Welcome to the 364th Tablescape Thursday!
I have the most delightful, imaginative table setting to share with you today! Wait until you see the dessert! 🙂
This table is one I especially enjoyed looking at again since I’ll be heading off to Africa this Tuesday. If you would like to come along on my adventures during my week-long trip to Kenya, sign up to receive daily blog post updates via email here: Daily Post Updates Since I should have wifi available in camp, I plan on posting every day while there. (As always, your email will never be shared.)
If you would like to follow along on Instagram (I hope to post there a couple of times each day) you’ll find BNOTP on Instagram here: BNOTP Instagram.
Celebrating a Special Birthday With an African Safari Themed Tablescape
With my trip to Africa coming up soon, I had to share once again, this fun birthday celebration Laura and her daughter, Claire created for Paul, Laura’s hubby and Claire’s dad. Paul served for several years in Africa while in the military.
Laura said, “Every year my daughter makes my husband’s birthday cake and I decorate it. My husband is retired military and one of his previous assignments frequently took him to several African countries. He’d purchase gifts for our daughter, usually carved animals, whenever he went. When I saw a zebra cake in blogland, I was struck with inspiration—why not a safari tablescape for his birthday?”
“The centerpiece came together after a quick raid of the hubby’s man cave where I got the mask and carved pieces. The African tribal mask took center stage among African busts and hand-carved animals that my husband brought back from trips to Africa for our daughter.”
“River rock from Dollar Tree surrounded the animals and busts to anchor the vignette.”
“A chubby hippo peeked out from among the river rock. Hippos should be comfortable around river rock, don’t you think? Votive holders are from Pier 1.”
“I ordered a two-and-a-half yard piece of ultra-suede, hide print fabric from an online fabric store for the tablecloth.”
“The raffia-fringed placemats I already had and thought they were a great complement to the mask.”
“Dinner plate in zebra pattern is from Pier 1. Flatware is from Horchow. Napkins, napkin rings and salad plates are from Target.”
“I thought with the various organic textures that the table needed a bit of sleek metal. The silver from the napkin rings provided that. Wine glasses are from Pier 1.”
Laura and Claire made the most amazing cake for Paul! I love it! I wonder if they serve anything like this at Giraffe Manor? 🙂
Look how it looks inside once cut! So perfect for this safari themed birthday celebration!
Thanks again to Laura for sharing this wonderful African Safari theme table with all of us! I know Paul must have felt so special to have been given such thoughtful celebration, especially one honoring his military time in Africa.
This table setting always makes me think of the movie, Green Card with Andie MacDowell and Gerard Depardieu. I’ve actually downloaded that movie from iTunes onto my laptop to watch on one of the long plane rides I’ll be on. Do you remember that movie and the music? The music would be perfect for a dinner party with a safari theme.
Resources:
Tablecloth fabric – Anatol’s Fabric, housefabricdotcom
Placemats – purchased years ago from Hobby Lobby, I think
Zebra dinner plates – Pier 1, last year
Salad plates – Target, last year
Flatware – Horchow, last year
Napkins & Napkin rings – Target last year
Wine glasses – Pier 1, last year
River rock – Dollar Tree
Votive holders – Pier 1, last year
Looking forward to the wonderful tables posted for this 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.
This tablescape is so unique! I love it! What a creative idea. Good luck on your trip to Africa. I will be following along with you each day. What an exciting adventure and I can’t wait to hear all about it.
Thanks, Debi! I hope to have some fun and exciting things to share…some adventure! 🙂
Wow Susan what a table, over the top fabulous and the cake is Awesome!! I can’t wait to go to Africa with you, wishing you wonderful experiences and a safe journey!
Thanks, Jenna! I can’t wait to share it with you!
What a great tablescape! I’ve never seen anything like it. What a perfect theme for a man who served in the military in Africa. Great job. :0) Thanks again, Susan, for hosting Tablescape Thursday.
Thanks, Eleana! Laura did an amazing job for sure! I think I need to look for some of those zebra plates or maybe some giraffe plates. I wonder if Giraffe Manor has them in their gift shop. 🙂
That Cake! so darling. even though I am departing today for my trip i must check out those plates too. Have a wonderful trip. I look forward to catching up with your posts in October.
Have fun, Patricia!
I am so excited for your upcoming adventure. I will be following along!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Thanks, Susan! 🙂
Wow, the African theme is so fun especially with your items from there. The cake is fabulous.
Have a wonderful time in Kenya! Sounds like an adventure.
Susan, Thanks for sharing this safari tablescape! The cake is perfect and no doubt delicious too. Wishing you safe travels and looking forward to my virtual trip with you 🙂
Thanks, Mary! Hold on, it’s going to a fun ride! 🙂
I’ve probably seen this table before, but my memory is not what it used to be. Every detail is perfection. What wonderful pieces she used to carry out her theme. Of course, that cake is ah-mazing! Thank you, Laura and Susan, for sharing this inspiration. Susan, I can’t believe this dream trip is coming up so soon. I know it will be wonderful. Stay safe, and I look forward to the photos.
Will do! Thanks, Laurie!
What a cute idea for a Birthday Party! Have a wonderful trip and send lots of pictures if you can!
You got it, will take bunches to share!
It was a lovely table and the cake was really it,i love all of their hard work. I love your blog but,it will really getting exciting next week.
lol I sure hope so, I’m ready for a little adventure! 🙂
Great tablescape! Susan, safe travels, my dear. Looking forward to traveling vicariously through you!
Rita
Thanks, Rita!
This is one gorgeous table and it has a zebra cake! I love the creativity and attention to detail and would have to leave this setting in place for a long time so I could continue to marvel in it. Enjoy your vacation and thanks for the wonderful parties!
Thanks, Sandra! Laura carried out the theme so well! I think I need some giraffe or zebra plates. 🙂
What a great table! Do you think she would tell us how to make the giraffe cake as well? I hope you have a fabulous trip and can’t wait to follow your days as you travel. safe travels and enjoy.
Sandi, I was just thinking that very thing today. I would love to know how she made it. Thanks!
Love, love, love every detail on this table! I’m especially coveting those goblets…
Oh my I loved this! That cake is the bomb!!
Totally! I need to ask Laura how she made it. I love the giraffe pattern on top. 🙂
Absolutely wonderfully creative tablescape…..enjoyed all the elements! Very fun! I’m sure her husband felt very loved. Have a wonderful trip Susan. If I receive posts in my email everyday….do I need to sign up again to get your Africa posts?
Nope, you’re all set. You should get them. Thanks so much, Toni! I can’t wait to share the safaris and Giraffe Manor with you! 🙂
Susan, the table is full of clever details. Thanks for sharing.
Can’t believe your trip is just days off. So excited for you. I’ll be eager to read your email updates while you are on safari. Take lots of wonderful photos to share and have an amazing adventure.
Thanks, Sarah! Looking forward to sharing all the fun with you!
OMG! What a way to get prepared for such an exotic trip to Africa dear Susan! This tablescape is awesome, as is every piece of element you have here; I can’t even begin, but I love it all, and a ‘tiny little more’ those great animal print stems. The cake is fantastic… I could make the inside but the outside, NEVER, lol…
Have a terrific trip and take care of yourself to be safe.
Thanks so much as always for the great Tablescape Thursday party.
FABBY
I was so excited Laura let me share it…great send off for the trip. 🙂 I wonder how hard it is to make the giraffe print for the outside. We have to get Laura to share her secret!
Such nice idea for a birthday send off. And I love that cake. Have fun. Be safe but have fun