The Turquoise Table: Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard

by Kristin Schell

Loneliness is an epidemic right now, but it doesn't have to be that way. The Turquoise Table is Kristin Schell's invitation to you to connect with your neighbors and build friendships. Featured in Southern Living , Good Housekeeping , and the TODAY Show , Kristin introduces a new way to look at hospitality. Desperate for a way to slow down and connect, Kristin put an ordinary picnic table in her front yard, painted it turquoise, and began inviting friends and neighbors to join her. Life changed in her community, and it can change in yours too. Alongside personal and heartwarming stories, Kristin gives you: This gorgeous book, with vibrant photography and a ribbon marker, invites you to make a difference right where you live. The beautiful design makes it an ideal book to give to a friend or to keep for yourself. Community and friendship are waiting just outside your front door.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Faith, Christian Living, Audiobook, Self Help, Relationships

224 pages, Hardcover

Published June 6, 2017

Reviews

[Melissa Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thumbs up for the concept and the visual appearance. What a lovely idea to live as front yard people with a turquoise table. Loved the emphasis on hospitality. From a reader perspective, the chapters were redundant and it felt like the author was trying too hard to stretch out the concept into a whole book.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never forgotten a survey I did back in 2000 for the government. In it, I interviewed exactly 100 people. It was one question that shocked me. “Outside of my immediate family, I have few friends.” Ninety-five people agreed with that question.

We are feeling a poverty of connection here in America.

Kristin Schell has struck out against that lack of connection by doing something incredibly simple: placing a table painted turquoise in her front yard and visiting at the table with passing people.

I love this idea. I’m so happy I got to read about Schell’s movement, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first initial impressions were that I loved the way the book feels in my hands. This isn't your normal book. It reads more like a small, yet beautiful coffee table book that you can shove in your purse. The pages are gorgeous and so inviting, just like the painted picnic table that the author created. I love how this book is one that creates spaces for community, relationships and to meet new people. The idea behind this is that you can invite people over and you don't have to worry about a clean home because your picnic table is outside. This book is so easy to read and is filled with stunning photos. You'll enjoy stories from others as they experience the Turquoise table and the delicious recipes. This book even has a book marker in it, which makes it even more fabulous. I love how Kristin paid so much attention to the details, which makes this a lovely read for the summer and even better to actually do. We should all be apart of the larger community of the the turquoise table. I give this book 5/5 stars and the opinions expressed here are my own. A favorable review was not required.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy audio about the author’s desire to love her neighbors and create a connection to her community. She accomplishes a lot all through the simplicity of a brightly colored, turquoise picnic table in her front yard. Each chapter was polished off with a recipe, too. (I wrote down her overnight French toast recipe. It sounded really good.) My favorite part of this book was the author’s presentation about connecting with others. She really emphasized how hosting and reaching out to your community can be very accessible to anyone. This was a super encouraging read for me. You can search her website about The Turquoise Table, and even register your own table. I love how there are now turquoise tables all over America!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this idea! I have wanted a turquoise table for years, I had briefly read excerpts here & there on the concept. But never the actual book. Such an awesome idea on how to bring neighborhoods and people together!

[Charlsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was much more than what I expected. I thought this would be a sweet little book about entertaining in your front yard, but it is a book about faith and community and connection. It has reminded me that I am not doing enough to extend the love of Jesus to my neighbors through simple acts of hospitality. Yep, I feel compelled to do this now.

[Donna Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a quick easy read written in a conversational tone. It is visually appealing as well. My husband and I really enjoyed reading and discussing it. The author found a way to be hospitable and neighborly without having to entertain in a spotless house. We were excited and inspired by her ideas. We can’t wait to try them out in our neighborhood!

[Nikki Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rated this book with only 2 stars because it had so much potential. The concept of the turquoise table and front-yard hospitality is necessary and captured my interest; however, the author seemed to miss the point of WHY we as Christians would live this way in the first place. She stressed community and friendship and love, but never took it a step further to seeing the turquoise table as a way to share the good news of the Gospel with others. I kept waiting for her to bring it around to Jesus and how the seemingly simple concept of moving your backyard activities to your front yard could be used as an eternity-minded spreading of God’s kingdom. She just never went there. As a believer, if you’re just being hospitable for friendship and community and not sharing the beautiful message of what Christ did for us on the cross, then your endeavors won’t have any meaning beyond the present world we live in.

[Juliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

We didn't have a turquoise picnic table in our front yard--but my Dad was always out front with a bunch of his friends and neighbors in lawn chairs. This is a sweet, pretty little how-to book about community and connection. If nothing else, my family just enjoyed eating the Overnight French Toast recipe in the first chapter. So I would say it has served its purpose.

