Wednesday, April 29, 2009

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY: VINTAGE BLUE

Hi everyone! I am participating in my second Tablescape Thursday. It is only my second because it is a lot of work!! Ironing linens, checking for spots on the glasses, making sure the dog hasn't left smudges on the window...all those things that you don't realize are there until the picture is on your blog! But I think I did a good job until after I had the table set, everything perfect, took all my pictures, and then realized I hadn't put out the wine glasses! Well, everything is corrected now and I would like everyone to pay a visit to Susan at Between Naps On The Porch, who is our hostess today. See one of her gorgeous tablescapes and then visit everyone who is participating.
I think my color scheme went well this time. I wasn't sure how white on white would look but I think the texture and pattern of the damask tablecloth was the right choice. The tablecloth is from Target and the napkins are from Steinmart. This was my first visit to a Steinmart and I was quite impressed. If you haven't been there lately, they have all their outdoor summer dishes, glasses, paper napkins and all things pretty for entertaining on your patio on display now. Run!! :-D

Accents on my table are few (it is small, only seats four). I withheld using a vase of flowers and instead put dried rose heads in these little porcelain cups that I bought at my grocery store and have no idea what they are for. They look like small egg cups. I used them at my Christmas party to hold toothpicks for appetizers. The petals will stay put on the rose head if you give it a little hairspray. I also have two white taper candles in glass holders and a small tea light lamp from Pottery Barn. This adds a lot of sparkle at night, but I took my pictures in the afternoon.


The silver plated flatware is from all my excursions to antique stores and what have you over the years. I used it in my last tablescape. None of it matches. Nor do the wine glasses which are replicas of old European wine glasses. Each glass is so different, even the color tone when the light hits.




This is a nice view of the detail if you want to click larger...




Okay, time for Blondie to get long winded. You had to know that was coming!! What about the china? Where did it come from? Well... a few months ago The Husband and I were out and about on a Saturday afternoon when we approached an antique store that I had been to a few times without him. Very nice things, French furniture, paintings, dishes... Rooms were set up like dining rooms, bedrooms, etc., and completely furnished in antiques. So I told The Husband that I had heard that they were going out of business in the spring and maybe we should stop and see if there were any bargains. So we did. Well, knock me over with a feather, there was an auction going on! Unfortunately it was the second day of the auction and almost everything was cleared out. It was a little sad. The owners were retiring after thirty~five years in business. And to see all those empty tables and spaces. I was riffling through some boxes of holiday decorations they had used in the store when The Husband came up to me and showed me a little tag with a number. He said he was going to bid on something. Neither of us had ever been to an auction so I really wanted to see how the Counselor was going to seize this opportunity to make a deal! We went to a room with many items and just as many people. I didn't even know what he was bidding on when everyone started shouting out "ten dollars... fifteen dollars..." The next thing I knew we had won this set of china, 95 pieces, for $40.00!!!




















I found a website with instructions on all sorts of napkin folding. This was about the only one I could master! If anyone is interested in the website, let me know. The Swan is a killer!








This is on the back of the pieces. I am not familiar with it at all. We have place settings for sixteen (that would be my idea of a nightmarish dinner party) and all sorts of platters and bowls.








I like to look at things in black and white sometimes. Different things stand out.
So this is my tablescape for today. I hope you like our china as much as we do. One final thing: Susan from A Southern Daydreamer gave me her award which is posted on my sidebar for leaving her fifty comments. Thank you Susan, who wouldn't have something nice to say about your posts? If you have never been to see Susan, and there are not many who haven't (!!!), rush over. She is sweet and kind and interesting and you can really feel her energy. Oh, and another thing, I received the Kreative Blogger award from Lou Cinda at Tattered Hydrangeas. She is my new friend. Visit her, she is just so funny! When you receive this award you are supposed to list seven things that you love. If you refer to my sidebar once again, you will see that I have a list a mile long! Suffice to say, I have fulfilled my obligation in that regard. Now I am passing this award on to seven more people, either because I know them well and want to know more, or because I don't know them well and want to know more. These bloggers have the choice to take this award or not. They are as follows:
Dana at A Cat In My Lap...she's an old friend and terribly interesting.
Tracy at A Comfy Little Place Of My Own...new friend, new homeowner, new inspiration.
Barb at Bella Vista... just started to visit her blog and love it.
Cindy at Applestone Cottage...a Midwesterner like me, my soul sister.
Martha at Lines From Linderhof... a gentle soul with wonderful recipes.
Melissa from Melissa's Heart And Home...has my vote for best interior designer in Blogland.
Rechelle from Walnuthaven Cottage...sweet, funny and her Spring cleaning wore me out.
If you don't know these gals, you should. They all put a smile on my face! :-D
xoxo
Jane











42 comments:

Domestic Designer said...

