Wednesday, July 17, 2013

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish





Dr Seuss' Poem kept rattling 
around in my head as I set this table.

A fellow Quimper collector 
was joining us for lunch this week.

It seemed appropriate to 
use some of our Quimper dishes.

I chose these fish plates that were made 
by HenRiot Quimper in mid 20th century.

With their bright floral motif 
and the blue sponged details, 
they were a perfect choice for a July luncheon.

Each plate is finely detailed.
~ Faces ~ Fins ~

~ Fish Tails ~

I used napkins with a French provencal 
pattern in blue to soften the stack of ceramics.

The same napkins in 
red were used atop the stack.

Silver napkin rings of fancy fish 
swam their way around each serviette.

Vintage Mother of Pearl flatware 
seemed to be the perfect compliment.

This beautiful red Italian
 compote was a recent thrifty find.

With its gently scalloped edges and filled with a 
feathery fern, it fit right into the theme of this table.

As did my recent silver find 
from the City Wide Garage Sale.

Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable
The red dinner plates were also thrifty finds.  Two round and two square, so this table setting is a mix of both.  It's just the two of us most meals, so I don't shy away from picking up pairs of plates when I find pieces I can mix with other pieces.  This tablescape is definitely an example of a "collected tabletop". 


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.

78 comments:

  1. The colors are amazing. The napkin ring is fabulous! The dishes, wow! Sarah I love everything about this table!

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  2. Oh, wow....this is so pretty, Sarah. I love the title of this post! The Quimper fish plates are so unique. Are they very rare? I've never seen any like them, and they are fabulous. I know your luncheon guests loved the plates! LOVELY table,my friend. All of your details are perfect!

    :D

    xo,
    Ricki Jill

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  3. I love it Sarah! The plate reminds me of flounder fishing, how fun:@)

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  4. Now this is a fish plate that I may not be able to resist. I love them! Marvelous design. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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  5. Hi Sarah! To be a guest at your table would be such a treat! I love your table and these little fish plates are adorable. I've never seen anything like them before! The napkins are perfect too. Oh, how I love that red scalloped top container! You always do it right!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  6. I love this table, Sarah, as it is so bright and cheerful. I always admire Quimper tableware, but I've never seen these plates before. They're great and I would be borrowing if I were closer!

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  7. Sarah~ A collected table is one of my favorite kinds! Your Quimper fish plates are so unique~ I love the layers and patterns you've paired with your provencal print napkins. Beautiful red & silver thrifty finds too!

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  8. Love love your collected table. The fish plates are splendid. I have a soft spot for fish on a plate or fish shaped plates.

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  9. Fabulous Quimper and provencal napkins! Clever title and theme.

    I know the guests were thrilled.

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  10. Wonderful bright colors, Sarah. That was the perfect accompaniment for that Dr. Seuss book-xo Diana

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  11. Oh how cute, Sarah! I have never seen those Quimper fish plates before but I am full of admiration for them. Gorgeous! I am sure your friend and you had a great time dining on this beautiful table...Christine

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  12. In love with those sweet quimper fish faces!! Of course the MOP fish pieces are exquisite. Gorgeous red centerpiece and the silver tray is certainly a fabulous find. Love those napkins!!! A truly wonderful table filled with cherished collectibles.. my favorite kind. xo marlis

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  13. Oh what FUN!

    I love all those bright and beautiful crisp colours.

    You have put together a truly gorgeous tablescape!!

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  14. Beautiful colors and I love the vintage pearl handled tableware.

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  15. Love the shape Sarah:-)
    I have never seen any in person:-)

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  16. I love the detail on the Quimper plates, Sarah! You've enhanced their beauty with your choice of napkins and your reds and blues. I love your thrifted finds, too. The maidenhair fern looks right at home in your red compote. I love their airy look, but I can't seem to grow them for more than a few months. Your mother of pearl flatware is one of my favorites.

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  17. Pretty dishes, I've never seen dishes like this before! Looks so nice with your silver tray centerpiece...so pretty!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  18. You set the prettiest tables! I have never seen those pieces anywhere! How fun and what great pieces you have!
    Miss Bloomers

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  19. I love the name you gave this tablescape! Those unique plates are beautiful! The flatware gorgeous!!

    Also like the red compote! Enjoyed it all!

    Katherine

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  20. Love the plates and the napkin rings. Great find on the centerpiece. Love it.

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  21. I love it. The reds and the blues are just the right shade (for me!) and make me think that anyone sitting at the table would be immediately put into a festive mood.

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  22. You're amazing Sarah - simply amazing at how you can pull a themed table together - it's just gorgeous - and that thrift store find ( Compote ) looks beautiful with the fern in it - I would never have thought of that!
    XOXO

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  23. Sarah - those dishes are stunning! I have never seen anything like them. Your friend will love dining on them, I am sure! Every little detail is perfect from the napkins to the fish napkin rings to the shell design on the silver tray - wow!

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  24. What lucky friends you have, Sarah...they had to feel so blessed to sit down to this beautiful table, filled with your wonderful collections. I ♥♥♥ those fish plates & I REALLY ♥♥♥ that RED compote you found. Lucky Dog!

