How to Set a Farmhouse Easter Table

LEARN HOW TO SET A FARMHOUSE EASTER TABLE WITH A SIMPLE VINTAGE TABLE LINEN, ANTIQUE SILVERWARE, WHITE DISHES, FAMILY TREASURES, AND MY SIMPLE FORMULA.

EASTER TABLE COLLABORATION

This post is in collaboration with three talented blogger friends of mine. To see their beautiful Easter table settings read to the end of this post to find their links.

Earlier this week I shared my Easter Resurrection Garden that we often use on our Easter table. I’ve decided I will be using that garden on my kitchen island this year where we serve buffet style. I have some new ideas for my table!

FARMHOUSE EASTER TABLE

For my farmhouse Easter table post today I’m going to change things up a bit and set my porch table. Our family gatherings are large enough that we have to sit at several tables. We have at times used the porch table when the weather is nice.

If you have been around for a while you probably already know I like rustic, simple, and thrifty decorating. I’m not too fussy and even Easter dinners at my home aren’t too fancy.

I like to rearrange, borrow and pull together my decor from different rooms in my home, from thrift shops and…sometimes from around the farm. So, in keeping with that idea, my table is a pull together of many favorite spring colors and treasures.

Some I’ve inherited and others I’ve collected. Most are items I don’t get out too often because I keep a pretty neutral home. So, it has been fun to pull them together for my farmhouse Easter table.

FARMHOUSE EASTER TABLE LINENS

One thing I seem to collect plenty of is old linens. My daughters also. Vintage linens are so inexpensive at yard sales, estate sales, and thrift stores. Between us, we have a plethora of little delicate crocheted and embroidered hankies, napkins, tea towels, runners, aprons, tablecloths, and even several vintage quilts.

When I went to dig through my linen stash to see what I could use this Easter I found this pretty pink tablecloth. I normally stick with neutrals and blues in my home so this was probably stashed by a daughter.

But its pretty bright colors just seemed to call to me today. And it perfectly matches other vintage heirlooms I own and would love to use. Like grandma’s pink depression glass plate and a coral pink Abingdon double cornucopia vase. Beautiful pieces I seldom get out and use.

FARMHOUSE EASTER TABLE MIXED TABLEWARE

I have been privileged to have inherited 3 sets of silverware from grandmothers in Bill’s family. Some pieces are in better condition than others, but it is fun to get them out on special occasions and enjoy them.

For this table setting, I decided to mix up these beautiful silver pieces to go with my mix of old and new white dishes. I don’t have enough of any of them to really do a whole table. So I like to use a different set at each place setting.

The dinner plates are newer Gibson dishes my children purchased for me for Christmas several few years ago….24 place settings for our large family gatherings! They are perfect for pairing with white vintage dishes I have collected over the years.

The salad and bread plates are vintage ironstone I’ve picked up at thrift stores and flea markets. They are similar style but different shades of white. I like the look of all the different whites and creams stacked together. They add another touch of age and elegance to the table.

And, I actually found the simple water goblets for $5 at a yard sale years ago. They aren’t anything fancy but get the job done. And I don’t have to worry about breaking them because Libby still makes them.

MY FARMHOUSE EASTER TABLE FORMULA

Following are the key pieces involved in creating a farmhouse Easter table setting with charm and meaning. Have fun and think outside the box when looking for these pieces. Shop your home or the thrift store and get creative!

Foundation:

Pick a foundation piece that sets your farmhouse mood. Think about color, texture, and style here. I have often utilized vintage tablecloths or runners that come at a fraction of the cost of new from thrift and antique stores. Don’t worry if your cloth isn’t large enough. You can either layer it over a larger one or put it in the center and let your farmhouse table show.

Centerpiece:

Pick out a larger decorative piece in keeping with the theme, two or three supporting pieces, some old books and then add in some pretty food on a pedestal or platter. That is really all it takes.

For our family, Easter is a day of celebrating the resurrection of Christ so I have included some little lambs in my centerpiece to help us remember. And, of course, faux tulips stuffed in an old watering can always fit on a farmhouse Easter table.

Tableware:

When in doubt, and to stand the test of time, stick with white. Farmhouse dishes don’t have to be fancy to be beautiful. If you don’t have a beautiful set of white dishes, start collecting them one piece at a time. By sticking with all whites and creams, found pieces, whether new or old, will look unified and instantly add elegance to your table.

If you want to add color, throw in some pretty salad plates with your other white dishes. Or, as I did, use a bright napkin or other decor on your plates to enhance the white.

Utensils:

Again, if you don’t have a formal set of silver don’t worry. Begin collecting vintage silver pieces at yard and thrift sales. Polish them up, and before long you will have a beautiful collection!

Napkins:

Use farmhouse ginghams, stripes, florals or plaids to coordinate or contract with your foundation linens and your dishes. I purchased a new 6 pack of tea towels that could easily be cut in half to make 12 for a fraction of the cost of new napkins. Or, just use them as napkins for your special occasion and then move them into the kitchen to just use for extra towels.

Another thrifty idea is to purchase a vintage tablecloth or sheet at a thrift store for a couple of bucks and cut and sew it into napkins.

Candles:

Candles aren’t just for winter. They bring a celebratory mood to an Easter meal. No special dinner would be complete without some candlelight, so be sure to actually light them!

My candlesticks were a dark mahogany brown color when I found them at the thrift shop recently. A little chalk paint and sandpaper and they are as good as new! Using these tall candlesticks brings needed height to the table.

Personal Touches:

To make your guests feel special, add something more personal to each dinner plate. This could be as simple as a personal place card, a cookie, a small gift or a flower.

Download my FREE Farmhouse Place Card Printable and also get access to my subscribers-only Resource Library!

EMBOSSED LEMON SHORTBREAD COOKIES

These darling cookies!! Aren’t they the bomb? Served on a pretty depression glass platter atop a pedestal they make a perfect addition to your farmhouse Easter table decor. These simple einkorn flour and traditional white flour shortbread cookies easily become something exceptional by adding sprinkles and rolling with an embossed rolling pin.

Watch for my post coming early next week with a video on using the embossed rolling pin for perfect results every time!

FARMHOUSE EASTER TABLE VIDEO

SHOP MY FARMHOUSE EASTER TABLE LOOK

PIN THIS TO YOUR FARMHOUSE TABLE BOARD!

VIEW MORE BEAUTIFUL EASTER TABLES ON THE TOUR

Thanks so much for stopping by the farmhouse today! Be sure to take just a few minutes to check out these beautiful posts below. And, if you enjoyed this post, drop me a comment below. And remember to stop back next week to catch that Embossed Lemon Shortbread Cookie tutorial!

Bye now, Julie

Katie at Hearts Content Farmhouse is sharing a ‘Simple and Natural Farmhouse Spring Table’.

Jennifer at The Everyday Farmhouse is sharing a ‘Simple Easter Table’.

Morgan at The Cheeky Homemaker is sharing a ‘Spring Tablescape’.

TUTORIALS MENTIONED IN THIS POST