Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Warming Up With Tartan and Paisley




It's not snowing, but we are having a cold, grey January here.  
I wanted to set a cozy table to warm my spirits.

A friend traveled to Scotland this past summer, and knowing how I love all things tartan, she returned home with this wonderful wool tartan throw just for me.  For some reason it looks pink in this close up, but you can see on the table, it is actually a true red.  Just as a tartan should be! It's warm and cozy and a perfect table topper for a winter day.

The snowmen here at HFTS 
cozied up just for the occasion.
Several of my snowmen are the work 
of US artist Natalie Silitch from Annapolis.
This cute guy was a gift enclosed 
with my latest order from Timeless Charm Gifts.
Wouldn't these be cute used as place card holders?

Tartan and paisley have always been at the top of my list.
I especially like tartan dishes and 
love to mix the various tartans together.  
Just take a look at last year's 
Tartan Parade to see what I mean.
Occasionally I like to throw in some paisley too.

Snowy Smiles plates by Williraye Studio
are another little "pick me up" for winter days.
Who wouldn't begin to feel better 
just looking at their cute faces?
And did you notice, 
their black and white checked borders?
They were the stars of another winter tablescape here.

Vintage Mother of Pearl flatware 
reminds me of snowy days.

A touch of polka dots and green stems made from 
French wine bottles seem to fit right in.

Layers of Tartan, Paisley, 
and Black and White Checks

Oak Leaves and Acorns

I'm beginning to feel happier already!
What about you?


Don't pack away the snowmen 
with the Christmas decorations.  
Snowmen like to stay out to play all winter.  


I had already created my winter tablescape in this post before ironically being treated to a birthday lunch that featured this incredible winter wonderland centerpiece.  Much to my delight, this darling winter scene went home with me as a birthday gift.  I'm eager to feature this winter scene in a tablescape of my own sometime soon.


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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The Star of Winter



Pink Camellias




This time of year, camellia trees 

offer up a cheerful pink treat for cold winter days.




These lush pink petals 

are the stars of this week's table.




Pink Paired With My Favorite Courtly Check




More Fresh Flowers For The Table




Compliment the 

Pink Stars of the Evening




Crisp White Linen




Layers of Shiny Black, 

Courtly Check, and a Ruffled Woven Mat




Antique Ivory Salt and Pepper





Tasty Daube a la Provençal Made with Lamb

You'll find the recipe here at Dean & Deluca




Fresh Spinach with Citrus, Beets, Red Onions, and Olives




Tri-colored Roasted New Potatoes




Pink, Purple, and Cream




A Tower of Corn Muffins




Made For a Delicious Winter Dinner




Hope you have pink camellias 

blooming in your garden this winter.





Definitely Star Quality



Adding a fresh flower blossom at each place setting 

is a simple, inexpensive touch that makes an elegant statement.

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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

A Little Flair



Sharing A Table Set With Flair




The Posey girls took my 

basic black and white and kicked it up a notch.




Silver Chairs 

Dressed in Black Ostrich Feathers




Plumes of Gorgeous 

White Ostrich Feathers Overhead




They started with this 

very contemporary low vase.




To which they added a tall 

cylinder filled with white orchids.




Then topped it off with plumes 

of white ostrich feathers and more white orchids.





A sheer topper, with black velvet design, 

over a simple white cloth offered a bit of drama.




~ ~ ~ ~
Plates in Classic Black

Courtly Check Chargers

Ruffled Woven Place Mats
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~



Black Linen Napkins

With a Speciality Cookie 




The Wedding Cake Cookies

Suggest A Bridal Theme




Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable

Individually wrapped speciality cookies

at each place setting are the perfect favor.




Change the cookie shape 

and this table setting 

could be for any occasion.




A Complete Table in 

Black and White

With Just a Hint of 

Hot Pink




Definitely 

~ A Table With Flair ~




Champagne Is Cooling




Please join me with a toast 

to the talents of

(click above for link)

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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Let's Put Our Heads Together


Henriot Quimper ~ Ivoire Corbeille Decor


I've yet to set a table for the new year,

so instead of a tablescape I'm sharing 

some pieces from my collection of Quimper in

 a pattern affectionally known simply as IC.
The Ivoire Corbeille pattern dates from the 1930s, when it was first produced by the Henriot Factory in Quimper, France.  It is a rather distinctive decor that features elements from various earlier decors found on Quimper pottery.


The rose colored half sunflower, in the a la touché technique, was most likely influenced by an early HR design of a bird on a half sunflower, while pieces from the 19th century AP production in the bluets pattern could have influenced the sponged circlets that are distinctive to this pattern.




Here is an example of an HR plate in a design that likely influenced the rose colored half sunflower design often found on pieces painted in the Ivoire Corbeille pattern.  Click here to see a complete tablescape featuring this plate and other Quimper plates with a bird motif.




This large serving bowl was the 

first piece I purchased in the IC pattern.  

The central figure was inspired by 

the figures in the demi-fantasie pattern.  




I find the little sponged 

circlets a charming touch.




I also like the mix of blues and yellows 

atop the ivory colored background.





The sponged rims are another 

characteristic typically found on pieces of IC.





These two pieces offer yet another motif 

that you see around the central part of each pitcher.




Last but not least is this large fruit bowl 

with its distinctive swan handle.




What you say, let's put our heads together!



Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable

 I'm reversing the process this week for TTT @ Stone Gable.

Help me come up with some ideas for a tablescape using these limited number of pieces in this pattern.  I have two sets of the large cups and saucers, the little figural egg cup, one plate, a large bowl, two pitchers, and the swan basket. Leave me a comment with your ideas and suggestions. Tell me what I should use to set a pretty table featuring the Ivoire Corbeille pattern.

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