To Bee or Not To Bee Tablescape

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I am borrowing from the Bard for the name of this tablescape. It’s an appropriate one, because this table almost didn’t come to be. I had to have a “come to Jesus” meeting with myself last week when I spotted some bee plates on Amazon that I knew I had to have. 

I didn’t have to have them, of course, but they were so adorably cute (these, am I right, or am I right?), and I knew they would go so perfectly with my honeybee flatware and cups and saucers.

Once I finally got a grip (it took time, I can tell you), I had an epiphany. Last year I had bought a set of clear plates (these) and decided that I could have plates in any theme that I wanted by putting fabric, objects, scrapbook paper, photos, you name it, beneath those plates. The end result is what you see here. I found a graphic online that I liked, enlarged it to a 6“ x 6“ size to fit appropriately beneath the plate, printed it out on coffee-dyed paper, and I am tremendously pleased with this. So much so, that I have decided to challenge myself in the coming months to come up with one table after another using these fabulous Duralex plates. I mean, let’s face it, the world is my oyster, if I can design these plates myself. Think about that. If you buy yourself a set of these plates, they may just be the only ones that you need. The sienna nubby-edged plates are from Pier 1.

I am still thoroughly enjoying my new tablecloth, this week I topped it with a tribal runner that I found a couple of years ago.

I couldn’t decide which looked better beneath the bee graphic, the russet plates or the yellow ones, so I used both. The yellow are Waechtersbach and you can find them here.

 

 The white lotus flower bowls were a purchase from Pier 1 decades ago. You can find similar ones here.

 

The cups, as mentioned above, are from Amazon, as are the wonderfully sturdy, made in France, La Rochere honeybee juice glasses.

The flatware is by Wallace International, and I couldn’t love it more. I use it constantly.

The amber glassware is from P.O.S.H. in Chicago.

 The napkins I made myself out of simple black cotton fabric.

The trio of pitchers in the center came from a local shop (shout out to The White Rabbit); the flowers are a couple of $7 bunches I picked up at the market. I think, the chargers came from them as well.

 The colors here are darker than you may find on a spring table, but it’s my nod to the ultra importance of saving the bees.

  This post is linked to:

Tablescape Thursday

 

 

Simple Changes Yield Big Results

I don’t know about you, but I do know that I am not the only person refreshing, redoing, renewing, and remodeling my home. I have seen more changes in my and my friends' homes during the lock-down than I have in the past decade! I think there is something about staying in, and looking at the same thing every day, that calls for a change. (I won’t mention whether or not that feeling has extended to significant others.)

I made a few changes to my entry hall, kitchen, and stairs leading to the great room that I will share later. Today, I’m going to share the simple changes with big impact that I made in my bedroom. My bedroom has become my sanctum sanctorum. There are days when I hardly leave my king-size bed; I just pile it up with books, craft projects, snacks, and the remote, and spend the day enjoying myself.

After a month, I started getting sick of looking at everything, so I gave it a good clean, and swapped out the draperies and bedding for something new. The second photo from the top is the before picture; I like it, I just grew tired of it.

Here is the after picture. I was looking for texture and pattern, as well as a worldlier look to complement the framed picture over the bed. I think I’ve accomplished that. It may surprise you to learn that, at the base of the bed, is an Anthropologie macramé table runner; running down the center is an African mud cloth throw. If you’re looking for a quick and interesting change, textiles make an impactful difference. Don’t be limited by their designated use, think outside the box. Drape them over chairs, sofas, or even your bed, as I have done here.

The basket at the end of the bed once held produce and other edible goodies (as well as a luscious bottle of wine) from Melissa’s Produce. I love the look and sturdiness of it, and have used it again and again. I keep ringing that bell, but nobody, thus far, has waited on me. ;-)

Sleep tight!

A Chicken in Every Pot Tablescape

Losing someone close is not easy, I’m sure that I don’t have to tell any of you that. But there are joys in bringing a part of them home with you, and I am embracing those joys by surrounding myself with things that belonged to my parents.

This table is courtesy of my mother. Everything on it with the exception of the table runner and napkins (from Anthropologie and Pier One, respectively) once belonged to her.

I had no idea that she had, what I like to call, “a chicken on a stick.” It gave me such a smile when I found it, and I knew I had to use it in a centerpiece. As I continued to unearth things, I could feel a table coming on.

My mother was a great appreciator of beautifully set tables, and I know she would have enjoyed dining at this one.

These beautiful green chargers really surprised me was. They are Italian made, and very heavy. I don’t recall her ever using them. Brace yourselves to see them a lot because I plan on using them a great deal. They are such good quality!

The chicken plates each feature a different chicken and color combination. They are so cheery.

My absolute favorite thing on this table might surprise you, it is the little soup pot on a candle stand. I was with my mother when she bought this, so it brought back bittersweet memories.  I’m not sure that she used it as often as I certainly will, but I do know that she loved the idea of being able to keep dinner warm at the table. I like that idea too. And that’s where I got the name for this table setting.