    The vintage Mother of Pearl flatware is GORGEOUS & the handles on your silver tray are exactly the same as mine. *grin*

    Hope you're staying cool!
    Rett

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  25. I don't know when I have seen such a pretty and creative place setting. I love this, dishes, linens, and all!

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  26. Be still my heart. I love those plates and the linens look wonderful with them. A lovely table setting!

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  27. Stunning plates Sarah, you have so many beautiful things! The fish napkin rings could be the greatest napkin rings I've ever seen, over the top cute. I can see why Dr. Seuss was in your head, I love the red white and blue!
    JEnna

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  28. The napkin rings!!!!!!!!! HOW COOL ARE THOSE?!??!?!!!! LOVE them!!! They are perfect with this setting!!!

    I love colorful dishes, and these are right up there among my favorite!!! The SHAPE just grabs me, too!!! The poor little fish doesn't look to happy, though, to have been snagged and dragged to the table. At least he's not going to get eaten, so he should thank his lucky stars! :-)

    The flatware, Sarah, is absolutely FABULOUS!!!!! FABULOUS, I tell you! The design is just gorgeous!!!

    Such a pretty table! One of my favorites of yours to date! Have a great weekend!

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  29. Sarah this is just gorgeous! Love the mix n match look and you do find the most gorgeous stuff!!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  30. Your setting is stunning. I love the vibrant colors. Just beautiful. Sorry it's been so long since I've visited. Busy, busy with my boys.

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  31. Sarah, the fern-filled red compote is spectacular! Just the perfect complement to your Quimper table setting! The whole table is beautiful...

    Judith

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  32. Those Quimper fish plates are delightful! So many wonderful colors and you put it all together beautifully! I would have snatched that red compote too! Very versatile! I think you will get a lot of use from it.
    Thanks so much for linking this fun table to Let's Dish.

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  33. Oh my goodness! This table is so pretty! I love your dishes...I've never seen them before! Your choice of napkins and all the details just make it the perfect setting. Great job on all your "finds"!
    Thanks too for dropping by my site!
    Sharlotte
    Sharlotte's Reflections

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  34. Awww... so beautiful, my friend!
    i want to go to the city-wide garage sale with you sometime! xo m

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  35. I've never seen these before. It's so pretty. I'm amazed by how you mixed the patterns with the linens. It all works beautifully.

    Thank you for your sweet comment at our Mad Hatter Tea.

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  36. This table is beautiful, and those plates are to die for! Love it all...

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  37. Oh Sarah, I am so in love with this table! Of course the Quimper fish plates were enough to make me fall in love, but the addition of the wonderful napkins in two different colors, and the stack of plates with the red accenting the fish appealed to me also. What a gorgeous silver tray you got at the sale, and the red compote is beautiful too. There isn't a thing on this table that I don't love. laurie

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  38. Sarah, your table is so bright and pretty. A very happy tablescape to sit down to. Have a lovely day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  39. Love the bright nautical colors! I feel like we should be dining in Europe. Jennifer

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  40. Those dishes are to die for...the patterns and colors are just so beautiful. Come link up to my party on my blog right now and share this post with us! http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/07/centerpiece-wednesday-and-wrap-up_17.html
    Karin

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  41. Hi Sarah, As always, just lovely! I remember the hand painted canvas we pulled thread for, that would be a beautiful addition to this grouping.
    Have a beautiful weekend,
    Kimberly

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  42. What a gorgeous setting! Your dishes are really pretty, and you've styled it so well. Hope your friend enjoys it as much as we do.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  43. Great finds in the red compote and silver tray. Love them! And, your tablescape is so pretty with the charming fish plates, and mixed with the red square plates.

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  44. Dearest Sarah,
    Lovely setting with these beautifully and detailed Quimper fish plates.
    You do have a very keen eye for picking out valuable items and matching them with your grand collection.
    Hugs to you,
    Mariette

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  45. Your red and blue Quimper ware looks so beautiful displayed this way, Sarah. I love the red compote! I can see so many uses for it.

    life here has been hectic and busy but I am loving every second of it! just wish I had more computer time again..lol!

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  46. This has to be one of my favorite tablescapes of yours Saran. So pretty. I love the fish plates, and pretty napkins. Just beautiful and makes you smile. Hope you are enjoying your summer. I have been MIA too, so don't feel bad. I post my content but not much time for visiting with the boys home:)

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  47. Sarah,
    I adore the vibrant hues of this tablescape, dear friend!!!
    The detailing on the plates is stunning!!! Not only the mix of dinnerware, but the mix of hued fabrics keeps this tablescape interesting for luncheon conversation!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  48. Sarah, this is delightful. I love all the details.
    And what a wonderful find at the thrift store. My favorite color!
    The lunch must have been fabulous.
    Wishing you a wonderful Sunday,
    Evi
    PS. Wishing for rain and cooler temps. Hopefully by tomorrow.....

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  49. Gorgeous way to include your Quimper poisson plates in a lunch setting, I bet she loved it!

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  50. You have my wheels spinning about what I have on hand to emulate your lovely table setting.

