I’ve never been the best rule-follower. If a teacher said to color the sun yellow, I would mix orange and pink and maybe even a little magenta to make my sun unique. So for this wonderful Broadway tablescape theme (suggested by Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate), I hope all my fellow bloggers will forgive me if I strayed a little from the rules. I had great fun being part of this collaboration and creating a lovely tablescape, even if my Broadway interpretation is a bit loose. But hey, some of the most beautiful suns I’ve ever seen weren’t yellow at all.
When I began researching current Broadway productions for inspiration, nothing grabbed me. Until I came across Beautiful. I’m probably dating myself here, but this is what came to mind when I learned that the life of Carole King has been made into a Broadway musical.
Carole King’s album Tapestry. Her long, curly hair. The hippie vibe. The sun warming the windowsill. And those bell-bottoms. (Okay, so they may not look like bell-bottoms to you, but I know they were. Or at least they were bell-bottom pre-cursors. This album was released in 1971. I was 11 years old. I had an older brother who narrowly missed the Vietnam draft, older sisters with Shag haircuts, and I owned a poncho. Trust me, in all my prepubescent arrogance, I knew all about bell-bottoms.)
This album cover was as much of my childhood as standardized tests and Santa Claus. I loved Carole King. But how to build a modern tablescape around the Broadway musical Beautiful? Easy. One of the most famous songs she ever wrote is Up On the Roof. If you don’t know it, I encourage you to grab your ear-phones and listen.
When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space
On the roof, it’s peaceful as can be
And there the world below can’t bother me
That’s it! A roof-top dinner! An earthy table setting with fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables to capture that organic feel of the sixties.
On my little urban balcony, high above the noise and hoopla of the city.
With the mellow songs of Carole King playing softly in the background amid the carefree conversation of good friends. What can I say? It was a lovely night. Maybe even beautiful?
Oh, and I forgot to mention that my food theme was Moroccan, as I make a killer couscous using my French mother-in-law’s family recipe.
But before dinner, we enjoyed appetizers on my east balcony.
And yes, despite the fancy silver tray, that candy keyboard arrangement you see is made from Kit Kats! (Another tribute to Carole King.)
After hummus, pita bread and champagne, we moved to the west balcony for our meal…
What are you waiting for? Come on in and take a seat…
I paired the khaki linen tablecloth with crisp white linen napkins, rolled into a rosebud. (Linens from Target.) Years ago, I bought the blue water glasses from Biot, a small village in the south of France; the glassware there is hand-blown (hence the little air bubbles.)
To pay homage to the wonderful songstress, miscellaneous lyrics from Carole King’s songs were written onto cards attached to each napkin. Throughout the evening, my friends shared how those lyrics connected to their lives. (Yes, I’m one of those people, who love sappy party games.)
I spray painted tin cans copper for a Moroccan, Bohemian touch to use as vases.
And I even used these little iron Cicada shaped tablecloth weights I bought in France.
Nothing is more beautiful than fresh flowers, so I carefully selected varieties with a free-spirited, European flavor.
For the center vase (a cement & glass vase I bought on sale at Target) I used big, bold hydrangea and peony blossoms, along with a few purple Irises, with lots of leafy fillers. I tossed in ample Italian Ruscus stems, because they remind me of olive branches.
For the smaller vases, I used orange roses and Dusty Miller.
On top of a wide strip of moss, I placed artichokes, oranges and limes.
I chilled the wine (housed in a ceramic planter) with floral ice cubes. (See my flower ice cube tutorial here.)
In anticipation of the evening lasting well after sunset, I strung vintage style lights around the balcony.
Which become magical when the sun goes down.
And in Carole King’s words…
Right smack dab in the middle of town
I’ve found a paradise that’s trouble proof (up on the roof)
Thank you Carole King for your inspiration. My Moroccan roof-top dinner was indeed beautiful, with one caveat… while cleaning up afterwards, my husband and I noticed that half an octave was eaten out of the lovely Kit Kat piano candy. We knew our guests didn’t have any nor did we. Hmm… while editing the photos for this post, I think I found the culprit.
Don’t forget to check out all the other wonderful tablescapes in this bloghop!
Monday
Everyday Living | Up To Date Interiors | Knock it Off Kim
Tuesday
Life and Linda | From My Carolina Home
Wednesday
A Casa di Bianca | Bluesky Kitchen | Our Crafty Mom
Thursday
Sweet Sensations | The Painted Apron | My French Twist | Panoply
Friday
Simple Nature Decor | Supper Table Talk | Celebrate & Decorate
Can I come to dinner!? So special. I love the kit kat piano.
Of course and thank you!!
Wendy, Carole King has always been one of my favorite songwriters and singers. I was in 8th grade when that album was released and I have been singing her songs ever since, including teaching them to my kids. I think it was the first album I replaced with a CD when they came out! Your piano is amazing and putting lyrics on the napkin rings was a very nice touch. And the cutest part is that little face peeking out over the top of the sofa! I laughed out loud, surprised when you showed us the culprit! Thank you for sharing this table. Linda
Thanks Linda! Such sweet comments! My pug makes me laugh everyday!
