Rustic Outdoor Dining Space Reveal

Find out how we used string lights and a picnic table to turn an oak grove in the Texas hill country into a beautiful, peaceful, elegant yet rustic outdoor dining space!

picnic table decorated with candles and string lights | Maison de Pax

Ok, so “rustic outdoor dining space” probably sounds a little over-glorified for a leaf-strewn patch of grass that formerly housed a chicken coop and a dog run… but I can’t tell you how magical it feels in person.

elegant candles and greenery on rustic outdoor dining table | Maison de Pax

Creating an Outdoor Dining Space

Like much of the Texas hill country, the terrain out at Little Pax Ranch is mostly small scrub oaks and junipers. This little grove near the house and driveway caught our attention immediately because of the number of oak trees that grew in two adjacent circles.

big wooden picnic table with elegant green and white centerpiece | Maison de Pax

We dreamed of using the larger circle like a living room – for corn hole and horseshoes and other outdoor games, while filling the smaller circle with picnic tables and lots of good food and drinks. But first, two things had to happen: we had to clear out the dilapidated chicken coop and dog run left by the previous owners, and we had to clear a couple of small junipers that were springing up in the center of the clearing.

outdoor string lights hung like a circus tent over two open areas surrounded by trees | Maison de Pax

Once those were done, we got to work on the two main ingredients to our outdoor dining area: rustic farmhouse dining tables (aka enormous picnic tables 😉 ) and string lights. We DIY’d both (tutorials coming soon!), and I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out. We’re still considering laying crushed granite or something under the tables, but for now we are loving being out here in the evenings.

rustic elegant outdoor dining tablescape | maison de Pax

Rustic, Elegant Outdoor Tablescape

To celebrate the new space, I gathered a collection of vases, lanterns, and candlesticks from my home to decorate the rustic dining table. I filled in the centerpiece with a few oak and juniper branches that I clipped from the trees. I even put together a little video showing you how I did it. It was SO easy!

music: www.bensound.com

I think this combo of wood, candles, and greenery is golden. It’s got me thinking spring or summer garden parties, rustic outdoor wedding table settings, and rehearsal dinner table ideas. I think there is just something magical about natural greenery, white candles, and elegant accents.

rustic dining table with centerpiece of wooden candlesticks, lanterns, and glass vases | Maison de Pax

I added some simple white dishes, gold flatware, and my new favorite stemless wine glasses to the sprawling centerpiece…

outdoor dinner party under the stars and string lights | maison de pax

And we enjoyed a perfect evening by candlelight under the outdoor string lights.

outdoor dining with candles and string lights | Maison de pax

Creating Casual Elegance Outdoors

I simply cannot get over how perfect this space feels. It’s casual enough for a swim suit and flip flops upon returning from the river, but elegant enough for an evening gown were we ever to host a small wedding reception (not that we have any plans for hosting anything that fancy… yet, anyway).

outdoor dining area: picnic table with lots of candles and string lights | maison de pax

I think the magic comes from a combination of five things:

Outdoor String Lights

There is just something magical about twinkle lights. And by using commercial grade outdoor led string lights hung by stainless steel cable, I think we’ve secured that magical feel for a long time to come.

globe string lights over a giant picnic table | maison de pax

Huge Picnic Tables

This table is seriously enormous, providing plenty of space to dine family style or to contain an elegant centerpiece. There’s just something elegant about an enormous wooden dining table, even if it is just a picnic table with benches instead of dining chairs. And when the second one we are building is ready, the two end-to-end will be glorious.

enormous picnic table with gorgeous centerpiece and string lights | maison de pax

Woodsy Outdoor Dining

The natural, woodsy feeling of this grove of trees is simply perfect. We could clear more juniper or clean things up more, sure, but I’m actually loving the gnarled growth of the oak trees and the remote feeling it gives to be surrounded by the woods.

elegant picnic table in arbor | Maison de Pax

Dining by Candlelight

Candlelight is always a good idea. It creates gentle, flattering light and magical ambiance. Plus candlesticks are always fun on tablescapes.

elegant al fresco dining by candlelight | Maison de Pax

Real Dishes and Flatware

Is paper and plastic easier? Sure. And if we’re really being honest (because we’re friends, right?), I actually served my daughters mac ‘n cheese on blue plaid paper plates right here on this fancy table the night I photographed this. Ha! Once the adults were finished, they wanted to enjoy the beautiful table, too. But I digress…

elegant outdoor dining | Maison de Pax

If you want to help a casual outdoor space transform into an elegant dining room, then using real flatware and dishes can go a long way.

What do you think? Do you love outdoor dining, too?

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nighttime outdoor dining with string lights and overlay: elegant and rustic outdoor dining space | Maison de Pax

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18 Comments

  1. Love this! So practical question- where do you store or do you leave the tablescape out. The elements on this beautiful setting? And, half the time I would forget to bring in the lanterns and the CO sun …. so I just want to know where do you store the lanterns or do you leave them out? Because I so want to make a pretty table without having to lug it in and out of house… so pretty! laura

    1. In this case, I had it set for a special setting, so I would bring them in after the event. Maybe a tarp for in between?

  2. I absolutely love it! Gorgeous lighting and that amazing natural setting is to die for. Looking forward to reading your tutorials for the table and string lights!

  3. Just dreamy! I love how the table scape is surrounded by the “gnarled trees”. It’s like Alice in Wonderland meets Lord of the Rings… Thanks for the beautiful photos… made me feel like I was there.

    1. Awww thank you, Kathy!! As a former literature teacher, I’m in LOVE with your description of the space! 🙂

  4. Looks straight out of a storybook! This is so beautiful and has given me great inspiration. Pinned

  5. It’s so beautiful and serene. I love every bit of it. I also have a question, how do you have power to the string lights? We have lights to put up over our back patio but curious how to light them without a bunch of extension cords!

    1. Thank you so much! We basically had to rewire the ranch house during our renovation, so we ran lines underground to some outdoor plugs near this space at that time (knowing we would want to string lights out here). The plugs are just above the ground, so we used 6′ black extension cords to run from the plug up to where the lights begin higher up. I know it’s tricky if you don’t have plugs nearby, but I do think you can make the extension cords discreet if you choose good colors and run them along the fence or behind patio furniture or up a tree. I hope this helps!

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