Sunday, July 28, 2013

How Now Brown Cow





JUST BROWN AND WHITE 
And A TOUCH OF SILVER

Cuisine Kathleen challenged us to set a 
 table with white dishes and one accent color.
Easy for me to pull out the dishes we use daily,
Nantucket by Wedgwood.

As you can see my accent color of choice is brown.
Luncheon plates are a design by Kate Spade
for Lenox.  I picked up a set on clearance at TJ Maxx.
Flatware is Talisman by Christophe.

Rattan Chargers ~ Pier I
White Plates ~ Nantucket by Wedgwood
Accent Plates ~ Cordell Place Chocolate by Lenox

All of that topped with crystal stems by Denby and 
brown linen napkins held by Royal Staffordshire 
napkin rings in Tonquin.  

The monogramed napkins are circa early marriage.

The brown and white transfer ware napkin holders 
are Tonquin, a design by Clarice Cliff from the 1920s.
I found three of these at the Round Top Antique Market one year
and luckily was fortunate to add four more from
Nancy's Etsy Shop, English Transferware.
Nancy is a fantastic source for 
transfer ware and a delightful person.
You can find her Etsy shop here 
and her blog, Nancy's Daily Dish here.

The bone dish at the top of the setting is also Tonquin. 
I only have two of these, but thought I'd add them just because.

Colored crystal stems were all the rage 
in the mid 70s when we married.  
Our wedding china is 
Palermo Brown by Richard Ginori
so it seemed to be the perfect choice at the time.  
I still find them beautiful, but colored crystal has its limits.  

The bucolic scene of the transfer ware 
made me think of cows grazing in the countryside.

It wasn't long before my collection of 
cow creamers came into play on this tabletop.

This fancy lady is French, made with beautiful details
that one expects from Limoges china.  

The brown and white cow, another Round Top find,
 is in the Charlotte pattern by Royal Crownford.

These little girls are inexpensive 
and newly made in China.

So there you have it, Cuisine Kathleen
a table set with only white and brown.

Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable
My tip for this week is a quick and easy, but tasty dessert.

This is a favorite from my childhood.
~ A Brown Cow ~

~ Root Beer ~
~Vanilla Ice Cream ~
 ~ Whipped Cream ~

You can see I used the new A and W low calorie root beer, 
and the whipped cream only has 15 calories a serving.  
With a small scoop of ice cream, this is a fairly low cal dessert.

Top it off with some 
chocolate sprinkles or shavings.  

It's so tasty you'll have 
to hurry before the cows drink it.

 ~ Brown Cow ~
Yum ~ Yum



Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

58 comments:

  1. Sarah,
    This "Brown Cow" is exquisite, dear friend!!!
    Your choice of china with the Wedgwood China is so elegantly displayed!
    I adore your Wedding crystal stems paired with the Denby crystal stemware!
    The transfereware is gorgeous!!! Great finds with your napkin rings, so stunning with the monogram napkins!!!
    The "Brown Cow" was a blast from my childhood, dear one. During the Summer it was an occasional treat for a family Sunday afternoon outing!!!
    Thanks for the memories and this lovely Let there Be White Challenge!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  2. I love the pretty little brown glasses on the plates Sarah! And yep, I'd love a Brown Cow right about now:@)

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  3. Such a lot to look at in this post! Your brown and white table seems cool and calm in the middle of all the summer colour. Thank you for the link to the Transferware Etsy - I will go for a look, as I am always looking for something interesting to go with the red and white transferware.
    Now...that dessert.....it definitely got my attention....cool AND low-cal...a great combination!

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  4. O WOW! What a fabulous collection of cow creamers! I love how they decorate the table, and the transferware is such a nice late summer transition.

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  5. How gorgeous with the Brown cute cows and lovely dishes, along with the Brown glasses, dear Sarah! I have to think of a White table with accents for Let's Dish too. You've inspired me to accent my with another color. Have a wonderful week.
    FABBY

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  6. Sarah:
    My chocolate pie I made tonight would have gone well too - love your brown setting! A beautiful table.
    Sarah, I canceled my "Open House" blog party so you may remove it from the list. I am just have tea blog parties now each week. Thank you for all the times you participated!!!

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  7. Hi Sarah! Oh, I love this. Your pretty brown and white transferware is wonderful! The hydrangeas are so beautiful too. They look so pretty on the tray in your centerpiece! Always can count of you for some beautifulness.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  8. You have wonderful touches in this post! I especially love the gorgeous napkin rings! I had to chuckle at your colored crystal comment. I had brown heavy stems of Franciscan crystal in the seventies too! A friend once told me it seemed so masculine, and she was right. There were seven males in the household! But I loved it too.

