Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Plaid Tidings

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Friday, December 1, 2023

Tales of the Traveling Tote Edition #37



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Sunday, November 19, 2023

Chicken Soup for Dinner



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Tuesday, November 7, 2023

A Tribute to Tom Turkey

Welcome!
Today's post is a tribute to the turkey, 
where you'll see a rafter of turkeys 
strutting across my table.  
Thanksgiving Tablescape Blog Hop 
This hop includes 17 tabletop stylists 
organized by our talented friend 
Rita @ Panoply
A list with links of all sharing in this 
hop is at the end of this post.

I've been a John Derian fan for decades and 
always shop his NYC Soho shops when I'm in NYC.
Did you shop his Thanksgiving Themed Collection for Target?

When I saw this image from the Target promotion, I fell down the John Derian Thanksgiving Collection Rabbit Hole.

Seriously, the three dimensional turkey 
stole my heart, and the quilted throw is cozy.

This handsome guy is exquisitely beaded, 
plump, and full of personality.

The cylindrical turkey pillow was equally as intriguing to me.
Though it doesn't have the overall beading, the art of 
the design is rendered in a unique style and
fits right in on the chase upstairs.

I also added this square turkey pillow as well.  
One could say I went full turkey!

But I digress!  
This post is about tablescapes.

Yes, the beautiful Toms staring on each place setting 
are also from the John Derian Collection.

They came in a set of four, each stoneware plate a 
different colorful Tom Turkey strutting its tail feathers.

I layered the 9" salads atop pairs of 
turkey plates in my dish stash.
This one is vintage Maruta Ware 
made in Japan c1930-1950.

This one is His Majesty by Johnson Bros, England.
This set was a recent gift from a very thoughtful IG friend.
I'm rather taken with the exquisite borders 
on these transfer ware turkey plates.

I stacked them on chargers bought at Williams Sonoma years ago.  
If interested, The Autumn Plaid chargers are still available.
The rust placemats are from Threshold @ Target, new this season.
You can see more of my turkey plates here.

These fall plaid napkins have been in my linen drawer for decades. 
I love the mix of muted fall tones, and the detail of
the running stitches appeals to my stitcher's heart.

Mini cobs of Indian Corn offer interesting
textures and added touches of fall color.

The napkin rings are antique ivory with sterling initials.
Each was found at various French brocantes on our travels.

The mother of pearl flatware is American made by 
Hennegen Bates and Co. Baltimore, MD.
The company was a jeweler and silversmith 1857-1955.

Denby stems in Mirage Brown were 
wedding gifts from our wedding registry.
You see them on our table often.

The charming turkey placard holders are stamped metal, and you guessed it, part of the John Derian Thanksgiving Collection. 
They came four to a set, each one different.

These little guys are favorites, right 
up there with the beaded turkey.

The table runner is 50/50 cotton/linen, 
made in India for the John Derian collection.  
It is black line drawings with the occasional colored 
mushroom, flower, and seasonal vegetable.

I layered it atop my favorite linen runner from 
Arte Italica Crown Linen Designs.

The flower containers are a recent thrift store find.
They are small tulipieres, and each has a small chip.
 That didn't bother me; I consider it the patina of time, 
not noticeable when filled with flowers. 

The tulipieres have a series of small holes around the edges of
 two levels in addition to the center opening at the top. 
These containers are perfect for a variety of fall flowers,
and make it easy peasy to arrange a simple centerpiece.

Let's talk about the rafter of turkeys down the center of the table 
that I mixed with small pumpkins tied with fall ribbons.

My small collection of vintage paper maché turkeys 
were picked up here and there when I was lucky 
enough to find them for a reasonable price. 

Most were made in Japan in the 1950s, 
and many were candy boxes.

This vintage brass Tom Turkey is a bank.

More turkeys, pumpkins, and flowers fill the adjacent buffet.
The big wooden Tom Turkey has lived here since the 1980s, a gift delivered to my classroom when I was teaching first grade.
You can imagine the smiles this guy generated with six year olds.

Amber glass is so appealing to me and perfect for autumn.
The amber glass turkey pieces were from Williams Sonoma many years ago.  The amber jar for flowers was a recent find.

This paper maché turkey sits atop a box on spring coil legs.
It is unmarked, and I know nothing of its history 
other than it has been in my collection for many years.
The green bamboo flatware is new from Vivro Veronika.

If you are still with me, I hope you enjoyed this photo 
rich post honoring Tom Turkeys and perhaps 
are inspired to pay tribute the "Man of the Season!"
 I want to personally thank John Derian for his wonderful Thanksgiving collaboration with Target this year.
If you travel to New York City, Miz Merri Mac and I highly recommend a visit to the shops of John Derian, NYC.
He is an American decoupage artist and designer known for his amazing mix of natural oddities, antiques, and eccentric style.
Click here for a video of John's work and his NYC studio.

