I’m so happy to share with you some of my simple tea party ideas that I use for setting a modern cottage style table. Dress it up or keep it casual, you just can’t go wrong, and far as I’m concerned there is always time for tea. While you’re here check out, “It’s A Spring Tea Party” Blog Hop, hosted by my friend Amber from Follow The Yellow Brick Home.
If you are joining me from White Arrows Home on the blog hop, welcome! I love Kristin’s tea cup collection.
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Tea Party Ideas starting with Flowers
For me tea party ideas start with flowers, because I get to enjoy them before, during and after the party.
When I create a bouquet, I look for a variety of blooms, some big, some small and colors that will look best in my home. Then, I see what kind of filler or greenery is available, because that can be the game changer. The variegated greenery in this arrangement has an English garden feel, which influenced the cottage style vibe for the table.
I love using my vintage ironstone pitcher as a vase. To me cottage style and ironstone go hand in hand.
Flower tip: Did you know most grocery store floral departments receive their largest weekly flower delivery on Mondays? That’s right. When I shop early on Tuesdays, I always get the freshest flowers.
Table Linens and Place settings
I must confess I have a weakness for cloth napkins and kitchen towels. If there is a clearance sale somewhere on linens, I’m probably there.
Using color and pattern with linens can change the whole look of a table in seconds. Why stop with one? I used two styles of cloth napkins.
The navy gingham napkins are used like placemats under my white dishes. What do you think about those vintage 70s pink and orange linen napkins? I thought they would be fun to mix with the gingham and bring in an extra pop of spring color.
Each place setting has a sprig of rosemary and thyme tied with a gauzy pink ribbon. The herbs from my patio container garden are so fresh and fragrant I just had to bring them indoors.
By the way, I’m breaking with tradition by not using tea cups and saucers. When I’m serious about drinking tea, I really like slender tea mugs for keeping tea warm longer. It’s my modern cottage spin for this tea party.
Centerpiece
A centerpiece doesn’t have to be just a flower arrangement. Use a tray with a pretty kitchen towel in the center of the table for a big statement.
When space is limited use tiered trays and cake stands to show off delicious cakes, scones and biscuits.
Today’s tea party centerpiece follows the rule of threes, with a flower arrangement, a porcelain teapot and a bowl of strawberries. It’s an easy way to create a vignette that’s pleasing to the eye, and it works every time.
Tea Party Treats
Looking for ideas on what to serve at your next tea party? Well I have a few recipes to share that you are going to love, starting with my most recent Lemon Squares.
- Lemon Lime Scones
- Blueberry Hand Pies
- Mini Rum Cakes
- Almond Cookies
- Tea Biscuits
- Mixed Berries With Cream
- Savory Tea Sandwiches
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest. The boards are up to date with seasonal inspiration that you can use right now!
The blog hop continues with The Welch House. Be sure to stop by to see Larissa’s Pretty In Pink Tea Party post or click on the links below.
Cheers!
©2019 Simple Tea Party Ideas post first appeared on Thistle Key Lane™.
Such a cheerful tea party! I adore the pop of orange paired with black and white gingham.
Thank you so much Laura! Everything goes with gingham! 🙂
Your floral arrangement is so cottage fresh and pretty, Michelle;) Love your bird mugs!
Thank you so much Lora. I’ve really enjoy using the bird mugs. They are from England and I hope to find a few more.
Your table is lovely, Michelle! So fun!!! I will stop by everyone’s posts as I get time this week ~ I love seeing how everyone will be celebrating spring and Mother’s Day. Beautiful!
Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Thank you Barb, I hope you enjoy your Mother’s Day as well! Hugs!
Love your table setting and how you mixed the patterns and color of your napkins. And mini rum cakes…say whaaaat?! I want to be invited!
Thank you Cindy and of course you’re invited!
The flowers are gorgeous. Great tips for hosting a tea party. I adore lemon squares.
Thank you Katie, the lemon squares are always a big hit!
Love it! And your flowers and linens are so pretty! The herb sprigs are a great touch, too, Michelle! Pinned!
Thank you so much Julie for stopping by and pinning. I had so much fun planning this post.
The flower arrangement that you created is so pretty. Thanks for the Monday delivery date tip for grocery store florals. I didn’t know that and now I know to shop on Tuesday to get the freshest flowers. Adding herbs to each place setting is another pretty idea.
Thank you Paula, glad you noticed my little tip on the flowers. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Love the pink and orange linen napkins with the navy check. your floral centerpiece is so lush and gorgeous in that wonderful ironstone pitcher!
Thank you Debra, the ironstone pitcher and I go way back, it was in my room when I was a child.
Michelle, I love your beautiful linens and those gorgeous flowers! Great tip on when to buy flowers at the grocery store too. Your table is perfect for a spring tea!
Shelley
Thank you Shelley, I have a soft spot for flowers and tea!
Michelle I love your colors and I adore your flower arrangement! I had no idea about Monday flower deliveries. Thank you for that tip and for sharing your recipes. I always enjoy your posts!
Thank you Kelly, the pink, orange and navy was a new combination for me and seems to work for spring.
Such a pretty and inviting tea setting. I especially love your floral arrangement, it is stunning.
Thank you Marty, all the flowers at the market were so pretty I wanted to fill my car!
Michelle I just want to come to your house and hang! Everything about your style an dthis gorgeous tablescape is so my jam. Thanks so much for the fresh flower tip. I had no idea! I will definitely start making a trip on Tuesday now that I know though. I hope your week is fabulous and you have such a fun time celebrating Mother’s Day. Hugs, CoCo
You are so sweet CoCo and your comments always make me smile. Have a great week and Mother’s Day weekend my friend!
Your centerpiece is so pretty – you chose gorgeous blooms.
Thank you Carol, the frilliness of these blooms speaks English cottage to me. 🙂
Your tea party is so cute! I love the flowers! The check napkins are cute!
Such a beautiful post!! Love the ideas and I ADORE tea parties! Thanks for sharing on Style Showcase!!
Thank you Kathleen, I don’t which is more fun planning a tea party or having one! Thanks so much for stopping by.
So true Michelle! So true! Have a beautiful Thursday!
I love your color theme for your tea party! Those bird mugs are the bomb! Everything is so fresh and lovely. And your photography is beautiful!
Thank you Michelle, I found those tea mugs at local shop called The British Emporium a few years ago. It’s my secret place for all tea related goodies.
Michelle,
You create such beautiful flower arrangements. I love the pink spiky flower (cannot remember its name ???) that adds ZING to the arrangement. Your table in this alcove of windows is a wonderful spot to have a tea party. The natural wood with the white paint looks so fresh and clean, ready to be a backdrop for any color.
Judith
Hi Judith, I think the name of the flower is Veronica and your right it does add a bit of zing to the arrangement. Thank you so much for your sweet comments!
Michelle, our flowers in the white pitcher are gorgeous. I love sitting it on the tray as a centerpiece. Your tea party treats sound delicious. Have a wonderful weekend.
Thank you Carol, I’ll be enjoying more tea today as the rain passes.
I thought I commented on this already! Love the colors you chose and the simple white teapot is so pretty!
You did, but that’s alright. I love comments! Thanks Julie!
Your ironstone teapot is simple and classic! The flowers in your white pitcher coordinates perfectly with the teapot. I love the pop of color with the orange napkins and the pretty little addition of the herb sprig. I may be late, but I did get here!
Hi Chloe, so happy you stopped by and don’t worry it’s always tea time around here!
Pretty tea time setting ready for some relaxing time over tea.
Have a great week,
Kippi
Thanks Kippi, there’s always time for tea! 🙂