Enjoy dinner on the porch on these long summer evenings with this inspiration for a blue and white Coastal Grandmother style table setting!
I love these long summer evenings when it doesn’t get dark until after 9! It is so different from winter here, when the sun begins to set at 3:30. I plan on soaking up every glorious moment!
My first visitors of the summer arrive soon for the long holiday weekend! These are friends from work, who knew me long before I was Molly in Maine. In planning for their visit, I am thinking a casual dinner on the porch is a great way to catch up!
Choosing a Spot
We have an outdoor dining table, but something a little more intimate would be nice for old friends. This covered seating area, with a wicker settee, weathered cedar Adirondack chairs, and an old wooden lobster trap coffee table has the best views. Perfect!
By the way, just look at how big my Limelight Hydrangea bushes are already! Wait until you see them when they are in full bloom in August!
Getting Ready
I gathered the tableware together and snipped a few roses from the yard. Of course Maddie was there to help!
Caskata Tableware
Caskata, a small New England business that makes beautiful tableware, recently sent me these fun sea creature salad plates and coordinating striped dinner plates. I love the mix and match patterns — even more perfect in my favorite coastal blues! The mouth-blown crystal tumblers are also from Caskata. I have used them almost daily since I received them last fall. They are perfect for a festive gathering or just my nightly glass of kombucha!
Sea Creatures
I love the different patterns on the salad plates! Which one is your favorite — the fish, the crab, the octopus, or the starfish? It is so hard to choose, right?! That’s why I got one of each!
Those Views!
It turned out to be such a beautiful evening! I was wishing my visitors were already here. Instead, I poured myself a glass of kombucha to toast summer!
Do you see how the view is reflected in the window?!
Our evenings have been surprisingly chilly recently. (Hello again, temps in the 40’s!) A cozy cotton blend jacquard knit blanket from Chappy Wrap is my go-to for porch sitting this time of year. I have them in several patterns!
That geranium on the side table is the one I wintered-over from last summer. Like me, I bet it is happy to be back outside again!
Greetings, Neighbors!
The houses on both sides of us are mostly seasonal homes or summer rentals. It is nice to see lights on at night and hear gentle chatter, as people return for the summer!
Porch Details
Decor pieces aren’t just for indoors! It is fun to add them to outdoor spaces too!
The wall planter (one of a pair) is from Home Goods. I think the design on it looks like mussel shells!
The vintage blue shutters and handmade driftwood fish were both local finds.
I collected the mussel shells and sea glass on the beach!
Cheers to long summer evenings on the deck! Thank you for joining me there!
Shop the Post
I am sharing links below to some of the items I have featured in this post. If an item was purchased locally, is no longer available, or is one-of-a-kind, I have suggested something similar. Keep in mind that since I have not actually seen those items, I cannot personally vouch for them. If you purchase through these links, it won’t change your price, but I will receive some compensation. I hope you enjoy this easy way to bring a little Maine style into your home!
The Caskata dishes and glasses can be purchased on their website here.
Love the porch dining Molly beautiful setting and love your style! enjoy your weekend with your work friends and
Maddie loves hanging with her Momma❤️
Hi Joyce! It turned out to be such pretty setting for al fresco dining! Too bad my friends aren’t here yet, haha! Both Maddie and Cisco are my constant shadows!
You will be ready when they arrive Molly, looking forward to seeing more pictures.
Joker was constantly at either my side or my husbands.. he didn’t want to miss a trick. Trudy was happy sitting on her ottoman just watching in case a piece of food dropped. Loved my dogs as I’m sure you and your family do. Enjoy the weekend it’s going to be a beauty.
I adore Maddie and Cisco! They are my best companions! It has been a beautiful summer weekend!
Thanks for all the links for where to get things. The sounds of people out on the deck or patio are one of my favorite memories from when we were little.
A group of artists rent a couple houses down in August. They have happy hour on the porch every evening and I love to hear them talking and laughing! Especially after the quiet winter here.
aww loved it Molly. I have a bowl of mussels too😉 and those dishes are amazing💙💙💙
Mussel shells, beach stones, and driftwood — can’t stop myself from picking them up at the beach! Thanks again for all your help yesterday! Hope you are doing okay and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow!
Molly, this looks like the perfect spot to have drinks, dinner, coffee or anything else. I am in love with the view!
It is perfect for all those occasions, Elizabeth! Getting ready to head out there to read!