[Kelly Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Turquoise Table is an excellent book for those that are longing to connect with people. The author provides you with stories of her own life experiences and how her vision to become hospitable incarnated in her putting a turquoise table in her front yard. She provides brain storming prompts, practical ideas of how to get started and tried and true recipes.

[Hope Eifert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really practical tips on building community and hospitality. Feels very inspiring and do-able. I thought of it as baby steps to Gospel Comes with a House Key.

[Molly Cash · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* I LOVE the concept of this book (“front yard people”). We have a picnic table on our cul-de-sac now so I’ll definitely be implementing some of the ideas in the book. If you crave community amidst busy schedules, want to get to know your neighbors, or want to learn more about hospitality, read this book. I think the chapters were redundant and probably not necessary to make it a whole book, but this may be exactly what some people need to read to be encouraged. The recipes were also a fun addition!

“The beauty of the table lies in its simplicity, making an easy way to be present and available to listen.”
“…sharing our hearts is more important than sharing a plate of chocolate chip cookies, though cookies might soften us up to share the pieces of us that are shy. Hospitality begins in the heart, not the oven.”

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new friend Jane told me about this book, I promptly left our meeting, purchased a copy, and read it over the course of a day (really, just an hour or two total, but I started it before bed one evening).

I have to say, I don't think my neighborhood/yard/house is right for a turquoise picnic table (though I do LOVE that color), but it has given me quite a few small, practical ideas as to how to work hospitality into my every day life better, taking advantage of EVERY opportunity. What's more than ideas, it's given me inspiration to DO the thing, taking actions on a couple of them this very day.

And besides, it's an absolutely beautiful physical book with gold binding, thick pages, and lush photography throughout.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read and mildly interesting story about a sweet Christian lady who felt called to be more hospitable and so she put a turquoise table in her front yard to meet her neighbors, etc. Although a nice concept this book will mainly be of interest to people who are:
A. gregarious, friendly, outgoing, do-gooders
B. affluent or at least well enough off to provide snacks for all the neighbors
C. have good homeowners insurance.
The book has recipes and activities to stimulate ideas for other “Front Yard People”. Especially interesting were the Turquoise Table M and M cookies. The book includes lots of personal backstory by the author and some cute photos.

[Annaliese Wink · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. It's so pretty, and will spend time on my coffee table to display. And the author's heart and life are simply beautiful. The content, however seemed redundant and more fitting for a blog. I didn't feel overly stimulated. And maybe that's my own problem. I don't typically love books with the "challenges" and questions that feel so hokey.

[Lisa Hammer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the message of the book, gave good ideas of hospitality but the writing style was just too simple for me, overall lacked depth

[Sarah]

Solid concepts, though I wished the title were Front Yard People instead since that is the irreducible element of her method.

This works. We started this last summer, before knowing about this book, just sitting and reading in our front yard under the tree rather than in the back yard. That is how we have met our neighbors! Easy as anything.

Helpful ideas for different ways to go beyond knowing names. I think the table, whatever color, is a wonderful way to welcome people. Different ideas for holidays around the year, for different foods, for keeping it simple. Sharing food, at your home or taking it to others, is another lovely way to invite community and show care.

Your normal Christian ish book. Some shudders on comments: “God looking in with his big beautiful eyes.” ?!?!? But it was vastly preferable to me to Rosaria Butterfield’s “The Gospel Comes with a House Key.” That left me feeling like everyone actually in her home might need therapy. This type of hospitality was everyday and normal, giving wholesome care as well to those inside the home. That cannot be overlooked. Care for other people doesn’t overrun or ignore your own family. You can love other people well while still loving your own family. Boundaries are not unbiblical, anti Christian, or unloving. They are a natural expression of living in a fallen world. As Edith Schaeffer said in her “What is a Family?”, it is a door with both hinges and a lock. This book represented that well, which was a deep relief.

A very quick read, and a bit redundant. But this read like an entirely doable but meaningful way to invest in your community.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book to encourage you to offer hospitality to your neighbors.

[Annie Bruza · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good idea that did not need to be a 200 page book.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kristin Schell wanted to get to know her neighbors. So she put a picnic table in her front yard, painted it turquoise, and started a movement. I loved how she emphasized hospitality over entertainment. I also loved how she encouraged keeping things simple. I spend a lot of time on my front porch, but this book encouraged me to be more intentional with that time.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many people are looking for more community and deeper relationships. Schell's idea? It doesn't have to be complicated: she put a table in her front yard and began to spend time getting to know her neighbors.
The book was beautiful and included testimonies and recipes.

