Celebrating French Style Dinner At The Beach House

Evening is so often rushed with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and truth be told now that the kiddos are grown and out I miss those family dinners at times. Even though it’s mostly just my husband and me most evenings, we just don’t get to sit and dine with busy schedules. But when we are up at our our beach place…

it’s more leisurely and relaxing and probably better for the digestion than wolfing down some chicken and a salad…

Bartley knew that something was up when I set up the table and wanted in on it!

I started with the flowers and that’s actually how I shop at the grocery store. I shop Whole Foods by the house and Fresh Market by the beach house and I’m sure that it’s not a coincidence that the floral department of both are located right as you walk in. Is it like that in your area too?

Pretty pale pink stock is a favorite of mine for the look and the scent. I love to give some height to my arrangements and stock is generally taller than mixed grocery store flowers…

Our beach house dining table is holding up so well to the elements and sometimes a bit of partying abuse:~}}. It’s a DIY and we have built several different types of FARMHOUSE TABLES. You can find complete instructions in THIS POST and yet another in THIS POST. We’ve got you covered guys in the TABLE BUILDING department!

But dinner is also about the food…like this French croissant dessert that I hope to share the recipe to soon in an upcoming post…

And the dishes, like this giant antique French transferware platter in blue and white. Yes, it makes sense to me to incorporate French style decorating in a beach house and not cave to the typical coastal style…

The table seats eight, but most of the time it’s just the two of us and that leaves plenty of room to spread things out…

Not just dessert, but a loaf of freshly baked crusty French bread, goat cheese brie and a great bottle of wine…

 

The golden hour light pours in from the big sliding doors that were open to the rhythm of ocean waves…

 

Joie de vivre…

As it turns from dusk to evening candles are lit…

I hope that you come away from my posts feeling inspired…
I’m joining with 6 other bloggers to bring you this French Country Design Series.
Country French Design Series | Designthusiasm.com
Once a month we post as a group our unique perspectives on a common theme, and this is the third in our three month series, “Morning, Noon and Night”. I invite you to enjoy the wonderful posts below evoking a French Country Evening…
French Country Series | Maison de Pax
French Country Series | Cedar Hill Farmhouse
French Blue Guest Room | Designthusiasm.com
French Country Design Series | French Country Cottage
French Country Series | Housepitality Designs
French Country Series | Savvy Southern Style

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11 Comments

  1. Marcello Cundari says:

    I never liked shabby décor too casual for me but you have definitely changed my mind after seeing your beach house and your beautiful home! It is absolutely stunning!

  2. What a gorgeous place to have dinner! Yes, our Whole Foods is the same and it's my go-to place for flowers. I just love your arrangement and everything else at your lovely table… 🙂

  3. Let me start off by saying that I cannot wait for the "recipe" for that dessert!….Beautiful table and ambiance!….the flowers are always exceptionally gorgeous!!

  4. I can almost smell the ocean. What a lovely post. I love that centerpiece, and the simple food sounds utterly delightful. Love the airy, uncluttered look of your Dining Room. And, by the way, this is the first time I see flamingoes done right.

  5. Just beautiful! Can you tell me more about the flamingo art work?

    1. It’s from a local artist and I purchased it years ago at a yard sale!

  6. Your table is beautiful and the flowers are perfect. The dessert looks great and can’t wait for the recipe. Nice wine with brie, good bread, doesn’t get much better. I love making my baked brie in puff pastry.

    Have a super weekend

    Cindy

  7. Kareen Weidenfeller says:

    Hello,
    I love the dining room chairs are they Weathered Oak in color? Every website I see them the color is slightly different.

    Thank you so much

    1. Hi Kareen, thanks for stopping by! The chairs are from Restoration Hardware in a weathered oak. I’ve had them for a long time and not sure that they still carry them? There are lots of other places that have this style, as you mentioned!