Hunting for Fall Tablescape

The flowers from my “Saying Goodbye to Summer” tablescape lasted longer than I anticipated, so I decided to build another table around them adding another small bouquet of red. The colors just said English hunt to me, so that’s the direction in which I decided to head.

The first thing I did was pull out my
hunter green tablecloth (similar to the burlap tablecloth that I use so often). Honestly, these tablecloths are the best! You can find more colors here.

  Because I wanted something a little different by way of a centerpiece using the flowers, I pulled out my hunt pitcher (Fitz & Floyd) and used it as a vase. I have a lot of tableware in the English hunt theme, and I think this pitcher is my favorite.

Hunt colors are known to be red and green, so on top of the rattan placemats I have a green charger that once belonged to my mother, topped with a red plate that I got at Pier One.

This table gave me the perfect opportunity to show off my new hunt napkins and glassware, both of which I got from Pomegranate.

I couldn’t decide if I wanted to use napkin rings or not, perhaps you can make up my mind for me. Some pictures have the napkin rings, others don’t.

These napkin rings that I purchased at a local store are bent keys. They reminded me very much of horse brasses so I thought them appropriate.

The salt and pepper shakers are also a new addition to my collection. These used to be available from the Winterthur catalog. I have wanted them for more than a dozen years, finally spotted a pair on eBay, and didn’t look back. Isn’t this couple adorable?!

You may have noticed the little saltcellars by each place setting. My plan for this table is brunch, at that saltcellar is going to have Tajin in it to use to sprinkle on top of melon. If you haven’t tried that seasoning, you simply must!

The coffee cups are some of my favorites. They have a hunt scene on one side, and a thatched cottage on the other. They are so lovely. The name of this pattern is “Ireland Pursuit,” and they are by Noritake.

Inspired by the gold rim of the glassware and coffee cup, I decided to use gold flatware. I think it gives this table a certain elegance that stainless flatware would not.

Are you on the hunt for fall like I am? It will be here before we know it!

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 This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

 

The Transitional Two-Tier Tray

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It’s that awkward time of the year between December and mid-February when I feel particularly “theme-less.” I no longer want the wintry look of December (although truth be told, we have snow on the ground right now), but feel it’s too early for Valentine’s Day.

On a whim, I decided to gather up all of my small hunt theme items and put them together on my tray; I’m liking the look. I do need to find some red napkins to mirror the Huntsmen’s jackets, and will be looking for those shortly.

The cups, personal favorites, are by Noritake, and the pattern is called “Ireland Pursuit.” They have a hunting scene on one side, and a thatched cottage on the other. All I need to do is turn them around, and I’ve got a start on my St. Patrick’s Day theme.

The ceramic trio of spaniels, while indeed not hunting hounds, belonged to my husband. He had three cocker spaniels when I married him, and this just seemed like a nice nod to him and appropriate addition.

The coaster on the top shelf was a gift from a friend who kindly sent me a set of these. That friend’s name is Sue Cox, she’s a mystery novelist, and you can find her latest book The Man in the Microwave Oven here. Yes, this is my blatant promotion of a friend.

 

I recently added the fox vase that you see on the top tier, and I love him so much! My plan is to put a little vining plant in him — string of pearls is what I have in mind — but I haven’t found one locally, and it’s too chilly to order online.

As I look at this, I’m reminded that I have a hunter’s horn Christmas ornament that I use on my tree that would work perfectly here. Not that I’m going to rummage around and look for it, mind you, but I think next year I need to make that ornament more easily accessible.

I must admit that I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge of changing up this tiered tray every month. What new additions are you making to your home decor this month?

 

"Hunting" for Dinner Tablescape

A number of you have remarked on the scarcity of table settings that I have shared over the past year. There’s a reason for that. Generally, as you may have noticed, I set tables for four when I share them. But a lot of the dishes that I use regularly, I only have in two place settings. In many cases that’s all I could find or afford. I noticed, during lockdown, that many bloggers have been sharing tables for one and two as a result of their living alone, yet still wanting to dine in fine fashion. I decided to join in.

This is one of my most beloved china patterns. It is Staffordshire Hunting Scene, and I bought it back in the 80s. Once a week I used to go shopping with my mother. I would get a babysitter, and she and I would head out for a day of shopping and lunch. It was heaven! We had our favorite stores that we visited and re-visited, one of which was a high-end home decor store.  I can still remember the feeling I had when we walked in one day and saw a magnificent table set for 12 with this china. The centerpiece was a large ceramic huntsman, surrounded by ceramic hunting dogs and one lone fox. Immediately, I wanted everything. My wallet said no.

Over the course of the next few months, I tried to buy a piece each time that we went. Eventually they changed displays, and I was out of luck. I know that it is available on eBay, but the prices have gone up considerably. So, I will share this lovely English hunting scene table for one.

The runner is from Pottery Barn, placed on top of cranberry yardage from JOANN. The pitcher is from Fitz & Floyd, a purchase I made at the same time I started buying the dishes, and, according to the bottom of the pitcher, that was 1986.

The flatware and charger plates once belonged to my mother; the stemware is from Avon’s Cape Cod collection. The knobby brown dinner plate is from Pier One’s “Spice Collection.” Sadly, in the course of a number of moves, I lost track of the cup that goes with the saucer, so have used it to hold one of those ubiquitous Mottahedeh Musée de Arts Pots de Crème Cups.

Lastly, my Limoges box of the reclining soldier seems the perfect addition to the bowl.

I can hear the hunting horns now!

 

This post is linked to:

Tablescape Thursday