Isn't It Romantic

While I was not exactly planning any special dinner for Valentine's Day this year, I could not resist setting a pretty table for the occasion.

Besides...I really just wanted to use my new tablecloth.  You see...I've been admiring this certain fabric at Hobby Lobby for some time now.  I'd go so far to say it is spectacular!  A natural linen-type background and covered with a large shiny silver metallic floral print, this is considered home dec fabric.

And while if would make an awesome chair, or over-the-top draperies, I simply bought a few yards to make a table covering.  For those of you who favor gold over silver, it also comes in metallic gold.  My next lucky find were these darling paper roses from West Elm.  I oooohed and aaaahed over their collection of faux snow drops, quince and roses...each one cuter than the next.  While they came in many colors, I chose these pale, pale pink ones.

Simply set into a chunky mercury glass vase (also from West Elm), they are as lovely as the real thing!  

(And long lasting to boot.)  I just might have to go back for some more.  Mercury glass tealights add a bit of romance.

The rest of my tablescape fell easily into place.  Naturally, I chose to use my silver chargers,

topped with my favorite plain white plates.  I think everyone should have a set of natural linen napkins. Wishing to do something a bit different with them, I found instructions to make these playful napkin roses.

They were really very easy, and just the touch I was looking for.  Because everything on the table is so neutral, I needed to add a splash of color...

...so I chose my Romantika (how appropriate) goblets and water glasses...vintage Crate & Barrel.  I dug out a few treasures to add some happy memories to my Valentine's table.

My dear Aunt Tess had several pieces of Dorothy Thorpe glassware, like this footed candy dish.  I also found this antique silver bottle holder,

because heaven forbid any wine drips on the tablecloth!  Such pretty details...

Now that my Valentine's Day tablescape is complete, I think I might just have to plan a special dinner after all...

...because I really want to sit at this table!  Hope you too have a happy day.  I'm sure the parties will be filled with fabulous ideas, so come along with me and visit...

Centerpiece Wednesday (The Style Sisters)

Tabletop Thursday (Between Naps on the Porch)

Feathered Nest Friday (French Country Cottage)

Home Sweet Home Friday  (The Charm of Home)

Potpourri Friday (2805)

Seasonal Sundays (The Tablescaper)

Let's Dish (Cuisine Kathleen)

Open House Party (No Minimalist Here)

WWJD

On August 15th, Julia Child would have celebrated her 100th birthday.  Like countless others, I have fond memories of watching the French Chef cook, bake, and most importantly, teach us to love food, friends and entertaining.  And so, fittingly, I have invited some friends over this weekend to celebrate Julia Child.  I did a bit of internet research, hoping to find Julia's wisdom on setting a perfect lovely table, but unfortunately came up empty-handed.  What Would Julia Do?  I have to believe that she would set a tasteful, simple an comfortable table.  After all, it's all about the meal, right?

So here is my birthday table, set for Julia.  I love mixing the old with the new.  On a long ago trip to Scandinavia, my dear Aunt Tess discovered these gold damask linens.

She bought not just one, but four of these tablecloths...

...along with scores of napkins to match!! I wonder what she was planning to do with them all?  They are lovely.  "Everything in moderation" was always Julia's motto, and as much as I love a "fully loaded" tablescape, today I am reigning myself in,

using just my simple silver chargers...

...topped with my favorite plain white plates.  I've chosen these Calistoga wine and water goblets,

as we will most definitely be enjoying a few fabulous bottles at the party.

For mood, some twinkling tea lights.

Finally, a gorgeous bouquet of creamy white flowers, nestled into a golden vase.  And that's it...simple...

...just the way I think Julia would like it.  Happy Birthday, Dear Julia...and Bon Appetit!   This week I will be visiting...

Centerpiece Wednesday (The Style Sisters)

Tabletop Thursday (Between Naps on the Porch)

Feathered Nest Friday (French Country Cottage)

Home Sweet Home Friday  (The Charm of Home)

Potpourri Friday (2805)

Seasonal Sundays (The Tablescaper)

Let's Dish (Cuisine Kathleen)

Open House Party (No Minimalist Here)

Please stop by.

A Riot of Color

Well, my four part Placemat Fun series was indeed fun, but I for one, am ready to move on to something new.  As the brutal hot and dry summer goes on and on, there is not much color in my garden...but the same is not true for today's tablescape.  To start things off, let's play a little game.

Take a good look at my table runner and ask yourself, "Where have I seen this before?"  Did you figure it out?  Lately, I have been intrigued by the reusable tote bags sold at places like Home Goods, TJ Maxx and so many others.  Hmmm...let's buy a few of these, cut them up and make something new...like a table runner!  I think it's rather cute.  And if you have been following my blog, you have probably figured out that this little project has a flip side (so please stay tuned)!

With the runner as my inspiration, I had plenty of colors to work with.  Oh, what color placemat shall I choose.  In the end, I selected these eggplant colored grass mats from Crate & Barrel.