  As it turns out, my centerpiece was an inspiration to one of my neighbors who then got out a number of her mother’s things and used them in a centerpiece on her table. I hope that you will do the same.

Don’t keep your treasures hidden away, get them out, do as I do and rotate them by the season, thoroughly enjoy what you have, and be sure to share it.

This post is linked to:

Tablescape Thursday

Brunch in the Barnyard Tablescape

This is the time of the year when I can’t wait to get out into the garden (read: my container deck garden), and start planting. When I received this lovely planter in memory of dad, I wanted to use it in as many ways as possible. It just spoke to me of renewal, and gave me a feeling of peace and eternal hope. I also thought that it would be the perfect centerpiece for a farmhouse-style table, and as you can see, it is! (As an aside, if anyone can tell me the names of the two plants on the right, I would really appreciate it so that I know how to care for them.)

Beneath the centerpiece is a wooden charcuterie board that is new this year (You can find one similar here.). I cannot tell you how many times I have used this to corral various elements on a centerpiece or display.

If this post shows you anything, it shows you the versatility of a simple tablecloth. I use this one again and again. It looks perfectly at home here in farmhouse style as it did at Halloween. I will never regret this purchase, and I am always on the lookout for something similarly versatile.

Another purchase I will never regret is this bohemian table runner from Anthropologie that I have used in many ways. It looks quite suitable in this setting.

The chargers I bought at a local shop called The White Rabbit. I love them! They give a delightfully rustic look. 

Another purchase from The White Rabbit is the trio of pitchers. They are so cute and versatile, and really inexpensive as far as pitchers go.

On top of the chargers are dinner plates with a black plaid edge. I was quick on the trigger when Pier One offered these, a good thing because they sold out in a flash. Again, these are amazingly versatile. There isn’t a color that doesn’t pair well with these plates.

I took my color scheme from the planter, and used pale green lotus plates beneath the bowls. You can’t see much of them, but they give that little hint of green. 

I picked up that same green in the plaid napkins (from Pottery Barn). I think they look very cheery and inviting folded in this simple way, and pushed down into an equally simple Circleware water glass.

The whimsical bovine bowls are from Carly Dodsley. Aren’t they fabulous?! They are perfect for any meat dish, from soups, to stews, to a bowl of Swedish meatballs. They also prove to be a great vessel for clearing off a shish kebab skewer. The piggy bowl holding croissants, you will recognize from this post.

 The antique replica flatware is another favorite. Dad gave me this set for Christmas six years ago. 

A brunch always includes an assortment of cereals for the youngsters in the crowd, and this basket holds a quartet of them. 

This darling little breakfast set is years old and from Pottery Barn.

The cups are simple, white cappuccino cups that I bought from Amazon more than a decade ago, and they are still available. You cannot imagine how many times I have used these. I find it’s always nice to have a plain set of coffee cups.

Rounding out the farmhouse theme is this lovely rooster pitcher full of spoons, and this cute cow creamer. I failed to put out my cow butter dish, and I am definitely going to be needing as pair of these, but I’ll have to save that for another time. :-)

This post is linked to:

Tablescape Thursday

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Chilling in the Northwoods Tablescape

Today my mother will be gone six years. I tell you this only because, with the passing of time, dad has found it a tiny bit easier to part with her things. I never ask him for anything, I just wait for him decide, and accept gladly.

This past week he was in the “Northwoods” theme guest room, looking around at things, and asked me if I would like the display that she had on the shelf. It was just getting dusty in his house (and much to my chagrin some of the dust is still visible in the pictures), and he wondered if perhaps I could put these things to use. Absolutely!

It had been a long time since I had last seen these things, so I have to admit that they really tugged at my heart. I thought they would make a wonderful centerpiece for a Northwoods table, and I do believe that I was right. It makes me feel as though I’m dining with my mother. Once the tablescape is taken down, I plan on finding a cozy little nook to put these things, they are just too precious to tuck away.

I hope you enjoy this table as much as I do.

The runner is a recent purchase from Anthropologie, and I absolutely love it.

The white chargers are from Pier One, and are topped with wonderful pinecone-edge plates from Pottery Barn.

Salad plates from Maison Versailles provide a base for the handled chili bowls.

Flatware is from Cabela — one of my favorite places to shop for flatware.

 The stemware, among my favorites because the smoky color goes with so many things, once belonged to my mom. 

The pinecone salt and pepper shakers look right in place on this mini charcuterie board.

The mini deer candleholders came from Pottery Barn years ago. I use them at Christmas and throughout the winter.

The gray plaid throw is from Pottery Barn, and I honestly don’t know where I got the pillow, but it expresses my sentiments during wintertime.

Stay warm everybody, I wish you all could join me for chili and cornbread.

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