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The Frugal Homemaker

Your guide to turning your house into a home... one DIY project and yard sale find at a time

Beach-inspired tablescape with Better Homes and Gardens new porcelain dishes (+ entertaining tips for hosting a stress-free meal)

June 26, 2013

Beach-inspired tablescape with new Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

I love entertaining and having people over for a party, cookout, or pretty much any  excuse to get together and have yummy food, fun, and fellowship together!  And I love decorating a pretty table (or actually just decorating period!)

So when Better Homes and Gardens contacted me and wanted me to try out their new line of porcelain dishes available in the Better Homes and Gardens line at Wal-mart, I was super excited! I don’t know if you have seen all the wonderful products that Better Homes and Gardens has in Wal-mart, but I love them!  You can find everything from furniture, rugs, curtains, decorating accessories, candles, plants and flowers, to table linens, dishes, cookware and so much more!  I always am excited to see their holiday line of dishes and décor and showed you a fall tablescape featuring Better Homes and Gardens fall dishes last year.

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

I chose the square porcelain white dishes.  I LOVED the square shape and thought they would be a wonderful addition to add to my dish collection.  You will definitely be seeing these dishes pop up in the future.  They have many other collections as well – a round set, one with ridges on the dishes, and more.

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

I debated back and forth on how I would use them to set a pretty table – should I do a red/white/blue theme for 4th of July, what would I use as a centerpiece, how could I incorporate the colors in my dining room into the table and more.  There are so many options with a set of basic white dishes – I highly recommend that everyone invest in a set of white dishes.  And Better Homes and Gardens makes it completely affordable with their porcelain dishes – less than $40 for a 16 piece set (4 servings).

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

After I browsed some of the other dining accessories and table accessories at Wal-mart and thought about what I already had on hand, I decided to do a beach theme!   We will be hosting a dinner for some friends as sort of a thank you for the huge blessing they have been to us recently and it will be special to have a pretty table all set for our dinner.

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

Now lets talk about how it all came together.  These cornhusk placemats are from the BHG line at Wal-mart too.  Then I stacked up the plates, added a starfish in the bowl, my silverware and glasses, and layered some white and turquoise napkins that I already had to add some color.

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

Some of the bowls got brown starfish we have collected on different beach trips.

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

For the centerpiece I took some vintage blue Ball jars and added some sand and tealights inside.  I put those on top of a white cake plate, surrounded with shells from past family beach trips.

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

And then layered that on top of this gorgeous bamboo tray I picked up from Wal-mart, also from the BHG line.  That tray will be fun to use in so many ways too!  And the colors were perfect to mimic the “sand color” and tie in with the placemats.

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

The mercury glass candlesticks are also from the BHG line at Wal-mart – see, I told you they have some gorgeous stuff and at super affordable prices too!

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

The table just came together perfectly!  I love it and it is a perfect tablescape for summer.

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

And the colors – oh, the colors!  They perfectly tie in with the gray and white on the walls and my dining room curtains.  I may have found a new decorating theme for this room.  In fact I wouldn’t mind using these same colors throughout my whole house. Smile

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

I set up a tray on my china hutch with the porcelain mugs (which mix and matched perfectly with my white thrifted ironstone and coffee pot) ready to serve coffee to my guests.

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

And I also picked up another BHG accessory at Wal-mart to help spruce up my dining space.  Loved this quatrefoil shaped mirror and the price tag of less than $20 – steal of a deal.  I had already picked up the lamp on clearance and had it in there so then I just borrowed my painted yard sale candlesticks from my mantel too.

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

Took an extra dinner plate and added a glass candleholder and more sand, shells, and a candle for a pretty display.

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

I never really liked the framed art I kept in there after my dining room redo – it just didn’t match the rest of the room.  But NOW, it is gorgeous!

buffet before and after

Here’s a few more pictures of the dishes and tablescape.

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

Here’s a couple other ideas I could have done using some red or patterned dishes I already had.  White dishes are the perfect base to do any type of table setting.4 ways to decorate with different pattern plates

Now you may be thinking, I could never set a table that pretty or host a fancy dinner.  Don’t worry, I have thought the same thing.  But it really is possible to do and not stress about it too.

Tips for hosting a no-stress dinner and setting a pretty table

1. Prepare ahead of time.  Think ahead how you are going to set your table – colors, themes, dishes and if you can go ahead and set your table if you can.  Clean house beforehand – not last minute.

2. Use things you already have!  This is my #1 tip in decorating.  You don’t have to go buy a bunch of accessories.  Concentrate on picking up basic accessories over time like white dishes, white napkins, placemats that can be used in many ways, etc.  Then you will already have those things on hand.  Then pull accessories from all over the house – candles, things that can be used as centerpieces, other décor (I raided my bathroom that is decorated in a beach theme for the starfish, shells, and coral).

3. Fix food ahead of time and dishes that you have prepared before.  Unless you are super brave the best time to try out that fancy dish you saw on the front of the latest magazine is NOT when you are having company.  I have broke this rule a few times and come out ok, but still it does add some unneeded stress and worry.  Fix food that can be prepared ahead of time if possible and won’t take much last minute prep.  Don’t be afraid to do some store bought things – a store bought cake put on a pretty platter can be just as good if you don’t have time to bake.

4. Relax and enjoy your guests!  Once your company arrives, forget about that dirty handprint you just spotted on the wall and the rolls that got a bit brown on the bottom – your company probably won’t even notice.  They aren’t there to inspect your home or critique your food – they are there to enjoy your company!

