I had our table set with full on place settings for years. I’m talking plates, bowls, linen napkins, silverware & glasses- the whole shebang. It was pretty much just for looks not every day use. We never used the linens. The silverware was our fancy silverware- not the ole everyday Ikea silverware. The glasses had literally never been used a day in their beautiful recycled glass lives. When we ate at the table every morning and night we’d move the place settings to the side and move them back after eating. What are we doing?! After years of this ridiculous charade I think I’ve finally come to my senses.

Is this just a Southern thing or is everyone else living this tablescape insanity also?

Setting a table to look beautiful at all times is something I’d learned from Mamawl. She has a formal dining room and an everyday dining area. We only sat in the formal dining room for special occasions and holidays, of course it was always set so beautifully… but so was her everyday table.

Up until a few years ago both dining table were set in full on tablescape beauty. One more elegant with fine china, the other (still elegant) but with an everyday appeal. She’s in her 90’s now so the moving of the place settings three times a day probably just became too much of a chore.

Well, I’m only in my mid-thirty’s and it’s already become too much of a chore just one year into motherhood. Caleb was out of town in Cape Cod for work so I needed a project to entertain myself- cue the dismantling of the place settings. I put the dishes in the cabinet, washed the glasses & napkins so they could finally get the use they deserved, & put the gold plated silverware back in her chest.

The crystal bowl my friend Tina had given us a wedding gift years ago was all that remained on the table. It’s always filled with fresh mandarin oranges- partly because it keeps them easy access for snaking, but mainly because the orange matches the velvet French hued blue curtains in the dining room. The bowl of oranges never looked lonelier.

Spring & Summer where on the horizon so I wanted to keep it natural, yet functional. I love cooking with fresh herbs & have a healthy obsession for simple terracotta pots. Here we are- simple, cheap, and wildly functional. I went with thyme & rosemary because I knew they’d thrive in this location close to the windows adjacent to the dining tables. I also just really love the way the look- they have a beauty about them that looks more like decorative foliage instead of just herbs.

Fresh herbs from the produce section of the grocery store cost about the same as a potted plat herb, saving money and offering true freshness. After buying my plants and terracotta pots this little project only cost around twenty bucks all together. Well worth it for a natural classic centerpiece and easy access to fresh herbs right outside my kitchen.

Best Herbs to Grow Indoors

Growing herbs indoors is super rewarding, and it’s awesome for cooking, too. Here are some of the best herbs to grow indoors—they’re low-maintenance, do well in containers, and thrive with a decent amount of sunlight:

Mint

Mint needs medium to bright indirect light so it’ll thrive by a window with or without filtered light. It also grows like crazy, so if you’re looking for an herb that will take off quickly she’s your girl.

Thyme

Thyme grows great inside as long as you’ve placed her next to a window with bright lighting. This is also a great herb to grow for those without the greenest thumbs. Thyme is very forgiving if you forget to water, they actually thrive in dryer soil so don’t get too happy with your watering can.

Parsley

Parsley prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade so next to a window with bright lighting should work just fine for her. These are slow growing starters but once they take off they are a steady producer.

Rosemary

Rosemary loves sun and needs a good amount daily. Mine stays on in between two windows giving it indirect light through the morning and mid day and she’s thriving! As long as you’ve placed your rosemary with well lit indirect or direct lighting you should have no problems with growth. Make not to overwater by letting the soil dry out inbetween waterings.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balms will thrive in many indoor settings due to needing partial shade. You don’t have to scour the room for bright direct sun for this one. As long as she’s getting some light your golden. Lemon balm is also a drought tolerant plant for those of you who forget to water every so often. They like frequent waterings, but can tolerate a forgotten session if needed.

Extra Tips for Indoor Herb Gardening

Use well-draining pots (with holes). I take my indoor herbs out on the patio once a week for their watering. They get some fresh air, and don’t leak water all over the place from their drain holes.
Stick to a regular watering schedule, but don’t overdo it—most herbs hate soggy roots.
Consider using a grow light if you don’t get a lot of sunlight indoors.
Harvest & prune regularly to encourage bushier growth.