Wednesday, March 18, 2009

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY: A SPRING EVENING DINNER

Today is Tablescape Thursday, hosted by Susan at Between Naps On The Porch. In fact, today is the 30th TT!! Visit Susan and see the list of all the gals participating and give them a visit. There is an awful lot of creativity and talent out there!

My tablescape theme was to be a Spring Luncheon. But as I fiddled around with everything, stopped to make dinner for my own family (which was feeling slightly rejected that I was pouring more attention in to a faux meal!!), and realized that it was getting dark outside! So I added some candles and we now have a Spring Dinner (pretend of course).



My dinner and salad plates are from both TJ Maxx and Marshalls. They seem to carry the same brands. I first bought the blue dinner plates awhile back to just add color to my table settings. I have white "everyday" dishes, which I love. Working as an assistant chef years ago I learned that chefs and restaurants prefer white dishes as it showcases the food best. Not to say that my family has ever stopped, fork in mid~air, to say, "Lovely presentation, Mom!". Well, I put the blue plates away somewhere and then last week came upon three of these white salad plates. I instantly fell in love with them for their detail, which you will see. I was at Marshalls and saw that they also had the blue plates so I was able to put them together and they go well, don't you think? I told The Husband that I was a little disappointed that they didn't have a fourth white plate, even better, five to make a set. And if you read my blog you have probably already guessed...he went out and found the rest! What a love! :-)

The blue/green/white napkins are also from Marshalls, as well as the wine glasses. I really love the wine glasses because they are short and somewhat heavy, yet have very elegant curves. I would absolutely love the day that I have a minimum of 16 matching wine glasses that don't chip or break or shatter...and I think these may fit the bill. $6.99 for a set of four. I think I may go back...


A closer view of the dinner plate. I love the scalloped edge and raised flowers. Those areas have received a light rubbing of a dark stain to bring out the texture. Brown and blue have been very popular color combo's of late (note my blog~hee hee) so I think I can also use some brown in a tablescape with these dishes, don't you agree?




The salad plate looks nothing like the dinner plate but I think they work nicely together and are perfectly fine for entertaining. I love the little bunch of flowers in the middle. They will make cute dessert plates too! :-)




A close-up of a place setting. My silverware is vintage, collected from estate sales and antique stores. None of it matches but I love it. Each piece is so individual and unique. I have over eighty pieces and at least service for 16, yet I don't know if I will stop collecting. Practicality flies out the window when you spot a bargain (or a piece that is just so intricate and detailed. I have a knife that has a monogram engraved on it. My mind just wanders thinking of a family way back when, that had monogrammed silver! Ooh la la!!).





These precious little salt and pepper shakers came from a little interior and gift shop near my home named Mona Lisa. In my tablescape I have the matching napkin rings and butter dish, as you will see.





Isn't the detail pretty?








And happily, it also plays up well with the plates!







Four orphaned pieces getting a second chance around!










Here is a different angle and color. My table is pine and we bought it from Pottery Barn about 15 years ago. It has no varnish or sealer on it, which I love. It does have a lot of nicks and scratches that tell many, many stories of times sharing meals with family & friends, playing games or cards, doing homework or having coffee with a friend. All it needs is an occasional rub down with some furniture oil and it sighs with contentment!
Thank you for visiting me on Tablescape Thursday. I hope you had a good time! Visit Susan to see her post today and then drop in on all the other ladies to see what is on their tables. And visit me again, I'd love to have you. We can have coffee at my old table and make a few new nicks in it together!
xoxo
Janie










31 comments:

PatQ said...

That's a beautiful table setting. I've been eyeballing those blue plates at other stores. I might just have to go out and get some.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Just beautiful! Those plates are gorgeous and I love the little birdies!! Enjoy teh rest of your week!..Debbie

Domestic Designer said...

I love the blue plates! I also love all the birds! Have a great week!

Katy said...

SO very lovely! I adore those dishes, I have the robins' egg blue in the salad plate size and mix and match them with some of my other dishware sets too! Lovely table!

Anonymous said...

Your china is so beautiful. The swirls... flower details makes it look so dainty. :-)Adorable salt & pepper bird shaker too :-)

===========

That was also my notion of orchids that is why I feel so intimidated by them.

But I met Mary on my first outdoor Wednesday and when she saw my first picture of the orchids she's been encouraging me to grow one. Even last Wednesday she's still encouraging me :-)

She even posted this type of orchid which she says can survive with just a once-a-week watering. can you believe that? She really is convincing me. :-)

xinex said...