Simply magical! What a spread it looked
Thanks!
Amazing! Loved this post
Thanks!
That’s really cool
Thank you!
What a lovely setting you have created, beautiful detail and care. Thumbs up!
Thank you Rachel!
I was also 11 in 1971 growing up in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne on the other side of the World. I didn’t discover Carole till a few years later and she has been with me ever since.
Thoroughly enjoyed my visit to your rooftop and reading the story behind the setting.
Simply serenity. Would have been a lovely evening.
Thank you !
Thank you Mandy!
This is beautiful–the details are magnificent.This must have been a wonderful night–hope your 4-legged buddy didn’t get a tummy ache!
Thanks Roberta!
I love your tablescape and a peek into your childhood! The kit kat keyboard is so simple and absolutely perfect for your theme. Way to break the rules – don’t ever stop!
Thank you Kim!
Very pretty, love the array of flowers and that piano accent is very unique. I love Carol King and she has been one of my favorite singer growing up.
Maria
Thank you Maria. Glad you stopped by!
There’s so many things I love about this!! The soft colors and textures with your centerpiece, copper cans/vases, outdoor lights, the lyrics at each table setting, and the floral ice cubes. What a beautiful earthy, boho tablescape and setting!
Thank you Kathy! I really enjoyed doing it.
Wendy, I love Carole King, too, so your tablescape really peeked my interest. The kit kat piano keyboard was super creative. Just a lovely setting for a fabulous alfresco dining experience.
Thank you so much!!
Hi Wendy, first off everyone of our generation loved Tapestry…Carole King set the standard for female singer/songwriter/musicians! Since I am a pianist, may I borrow the Kit Kat idea.. it is so cute! I love your rooftop setting…how fun to entertain in such a romantic spot. The flowers are wonderful in every way and couscous…oh my how perfect!
Of course borrow the kit Kay idea! It was not original lol! And thank you for your sweet comments!
In 1971 I was 16 and bell bottoms, ponchos and all things hippie were my jam!! I love Carole King’s music and how you interpreted the theme. That Kitkat piano is very nice and a great meal on the rooftop has to be one of the best ways to enjoy a meal amidst company you love. For the rest of the day, I’ll be happily humming Carole King’s songs. You’ve done a beautiful job!
Awe thank you Sandra!
Hi Wendy, such a lovely interpretation of Carole King. The rooftop is a perfect place to enjoy a lovely dinner. The vintage lights add a lot of ambiance. Loving the floral ice cubes and the candy keyboard, so creative. I hope you stop by my tablescape. P.S. You might want to update the party links, so your readers can easily find our posts.
Thanks Linda, and I will definitely update the links! Whoops! My first blog hop…
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful interpretation of such a great show! Well, I haven’t really
seen the show, but I am of the same era as you, I LOVED Tapestry! Please know, there are no “rules” to my tablescape blog hops, I love how everyone chooses to find their own way through an idea! You were so creative with your table, it is GREAT! I love the little “keyboard”, and your little culprit, that really made me chuckle! Thank you so much for joining the tablescape blog hop!
Thank you Chloe for inviting me to participate! I had so so much fun doing this! Would love to participate in more! And I loved exploring everyone’s blogs… these ladies are just too creative! Next time, however, I think I’ll send my evil pug to the babysitter!
I remember Carol King when she first took the world by storm, but I did not know she wrote that song! I think your table is a beautiful interpretation of our theme, as an artist I am all about looking at things in a different way. Love love the nod to Carol with the Kit Kat keyboard and the wonderful touches in your roof top setting. Your sneaky burglar is adorable and I couldn’t help but notice your rug, I have the same one! Much fun Wendy, like a trip down memory lane!
Thanks Jenna! I just bought the rug this summer and I love it! Hard to find a good outdoor rug and my balcony does not have a roof. I’ve enjoyed visiting your blog. This blog hop has been so much fun!
You presented a magical evening for your guests with a beautiful setting. Your tablescape is creative and lovely. I enjoyed your enjoyment of a special song to you and the era represented.
The piano was very creative and the candy culprit brought a smile.
Thank you Bonnie! It was so much fun to be a part of this blog Hop! Glad you enjoyed my post
I think your tablescape is a perfect interpretation of the Broadway inspired theme. Love the Kit Kat piano, even if your adorable chocolate thief got a bite, LOL!! The rooftop is such a great idea, great view. Twinkle lights do make a night setting a bit more magical. Great job!!
Thank you Carole! This was my first blog hop and it was so much fun!
Well Wendy, if you look at my Pinterest board header, it gives a clue as to how I feel about your interpretation. It says “tradition / breaking the mold”. I love your bending/breaking – however it’s viewed – of this Broadway theme! Carole King, JT and Carly Simon were all of my coming of age era, and I have always loved that tune (particularly the way James recorded it). Your rooftop setting epitomizes all the romance I would expect in my vision fulfilled of that song. From your creative centerpieces to that clever piano, it’s Beautiful. And I must say, your pug gets the Tony for best actor in a Broadway musical, lol.
Rita I’m going to go take another look at your Pinterest board right now! Thanks for such sweet comments!