Spring Plates: A Nature Inspired Rustic Table Setting
In this post: For seasonal spring tablescape ideas, this nature inspired rustic table setting utilizes spring plates and other motifs to drive home the theme.⇒
Does the sound of birds chirping conjure up memories for you? For me it immediately takes me back to my childhood bedroom. To be clear, I did not grow up in the country or even a pastoral suburb. No, I grew up in a borough of New York City, yet even so, or perhaps even more so because of this, I was enchanted by the sounds of nature that could not be stopped by concrete and brick. The chirping birds, even then, transported me out to a field with wildflowers and butterflies. Nature awakening even in the city was magical and to this day I find this sound one of the most charming of all. So, of course, bird motifs are more than welcome among my spring table decorations!
I enjoy using bird imagery along with other cues from nature on my spring tables and that’s exactly how I approached this table setting from a Passover seder and dinner. The Passover holiday is a spring festival that celebrates the Exodus from Egypt. The traditional dinner that commemorates this event is called a seder, and it’s one of the trickiest meals to set a table and cook for, due to the ritual rich nature of the holiday and the dietary restrictions that go along with it. This seder table celebrates the season, while providing the elements for the traditional dinner, all delivered in a nature-inspired spring table setting. The selections for this setting were both intentional and conceptual, as my goal was to celebrate both the arrival of spring and this significant holiday.
The floral arrangements paid homage to spring’s natural colors, with blue hydrangeas and seasonal greens and woodsy sprigs for movement and flair. The burlap tablecloth lends another nod to nature, a whole lot more rustic than a white linen would have offered.
The lovely bird motif on these spring plates are a veritable illustration of all that spring offers. I can hardly think of a more apt choice to enjoy this spring festival, with nests and eggs and a tranquil palette. (See resource list below.)
If you’ve never experienced a seder meal, it’s interesting to note it includes a recounting of the story of Exodus. At the center of the table is the seder plate, comprised of symbolic food items that represent the bitterness of bondage and other significant aspects of the Passover story. I used a very non-traditional DIY seder plate, made up of rows of dipping dishes labeled with graphic cards I designed and printed to match. The cards denote what’s included on a traditional seder plate.
The overall feeling of the table is soft and natural, but a little glimmer is served up via the aqua candlesticks and the glittered pillar candles. The warm glow of the votives helps to counter the cool blues.
The glen plaid goblets are cut crystal and the cream dinner plates pay homage to the English countryside. The flatware is vintage silver.
The narrative is retold from a special book called a Haggadah, which encourages children to ask questions and be curious.
I chose frog napkin rings specifically to represent one of the ten biblical plagues inflicted on Egypt. The blue ruffled napkins are layered over white embroidered ones, a pretty counterpoint to the difficult story.
The meal is a special event and is dressed to honor the occasion.
Candle glow reflects the warm family scene, an orderly setting for the ordered ritual of the meal. Have you ever been to a seder
Spring Plates Shopping Guide
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pretty and elegant.
Thanks Pearl!
Although I worked with many Jewish clients in my career, I never attended a seder. I understand it is quite a wonderful tradition, and you have made it that much more so with this beautiful table setting! Wow! The colors are amazing, and the way you displayed the seder plate is really beautiful while remaining respectful of the tradition. The frog napkin rings’ symbolism…genius! Love that!!! I also like the way you introduced the rough hewn table covering to counter the more elegant tabletop accessories. Very pretty! And I can’t say enough about that beautiful centerpiece. The flowers are exquisite!
I think that in addition to the Haggadah, the very nature of this table would raise the curiosity of children and adults alike. Very well done!
Wow, that could be my best comment ever! … 😉 Thank you for appreciating all the little bits that went into this, as well as the tradition behind it. You’d be welcome at my table any time!
What a beautiful table! The floral arrangement is gorgeous and I love every element you’ve chosen for the table…lovely!
Thanks so much Melinda!!
I know next to nothing about the seder meal, except that it is steeped in tradition and must follow certain rules, so I really enjoyed your explanation…LOVE the modern take on the seder plate. Your table is gorgeous with the soft colors and natural palette and all the beautiful elements~the napkins, F&F plates and the flowers, wow~
Thank you so much Jenna, and thanks for allowing me to share this tradition with you… 🙂
Hi Lory,
This is my first time to visit, and sure enjoyed it. What a lovely lovely table.
and yes, I have been to a seder service at our church once, and it was really neat. I am a christian, so I am very familiar with the Exodus Story, and the meaning of it and what it represents. In fact, we tried to duplicate some of the elements in our 5th Grade Sunday School class many many years ago too, I had forgotten about that until now……..lol
I am in love with your blue bird plates, they are gorgeous, and you did an awesome job on your floral arrangement as well.