OMG, Janie! We have the same taste! I have the same robin blue plates and the white salad plates. I have the white dinner plates too. I love your bird table accessories especially the butter dish!...Christine

Kathy said...

Such a beautiful, elegant table, love your dishes, mats, napkins and rings. Kathy.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Janie,
I do love those blue plates and I saw a couple recently at TJ Maxx. I also saw a butter dish like yours and I really wanted it but I abstained and was good. (for now) Oh, also love your flatware. I recently found a big bag at an estate sale for 3 dollars so I'm hooked. Great table Janie, Cindy

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Janie, I love the new dishes! I'm up early making the rounds, and I'm glad I dropped in before my day becomes crazy! Love the whole tablescape with the cute birds, napkin rings, and the design on those plates. Looks great!

XO,

Sheila :-)

April said...

Absolutely gorgeous setting, Janie! You have truly outdone yourself! It look so pretty, I'd almost hate to eat off the plates!

Bo said...

Hi Janie...You have created such a pretty tablescape with the blue & white & birdies...it does say "spring"...Love it all! ;-) Bo

Deb said...

Very beautiful! I saw those plates and wanted them! Deb

SmilingSally said...

I love the look of polished wood too! I'm so glad to find someone who has not painted it! And, what's not to like with that beautiful, soft blue?

Unknown said...

Your table is so pretty! I love all the little birdie details!

You mentioned that TJ Maxx and Marshalls seem to carry the same stuff, those two stores and Home Goods are all owned by the same company!

Domestic Designer said...

Thanks for the kind comments!! Please do come back you are always welcome!

Kat said...

This is really lovely! The blue plates are gorgeous. You know, I really like the different silver patterns. I do not have any silver, and have resisted buying a large set due to the expense, but this may be a way for me to have a nice set and one that is unique too! Thanks for the great idea. Kathy (by the way, for some reason the post comments thingy doesn't show up - I just clicked around until I found it lol. Not sure if it's my screen or blogger) K

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Pretty table!! I had trouble reading your blog....may just be my eyes are tired!

Ms. Tee said...

Your table is so pretty. And I *heart* your scalloped plates and your little birdies, too. ;) I hope you get to enjoy some sunshine and warm weather where you are this weekend!

JudyBug said...

Those plates are just gorgeous! I love Marshall's but I'm not sure I've been in TJ Maxx. How did I not know they carried dishes?

Beautiful!
JudyBug

2 Dogs said...

There, I have been trying to comment on your blog but could not see the letters. I finally thought to highlight the letters with my cursor. Blogger does strange things sometimes.

My husband is from Middlesboro, England but for some strange reason they call him Frenchie at work. heehee

I am so very thankful to be feeling better. I have never felt so bad without a reason.

Lots of hugs

joyh82 said...

How pretty. Love it all..especially the little birds.

Melissa Miller said...

~Beautiful Blue scroll plates.

Wonderful TT post.

Happy Spring! :)

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Janie...love your beautiful tablescape! I've always admired that blue china and the white is perfect with it! Your S&P shaker and the napkin rings are soooo sweet...everything is wonderful! Hope your family got to eat at this great table! What a wonderful DH you have. :-) Tell him the ladies of Blogland are impressed! Loved your tip about ironing their shirts...great idea with the cologne! :-) Susan

Betzie said...

That is my favorite color blue at the moment...I saw those plates at Marshall's, went back and they were gone! Your tablescape is lovely!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I love the "vintage" Pottery Barn table! We bought a PB table this pasy year and I was on the fence about the price...but I love the table and can already tell it was a great investment. It will be around a llooonnnggg time.

I'm with you on wine glasses...it's funny because now that I buy super cheap ones (Ikea), they never seem to break. That figures!

Your table looks amazing...I hope your family got to eat a real meal at it! :-)

Dream Mom said...

Love the pretty butter dish! Everything looks great. I love tables with a lot of history too!

Fifi Flowers said...

Love the birds on the dishware!

Unknown said...

Ewwww! Your table soo goes with your blog! :)

Thanks for participating in my giveaway... I pick the winner Friday and post it Saturday.
Have a great Sunday!
~Liz

Anonymous said...

Your dishes are stunning. I adore the shape and raised design, very 'old world'. I like the way you did the silverware, too. Thanks so much for sharing!

Dana and Daisy said...

ah! thank you for your sweet comment today on my post. I have seen these dishes before and just loved them! very nice table setting!

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