Beach Party Decor… - SPLENDID MARKET ®

You can create a beachy scene for your summer parties by layering items to bring a seashore look to life.

The possible combinations are as endless as the perfect summer.

Here’s how we did it:

A beach mat was wrapped around the center of the width of picnic tables. The mat was taped to the underside of the table using duct tape.

A scoop (about 2 cups) of white sand was poured into a simple hurricane, the sand was topped with a candle. Two more scoops of sand were poured onto the mat.

To add some height, chunks of stone were nestled into the sand. Flat pieces of beach wood could also be used. If these natural components aren’t available, one could use a brick or box and cover it with the sarong which will be added next.

A sarong was casually draped down the length of the table. See how bricks or small boxes could be concealed under wraps to give some height to the situation?

It’s best to have something living on each table. We’ve added a stone goblet with beach grass ( 4″ pots from the garden store). After discarding the plastic pot and putting the beach grass in the pot, we covered the soil with found moss. Seashells would be equally splendid.

Here’s where the fun really begins. The idea is to recreate the look of the flotsum, jettison, seashells and driftwood one would find while beachcombing.

Many of the items we used were au natural. There are also pieces of driftwood which have been spray painted metallic silver and large scallop shells which have been silver leafed. Smaller branches were painted white.

Some of these shells were bought, some were found. The found shells were soaked in a mild bleach and soap bath, rinsed and allowed to dry before they were added to the table.

For a little bling, glass balls were added, as well as quartz crystals and a scattering of blue beach glass. Glitter covered stars and small, flower shaped, silvery glass ornaments were also added. Clear votive candles were placed on the stone pieces.

When the lights go down, and the candles begin to flicker, this “beach” is all yours.

Paper lanterns are always a festive touch for a party. We found ours at a World Market store. They have many more options on-line, click here to shop.

These blue and white lanterns are battery operated and come equipped with a hook so they were easily hung on the branches in the thickets around the meadow in which this party was held.

So pretty when the lights went down.

These lanterns are designed to fit over an electric lightbulb.

We used paddle wire to attach them to bamboo poles.

A medium sized straight-sided vase was filled with sand and topped with stones. After positioning the vases, the bamboo poles were pushed down into the sand.

The lanterns blew in the wind, carefree, all night long.

Vintage saris were used to enclose the outdoor dining space. Any type of sarong or fabric could also be used. Eight foot bamboo poles (found at a garden store) were pushed into holes in the ground about 5-6′ apart. Pieces of 18″ paddlewire were wrapped around a joint of the pole, about 3′ high.

A section of the sari was pulled together and wrapped tightly with the wire, allowing the fabric to drape. The wire was wrapped around the pole to secure the sari section. Seashells were then secured by the wire. Any leftover wire was folded behind the sari, out of sight.