I have to be honest… I cannot believe it is already Easter time.
Of course, with the current way of the world- this Easter Sunday will definitely be feeling more than a bit different than the big celebrations, grassy park egg hunts and drives to Grandma’s house.
But we can still make it a special day for those who are at home with us- and todays post is all about simple, shop the house and yard ideas.
Shopping the house is always fun- I am constantly finding things that I can use in different ways and that feel fresh and new in a different space. And while these may not look like a ‘traditional’ Easter table since I am not using eggs and bunnies and things like that- I think there are lots of things that can be found and enjoyed. 
I am thinking more natural this year- plants from the garden, fruit from the kitchen, simple things that maybe you wouldn’t normally think of for this time of year- I didn’t go to the store or order flowers or anything like that for this post hoping that I can inspire you to look outside the door or in the other room as well. And that you can make work and make beautiful- and not have to leave the house to go shop for anything. 🙂 
First stop for a centerpiece idea?
The Garden
I found several ideas for a centerpiece in the garden- and brought two of them in that I am loving. They both feel like Spring – but in a different way. You can of course bring in any plants that you have that are blooming right now- or any greens that inspire you. I picked a few hellebores as well- here is a peek- stay tuned for more coming soon. 
#1. Potted Olive
I am in LOVE with this little potted olive plant. I have several out in the garden this year- and the more I stared at it the other day, the more I knew it needed to come in for a bit.
I realize you might not have an olive tree shrub like this one- so a couple alternatives:
Boxwood, ligustrum, any green shrub or even a faux olive will work. This table feels minimal- but also very natural.
#2. Potted Lavender
I am obsessed with lavender and have quite a few plants in different varieties.
This is a Spanish lavender that we recently picked up- I simply popped it into a pail and called it good. You could do 2 or 3 of these marching down the table for a long table as well.
Next stop- the yard.
#3. Branches
I wandered the yard and looked for any pretty blooms or blooming branches.
My yard foraging was fairly quick since we had a crazy heavy rain storm move in-
but branches were ready to go.
I do love the simple elegance they add- and a tip is to place them at the back of the table to avoid interfering with any guests- those branches are a bit unruly.
#4. Blooms
I also found camellia blooms and brought them indoors for a centerpiece idea.
You probably saw these in my post last week about that
quick change in the living room/dining room.
Next stop- the faux and the fabulous
Is that kind of like the Bold and The Beautiful?
Did anyone else watch that back in the day?
I remember watching soaps with my great aunt when I would stop by after school to say hello before going home to Grammy’s house. It was also fun to sit with her in the living room and catch up on those stories she loved. I swear she knew every storyline and updated me perfectly.
#5. Faux arrangements
Use a trio of faux beauties for a centerpiece
#7. Faux Garland
Don’t be afraid to grab a Christmas garland if that is what you have on hand- you can use it as a base and tuck fresh clippings from your yard like herbs or spring greens for a more spring like feeling.
Garland from my collection at Balsam Hill
and the arrangements are Napa Romance
Next stop- The Kitchen
So many possibilities in the kitchen…
#8. Grab a bowl of fruit.
Grapes, plums, oranges, apples, lemons, you name it- whatever you have on hand.
Just see what inspires you and go with it.
We are currently waiting on an instacart food delivery
so fairly limited with fruit that we have enough of to put into a bowl for a photo-
so these are from the past- an autumn table with moody fruit and a pop of color for a Christmas table
with pomegranate – but you get the idea.
#9. Candles
Gather up those candles around the house and set a lovely centerpiece with them- just make sure to mind the safety if using real candles.
Remember that perfect is not the goal- setting a table that is a welcoming place to be for a bit
offers a bit of a break from all that is going on- and simple beauty is exactly what we need.
And even if that means our usual 20 person family gathering is just you and your husband this year- and the rest of the family joins over Facetime. It isn’t ideal but it is what we need to be doing right now-and I think even if you set a table that is simple and just something different than the everyday- go for it.
For a few more ideas from the past- you can find18 ideas for an Easter table here
Stay well all.
Always so gorgeous Courtney and it looks like maybe you did a furniture shuffle? xo
So pretty as a photo -op, but not very realistic for a true family gathering. I'm really at the point now of craving attainable and useable styling. Instagram and shelter bloggers are all about one time photo styling. I would love to see photos of usable tablescapes set for real families during the holidays and special occasions. Your blog is beautiful and your photos really do capture that romantic feeling, but during these very trying times I don't need to escape into a fantasy home, I want to be able to recreate beauty in my real home.
Well then, you just go Do your thing,and we will just enjoy THESe beautiful pictures.
Be as always! I have your book snd refer to it often! There is nothing better than a beaUTifully set table For entertaining!
I am looking for dining room chairs tHis color. Could you tell me where you purchaseD these?
After following you as a contributor and editor on Romantic Homes, I personally feel that your home ideas are very practical!
I have always embraced the concept that you don’t have to, “wait till they leave home”, mentality that exists, and I feel you inspire the same creative process that I hold dear!
Throughout the many years of raising my large messy family, (which consisted of my 4 daughters, their friends, numerous cats, dogs and whatever else life threw at us), we created a beautiful and functional home WITH and FOR them without breaking the bank. Nothing was ever too precious and everything was washable, (thank you for slipcovers and shabby chic), and able to be sanded, painted, (furniture and walls), spray painted, and reused in different rooms. We had old, inexpensive new, dragged in from the side of the road and given to us, which we changed to suit our style and needs. Yes, occasionally a few things were kicked to the curb, but everything has its time, and it pushed us to come up with something better! At some point you can splurge on a few things that you always did without or recreated through hard work. I painted with white chalk paint and drilled holes for crystals on stock lighting fixtures to create chandeliers in my home and for years enjoyed them. I will admit though I was thrilled to finally purchase a few on sale that I always desired and I really treasure them, but I never ever felt deprived or jealous of any one’s home or possessions. If I had even a twinge, I would turn it into an inspiration and get to work to create it with what I had.
So, Miss Courtney please keep inspiring us so that we can continue to create a beautiful nest for our family for even more years to come.