I recent fun find from World Market are these cheery yellow chargers with a cutout detail as a special touch.

My plain white plates are a great backdrop for these fun multicolored zig zag plates from the Crate.

I dressed up these eggplant napkins with colorful beaded napkin rings (Kohls, last summer).

I found these darling little woven grass drinking glass cozies at one of my favorite local antique markets. And their blue and green and yellow and pink stripes add even more color to my table.

Speaking of color, this ceramic pitcher covered in fruit, has them all!

I may not have many flowers in my garden...but luckily...Whole Foods had gorgeous ones!  Pale pink, vibrant purple, yellow, and bright white...all fresh and beautiful.

So, if your lawn is dry and brown and your flowers droopy, just set a bright and color packed table and enjoy summer...inside!  As always I will be visiting...

Centerpiece Wednesday (The Style Sisters)

Tabletop Thursday (Between Naps on the Porch)

Feathered Nest Friday (French Country Cottage)

Home Sweet Home Friday  (The Charm of Home)

Potpourri Friday (2805)

Seasonal Sundays (The Tablescaper)

Let's Dish (Cuisine Kathleen)

Open House Party (No Minimalist Here)

See you there.

Check it Out

Sometimes all that a tablescape needs is one fresh new item, a little imagination and a good memory.  Let me explain.  I recently spotted this colorful red, yellow and green plaid tablecloth at Home Goods.

It was very reasonably priced, under ten dollars, and really rather pretty.  Couldn't resist.  I immediately thought of these cute (funny shaped) polka dot napkins that I found at West Elm a few seasons ago.

Things were falling to place.  My plain white plates, with their subtle white-on-white checks would be lovely...

...especially perched atop these shiny red chargers.

I decided to add a runner...well actually a yellow polka dot scarf repurposed as a runner...just for fun.  Wait a minute!  I think I have THE perfect salad plates tucked way in the back of a kitchen cabinet.  These are vintage 70's or 80's...something my dear Aunt Tess discovered at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Like me, she really did love dishes, and all of the special things from her collection hold very fond memories for me.  This table was meant for these plates!  A tried green wine glasses and yellow champagne flutes but settled upon these deep ruby red goblets.

Silly me...I usually use these only at the holidays.   Years ago, I bought this pale green ceramic Arranage It vase from Southern Living at Home, and loved it so much, I bought four more to give as Christmas gifts.  It is fitted with a "frog" so all you have to do is pop in 19 flowers and you have a gorgeous arrangement every time.

Alstroemeria work particularly well, with the added bonus of looking great for at least a week!   The last detail was to light a few votives...

...and my table was complete.

Finding those old plates was such a treat, and it all started with a new tablecloth.

Easter, Yet Again

Got myself into some tabletop trouble today.  I blame it on jet lag.  Let me explain.  I thought I was supposed to help with inventory at Ten Thousand Villages.  Turns out, inventory was yesterday.  Oops. With time on my hands, I saw this as an opportunity to wander around Glen Ellyn.  I popped into Marcel's, a lovely cooking school / gourmet shop / cooking store and a wonderful new addition to downtown Glen Ellyn. It just so happens that the shop is filled with many, many gorgeous tabletop items.  It happened again.  My eye was suddenly caught by this Springy striped tablecloth.

I think it was the slightly out of the ordinary colors (melon, apple green, kiwi green, peach, plum and aqua) that made me look twice.  Hmmm...I really did need to set a second table for Easter.  And I really do like this cloth.  Sold.

I really did need these apple green napkins that match so well.

Oh...and these darling tapers.  I could not wait to get home and set the table!  A quick stop at trader Joe's for some flowers and I was ready.

I remembered these multicolored bamboo placemats that I found at Kohl's last summer and I simply fashioned them into a runner down the center of my table.  Now, time to layer.

I knew these pretty coral colored placemats from World Market would be a good addition to my collection.

Naturally, I grabbed my perfect plain white plates and set atop gold leaf(ish) chargers.  I'm so glad I decided to purchase these...

Fann coral salad plates on a recent trip to West Elm.  I simply rolled up my cheery green napkins and tucked them into...

...multi-colored napkin rings, again from Kohl's.  I just love a little bit of chocolate to finish off a great meal, so each of my guests will enjoy a sweet treat.

I have fond memories of eating jello with sliced bananas as a kid from these antique tiny parfait glasses.  I have not used them in years!

How delicious a mimosa will taste sipped from these mint green champagne flutes, old favorites of mine from Horchow.  Not until I took a close look did I notice that the blue and green stripes on these tapers are actually...

tiny strips of wax, carefully stuck on the hand rolled white tapers.  So cute.  I'm showing them off in these...

vintage lavender cut glass pineapple candle holders.

Finally, these deep purple tulips look beautiful in my  handpainted vase from Rosenthal.  I am just delighted with my Easter table.

Lucky for me that I had such a successful (albeit unplanned) trip to Marcel's today!