What a deal on such beautiful china! I just love it. Your napkin fold is great. Your table is elegant and lovely! You did a wonderful job! Thanks for sharing!

susan said...

Jane--This is great and I love your china! I thought Steinmart was my little secret--they have great tablescaping items! Great post!

Anonymous said...

Jane! What a lovely table you've set! It's so elegant and I adore your dishes!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Janie,
How sweet of you to pick me for an award! I need to get better at this award thing. Your table is lovely and I love the auction story,- you got a great deal for all that china girl. 16 at once for a dinner party , makes me tired thinking about it. Oh, and the sweet comments on my daughter and I know you have a graduation coming up. Bittersweet isn't it? Hugs to you, Cindy

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

A beautiful tablescape! What a bargain on the pretty china! I like the dried roses in the egg cups too!

Katherine

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your china is just stunning. What a wondeful bid to have won. I just love it. I also love the tablecloth, it is so pretty. That is really a great idea to put the buds in the little cups, they are just lovely. Very pretty tablescape. Hugs, Marty

Chandy said...

Great table today! I love the colors you chose and the look is just wonderful! Congratulations on finding such beautiful china!

Happy Thursday!

Kathy said...

Love your tablescape, Jane. The china is gorgeous - and what a bargain!
xo...Kathy

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Janie, I love what you did with your table. I think your linens really set off your china and vice versa. Looks great!

XO,

Sheila

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Jane...Love this tablescape! You really hit it lucky on that beautiufl china! I love it with your tablecloth. So elegant! Have a great weekend...Debbie

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Beautiful dishes...great find...tablescape is beautiful...
Thanks
Becky

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

Great deal on the china! So sad when great shops go out of business. Lovely table.

Robin said...

Lovely tablescape....lovely dishes...

Hope your day is beautiful

Michelle said...

I love the china and what a deal..WOW!!! I have a set of old china bought for me by an old boyfriend at a auction. And I always wonder who owned it and if they treasured it as much as I do.

White on white is the most elegant of any table...always!

SmilingSally said...

What a find to grab those gorgeous dishes!

xinex said...

Hi Janie! I LOVE your china! And what a deal! I can't believe you got all those pieces for $40. I think John and I attend the wrong auctions. Your tablesscape is so simple and yet so elegant. I love your damask tablecloth too. It's perfect for the china! I also want to tell you that I just posted our get together...Christine

April said...

You mean you paid a mere $40 for all that china? Man, you did good, girl! I love it all! What time shall I join you for dinner (I seem to hint about that a lot!)?

Dana and Daisy said...

thank you Janie, I am so touched.

Beautiful china, you could sell half of it and still have place settings for 8! You table cloth choice was perfect!

Martha said...

Your china is absolutely beautiful and I love your tablescape.

BTW, I really like cookbooks that give some story -- of the place, of the recipe, a menu -- which is why I have way too many of them!

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Very pretty table!!! Such beautiful china :0)
Thanks for the award. I went ahead and posted about it and want to say 'THANK YOU' for thinking of me. You rock!

Diana LaMarre said...

What a fun way to acquire a huge set of china. It looks very nice on the pretty tablecloth, too.

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Jane: Love the tablescape! It looks so elegant and what a deal on those dishes! Girl, I LOVE an auction better than anything. Now, I know you are supposed to act real nonchalant about the whole thing, but not me! I get so excited I am bouncing all over the place! I pity the fool that bids against me!

Thank you for such a sweet comment on my blog. It made my day!

Lou Cinda :)

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Great deal on the china!!! Score!!! I've never been to Steinmart. I'm afraid to go as I might find something I can't live without. lol. Thanks for sharing your tablescape, it was lovely.

