How I Styled a Summer Outdoor Tablescape with Milk Glass and Vintage Finds

There’s something magical about setting a summer table outdoors—especially when it’s layered with vintage finds and a few milk glass treasures.

After a day of antiquing and thrift store stops, I pulled together this lobster-themed tablescape using blue and white dishes, red and white linens, and my favorite milk glass vases.

It’s a casual, collected look that celebrates summer with a little charm and a lot of character.

A Morning Antiquing at Sage Farm Antiques in New Hampshire

On one of the first hot summer mornings of the season, I headed over to Sage Farm Antiques in North Hampton, New Hampshire for their themed pop-up vintage market and a little Thrifting with the Gals—this one was all about whites and woods.

I usually avoid weekend crowds, but as it turned out, most folks were off to the beach, and I nearly had the place to myself.

This charming antique market is one of my longtime favorites, always full of inspiration and beautifully curated vintage finds. Here are several captures from the morning market…

While browsing, I had one thing on my mind: setting a cozy summer outdoor tablescape for a lobster dinner later that evening. When I spotted a gorgeous vintage linen tablecloth and a set of seven $1 milk glass bud vases, I knew the table was practically setting itself.

If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that Sage Farm Antiques is one of my favorite vintage markets in New Hampshire. I’ve been visiting their charming pop-up sales for years, and each trip brings new inspiration, and a few treasures I can never resist. If you’d like to see more of my past finds and seasonal adventures at Sage Farm Antiques, you’ll find them all in this Your Guide to Sage Farm Antiques: Classic New England Vintage Decor & Finds post.

Blue and White Dish Set Found at a New Hampshire Yard Sale

While out antiquing in North Hampton, I couldn’t resist stopping at a couple of local yard sales—and I’m so glad I did. I came across a full stack of twelve blue and white dishes for just $10. What a find!

They were delicate, timeless, and instantly reminded me of the kind of table I wanted to set that evening for our lobster dinner.

Simple, thrifted pieces like this bring so much charm to a summer vintage tablescape—especially when paired with milk glass and fresh garden blooms.

Why I Love Decorating with Vintage Milk Glass

Vintage milk glass has long been one of my favorite things to collect—and it’s easy to see why. With its soft, opaque white finish and delicate designs, milk glass adds instant charm and elegance to any table setting.

Many of the pieces I use, like these sweet bud vases, have been found over the years at antique shops, flea markets, and even dollar tables at yard sales. They’re incredibly versatile—whether you’re lining them up down the center of a table or grouping them on a hutch or mantel, milk glass never goes out of style.

Milk glass has been a favorite among collectors since the 1800s, known for its soft, opaque glow and delicate patterns. I love mixing and matching different shapes and sizes—especially bud vases like these—for table centerpieces. Whether they’re lined up in a row or grouped in a cluster, they create a classic and budget-friendly statement without ever feeling fussy. And the best part? You can still find milk glass affordably at most antique stores, thrift shops, and even yard sales.

How about these knobware glass lanterns I found at Habitat for Humanity?

Knobbed Milk Glass Vases and Their Vintage Appeal

Among the milk glass pieces I’ve collected, these two knobbed milk glass vases are some of my favorites. Sometimes referred to as “knobware” or “knobbed pattern” milk glass, these vintage pieces are known for their raised bubble-like texture and playful yet elegant design. They date back to the mid-20th century and were often made by companies like Westmoreland and Fenton. While they resemble the more commonly known hobnail milk glass, knobbed styles tend to have a slightly bolder and more structured pattern. I love how these vases add texture and personality to a shelf or tabletop, and they pair so nicely with florals or simply styled on their own.

Styling a Summer Outdoor Table with Milk Glass and Vintage Finds

After a morning of antiquing and a few lucky yard sale stops, I came home with just enough vintage charm to pull together a simple, thrifted summer outdoor table. The red, white, and blue tablecloth set the tone, paired with a full stack of $10 blue and white dishes, vintage blue glassware, and seven petite milk glass bud vases filled with pink flowers snipped from a blooming bush by our mailbox.

Everything you see on this table—except the lobster plates—was thrifted, gifted, or repurposed from past adventures. Even the lobster utensils have a story—they belonged to my mother and are now over 50 years old.

This kind of outdoor gathering is exactly what I love about summer: casual, collected, and full of character. A lobster dinner is messy by nature, and it’s best enjoyed outside with corn on the cob, vintage salt and pepper shakers, and a few stories passed around the table.

No fuss, no matching sets—just layered texture, color, and sentimental pieces that bring people together. That’s what makes this milk glass summer tablescape one of my favorites.

Looking for more lobster tablescape ideas? Explore a few of my favorite vintage summer table settings below.

Mixing Vintage Tableware for an Eclectic Summer Tablescape

One of the things I love most about vintage table styling is that it doesn’t have to match perfectly. Mixing red, white, and blue tones with a little milk glass and blue glassware gave this table a fresh, eclectic look—effortless but full of personality. That’s the beauty of thrifting—you never know what you’ll find, but somehow it always comes together.

Setting this summer outdoor tablescape with vintage finds, milk glass, and blue-and-white dishes was such a joy—and proof that a beautiful table doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

Whether you’re treasure hunting at your favorite antique market or pulling pieces from your own collection, I hope this inspires you to create something simple, meaningful, and full of character.

Have a favorite way to style milk glass in your summer decor? I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram or drop a comment below—your table might even be featured in a future post.

Pin forLater!