    B E A U T I F U L ! ! !

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  51. Good Evening Sarah, Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving such lovely comments.
    Your table setting is beautiful. I love brightly coloured plates and the Quimper is so colourful.
    The Mother of Pearl knives and forks are such a beautiful addition to the table..... actually they are really lovely.... I adore them.
    Sarah, I have really enjoyed my visit and I have become a new follower, actually, I notice I am your 770th follower.
    I look forward to many more inspirational posts.
    Best Wishes to you,
    Daphne

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  52. Sarah I'm back to thank you for linking up to TTF this week!

    Linda

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  53. Oh, this table is such an explosion of color. Just lovely. and your touches of those amazing napkin rings and unbelievable flatware make it a perfect table. Lucky that you can pick up two plates to make something happen.

    - The Tablescaper

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  54. This is a perfect summer setting! It's so colorful and inviting. I'm new at this collecting thing and haven't heard of Quimper but it's so pretty!! Thanks for sharing!

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  55. Beautiful tablescape!! Your fish plates are lovely, and I love the fish napkin rings. Your mother of pearl flatware is gorgeous!
    Mary Alice

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  56. I have hardly any sets of 8 dishes except for my white and china. Mostly it is sets of 2 or 4 that I mix and match....Love to do that...not as good as your beautiful table...but it is a fun way to decorate!

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  57. Anyone who sits at your table is in for a treat! Thanks for sharing.

    Happy Blue Monday, Sarah.

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  58. Such pretty Quimper ware. This is a new pattern for me.

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  59. Absolutely beautiful and so very unique!

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  60. such fun dishes, like halibut with sideways faces~ the napkin rings are fabulous too! you are not showing up on my reader, i have the quirkest blog ever, rarely do things work for me and i have never once shown up on a feed in 9 months. oy to blogspot!

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  61. I love those fish dishes Sarah! Just stunning! And the napkin rings are perfect! The perfect table set for summer :-)

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  62. Sarah, I love the colors in this tablescape! So bright and cheery. The mother of pearl flatware is gorgeous too! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  63. I love these plates. I recently decided to not buy new plates but to go hunting for burried treasures. Haven't found anything that called my attention... yet... still looking. I like the idea of having different plates at the table, they become a conversation piece :-) Thanks for sharing your beautiful finds.

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  64. Sarah, how beautiful!

    You set a gorgeous table, it is so cheerful and colorful ~ I loved to see the close-ups and learn about each piece. Very nice!

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  65. Sarah:
    You are the QUEEN OF QUIMPER! This is beautiful!

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  66. Your Quimper dishes are fabulous. I havn't seen these before, and the detail is unreal. What a beautiful tablescape. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  67. This s such a beautiful, fun and happy table! All of your pieces are just perfect and stunning. I am going to feature this post on tomorrows "Features from TTF". thank you for sharing this lovely table with us last week at TTF!

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  68. Oh boy dear Sarah this tablescape is amazing! I love your fish Quimper plates, they are awesome and so unique! The pretty colorful napkins go so perfectly in this table too. Thanks for sharing hon. Thank you for your sweet and kind visit too. Big hugs,
    FABBY

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  69. Sarah,
    Don't feel bad, I missed this post too, so we are even! You have the most beautiful things! I love the plates, the napkins and you KNOW I am crazy about the flatware, but that red compote is just amazing. All together, you are right, a perfect July table. Dianne

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  70. Hi, Sarah. You visited and commented on my espresso post several days ago (I'm sure your ambiance is fine; I know all about your settings!!), so thank you for your sweet comments. I'm happy to have stopped by--your dishes are fabulous! What a fun table you created. I think the napkins are perfect for those dishes, and of course, the napkin rings...how perfect are they?! Oh, and those thrift/garage sale finds are awesome! Fun visiting with you. ~Zuni

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  71. Hello Sarah - I do that too! When I decorate or create something that reminds me of a song - it replays in my mind all day! Love the very colorful plates - they're amazing - wonderful tablescape and LOVE your silver tray find! I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  72. Such cheery tables you do! I don't know what I've been doing lately, but it's not tables! haha! I think it's more of a cold weather sport for me. Glad you got some rain! These days we all just wait and see what we get for weather!

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  73. What fabulous plates! Everything on the table is gorgeous!
    Karee

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  74. Oh I’m loving all your Quimper pieces in this and your previous post. This is such a lovely pattern Sarah. I love how you stacked the place setting and the provencal linens, just beautiful. Love the details in the faces and fins. Lovely for a summer luncheon.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  75. I love using my Quimper china with blues and yellow. Your table looks lovely.

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  76. Sarah, those plates are so cute! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House! Pop on in and grab a feature button for your blog. Here is the link to this week's party. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-60.html Hope to see your prettiness again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  77. Sarah, I've been revisiting your red, white and blue posts and I have to express how much I love this setting. Maybe it's the Quimper, maybe the colors I love so much, I just know how lovely this luncheon table setting came together. I regret I never added these fish face charmers to my collection. Thanks for reposting, always a treat to enjoy from the archives........

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.