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  9. Lunch in the pasture...how bucolic! I love the little French cow creamers used as individual floral centerpieces. The Denby crystal is lovely. I still adore colored crystal. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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  10. Dearest Sarah,
    You certainly do have quite an abundance on china and pieces for a surprising table setting. Special bone dishes you also show. Wishing you a great week ahead.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  11. Sarah,
    How do I even begin to describe all the ways this table setting and commentary appeal to me? Brown cows title lead to cows AND brown on the table. The Brown Cow dessert with Root Beer is brown itself. Wheels within wheels ... The Brown Cow dessert in the exquisite brown stemware is another wheel within wheel. The entire post is pure artistry! And brown is one of my least favorite colors! Yet, I absolutely love how you put everything together.

    Have a wonderful week.

    judith

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  12. I would never have thought about setting a table with brown. Everything is beautiful right down to the Brown Cow.

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  13. Sarah, this entire post is so creative! Starting with the unusual color combination of your pretty crystal Denby stems & the beautiful brown and white transferware...love the bone dishes!

    Your collection of cute little cow creamers are adorable & how nice that the elegant Limoges ladies play so nicely with their less affluent Chinese reproductions.

    Topping it off with a root beer float was just the PERFECT ending! It is our family's tradition to have them on the last day of school, but only if you passed on to the next grade. Not one of my mother's children EVER failed a grade, so we always got to enjoy them. I can't remember the last time I had one!
    Thanks for the memories,
    fondly,
    Rett

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  14. Sarah, I have written many times that brown is my favorite color and I certainly remember why it is, as I am looking at your table. I love your wedding crystal and the Kate Spade plates - they both made me swoon - lol!! I am a huge fan of Cliff's Tonquin - I own one small black piece and plum plates, cups and saucers. Home run for Kathleen!!

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  15. Such a gorgeous color combo...and I love the texture. Love using browns and you've proved that they add such depth.

    XO,
    Christine

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  16. The perfect elegant look. I love your brown and white cow.

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  17. Stunning say I! I love white china and the way it can be the basis for so many fabulous table settings. The brown is beautiful Sarah, quite a change and I could see a little French blue mixed in too!

    Tonquin is the pattern of the lovely little cup and saucer Marilyn just gifted me with when I visited in Portland, OR - except mine has the colors rather than just brown. Love the bone dish.

    Lovely post as always - thank you for sharing more of your collection of lovely things.

    Hugs - Mary

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  18. Love the whole set up:)
    The napkins..so elegant..I am a big monogram fan.. not that I have many.. but I used to have sweaters w/ an M on them too..
    All the Moos:) the Annabelle bouquets..Very chic and elegant Sarah..like everything you do.

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  19. Sarah, a delightful post. I love brown and white transferware (why do I not have any???)!! The cow creamers are a delight. The table is gorgeous! Lucky you on the Lenox find at TJMaxx. Our store is really getting very few dish related items in. boo. hiss. Great table, very warm and welcoming! xomarlis

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  20. oy yeah, looks we are gonna party til the cows come home! cute cute cute! my dad loved brown cows, i remember stopping on our way to our second home as a kid clear as bell now, fun memories, fun table!

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  21. Sarah, I love your brown and white table! Lovely and so many pieces of pretty transferware. Oh the cows are the perfect touch also!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  22. Absolutely LOVE this tablescape. So rich...reminds me of chocolate!!

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  23. Sarah, Your table setting has so many wonderful elements.
    I love the combination of the brown transferware and more contemporary pieces. Love your napkin rings and bone dishes, too, and the cow creamers prancing around on the table are just the cutest.

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  24. Beautiful table, love all of the pretty details and your white/brown transferware is so pretty!! Oh I wish I could join you for a "brown cow"...looks so yummy!

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  25. I ordered a Brown Cow after every hike I did in Lake Placid! After coming out of the woods after an 8 hour hike, my reward was a Brown Cow at Stewarts ;o) I love everything about this table Sarah.

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  26. Sarah, I could sit at your table 'til the cows come home! I'm a brown girl, so this table is one of my favorites~ love your monogram napkins! I ADORE your Round Top transferware cow and Tonquin napkin rings! I must get to Round Top someday, but I'd have to rent a U Haul and it would be a long drive home :)

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  27. Oh my goodness, I havn't had a brown cow in years. I really need to make one. Your tablescape is just so precious. I love it. The brown china is stunning, and I love, love, love the brown transferware. Thanks so much for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  28. Oh No! Sarah, I'm doing brown and white too, and your table is so much prettier than mine. I love the cow creamers used as individual flower holders, and you have so many beautiful brown and white pieces. I adore those napkin rings. And you even have brown stems. I wish I had time change to a different color before I post. laurie

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  29. Sarah, I LOVE your brown and white table. You coordinated everything so thoughtfully and with such style. Your cow creamers are such a delightful touch and perfect for a centerpiece. How fitting to serve your childhood favorite and mine, too... a Brown Cow! I'll be right over!!

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  30. Love the tablescape, the cows are adorable, great idea. I would love that root beer dessert right now. xo

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  31. Sarah, Your table is so gorgeous! I love the brown and white, it's so striking together! your flatware is so pretty and different, and that stemware, be still my heart. I love everything from that ear and those are heavenly.

    Visiting from SYC, but know you're also doing the Let's Dish challenge.

