Summer can be hectic and we can’t think of a better way to relax and unwind than a quiet, midsummer picnic. On a beautiful July day we sought out an idyllic grassy spot on the edge of a pond. Dragonflies looped in the air around us, birds sang from the branches of lush trees, and we lounged in the sun, enjoyed fresh food, and the company of good friends.
For a picnic blanket we grabbed a sheet of our vintage French linen. We love how durable and versatile this material is, and the white made our spread of fresh fruit pop. At the end of the day, we gave the linen a quick spin through the wash and any grass stains washed right out.
In the midst of the busiest time of year, we opted for a grassy spot instead of the beach to avoid the crowds and fully enjoy a peaceful afternoon. We packed up our vintage picnic basket with all the essentials, a unique mix of locally made and vintage items we are loving this summer.
There is no better time of year to break out vintage glass, and if you want to get fancy with your picnic spread, which of course we did, our etched glasses are perfect for sparkling beverages. We cracked open a bottle of sparkling white tea, which was oh so refreshing, and served it up in our favorite set of cocktail glasses. Visit our store for an ever changing selection of vintage glass found around the world.
For food we kept things simple and snagged a demi baguette, brie, and some fresh fruit and nuts. We’ve been dying to try out this new charcuterie board and we paired it with a wooden cheese knife and a set of linen napkins, all handmade in Maine by Studio 89. These hand sewn napkins are available in a variety of colors and patterns, and we have a selection of new unique cutting boards in apple and cherry wood.
Watermelon is an essential part of any summertime picnic. It is so refreshing and hydrating on a hot day and of course adds a lovely pop of color. This gorgeous one-of-a-kind ceramic bowl was perfect for our slices of juicy watermelon. Made in Maine by Guenola Lefeuvre; it is hand carved and then glazed with a beautiful combination of blues and purples with a hint of orange. All of Guenola’s pieces are food safe and double as functional pieces and decorative works of art.
Pillows may seem over the top for a picnic, but they are a must for lounging. Our classic vintage French linen pillows are one of our all time favorites and they paired perfectly with our new screen-printed pillows from North Circle Studio in Fairfield, Maine. Their floral designs are fitting for a picnic spread, great for summer in general, and also available on flour sack tea towels.
A picnic would not be complete without some flowers, so we picked up a local bouquet from Rosemont. Along the way we also stopped to get our favorite brew, the Farmhouse Pale Ale from our neighbors at Oxbow Brewing Company. We used our wooden beer caddy made locally by Purple Shed Woodworks. These caddies are so neat and can be used for utensils, art supplies, artesian oils, etc.
We just couldn’t help bringing along this new wooden bowl when we saw how well it matched our hazelnuts. It arrived along with an assortment of bowls in various shapes, sizes, and woods just a few days ago. They are handmade in Maine by John Rogers and are great for serving snacks or salads, or storing fruit, veggies, keys, or other bits and pieces around the house.
Our Freeport Tote is the perfect bag to carry along with your picnic basket. We packed some light reading material, a summery throw, and the flowers for safekeeping. Made at Venn + Maker with vintage linen and leather handles, it is our bestselling summer bag.
There is something uniquely nostalgic and refreshing about packing up a vintage picnic basket for an afternoon of basking in the warmth of summer. Grab a blanket, your favorite refreshments, some good drinks, your best friends, and create your own unique summer picnic spread.
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