The colors are all so soothing and pretty. That Robins egg blue is one of my all time favorite colors anyway. You did a great
job of marrying the seder supper with the look of spring. Wonderful job!
Blessings, Nellie
Thank you Nellie! What a wonderful and thoughtful comment. I’m so glad you appreciated the post and yes, I thought the Exodus story would be resonant for most people… 🙂
Lory ~ The table is beautiful and has such attention to detail. I love the colors! I have to confess I know next to nothing about your tradition. Maybe you can teach those of us who know so little about your tradition in a future post. I would love to know all about it! Thanks!
Thank you Jan! I have to admit I went a little light on the tradition because I didn’t want to bore people who weren’t interested. Perhaps next time I can do a “read more here” section… 😉 Rosh Hashanah is coming up soon. Be on the lookout for my table with apples and honey (for a sweet New Year)!
Incredibly beautiful and meaningful! Wonderful table,Lory.
Thank you so much, Pat!
Beautiful table to celebrate a beautiful holiday meal. Still not typing much due to rotator surgery…however, the table is awesome.
Aw, thanks for taking the time and expending the effort to comment, Bev!!
I have never been to seder, not sure why, my husband has worked for Isreali companies and has traveled there countless times over the years since the 90’s. I love the Isreali people!
Your pictures and captions are so lovely and tell a thoughtful story of the meal. The plate stack softened by the Pottery Barn napkin is worth studying. It’s amazing how the burlap is the perfect counterpoint to all the beautiful pieces of the table. The thought you put into each detail is inspiring. Thanks so much
P.S. Alycia is a master communicator.
Thanks Wanda! I actually just checked your page out and I recognized it from your wonderful Hemingway setting. I love how conceptual you are – I think we work in the same way with respect to that. Also loved your setting with the citrus in it – already has an Amalfi feel to it. Reminds me of my Father’s Day setting. Anyway, I meant to comment about those on your page, not mine, but then I saw your comment here. So thanks agains and I will keep visiting too… 🙂
Lory, you are right, my lemon bowl with the Karima salad and diner pottery plates are perfect start for the Amalfi Coast table, now just waiting for the lemon tree to bear fruit and I can set up the table outside. Thanks
What a wonderful post! The first thing that got my attention was the lovely shade of blue of the napkins. There just cannot be a prettier color! The rest of the table is equally, as pretty and certainly brings us out of winter into spring.
Thanks, Diane! Funny, I never used to be a blue girl, but I’m leaning that way more and more… 🙂
When my sons were young, attending Catholic school, they participated in a seder, and I found it to be so beautiful! I love rituals like this, that remind us of where we come from. Your table is just perfect! Those Fitz and Floyd dishes are beautiful, and there go those frog napkin rings again. I’m so mad at myself for not buying them when they were available! Everything is beautiful, Lori, as usual!
Thanks, Maria!! Now that spring is coming, I’m looking to do another table with the Fitz and Floyd dishes. Will be a fun challenge to make it look different… 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Preparing a beautiful table that celebrates both spring and sacred tradition requires a special talent and you have it in spades. Every detail is perfection.
Thank you so much, Linda! What a lovely comment… 🙂
Thank you so much for the beautiful table design and reminding us of the Passover tradition. Our church has a Passover dinner every year. Each year we learn and enjoy the privilege of sharing such a meaningful tradition.
Thank you Cynthia!! It certainly is one of those holidays packed with ritual and tradition… 🙂
What a beautiful and meaningful tradition. I’ve never been to a seder….this table is so absolutely gorgeous, and you have expressed the theme to perfection! I love every element.
Thank you so much! Every time I think of Spring I return to this table. Already thinking about what to do for this coming year’s seder… 😉
Such a gorgeous table setting! Love the plates, the candles, and the frog napkin rings. TFS! Visiting from Dream, Create, Inspire.
Thanks, Amy!! Thanks for stopping by… 🙂
Your table is stunning. I love how the bird plates, the blue linen napkins, and the centerpiece. Pinning!
Thanks so much, Eilis!! I love to stay thematic with my tables. It makes it more fun… 🙂 Thanks for visiting!!