You won't be disappointed with this talented group!

Hyacinths for the Soul - A Tribute to Tom Turkey  (You Are Here)
My Thrift Store Addiction - Friendsgiving Charcuterie and Wine Buffet
Me and My Captain - Thankful, Grateful
The Painted Apron - Eat, Drink & Be Thankful
The Cat's Whiskerz - Giving Thanks Wherever You Are
Belle Bleu Interiors - Gather with a Grateful Heart
From My Carolina Home - Turkey Time Tablescape
Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Oh, So Thankful
The Little Yellow Corner Store - A Simple Fruit and Greenery Tablescape


Happy Thanksgiving




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Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Autumn Leaves on a Tray


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Tea on Tuesday Celebrating Autumn



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Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Pumpkin Wishes and Candy Corn Kisses


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Thursday, September 28, 2023

Welcoming Fall With a Thrifted, Gifted Tablescape




Welcome to my Fall Thrifted and Gifted table.

Traditionally, we have enjoyed gathering guests
to share meals around our table.  
My husband was an exceptional cook.  Me, I'm a dishaholic
who takes much pleasure in setting a beautiful table.  
I have to say, we were a perfect match!

I used a thrifted tray in the center of our table arranged with a 
 Lottie linen tied with ribbon, a sweet pinecone basket new
to MacKenzie-Childs fall offerings this year, and tucked in a bouquet of fall flowers and a cinnamon whisk for a little fresh baked aroma.

It occurred to me that most of the details on my table were either thrifted through the years or were gifts given me over the years.  
Some of the gifts were even thrifted by the friends who gifted them.  Tablescape friends tend to enable each other!

You've seen these orange crystal flutes on many of my tables.
Yes, these were thrifted by a tablescaping friend who knows my
passion for the color orange, so she sent these my way.
The nice wooden and wicker tray is by Lenox and was a thrifty
Goodwill find over a decade ago.  It is in perfect condition.

The dinner plates in my stack are Artesian Road Collection 
by Tracey Porter, and they were another thrifty Goodwill find.
 Many years ago I happened in at the right time as there was a complete set of these dishes, including a small vase 
and serving pieces, all sitting on a SALE table.  
I scooped up the dinners and the small vase.
The salads, Zanzibar by ClayArt, also a GW thrifty find.
 Note the bamboo detail on both of the rims!  

I love the color and design on these dinner plates which
is similar in feel to these chinoiserie inspired 
linens from Vivo Veronica.  
Brenda generously gifted me some of her beautiful linens 
in several different patterns, including "Lottie" 
in a gorgeous palette of lime green with various delicious 
shades of orange and inspired from a c1850 wallpaper.  

The cream salad plates banded in a dark tan bamboo motif offer a touch of texture and interest, and are a nice compliment to the dinners.  Note the extra detail of the reed lashes on the rim and how the rim color mimics the color of the ruffled velvet placemats by 
Arte Italica Crown Linen Designs.
The green Bordallo Pinheiro leaf plates were a welcome gift!  
They add the perfect touch to my fall plate stack. 

I love that the leaf plates have three feet 
to elevate them for presentation.

Let's talk about these cookies!
I like to add a seasonal theme topper on the plate stack 
as a fun nod to the season or holiday.  
A young stay-at-home mom bakes these in her kitchen.
You can special order her cookie designs from 
Blue Boo Bakery here.

Amber is the dearest young woman, not
to mention she is also exceedingly talented.

One doesn't need holiday specific dishes.
Rather bring a festive look to the table with an
interesting mix of dishes, linens, and accessories.  
Think color, pattern, shape, and texture.  
Then add a touch of whimsy!

I used two of my antique sterling baby teethers as napkin rings.
I started collecting these on a 2018 trip with a friend to attend  
the twice annual Faire de Chatou right outside of Paris.

Last year my friend took her daughter and offered to shop for me.
My own personal shopper.  Now that's a priceless gift!
She came home with three more for my collection.

Sweet treats are served on the larger Bordallo Pinheiro
leaf plate that was in the trio of plates my friend sent my way.

It doesn't take much effort to create a welcoming place
setting for yourself and your spouse or a table filled with guests.
I often keep a table for two set in honor of my chef!

~ Autumn ~ 
My  Favorite Season
It's rich tapestry of colors and textures 
warm both my heart and soul.
Choose gratitude!
Set each place with a joyful heart and 
savor the special times around your table.






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