Holiday Table for Two

Despite the fact that many people start decorating for Christmas after Halloween, for me, the Christmas season doesn’t officially begin until the day after Thanksgiving. As such, I have spent the past number of days going up and down the steps carting up my holiday decorations. During this month I hope to have a number of different tables to share with you, beginning with this one.

 

What I hope to convey with this table is that you do not have to have Christmas dishes, or any type of Christmas decorations in order to create a festive, seasonal table. Upon close inspection, there is nothing Christmassy on this table at all, with the exception of the Christmas colors of red and green, colors that I chose because they are the color of apples as reflected in the Franciscan “Apple” dinnerware pieces that I have used here.

A hunter green tablecloth provides the base. I manufactured a red runner out of some fabric that I had stored in the closet. I simply folded it to the size that I wanted and ran it down the center of the table.

The charger plates are Italian ceramic; I inherited these from my mother. I topped them with a bright red dinner plate from Pier One. A Bordallo Pinheiro geranium salad plate was placed on top of this, with the final piece being a bread and butter plate in the Franciscan “Apple” pattern.

The cups and saucers are also Franciscan apple. The red stemmed water glasses are by Villeroy and Boch; the wine glasses are from Rogaska in the “Gallia” pattern. 

The Milano red flatware by Ginkgo International in the Le Pris pattern seemed the perfect choice. The Apple napkin rings that I used here I have had for decades, and have no idea where I got them originally. I decided to go bold with lime green napkins, and I really like the look. 

This is a lovely table that would be perfect for a holiday lunch, while employing no specialty pieces whatsoever. Start shopping at your house for items that you can use for the holidays. 

The pitcher is Fiestaware, the centerpiece is nothing more than a simple candle ring, hurricane, and pillar candle. I scattered apples of various sizes at the base of the hurricane to pull everything together.

 

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How 'bout Them Apples? TABLESCAPE

 

I had big plans for lots of table settings this summer, but sadly, did very few of them. But, I am beginning to emerge from the heat and humidity, am truly embracing September, and today felt like celebrating fall with this apple table.

I don’t often use my dough bowl — I’m not quite sure why — but it proved the perfect vessel for this beautiful combination of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples from Melissa’s Produce. Interspersed among the apples for a little bit of pattern are the Tennessee Dancing gourds that I grew this year. It is on these colors that I based this table.

 The stack of ceramic apple bowls belonged to my mother, as did the wire basket holding Fuji apples, and vibrant red flatware. The smoky stemware belonged to my mother as well.

The tin chargers come from a favorite local shop, The White Rabbit; the glass crescent salad dishes are vintage, and one of the first things I purchased after graduating from college. I had a small table, and reasoned that these would take up less room than the traditional round salad plates, and I was right. I still love them after all these years.

Number two son gave me the bright green appetizer plates and cocottes; I love that color with the red.

Woven placemats, black plaid plates, and green plaid napkins are all from Pier One.

The cups are vintage, and a part of a bigger set of Galloping Gourmet (Remember Graham Kerr?) cookware that was given away, piece by piece, for free with a $10 or more purchase back in grocery stores in the ‘70s.

 I always find a transitional table appropriate for this time of the year. I don’t generally bring out the rusty reds and burnt oranges until October, but look out when I do!

 

Get the look:

Amber Stemware

Tin Chargers

Green Plaid Napkins

Green Cocotte

Red Flatware

Woven Placemats

Faux Apples (red)

Faux Apples (green)

 

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Joyous Christmas Tablescape

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Tablescape inspiration can come from the strangest places. The inspiration for this table came from none other than Melissa’s Produce. Considering the lack of produce used here, this may give you pause for thought. The truth is, in addition to their quality produce, they also offer a wide variety of beautiful gift baskets. A couple of years ago the red sleigh basket that I used as the centerpiece was among their offerings, this one fill​​ed with beautiful apples. I thought it would make a lovely addition to this year’s table alongside my mother’s Santa carrying a tree.

I filled the basket with bits of greenery in which I interwove tiny battery powered lights. I then added a couple of wrapped gifts using fabulous wrapping paper that I got this year and I’m crazy about! It was pure serendipity that it matched the napkins, also a purchase this year from Pottery Barn.

The Christmas tree candle holders were my mother’s at one time. I am totally in love with these, and used sturdy colonial candles in them.

The greenery placemats are from Pier 1, a number of years ago, as are the plaid plates on top of them. Every time I use these, I get lots of comments. The salad plates on top are called “Christmas Tunes" and are from 222 Fifth.

The cranberry stemware that works so well here, giving the table a jewel-toned glow, is a product of Avon from years ago; the flatware was my mother’s as well.

Napkins, as mentioned above, are from Pottery Barn. I cannot emphasize enough the fabulous quality of their napkins. They are heavy duty, wash beautifully, and always keep their shape. Sadly, I have forgotten the source of the pine cone napkin rings.

Yet another lovely addition to this table are the miniature baskets (my mother’s as well -- she used to set a stunning table), that I filled with mint-filled chocolate Penguins that my little granddaughter was selling as a part of a fundraiser for Brownie troop.

Make your Christmas dining merry and bright!

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Here Comes Santa Claus Tablescape

Despite the direction in which I take it, no matter how I decorate my table at Christmas time, Santa always plays a part. It may not be a big part, but if you look close enough he’s always there.

In this table he takes center stage amidst silver houses, reindeer, "snow," and a darling little red truck cookie jar with lid removed, toting a miniature pine tree.

It’s festive, it’s fun, and young and old will both enjoy it.

Sources:

Tablecloth & Plaid Plates – Williams-Sonoma

Red plates, napkins & Truck Cookie Jar – Pier One

Leaf Chargers – Gift

Santa cups – Fitz & Floyd

Reindeer – Pottery Barn

Green glasses – Villeroy & Bach

 

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