On Safari

Tablescape Thursday is hosted by Susan from Between Naps on the Porch.

This great pair of salt and pepper shakers have the raised words "Trader Vic's" on the back. I love them and thought they went very well with this particular theme.

 People often ask me where I get the ideas for designing tables.  Most of the time an entire table will spring from just one item.  Such was the case here when my father passed along this "Big Game Hunter" decanter to me after years of ownership.  My mother made it in a ceramics class that she took back in the 70's, I later learned.  I had no idea where to put it, so it sat on the dining room table for more than a week while I contemplated.  Then I needed to move it in order to set the table for company and a light turned on. I had a theme!  So I built the centerpiece around him.

The table covering is a piece of safari print fabric.  I love fabrics of all kinds, so if I like something will buy 3 yards of it.  That will usually get me a table cover and set of napkins.

If you saw last week's tablescape you'll recognize the flatware and goblets.  I told you they were versatile!  The wine glasses didn't photograph well, but each stem is a pewter jungle animal.

The palm tree candle holders I pulled from another room.  They looks perfect in this setting.  The African masks are actually bookends.

I had to add this little bowl of chili-spiced almond so that I literally served everything from soup to nuts.

It was mom to the rescue again with the napkins.  She made these from a remnant of black fabric that she just happened to have on hand.

I like to hide things in the centerpiece of the table so there's always something for the diners to discover. This wonderful carved and hand-painted stone egg was tucked into a small basket.



Hope you enjoyed viewing my safari-themed table!