    Pam

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  32. This my favorite tablescape you have ever posted! It caused me to smile at all the clever ideas. I love both "brown cows" from the creamers to the float. Your Kate Spade china is one I picked up too at TJ Maxx. The browm transferware cow creamer is precious!
    Have a cool week!

    Pam

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  33. Gorgeous! I'm loving your transfer ware, and you"ve styled your table to perfection. The brown cow looks delicious!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  34. So pretty. Love the depth of the brown. Awesome napkin rings. Neat how you collected them.

    - The Tablescaper

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  35. Sarah, this table inspired me this morning when I saw it and I was so excited I forgot to leave you a note! I have a few pieces of Charlotte in purple, but no purple cow! And I do spend too much time perusing Nancy's goodies in her etsy shop. Yum--a brown cow sounds delicious right now. Root beer is the only soda I ever drink or want. I have never heard of the limoges cows, but now I will be on the watch for them. Thank you so much for this wonderful and inspiring table. Linda

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  36. Charming with a capital "C".

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  37. Oh I love it! I love the crystal stems the most but I love it all.

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  38. Your table is fabulous, Sarah. I love the accent color! Dessert looks so good! The creamer "vases" are cute.

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  39. I ought to be embarrassed to admit this but my heart was sort of pitter pattering through this table. I just kept loving one thing after the other. My first fave was the napkin ring and napkin, and it went on from there. I just loved the way you used the cows with the flowers in them for the center. I've never seen anything even remotely like that and love it.

    And now, I want a brown cow. The edible kind as well as the transferware kind.

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  40. Gorgeous. I have always wanted a brown dining room. Hope to see you soon!

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  41. Sarah, As I said before, you have the most beautiful collection of things! You cow creamers are charming with their bouquets. Dianne

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  42. Your vanilla and chocolate table is delicious, warm and creamy! :)
    Love your little hydrangea cows!
    I had all mine cut down yesterday. They were fried from the sun and up over the railings. I hated to do it, but once they fry, I don't like them. I guess I am a fair weather friend! :)
    Thanks for linking to Let's Dish!

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  43. I love white and brown combinations! Not too many people will pick brown as their favorite color, but I tend to be attracted to things with a rich brown color. so I am loving your table!! Also am dying over your brown cow dessert, it looks fabulous!!

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  44. Well done! All so pretty, I really love brown and white together. The napkin rings made me say Oooo! Take care - Dawn

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  45. So glad I found your sumptuous post @ Share Your Cup Thursdays!

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  46. I've come back over and over again to view this stunning tablescape!!! Can't get enough of it....very tastefully done, absolutely love it and the brown stemware!!! I can only echo the other comments, just beautiful!!!

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  47. The brown and white is so beautiful together, such a stunning table yet simple with just the two colors...love those napkins...thanks for making such a pretty table for us to see...

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  48. Just brilliant Sarah, you took a simple setting over the top with your cow creamers and root beer float dessert! The cows look like they are laughing and romping through your table, happily carrying the blooms on their backs! The dessert is just genius!!
    Jenna

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  49. Oh I love the brown and white! It is so fresh -I just got a set of brown dripware and put it away for fall. You have inspired me to maybe pull it out to do a summerscape too. Jennifer

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  50. Once again a beautiful scape from you with brown and white combo.love the cows as flower holders.lovely....:):)

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  51. Sarah, your table is perfect. I had chosen brown as my accent color until I changed it to pale pink.. Your table is an inspiration to me. so pretty
    Love, Mona

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  52. Sarah, what a fantastic tablescape. I love the brown and white transferware! Your cow creamer collection is so fun. Love, love that brown cow! I have one white cow creamer that I picked up at a yard sale for $1. It had a label from Target on the bottom. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  53. Sarah, Sarah, Sarah...what a stunning table...this is one of my all-time favorites. I love those Tonquin napkin rings...should I be so lucky to stumble upon some in purple!
    We love Brown Cows, too.
    Have a wonderful week...

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  54. Brown is my favorite color! I've enjoyed your tablescape this week!

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  55. Oh Sarah, your cows are adorable and I just love them full of white hydrangea! Beautiful table setting!
    Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday!!!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  56. You have made this fun and elegant at the same time, Sarah - LOVE your brown Transferware, the cute cow and the Brown Cow - too cool! I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  57. Oh Sarah, This is just too darling! There is not one thing that doesn't speak to me. Of course you know i love all that brown transferware...and I am so happy to have helped you complete your set of napkin rings...or well, I guess maybe you need one more? I love how you tucked hydrangea (my favorite!) into the rings. There is something so simple, but so elegant about brown. The collection of cow creamers is charming. I have passed up a few of the white only cows but I probably should get them next time I have an opportunity.
    Everything looks just wonderful...I also LOVE the brown glassware, and a rootbeer float sounds absolutely yummy! I have been dieting but thinking I need to have a little splurge and that might just be it! It's sounds perfect for these hot days.

    Thank you for sharing and thank you for the mentions/links.

    Have a wonderful day~

    Nancy

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