Tuesday, June 21, 2022

"The Music Man" Tablescape

June 26 would have been my dad‘s birthday, and I miss him mightily. As a consequence, I decided to create a table for two in his honor. My dad was many things, among them an avid trumpet player, music arranger, and member of a variety of bands and ensembles. Because of this, I decided to call this table “The Music Man.”

I wanted the table to be masculine in a similar way to the Hemingway-inspired table that I did last week. This time I used a chocolate brown table covering, and topped the tables with original pieces of sheet music that belonged to my dad. As you can see, this music, yellowed and crumbling with age, goes back to the 40s. My dad played this music.

At the center of the table is a figure playing a trumpet. This used to be a part of an arrangement in my parents' living room and is now a part of my own home, and a cherished part at that.

The piccolo trumpet in the case was one that Jim and I bought my dad for his birthday. It was more ornamental than anything, but he did enjoy having it. It was a nice addition to his collection of trumpets, cornets, and a flugelhorn.  We bought this at the Portobello Market when we were living in London, and carried it back with us.

The candles with the music on the side I bought years ago from Pottery Barn. I had always intended to use them in a centerpiece when we hosted one of my dad’s birthday dinners, but for whatever reason I kept losing them. It’s only through a stroke of luck that I found them in time to use with this table.

Because my dad was a brass player, I decided to use brassy gold chargers. These are topped with cinnamon colored, nubby-edged plates from Pier One.

On top of this I used my much loved, immensely versatile, clear
Duralex plates under which I placed a picture of my dad, printed on coffee-dyed paper, taken when he was in college, all dressed up in a white tux and holding his trumpet, ready to perform in a concert at Yale. Doesn’t he look Hollywood handsome? (I had previously used these plates on a “Bee” tablescape.)

 
I struggled with the napkins, so chose to go with these rather subdued black and cream plaid ones from Pottery Barn.

 To complement the brassy chargers, I chose gold flatware.

Glassware is Mikasa’s Park Lane, a versatile choice, because these can be dressed up or down depending upon the occasion.

If you are still fortunate enough to have your dad in your life, give him a hug for me, and tell him how very much he is appreciated.

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  This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

  

9 comments:

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Patti, You certainly put together a well thought out beautiful table setting as a special tribute to your dad. I love the idea of his photo under the plate and enjoyed understanding how all the details applied to your dad!

Linda said...

I've never seen a piccolo trumpet before! Your Dad was incredibly talented, and your table is a beautiful tribute to him. It's all eye candy for me.

My husband played trumpet and I played cornet in our school band. My favorite picture of him is one taken of him playing a trumpet solo for a talent show on our auditorium stage - all decked out in a suit, playing with his eyes closed - sexy!

Marie Smith said...

What a fabulous tribute to your dad! Wonderfully done!

Alycia Nichols said...

The way your Dad is looking out from under that plate in that pose and with that tux on, I can almost hear him saying to you in appreciation: "Here's lookin' at you, kid." What a great, great tribute to the man, the legend, the Dad. His love of music was a great muse, and you did an exemplary job of bringing the crux of his talent/vocation/enjoyment to life on this table. Using his own sheet music...sheer genius and oh, so poignant! I'll bet his spirit guided you to those lost candles. What a terrific touch! And I LOVE the trumpeting figurine and the piccolo trumpet!!!!! Beautifully done, my friend. Here's to your Dad! 🥂

Anonymous said...

On, golly! I love this! Thank you. xo, V.

thepaintedapron.com said...

What a wonderful way to honor your Dad for Father's Day Pattie! I love the trumpet player statue and the trumpet case, and of course the sheet music and sheet music candles! The plate stacks are perfect, how clever to put his photo under the clear glass plates. He must have been very talented, do you play any instruments? The Music Man is the perfect title for this very creative and special tablescape!
Jenna

The Tote Trove said...

What a beautiful and unique table setting, not to mention a lovely tribute to your dad. It's clear that you chose every detail with love. Also, you used to live in London?!

sandy said...

wow, this whole post is amazing. Your dad was quite a guy and that tablescape amazing.

Kim said...

Pattie, what a very creative tablescape and such a wonderful way to remember your dad - I'm sure he would have been honored. I have never seen a piccolo trumpet - very cool! The napkins are perfect for the table and love that you put his picture under the clear plate. Lovely! Kim