Another table moment…
One of my favourite and fail proof ways of dressing the table is to use quilts.. or boutis as they are called in France. Really, they are bedspreads and in the past I would never have thought of ‘making the bed’ outside for all to see… I fell in love with these often simple, often elaborately patterned covers and have started a collection. In Provence, these quilts are used everywhere; on tables, on beds, for picnics… even as baby blankets… they are soft and easy care… and the older they are the softer they become… Each year I add a couple to my already groaning cupboard so that when summer arrives I can mix and match the new with the old… I find the more I muddle the patterns and colours, the more I like the way they look… The one pictured is quite sedate… what you can’t see is the red one, with similar pattern, on the next table… I was inspired to take the colour of the nectarines and replicate them… Those that I use outside are mostly new… the vintage ones that I have found in the brocantes I keep inside… they are generally hand stitched and the colours already faded…
I believe that dressing the table is just as important as the food and the wine we serve… To sit down at a welcoming table provides such pleasure to our family and friends… it can also make up for any little culinary disasters that might occur in the kitchen… Ambience can hide a multitude… The colours and the textures make all the difference…
I wish you could all come with me to the markets and see these gorgeous quilts… I know that you would love them… but for now, all I can suggest is to try setting your tables with old quilts, new quilts… even antique linen sheets… it is surprising how charming and original they can look when dressed in an alternative way…
Inspirations For Your Summer Table…
For the simple colours… or to use as a base for your table… here...
The classic ‘greige’ linen overlay… here…
Soft and Vintage like patterns… here…
Tea Green… a heavenly colour… here… with an overthrow of toile… here…
and if you are brave enough for the patterns… this one would look wonderful… here…
and the florals… my favourites to play with… here…
***
Bud Vases For Your Table…
White porcelain blooms… here…
Kate Spade Cylinders… here…
Test Tube style… here…
and a pair of these beauties on a quilted cloth… perfection… here…
Have a wonderful weekend… and enjoy making your table pretty… xv
I’m always borrowing a heavy linen, white bedspread from my mother that fits my square table perfectly. It look/ amazing and I havent been able to find anything like it in a table cloth. there’s something about its heavy, damask , antique damask print that is amazing and always makes me feel like I’m dining in style, even if its a casual spur of the moment get together! G. X
Beautiful. Simple… and so so pretty. I love the idea of using a quilt. The hydrangeas are just stunning in their tiny vases. This table tells a story!
I have begun to use interesting table covers when we have friends over and dine in the kitchen, as my kitchen table is from my old house and does not really work very well visually in the new house (we will get a new table next year, and the old table will be used for the kids craft room). I never thought about using quilts!
I love those little vases. I tutored the children of a family with 5 girls when I was in college, and the mother had quite a flair for decor. I remember one of her dining room table settings had tall thin vases with one bud in each vase, and it was striking.
- Holly
What a fantastic read for a Saturday afternoon! Thank you!
Love the idea of using a quilt…funny when we were in France a few years ago my husband and I were invited to the home of someone he does business with, and we ate on their terrace and she used a quilt to cover the table and it made the most magnificent charming setting. I love the idea and so agree that the way the table looks and invites its guests is as important as the food itself!
I love the look,but I’m too frightened something will get spilt on them. They are not as easily laundered as table cloths. x
Mine all go in the machine… and the best news is they don’t need ironing! xv
What a great idea…my sister-in-law is a quilt maker and has given me a few, so will have to try this out with them!
xxx
Vicki, this post read my mind. I spent yesterday searching your blog for examples of your tables to show my husband and then scouring ebay for quilts. I found some nice ones. But I was going to ask you, do you use queen size or do they over hang the sides of the table too much and should I go for twin (single bed) size?
I use a mix of sizes and layer them up… I like queen size because they make a good base… and then I add the smaller ones over the top… in the other direction … Sometimes I use the squares as a runner as well… leaving the ends bare… That looks pretty too… xv
What a beautiful and wonderfully inviting table. Quilts are so versatile and I love the idea of using them as a table covering. As always, your posts are full of inspiration and helpful links.
I also use test tubes a lot for floral arrangements – I love how handy and pretty they are either alone or in a group
Thank you,
Jx
Gorgeous post as usual. And oh how we love brocantes!
I love simple yet very elegant. It is beautiful
Cynthia
Vicki,
I love that look, a boutis on the table makes everything seem the best of country, inviting and relaxing. By the way, After your post about dishes last week, I ran over to Anthropologie and picked up a couple of the Fleur de Lys plates, I didn’t see the olive color, very pretty.
Karen
Dear Vicki,
I love French quilts too and I hope you will share more of your collection sometime.
Did you know that it used to be common in times gone by to wear a quilted petticoat for warmth? Some of them are so very beautiful.
I hope you are having a wonderful summer.
I adore to use quilts as tablecloths + learned that from Godfather Wallace now reading about yours makes it So special. Try using tablecloths(any kind) as bed coverings-I did this for a client! Even though she thought I was crazy, she loved it! Have a wonderful weekend. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
love this prettiness…I tried your tomatoes last tnight…very yum!
What a great post! I love using quilts “boutis” layered with a beautiful old linen cloth. It is so comfy and inviting!
Your wonderful use of boutis on the table brings to mind a question about using boutis on beds. We have not used blankets or bedspreads on our beds since we discovered eiderdowns (aka down comforter or duvet) in Switzerland in 1964 and put them on our beds, over the sheets. (All year here in Portland Oregon, a lightweight eiderdown is cool, and warm, enough, and putting a bedspread over an eiderdown that has a cover on it is unnecessary.) When you are using boutis as blankets or bedspreads on beds, do you remove your eiderdowns/comforters/duvets?
I use them on the beds as a decorative feature… they go on last… so my sheets and blankets are underneath… In summer time I generally take them off… xv
The textures are beautiful! And I love single stems displayed like this. And seeing things with fresh eyes rather than locking them into being reserved only for particular uses. It very much appeals to my practical nature. I hope you’re having a lovely weekend, Vicki.
i love EVERYTHING bout the setting.
perfection.
xox
VICKI MA BELLE!
Oh I love boutis. The French way is so effortless and elegant at the same time and a Provençal table allows one to take in the sensuous experience of good food and drink and artistry, all at the same time!
It is nice to come back after a week of being away from the computer due to having a friend from out of state stay with me. Looking forward to more of your gorgeous posts! Anita
I love the look! I have an old tattered quilt that I’ve used on my garden table when serving aperitifs in the garden. I love the look.
I’ve also been obsessed with finding a vintage French linen sheet set monogrammed with “A” for Amy…THAT would make a spectacular tablecloth!
I do love the look of quilts on tables. My husband, though, always needs reassurance that I didn’t take the quilt off some bed and put it on the table without washing it prior.
Reading this days article made me pine away for the tabletop quilt I could not buy at the Lourmarin Market on Friday. Came so close, but alas, not enough room with all the other treasures! It will be my first purchase next summer when, hopefully we return to Provence.
Hi Vicki, I forgot to ask if the bowl holding the nectarines in the picture was made by Helene Paris? Love her pieces, and met her in Cucuron last week!
Yes … it was… I love her work too… xv