Your table is gorgeous Lory. I love the bird plates! I’m not familiar with much detail about the jewish celebration, but I am sure this would be lovely! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you, Jann… 🙂
Beautiful table setting. Thank you for sharing it on SYC. Jo
Thanks, Joanne!!
This table is beautiful! Thank you for explaining the seder meal. I was drawn into your narrative as much as the tablescape.
Thank you so much, Sandra! It’s so nice when people appreciate other people’s traditions… 🙂 Thanks for visiting!!
We are Christians, but we have observed Passover for the last 5 years. The reason? Because in Exodus God said to do it forever! We have taken that to heart and have found it incredibly meaningful.
I love your table! It is so creative and different from mine, which is formal and traditional. I use cobalt and gold encrusted china, ornate sterling candlesticks, my best linens, the works. I have learned that the observance of Passover is very like any other tradition or holiday. Everyone brings their own uniqueness to the table. We can all take inspiration from one another, can we not? And yours is definitely an inspiration!
Thanks, Yolie! Yes, we can absolutely be inspired by other people’s traditions… 🙂 Your table sounds lovely and is much closer to how I’ve set my table many times over the years. More recently I’ve looked to infuse my tables with a different look for variation, but I still love a formal table. Do you do the whole seder complete with the reading? It’s a holiday rich with imagery and ritual and certainly is quite meaningful. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Beautiful for your special meal.
Hi again, Lory!
You can tell we are newbies. You have done it long enough that you can play with it a little. Yes, we do the whole thing, the reading, the hiding of the Afikomen, the kosher meal, opening the front door – all of it. The meal takes quite a lot of time but is so rich in meaning and in reminding us of who we are and who God is – it’s all worth it! Actually, I write our own Haggadah. I go online and draw from the myriad that are available. There is so much to learn! And, believe it or not, it completely opens up our understanding of the Crucifixion of Christ. I also have a wonderful silk hand embroidered Matzo and Afikomen set from Israel. I found a beautiful old silver kiddish cup and a wonderful Elijah cup. And I love the four questions. As you can see, we are totally into it! Thanks for asking
Wow, how wonderful for you! Well, then I wish you a very sweet Passover or a ‘zissen Pesach’, as we say… 🙂
When I first saw these Spring plates on Pinterest a while back from your original post, I had to have them. And your whole table setting is so beautiful! I have also attended a few Seder meals and found them to be a beautiful and spiritual experience. Zissen Pesach!
Thank you so much!!
Yes, I have celebrated the beautiful feast of Passover several times. I have only done one meal at home but attended several group Passovers led by messsianic Jewish rabbis. I have collected several Haggadah to use when I was teaching Sunday school. It really helps to celebrate this feast so that the children better understand the impact of the exodus on the nation of Israel. And that God has a long range plan for the people of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Even 4 year olds can get a tiny grasp of the huge significance of the feast to Jews and Christians! Zissen Pesach!
How wonderful! And thank you!! Zissen Pesach and Happy Easter to you, too!
So interesting to see your Seder table! Thanks for sharing. We did celebrate Passover at our Christian church a few times and very much appreciated the explanation of the various food items. Leave it to you to make it all look so pretty! Those F&F place settings are now on my ‘wish’ list. Hope you enjoyed your holiday!
Thank you so much, Donna! It makes a complicated holiday fun… 🙂
Lory,
I have been to a Seder once at a very special setting in Orlando where we were walked through the entire meal and the symbolism of each piece of food, etc., was brilliantly explained. It was so lovely to see the symbolism and significance of each element that is placed on the table. For those of us who know the Biblical traditions and history nothing could be more meaningful.
Your version is extraordinary! It is apparent that your love for tradition and your faith are easy for you to show; it seems to come so naturally to you. I can only imagine how many times you have partaken of this wonderful meal with so many loved ones around the table as a child, teen, young adult, and now using your parents’ pieces for your own table. How precious!
Like you, I love using my family heirlooms because they add so much significance and love to a table. Even if others don’t know about each piece, I do, and look upon each item lovingly. I smile when I use my mother’s silver, like you, my grandmother’s platters, tea cups, etc. We are blessed to have these items to use and then to pass onto our own children.
Thank you, Lory, for sharing your heart in this lovely table setting.
Blessings,
Teresa
Thank you for your heartfelt comment! It certainly is one of the more symbolic holidays and most difficult to cook for, as well! It’s wonderful to appreciate each other’s traditions, even when they are different than our own… 🙂