Showing posts with label coastal table. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coastal table. Show all posts

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Coastal New England Christmas: Help Me Set the Perfect Holiday Table

 
This past Fourth of July, while celebrating my daughter-in-law’s birthday, our family’s conversation turned to memorable holiday meals. Last Christmas, I hosted a Cajun-themed dinner with gumbo, jambalaya, and dirty rice—a hit! This year, I’m dreaming of a New England Christmas with clam chowder or lobster bisque, crabcakes, roasted vegetables, and my son’s suggestion of lobster macaroni and cheese. It’s a rich menu, and now I need your help to set the perfect table to match this coastal-inspired feast.

I’m torn about which dishes to use from my collection: the wintry “Tranquil Trails” by Pfaltzgraff, the elegant “Balsam Lane” by Lenox, the bold Williams-Sonoma crab plates, the festive “Yuletide” by Rosina Queen, or the nostalgic Johnson Brothers “Friendly Village,” the latter two inherited from my mother. I’m also unsure about the centerpiece and color scheme—should I stick with classic red and green, go for icy blues, or embrace sea tones? Your ideas will help me create a memorable coastal New England Christmas table, so please share your thoughts!

 Here are the contenders for my table setting, each with a unique vibe:“Yuletide” by Rosina Queen: I inherited these from my mother. She used them every Christmas, so they’re special. These dishes feature classic Christmas motifs with the holly and berries, so are perfect for a traditional holiday feel, but what coastal elements would work with these as part of a centerpiece? 

“Tranquil Trails” by Pfaltzgraff: With the earthy, nature-inspired designs, these dishes evoke a coastal forest in soft sea tones like greens and blues, ideal for a subtle seaside look, but are the colors too nontraditional for a traditionalist like me? “Balsam Lane” by Lenox: Elegant and wintry, this pattern’s delicate motifs suit icy blues and whites, creating a refined, frosty New England harbor aesthetic, but are they too blah for the excitement of Christmas?Williams-Sonoma Crab Plates: this playful and bold plates are really coming in from out of left field, these plates scream coastal charm and complement the crabcake menu, but they are such a non-traditional choice and would probably make for a stand out table, but I can’t imagine what else I would pair with them. 

 Johnson Brothers “Friendly Village”: These inherited dishes were favorites of my mother's. She had service for 12, the wine glasses, at all of the complete pieces. They offer cozy, rustic New England village scenes, perfect for a warm, traditional holiday table with a nod to the coast, but have I strayed too far off the road of intent?Speaking of Johnson Brothers, what about their “Night Before Christmas” collection?

 At this point, I’m leaning toward “Balsam Lane” with icy blues and a driftwood centerpiece for elegance, but the crab plates with a nautical rope accent are tempting for fun. What do you think? Which dishes, colors, and centerpiece would you choose for a New England Christmas? I’m planning early because, believe it or not, August is already here, and Christmas will be too! Share your ideas below to help me create a festive, coastal-inspired table.

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Tuesday, July 26, 2016

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Tablescape

With my last table you were treated to the gorgeous leaf chargers sent to me by Marigene Purcell of the In the Middle of Nowhere blog.
I failed to mention that, in addition to sending me these amazing chargers, she also sent me some tablecloths.
Today's table features one of them, one, I might add, that she had used, I had admired, and the next thing I knew, it was mine!
I had a good time setting this table. This one, as the two previous, took me about three days to put together. I was so overwrought with Mr. O-P's care and imminent loss, that it was all I could do to just put one foot in front of the other.
Table settings were my therapy, I told myself, so, little by little, I would assemble them.
Initially this table was set without the bejeweled chargers. I kept looking at it and thought it needed a bit more color. This was when I remembered the chargers I’d bought a couple of Christmases ago. So I dug these out of my holiday bin and loved the look. (I love it when I can use something in more than one way.)

Then, I thought it needed just a tiny bit more red so, while Mr. O-P slept, I ran down to Walgreen's for a bag of Swedish fish.  Perfect!
As a side note, the cobalt blue champagne flutes shown here had been one of our wedding gifts. Do you know that in the 21 years we were married we never once used them?
We are not fans of champagne, but beautiful glasses should be used no matter what, so I have remedied this situation and now use them with my morning orange juice. Celebrate life, people! Use those precious items. 
Placemats – Pier One
Chargers – Pier One
Blue Fish Plates - eBay
Flatware – Crate & Barrel
Small White Fish Dishes – One Kings Road
Shorebirds – Fitz & Floyd
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Thursday, April 23, 2015

Under the Sea Tablescape



Sometimes a pretty table is all about the centerpiece. That is certainly the case with this colorful, sea-inspired table that is really strong on the Wow factor.
It came about thanks to a much deserved bit of retail therapy that I took at Pier One. It was one expensive trip I can tell you,, but I reasoned that it was cheaper than a therapist, and much cheaper than a criminal defense attorney.

Not a turquoise fan in the past, these days I find I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame. I have found it to be very versatile in that it pairs nicely with a lot of colors.


I spotted the fish from across the store and had to have it.

I had no idea at the time where I would put it, and really no concept (in that big, well-stocked store) of just how big it was, so was a bit shocked when I got it home.


It works though, and I love it. I expect that this guy is going to look great with a Luminara® candle inside.
I also loved the turquoise and green versions of my favorite placemats that I probably use more than any others (you can see them here and here).
Naturally, I had to get matching napkins (these were on sale, thank goodness).
When I spotted the stemware, well, I had to have that, too, but demonstrated extreme restraint, I thought, when I didn't buy the matching pitcher.

The rest of the table came about from what I already had in stock (from previous trips to Pier One!). These starfish candle holders I bought last year and used them here and here.

I wanted to kick off the spring and summer seasons with a bang, and think I managed to pull that off here. Hope you enjoy it.

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