Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Let's Dish ~ Tuscan Inspiration



Let's Dish ~ Tuscan Inspiration

I've been out of town and have had little opportunity to create 
a table setting for this week, so I reached into my photo files for something to share.  It's been more than ten years since we've traveled in Italy, but our time in Tuscany is still vivid in my memory.  When I saw this beautiful tablescape at Pottery Barn last year, I was immediately drawn to the rich warm colors.




Reproduction olive jars set the 

mood in the center of the table.




The olives may be faux, 

but they looked good enough to eat.




~ apricots ~ browns ~ golds ~ 

~ olive greens ~ rusty reds ~

~ natural linen ~


 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  The depth of this tablescapes' color palette 


immediately transported me back 


to the richness of a Tuscan landscape.




Textures and layers offered 

the rich look of aged stucco. 




Both color and texture 

spoke for themselves.




Each place setting offered 

simplicity with a touch of flair.




Heavy glassware and chicken wire 


votive holders offered a contrast of texture 


atop the loose linen weave of the textile.






Flatware was presented within a white linen napkin.






Smooth ceramics atop woven reed chargers 


brought in more layers of interesting textures.




Metal napkin rings encircled a duo of linen napkins.


 ~ One a beautiful printed linen, 


the other a simple fringed ecru. ~





I find the contrast of colors and 


textures very appealing.






Add in the white details and . . .





It all stacks up to be very inviting.






A loaf of bread along with a few bread sticks







Was nestled in with more textural linens.





A natural reed wine coaster 


held a bottle of red close at hand.




So tell me, does this table make 

you feel as if you've escaped to Tuscany?

Joining 







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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Let's Dish ~ Tabletop Treasures from My Mom



Mother's Day Challenge 

Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

~ A tribute to my mom for Mother's Day ~






My mother was an avid gardener until

 she moved out of her home at age 90.






Now 97, she no longer gardens, 

but she still loves beautiful flowers.



She also loves sweets, 

especially chocolate ice cream 

and rich pound cake.




In honor of my mother, 

I set a tray with her favorite things 

 and pretended we were having an afternoon 

 treat in the garden.  I filled some of her beautiful 

glass baskets with springtime blooms.





I fondly remember these beautiful 

glass basket vases from my childhood.

They are treasures that my mom passed on to me.




These elegant etched glass baskets 

were made in the 1920s and 1930s.




They are perfect for springtime bouquets!




I've set the tray with 

my mom's wedding china,

Homer Laughlin's 

Virginia Rose - Jeanette Gold.




This china was made in 1939.  

Virginia Rose was a very popular 

 shape with many different designs.  

 My mom chose Jeanette's Gold 

 with delicate pink flowers and gold details.




Each piece has double 

gold bands on the outside rim.





These pretty linen napkins 

were one of my wedding gifts in 1975.





Mother of Pearl vintage flatware seemed 

the perfect choice for this dessert tray.




Pretty and elegant ~ just like my mom.




Won't you join us for a scoop of ice cream?




Happy Mother's Day!

 Congratulations to the Tablescaper 

 who is celebrating 

 100th Seasonal Sunday.

Joining











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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Let's Dish ~ Springtime Simplicity


~ Springtime Simplicity ~

I shot the photo of this lovely table setting 

at Marburger Antiques this spring.




Such a simple idea, 

and so easy to replicate.




The random bottles

 could be filled with flowers,

but I rather like them empty 

with the occasional stopper added.

Did you notice that 

these stoppers are door knobs?




Place settings of 

vintage white china,

each piece a different pattern.




White linens with ruffles 

to flutter in the breeze,

and gauzy slips over the chairs 

make this table setting

Simplistically Stunning!

Joining 

White Wednesday @ Faded Charm

Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tablescape Thursday @ BNOTP

Home & Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

Vintage Thingie Thursday @ Colorado Lady

Vintage Inspiration @ Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday @ The Picket Fence

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper

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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Let's Dish ~ Melamine






Just look at this beautiful table setting. 

Would you ever guess that these

  dishes are actually melamine?

Seems melamine is making a come back.




These Italian inspired dishes 

certainly aren't the retro melamine of my youth.




Each of these charming dishes are by Le Cadeaux.  

The Rustica sage green rimmed in red 

truly looks like Italian ceramics.

Layer in a Louis sage salad plate with a

Rustica cream cereal bowl to create  

an amazingly beautiful place setting.




Add some colorful floral napkin rings




With crisp white linens.




Doesn't this look yummy?




The added detail on the 

napkins is a nice touch.




Pretty green stems




Real ceramic fish bowls



Add to the elegance





Each a delicious color from the sea.





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