I too love the summer light and love to eat outside every chance I get. I soak up that light as well. The pillow on the settee are just adorable and love the plates. I could never choose a favorite.
Hi Sandy! I like to spend as much time as possible outside in the summer!
Your dinners on the porch with friends will be wondercul! Love all the details of the tables and decorations on the deck. The plates are great. I love the crab best but mix and match are such fun! What a great reverse sunset you had for your virtual dinner. I love to hear people enjoying company especially after covid.
Can’t wait to enjoy time on the porch with all of you, Amy!
You’ve got me even more excited to visit! I know something luscious will be served on those plates! Can’t wait to enjoy a meal together in this lovely spot!
Looking forward to your arrival, Patrice!
Loving the coastal table vibes! I would love to come hang out sometime!!!
Let me know when you are coming for a visit, Stacy!
Molly,
These dishes are perfect for this setting. I love your views.
I think they are perfect for my home too, Rachel! You pond view is lovely too!
Lovely dining spot, especially with your views and those beautiful dishes. Kombucha, huh? I tried it and I just can’t do it!!!
Haha! I love it — I have it in the morning and the evening!
What a treat your guest are in for! I love how you support Maine businesses and artist. Your limelights look great…Summer has arrived in Maine.
I had meant to mention how beautiful the lime lights looked too. Are you pruning them back or will they stay naturally small?
I prune them back by about 2/3 in late winter. They grow back and bloom on new growth!
I love to shop local! There are so many great small businesses and talented artists here!
What a great, casual setting. The view is amazing, and I love the casual beauty of the table set up on the patio. It relaxed me just looking at it with the view in the background. 🙂
Enjoy your upcoming visit with dear friends.
Karen B.
I live in SoCal and we’re in a major heat wave. I dream of 40-degree nights!
Thank you! I had never set a table in this part of the porch, but I loved how it turned out! I don’t miss the extreme heat we had in the DC area, but I do wish it was a little warmer here this time of year!
Oh my goodness! This is amazing! I love all of the blue. It’s gorgeous.
Thank you, Renae! This spot with the table setting is definitely heavy on the blue, haha!
So beautiful. Molly! 💙 I love setting a pretty table and mixing and matching is my favorite. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous home with us!
Hi Kim! Mix and match makes things so much more interesting! Thanks so much for all your support!
Hi Molly, We are just up the road from you. Would love to visit some time 😎
How nice! What a wonderful spot we have here, right?!
Hi Molly, I follow you over on IG and was so thrilled to learn that you also have a blog now. I am in love with this pretty place setting. And of course those gorgeous views! I am going to share a photo and link to your pretty porch with my readers this weekend for my week in rewind post. Cheers and happy summer!
Hi Jen! Thanks so much for sharing my blog! It is hard to get started here and I appreciate your support! I always enjoy your supper club with Stacy and the other gals!
Dining on the porch is one of the joys of summer. Your friends are going to be in heaven … they may spend their entire visit on your deck. Lovely place setting … you’re styling is next level. xo
I absolutely love your style, Molly. Your coastal table setting is so beautiful. What a relaxing outdoor space. I would love to feature this in my Saltwater Sounds post next Sunday.
Thanks, Kim! It was such a beautiful evening. I would be so grateful if you would share my table setting! Thank you!
Hi!
I started out with you on Instagram – now here you are with a blog! Yay! Today, I was reading another one of my favorite bloggers (from the PNW), was getting ready to save a photo she shared and thought how familiar it looked. Did I already save this photo from somewhere else? I checked my folders – nope. I stared at the photo a moment longer and then I recognized the shutters! I scrolled down a bit further to read under the photo – Yes! It is Molly’s House! (the “cover photo” of your recent dinner on the porch post) Loved the latest picture of Maggie – you can never have too many photos of Maggie or Cisco! I’ll be headed to New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine next week for my yearly visit with family and friends. I’m hoping to find some nice blue oyster shells to keep/display in a bowl at home (I miss the sea coast of Maine!)
Hi Beth! So happy to see you here on my blog! Kim was so sweet to share my porch table setting on her blog today. I don’t know what Maddie thinks I am doing when I hold that thing in my hand and look at her, but she loves it. If she only knew how many people love her! Did you know that Maddie was born with a lame foot? She is missing a toe and her foot is misshapen. Hasn’t stopped her from becoming an IG star, haha! Have a great trip to three of my favorite states! Hope you find those mussel shells!