Showing posts with label pine cones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pine cones. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Winter in the Woods Tablescape

I was remiss in posting tablescapes last year, but I have a good reason for it...I didn’t do many. I have a good reason for that too; I’d decided to use the dining table as my worktable. It was centrally located in the house, comfortable, was ideally placed as to have both a great view of the TV and the outdoors. What can I tell you? That was that.

This year it will be different, and I’m not just saying that. You may remember little more than three years ago I had a rather pitiful deck removed from the back of the house and replaced with a large one that included a 10’ x 16’ open area and a 16’ x 16’ screened in area henceforth known as the lanai. You can read about that
here and here.

At the beginning of next week, the lanai will be transformed into a conservatory. OK, OK, it is actually a four-season room, but the word “Conservatory” sound so delightfully CLUE game to me, that I decided to embrace it. It is going to be my own special space, my Jungalow as it were. A pair of windows and a door in the bay in the dining area are going to be removed so that the traverse from the main part of the house into what I hope will be a tropical paradise will be an easy one. I plan to move my worktable out there, pile all of my favorite throws and bohemian pillows on the existing furniture, and fill it with plants. Frankly, Joe can’t work fast enough to get it done.

 

As a consequence, knowing this is coming, I have been enjoying my dining table and created my first tablescape of 2021 that I call “ Winter in the Woods.” I’m always hesitant to take down Christmas decorations that aren’t specifically Christmassy, and by this I mean greenery, pine trees, pine rope, candles, and other such items that can do double duty. When people say “Seasons Greetings” it should not refer to a holiday, it should refer to the entire winter season. With that in mind, I decided to make use of some plates normally considered Christmas-only because of the text, and intend to use into February.

The tablecloth is one you have seen me use again and again. I believe I got it from Decor Steals, and it is the most versatile tablecloth I own. It is topped with a nubby runner from Pottery Barn.

The pinecone plates, also from Pottery Barn, are among my favorites. They are on top of wooden chargers (that are actually trivets) that I found last year at Target. 

The salad plates that read “Seasons Greetings” and feature a moose/elk/reindeer, remind me of the quiet woods of Maine.

The green plaid napkins were my mother’s as were the solid green napkins. Honestly, I couldn’t figure out which ones I liked the best so I used both; pinecone napkin rings I bought a couple of years ago at Pier 1.

The pinecone flatware came from Cabela’s. Never underestimate the tableware cuteness they have at Cabela’s.

The elk salt and pepper shakers came from Ballard Designs three years ago.

I am a fan of having salt and pepper shakers at either end of the table, so chose this pinecone set as well.

 The brown stemware was my mother’s. 

 

The wooden tree candlesticks were made by my dad and painted by my mother, so very special.

 

The trees I picked up at a local shop. I love them so much.
 

The truck, this adorable truck, used to be in my mother’s “Northwoods” bedroom. Now that I look at this table I really should’ve covered it with a quilt that she used in that bedroom. I may just do that next time.

 

 The metal houses I’ve had for a while and honestly can’t remember where I got them. The little reindeer candle holders I’ve had for years.

My mother had a large collection of Wilton Armetale. The sugar and creamer set, and pitcher are both WA.

I may be dining alone these days, but it does my heart good to dine in such fine fashion. More tablescapes to come!

This post is linked to:

Tablescape Thursday

 

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Dining in the Northwoods


If you've been paying any attention, you probably noticed that I am very much into “serene green” when it comes to table settings. Both my Halloween and Thanksgiving tables were in calming tones of neutrals and greens.
My interest in these colors, and the feelings they evoke, have continued into December.
I am absolutely in love with the Northwoods look, and the associated colors, and I'm getting on board with the whole antlers thing that seems to be very popular these days. This table is the result of all of my new likes and interests.

I absolutely love this table because it works not only for the entire month of December and Christmas, but will also carry me through until spring. I love the image of greenery and pine cones, and had a great time gathering things to create this table.

Now I did treat myself to a number of new things this year, including the darling pine cone salt-and-pepper shakers, and this wonderful set of pine cone flatware from Cabelas.

Old favorites also made the cut. The Moose Lodge cookie jar centerpiece and wooden pine trees belonged to my mother, and I think of her every time I use them. My fellow diners also seem to get a kick out of this cookie jar, because every side seems to offer up something interesting and different to look at.
I paired this with some of my old favorite reindeer candle holders that I got from Pier One quite a few years ago and love to this day.

I’ve also used a new Pottery Barn addition this year in the form of antler napkin rings. Aren't these the cutest? Pottery Barn was again my source for the “Fa-la-la” napkins for this table. If I decide to add a bit of color, I also have a set of red napkins with white polka dots that look equally nice. They'll be making an appearance on my Boxing Day table this year.
The Villeroy & Boch glassware is a summer acquisition that works well here; mugs are from Williams-Sonoma.


I decided to use my Christmas tree treat jar in a different way this year, filling it with spearmint green leaves and using it as a table decoration. It really helps get the little ones to eat their dinner, when they see what awaits them for dessert. It's also fun for the adults as well, who seem to enjoy the spearmint leaves as much as the kids do.
The plates with the pine cones and greenery are from Pottery Barn last year.

The salad plates with the raised pine cone image are from Amazon this year. I really love these because they go with pretty much everything.


I'll be doing variations on this theme throughout the month of December as I host different people for coffee, breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea.Stay tuned to see how this table evolves.

This post is linked to: