Thursday, August 6, 2015

"A Night in the Tropics" Tablescape



I get table setting inspiration from the strangest places, most recently from a combination of insomnia and Abbott and Costello.
I'm not certain whether it was actually insomnia or the cup of maybe-it-wasn't-really-decaf coffee that I had at 8:00 one night, but I found myself channel surfing and stumbled across the 1940s film debut of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in the film
One Night in the Tropics. It was typical, goofy, 1940s comedy fare, but the title intrigued me.
Having so thoroughly embraced last month's table to the extent of getting pretty whiny when I had to take it down, I really wanted to do something similar and reuse those leafy placemats. This film title, those placemats, and a pair of monkey bookends swiped from my dad's coffee table (with his permission, of course) and my tropical table was born!
The centerpiece with both monkeys and birdcage sans a bit of leafy greenery is what is on the coffee table in dad's living room. My mother bought those monkeys about 30 years ago when we were going through a tropical stage, and I have loved them ever since. It pleased me enormously to have them on this table. She would have loved it.

The tall palm tree candles I have had for ages, so long in fact, that I don't even remember where I bought them. The shorter candle holders called my name from the corner of my favorite local consignment store, so I made that grab immediately.
 The leaf placemats and story of how I got them you will recall from here. The round wicker placemats on top of them are from Pier One.


The wonderful bamboo bordered palm and banana tree salad plates are by Fitz and Floyd. Two different tree designs are on these plates, the design is called Cape Town.

Considering the monkeys and banana trees, I had serious thoughts about using some bananas as a part of the centerpiece, but Mr. O-P ate them, so I instead chose touches of yellow with these fabulous goblets and Radiant Yellow Primastone flatware by Noritake.


The napkins from Pottery Barn paired perfectly with the plates, I thought.
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3 comments:

Linda said...

You have such gorgeous stuff! Especially love the monkeys and yellow goblets.
I miss my "favorite local consignment store" - they moved too far away. I'm sad/glad to say I've spent less money since they moved. :-/

Candy S said...

I love the monkeys! How wonderful to use the monkeys that your mother had bought so many years ago. They help set the mood for this most excellent tropical tablescape. The place mats are wonderful with the rattan chargers and the tropical look salad plates, they provide an atmosphere that conjures up sandy beaches and palm trees with little monkeys watching from the trees as you dine (you may want to add some mosquito netting - just sayin). Have a wonderful week..... Candy

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

Hi Pattie, I came over from Linda's Dishing it and digging it party to see your tables! OMGoodness, I adore this one! EVERY thing. The place mats and napkins are calling my name!! Love that you used the monkeys that your Mother got. This is a fabulous table. I also LOVE the palm dishes! Hope you are having a great weekend!