ideas in your head?! You are one talented chick!

  14. Susan this has to be one of my favorite tablescapes. I love the chargers, especially the chargers, the napkins, and napkin rings. Oh my, I just love everything about it! So perfect for the holiday weekend. Wishing you a happy holiday weekend and thank you for hosting.

  15. This is one of your best ever tablescapes, and there have been so many wonderful ones. Your beach theme is so fun and so many fabulous elements and layers of the theme. Exemplary job! Wish I was sitting at your table right now.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

  16. Oh Susan, I had forgotten those shell candlesticks. They are absolutely stunning. I can’t believe you were searching for fish flatware, and I didn’t even know there was such a thing. How fun that is! Now I’ll be on the search for some. I’m ready to go the beach.

  17. Susan,
    I look at your post every chance I get but often do not have time to comment! Love this table, especially the dishes and cute utensils. I love when I set a beachy table! It makes me feel I am there, at least for a few minutes!
    I am always amazed at the time you must spend setting tables. Great table, super hostess!
    Blessings My Friend,

  18. The nautical theme is all the rage…I love your table, Susan! And it looks like everyone is ready for Memorial Day weekend with all of the red, white, and blue. Thanks for hosting!

  19. I love it!

  20. That flatware is hilarious! Yet, it totally works with the themed Tablescape!!

  21. I love this tablescape!! It makes me want to go to the beach, walk barefoot on the wet sand, listen to the waves, and feel the cool sea breeze toss my hair around. :0) I absolutely adore your shell charger plates. I think I might summon my courage and attempt to make some shell charger plates of my own. Have a wonderful day and a great Memorial Day weekend! Thank you so much for Tablescape Thursday parties.

  22. Linda Page says

    The table is wonderful. I love the little lanterns on each plate. But the flatware steals the show. Too cute!

  23. I love this summery tablescape. Especially the star napkins and the little lanterns. The plates have tons of appeal too. Fish flatware is so unique! And seashells always feel so fresh.

  24. Patty/NS says

    Love your table setting, so pretty, fun and whimsical, especially the flatware!

  25. I bought that flatware earlier this year, too, but need to get more items to compliment it before I open the boxes and use it! Very cute tablesetting!

  26. Susan, thanks for the lantern idea! It reminded me that I need to “summer-ize” my lanterns with sand and seashells.

  27. So many fun details to keep me smiling! I have lots of movies that keep me company in the kitchen when I’m baking and Jaws is one of them. Guess it’s time to pop it in the player! Have a fun and relaxing holiday weekend!

  28. Susan, I so look forward to Thursdays to see what tablescape your very creative mind will come up with next! I, too, love everything David Carter Brown does. Your flatware made me smile, too! And I love the idea of the individual candle lanterns you have at each place setting. As someone said earlier, your attention to detail is so impressive! AND your patience, I might add, in creating those lovely shell charger plates. I wish I had the patience to make some of those, but alas, I will just have to enjoy yours online! =)

  29. When I look at that flatware I hear the theme music to Jaws:):) It is so cute! Love the whole table. I set a new table yesterday but haven’t posted it yet so will join the party either tomorrow or next week. Have a great holiday weekend!!!!! PS, I used to be able to just click on the boxes for name,e-mail, and website and my info would fill in. Now I have to type it all in every time? I have noticed it on other blogs too but not all??? Weird.

  30. 2 thumbs up. I live in a coastal community, too, and love nautical decor. This is stupendous!

  31. Hi Susan, I hate to keep bothering you. But, i tried to link up and was wondering if it went thru. Still having difficulties. Sorry. Thanks for any help.

  32. Linda S. in NE says

    Hmmmm, I think I have gone off the deep end, (no pun intended) because all I can think of is what a neat jigsaw puzzle your nautical tablescape would make.

  33. Hi Susan,
    after a long break I am back with a tablescape which is worth to share it at Tablescape Thursday. When I read the headline of todays TT, I immediately remembered your wonderful DIY chargers. The whole setting is really amazing. And the flatware do crack me up, too. Its funny but also really thoughtful made. Thank you for sharing such pretty things with us. Have a great Pentecoast.
    Best greetings from Germany,
    Johanna

  34. Linda S. in NE says

    Hmmmm, I think I might just be going off the deep end! (No pun intended). When I look at your nautical tablescape, all I can think of is a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. Kind of “Wysocki-ish” isn’t it, or is it just me?

  35. I enjoy and have a few lanterns, so I am loving the individual lantern idea. Can’t wait to use it this summer. And that shark knife? Genius!!!

  36. What a lovely tablescape, Susan. I love the shell chargers. I wish I would make some…..I love shells. The Jaws silverware is very interesting! I love how the television stations always show Jaws on Memorial Day Weekend…..now that vacation season is here and you’re going to the beach…be sure to watch tonight’s movie without commercial interruption! 😀

  37. I love your Driftwood salad plates and your fish flatware. How unique! It sure makes eating a whole lot more fun! Your shell chargers are so well done. I would not think they were made. What a great beach themed table.

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