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

Setting a beautiful table with Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes

I hope you will check out the new line of Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes at Wal-mart.  And while you are there don’t forget to check out all the other accessories too.  You can see their entire line here and also follow BHG @Walmart on Twitter, on Pinterest, or on facebook.

Disclaimer: I was provided a gift card to shop for Better Homes and Gardens products at Wal-mart but I wasn’t told what to say and all opinions and statements are mine.  Thanks so much Better Homes and Gardens!

20 Comments LABELS ~ Seasonal Decorating

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Comments

  1. Lisa says

    June 26, 2013 at 6:14 PM

    Wow, this looks great! My question for BH&G, though, is why do they make those bowls so huge? I wish they would make normal (read: smaller) size bowls. I was in Walmart looking at dishes today and it seemed that every set had “cereal” bowls that would hold half a box of cereal! And if you think kids will only fill a bowl half-way, because that would be plenty, think again! Your table, and the whole room, looks really good. Congratulations!

    Reply
  2. Amie says

    June 26, 2013 at 6:39 PM

    looks so pretty – white dishes are so fresh and clean. I have bought some pretty BH&G things at Wamart, love the prices!

    Reply
  3. Ashley says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:57 PM

    That is one beautiful table! Love how you layered all the dishes, fabrics, and textures. I am inspired and need to go check out BH&G to Walmart.

    Reply
  4. kathy w says

    June 26, 2013 at 10:46 PM

    I love the way your table turned out. The colors match your drapes too and it looks so good.
    You really did a good job and you picked out some nice looking pieces.

    Reply
  5. Kelly Palmer says

    June 27, 2013 at 3:56 PM

    Your dining room and tablescape look absolutely beautiful 🙂

    Reply
  6. Christine says

    June 29, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    Gorgeous tablescape….and I positively LOVE your dining room curtains and the fact that they match is hysterical….what great colors you chose…makes me miss my SW Florida Home near the beach…Have a great weekend!

    XO,
    Christine

    Reply
  7. Jenna says

    June 29, 2013 at 6:01 PM

    So pretty, I love the centerpiece. Of course the colors are perfect with your drapes!

    Reply
  8. sujatha says

    June 30, 2013 at 6:14 AM

    Very soothing and a beautiful beach scape.white and the blue along with shells makes the table look great.love everything about it.Hope you too visit me to see my beach scape.your room is pretty…Thank you..:):)

    Reply
  9. Lanita says

    July 3, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    Christina,
    I love your tourquoise beach inspired table!! I just enjoyed a week at the beach with family & friends, and it was so nice and relaxing! This would be a great table to recreate our good memories from the beach. I collected several shells that would look great, too!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Lanita

    Reply
  10. Kimberly Sneed says

    July 17, 2013 at 1:19 PM

    LOVE your table too! Aren’t those dishes fab? I love that I can use them for everything – eating, entertaining, serving…BHG rocks!

    Reply
  11. Jeannette says

    January 22, 2014 at 7:49 PM

    I actually blog likewise and I am crafting a thing comparable to this excellent blog
    post, “Beach-inspired tablescape with Better Homes and Gardens new porcelain dishes (+ entertaining tips for hosting a stress-free meal)”.

    Will you mind in the event Iwork with a little of your points?
    Thank you ,Catharine

    Reply
  12. Caron says

    August 23, 2014 at 10:50 AM

    Very pretty! So glad that I stumbled on your blog this morning, am sharing your table idea on our facebook page this morning. Love this as a transition from summer into fall.

    Reply
  13. Dot salvagin says

    January 18, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    Oh wow! I just saw this on Pinterest and I’m blown away. I will definitely be heading to Walmart to grab what I can to make this gorgeous table scape. Thnak you!!!

    Reply
  14. Nadine says

    January 3, 2016 at 9:05 AM

    Could you please tell me where I can buy the dishes pictured in the photo? Not the white square ones. TIA! ?

    Reply
  15. Judy says

    June 19, 2016 at 11:56 AM

    I have the same question as Nafine from January 2016…where can I find the plates in the original picture, not the white ones, but the turquoise ones with shells?

    Reply
  16. Anna says

    August 3, 2016 at 10:40 PM

    Hi could you please tell me where you got your curtains. Love them!

    Reply
  17. Katy Beacher says

    February 21, 2018 at 5:41 PM

    Great suggestions. But I think the best one is to make something you’ve made before. I’ve made that terrible mistake of trying a new recipe for guests.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tablescape Features says:
    July 3, 2013 at 11:29 PM

    […] A Beach Inspired Tablescape from the Frugal Homemaker. […]

    Reply
  2. How to set a pretty table with yard sale finds (tablescape for less than $5.00!) | The Frugal Homemaker says:
    July 8, 2013 at 3:27 PM

    […] just grabbed 4 place settings of my white square Better Homes and Gardens porcelain dishes that I showed you in my dining room beach inspired tablescape a few weeks […]

    Reply
  3. 31 Days of Fall Inspiration: Fall table with Better Homes and Gardens white porcelain dishes (+ win a set of your own dishes!) | The Frugal Homemaker says:
    October 9, 2013 at 9:39 PM

    […] shared these beautiful white porcelain dishes with you back in the summer for a beach tablescape in my dining room.  But I wanted to show you how I added some fall themed dishes and […]

    Reply

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Hi!  My name is Christina . . .

I love doing simple, frugal things to make our house feel like HOME! Come learn along with me how to have a beautiful home on a budget.

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