Lori E said...

Pretty table. Yet relaxed too. You feel like you could linger there over coffee and dessert.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Janie,
Thank-you again for the award! I just left Christina's, those pics are so cute of you two! I am a bit jealous, I want to meet some fellow bloggers. If your coming to Wisconsin, let me know! I just may have to make a trip to Chicago. It's been a long time. Have a great week-end my friend, Cindy

Mary said...

Such a pretty table, and a wonderful bargain on that beautiful china!

Shirl said...

Hello I'm still making my Blue Monday visits.. Thank you so much for stopping by. What a beautiful table setting. Loved your summer blue house also!
Bless you, Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Jane what a beatiful table...and girl your DH did wonderful on the china WOW!! $40.00 blew me away ..love the blues and the table cloth matches your blog dress girl did you even notice that...Glad to see you met Christine our Qeen of shopping...how fun you guys had...so far I have yet to met one of my blog buds but its only a matter of time now..May you have a great weekend my friend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Bridget said...

Hi Jane, It's nice to meet you. You have a great sense of humor.
I can't believe you got those gorgeous dishes for $40! What a score!
From your description of the 'scaping process, Im not sure if Sophie and I are up for it. We threw our little setting together in about 15 minute...but then it looks it too. lol

Lori (All That Splatters) said...

Such pretty china - and what a deal!! Sounds like you have a keeper in that hubby of yours. ;) You've created a very pretty table!

Anonymous said...

Lovely china, Jane. I can't believe you got such a steal on the whole set -- I am a bit "envious"! ;)

3 Docs and A Diva said...

Your china is so pretty and such a great deal. Your setting is lovely and perfect for a night fine dining.

Loved what you did with the roses:) I have used the hairspray trick any times... on many things...maybe because I am a hair stylist:-)
Thanks for sharing a beautiful post!

Beth~♥

Kat said...

Love your table. Counselor did great! What a fabulous bargain. Just wanted you to know that your place settings have inspired me to start looking for old silver at thrifts, flea markets, antique shops. I've always wanted silver but could never justify the price. But after seeing how nice yours looks, I'm on the hunt! Oh, and looks like you had a wonderful time with Christine and John! Such fun! Hugs, Kathy

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

Wow...what a screaming deal...your china is gorgeous! Love how you folded the napkins...and the damask tablecloth is perfect! I had to smile...can't tell you how many times I've taken pics and then realized something was missing or I'd left something on the table that I didn't mean to.
:-) Great post for TT! susan

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Your tablescape is lovely! Thanks for stopping by to visit me. I wish I could have pulled your name too as the winner to my giveaway!
Hugs,
Penny

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Good Evening Jane...thank you so much for coming by and seeing me..Your kind words meant the world to me...Hard day for me...May you have a wonderful weekend my friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Ms. Tee said...

Hi Jane :)
Your table is sooo lovely and serene looking! And you did a great job on the napkin folding. I can't ever seem to do it myself. lol And what a great price on the china, too! Hope you have a good Sunday~ {{hugs}}

2 Dogs said...

Dropping by to say hi! Hope you have had a good weekend. We are getting lots of rain. I'm organizing my scrap room...still. I'm getting there.

Have a great week! Hugs

Barb said...

Jane, your tablescape is lovely....so delicate and beautiful!!

Thank you so much for thinking of me for this wonderful award. I am touched and honored.

Hugs, Barb

Kathleen Grace said...

A great deal on beautiful china! What a sweet husband to get it for you:>) Your table is beautiful. I am such a dish-aholic. I love so many different patterns...I just don't have a place to store any more!

Shirl said...

Hello Blondie, thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment! Your tablescape is just beautiful! Love that napkin fold too. I love Thomas Kincade too. I have quite a few of his books and a few prints. The only villages that I have of his are the one's with Teleflora at Christmas. My husband collects John Deere tractors so we bought the Thomas Kincade/John Deere Christmas Village. When we get it set up I'll post some pics. We finally found a vintage curio to put it in. Now just getting the wiring in will take time.
Sounds like you love needlework as much as I do. I can't set down in the evening without my laptop or some needlework. LOL
Bless you, Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage

Unknown said...

What a pretty table!