2019 - A book with a great cover

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I read it in two days. This is a short, easy read on hospitality.

"Hospitality starts in the heart not the oven."

The author gives many practical tips and advice on how to be more hospitable in your life, how to foster more community in your neighborhood, how to shine the light of Christ right in your front yard.

"Let's be front yard people!"

[Janice McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is about establishing community in simple ways wherever you are, and there are some great recipes included.

[Aimee Kollmansberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this concept so much. As new to a neighborhood, I just took our battered picnic tables and am in the midst of painting them turquoise and white. This weekend they will find a new home in the front yard so that we can be available and open to our neighbors. This idea was an answer to prayer I began 9 months ago... that God would give me a simple, practical and sustainable way to know + love the people around me.

*also her podcast interview with Rosaria Butterfield is gold*

[Rachel Scholz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schell has a great idea: flip your yard so you engage with your community in the front yard instead of the back.

I love her idea, and I think it would work very well- as a practice, but not as a book.

The idea in itself is simple, making the book inevitably drawn out.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, I really did. I liked the look and feel and message. It made me appreciate my neighbors and how we don't need a table, we already have community. If you're looking for something profound, it's not here. But that doesn't mean it's not an enjoyable book, because it was.

[Amy Saxon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm in love with the Front Yard People Movement. I was a bit disappointed that practical logistics weren't addressed and it read fairly privileged perspective. One page preached simplicity, the next contained elaborate recipes. Still it contains the lovely bones of the community we all crave.

[Natalie Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful book piqued my curiosity from the shelves of a bookstore I visited several weeks ago. Since one of my favorite colors is turquoise, I couldn’t help but be interested in a title like “The Turquoise Table.” And since I love hosting people in our home and dreaming of ways to build community, the subject matter instantly appealed to me.

Author Kristin Schell shares how she came to a place of desperate pleading with God to help her understand how she could practice hospitality in the midst of an already busy schedule. His answer came in the form of a story she heard about Ludmilla, an 84-year old widow in Prague who hung a plaque outside her apartment that invited any and all to make their way into her home. Kristin was struck by the simplicity of just being available, something others have termed “the ministry of presence.”

Shortly thereafter Kristin was inspired with a practical way to institute the same kind of simple hospitality in her suburban community: a picnic table painted turquoise and placed under a magnolia tree in her front yard. She and her family transitioned to using this spot for daily activities that might otherwise be conducted inside or in the backyard, and were hopeful that it would give them opportunities to meet and cultivate relationships with neighbors. The plan was an instant success and has since spawned an entire network of Turquoise Table homes and Front Yard People.

Although The Turquoise Table is the central object in this story (and sometimes may go a bit over the top in being heralded as the savior of community and hospitality), Kristin is quick to acknowledge that even those who may not want or be able to employ this exact replica of hometown hospitality can still find other ways to participate in community.

The book is a quick, inspirational read that provides practical ideas, checklists to consider possibilities and logistics of how to implement the ideas, and even a handful of recipes that look tasty! A great read for anyone who wants to grow in their practice of hospitality and needs reassurance that it doesn’t have to be an elaborate endeavor; the simple act of being available can make a world of difference in a culture that increasingly longs for a sense of community and belonging.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read other books about the importance of hospitality but The Turquoise Table grabbed my attention fully. Perhaps is that Kristin Schell offers such grace in the journey. She shares her own stories - both relatable successes and failures - as she found her rhythm living in her front yard. She also shares the stories of others living life with their neighbors and through this mix she gives permission to find your own path. For some, an actual turquoise picnic table in the front yard is a perfect tool to start conversations. For others, creating an intentional time to be outside may be how they connect. Schell reminds us that we are all different and our neighborhoods are different, so to try and recreate something exactly most likely won't work.

Not only is this beautiful book filled with stories, but it's also formatted as a guide to living an intentional life. Schell has prompts and questions to help the reader get started on a journey of living life communally. She also includes favorite recipes with each chapter to help inspire gathering around the table. Especially with summer approaching, I'd highly recommend this book as a way to get connected with your neighbors!

**I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.**

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read but one I appreciated as it held an important message. To be honest it's much more religiously oriented than something I would typically pick up (there are quoted bible versus throughout the text) but there are also simple recipes shared throughout the book. Overall it's easy to understand the story behind the text and be connected to the larger message - connecting to community and giving yourself permission to turn the thought into action. Its cute and quirky to think about so many 'front yard people' across the states and world and it's definitely got me thinking about my own needs for community and how to better participate in what is happening right here around me rather than on social media.