Smokin'

To my friends and followers...for those of you who thought I was perhaps in some way "unwell", I am very happy to report that I am just fine.  My absence can best be described as a holiday overdose...a few too many dishes to wash, an overwhelming pile of napkins to iron, and all those holiday plates to safely pack away.  I just wasn't feeling creative or inspired and needed a little break.  And after weeks of looking at my bare dining room table, I knew it was time to return.  With no imminent holidays, I opted to simply set a table with things on hand.

As you know, there is always some element of my table that is the inspiration for the entire setting.  This time it was some beautiful floral fabric, a warm smoky grey background covered with coral and plum and gold mums.  So I...

...whipped up a set of napkins.  Then magically, the rest of the tablescape fell into place, one piece at a time.  I remembered these peachy-coral salad plates from West Elm.  Haven't used those in awhile.

I think they'd look perfect atop my shiny grey Hayes dinner plates from Crate & Barrel, which I layer with my gold leaf(ish) ruffly chargers, all sitting on these lacy paper placemats.

Who can't use a little more gold, so I added these chunky metallic napkin rings (Ten Thousand Villages), turning my napkin into a handsome bow tie.

Never, ever walk through a store without checking out the scarf department...because the scarf department should really be renamed the table runner department!  See what I found at Target...

...grey and gold and pink and cream and fringy and perfect!  Speaking of grey...look what I got for Christmas from my husband.  He found this fabulous smoky vintage barware at a shop in the city.  You should see the martini pitcher that came along with it!

Today I am using them as candle holders, because I have other plans for my beverages.  I found these amazing tumblers at a darling little vintage shop.  How I wished I had paid better attention when the shop owner told me the maker.  If anyone knows the answer, please share it with me.  I'd love to find out more about them.

Mid-century, I'm quite sure, they are so much fun with pink and gold fruits and leaves, all on a smoky grey background.  Quite a find.  My table still needed a centerpiece, so I took a peek at my stash.  This Rosenthal vase will be perfect...

 

...a tablesetters dream come true, with flowers of just the right colors.  It might be frigid outside, but tonight I'll be dining here...

...at my smokin' hot table.  Well, that was fun...and it's good to be back.  Please join me this week at the following parties.

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)

A Holiday Sneak Peek - the Fair Trade Way

I hope you enjoyed last week's Fall tablescape featuring many of the lovely items sold at Ten Thousand Villages.  Well, after unpacking and displaying the newest merchandise, which includes quite a few things for the holidays, I just could not wait to set another table and show off the new collection.

As you can see, even though the collection is a little glitzy, with red and green predominating, it certainly does not scream Christmas.  I think it's the perfect collection to ease into the holiday season.  I began with this...

...Flowering Vines tablecloth, hand block-printed by artisans in India.

The border is the prettiest part.   As with most of the cloth available at the store, matching napkins are available.   Set on a cream background, the intricate pattern is printed with rich deep red, green and gold dyes... and to my delight, just a little bit of grey.  You know how I love grey!

Yet another chance to use my glossy grey plates that I am so very fond of.  Set atop these shimmery beaded red placemats,  the setting is so festive.

I almost chose some green wine glasses and red water goblets, but opted for these gold goblets instead. Again, by using the non-predominate colors in the cloth as inspiration, the tablescape does not feel too Christmasy.  Now for the details.  I like to send my guests home with a little something to remember the evening.

I think these hand woven red and natural palm leaf stars (actually an ornament), made in India, are the perfect touch.  I do love to weave a garland around my tabletop, especially when it is as cute as this...

... Star Splash red and gold silk garland, also handmade in India.  And now for my favorite feature of this table...these oh-so-fabulous Sunburst  candle holders.

Whether you use a chunky candle, like these glittery red ones, or just a simple little tea light, I can see using these brassy dramatic candleholders all year long.  When I found this vintage yellow fan shaped vase at the Bountiful Barn in Glen Ellyn, I just had to bring it home.

I knew that flowers were going to sit just perfectly in this vase.  See what I created with just a dozen red roses (thanks again Trader Joe's) and one minute of my time!!  So, have I gotten you just a little bit excited for the holidays?  Please, please visit Ten Thousand Villages' website to read the artisans stories in greater detail and to shop for gifts with a purpose.  I invite you to join me at the following parties this week:

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)

P.S.  Great photos, Laura!

Fall in Love with Fair Trade

I had so much fun with Tabletop Stories first anniversary, but now it's time for some fresh new tablescapes. It has been quite a while since I featured merchandise from Ten Thousand Villages...and the store is just packed with wonderful items right now in preparation for the busy holiday season.  So let's begin with this lovely Paisley Botanical block-printed tablecloth from India.

Rusts and deep tans and shades of grey, all on a cream background, give me so many colors to work with.

Of course, there are napkins to match.  I love to use my glossy grey dinner plates whenever I get a chance.

I've layered them with my own dark brown chargers sitting atop natural jute placemats....

...neutral but very warm.  I have added these cute little black patterned salad/appetizer plates.

My rustic Southbeach glassware gives the table a nice casual feel.

There are hundreds of decorative accessories at Ten Thousand Villages, including these Pillar onyx votive holders from Pakistan.

Available in several heights, each candle holder is unique...with colors ranging from beige to rust to deep brown.  I chose to use this Guapinal wooden bowl as a vase by simply inserting a small drinking glass inside.

Made in Nicaragua from Brazilian Cherry, each bowl has its own unique natural border.  When not being used as a vase, this little bowl could hold your keys, or nuts, or M&Ms...yes I think it would make a perfect M&M dish!  And what's a party without party favors.

My guests will be going home with these darling river stones, carved and polished by artisans in Haiti into smooth hearts.  If you are ever in my neck of the woods, I encourage you to visit the Ten Thousand Villages store in Glen Ellyn.  Of course, all of the merchandise that I featured, along with so much more, is always available at tenthousandvillages.com.  I have lots of parties to visit this week.  I hope you'll join me!

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)

Mimosa Morning

The following is a true story.  Sometimes, tablescapes..well..sort of...just happen!  As you probably already have heard, the Chicago area had a ridiculous number of 80 plus degree sunny days.  For those of you unfamiliar with March in Chicagoland...TOTALLY unheard of.  And reason to celebrate!  So I went shopping.  Found this scarf at Coldwater Creek (that I liked when it was full priced).  But today it was marked down... TWICE!  I got to thinking.  Before I actually wear this scarf, I'm seeing it on a tabletop.  I already have almost everything a need to set a sweet little table.  I couldn't wait to get home.  Now all I need is my photographer.  Well, lucky me.  Laura just happens to stop by after school, needing my daughter's help with photo project.  So, see.  This tablescape really and truly just happened.

I originally planned to use the scarf simply as a runner.  However, it was really quite long...so...I decided to tie the scarf around the table and was quite happy with the result.

Now I had an attractive soft knot and the fringe on the scarf was now able to be seen.  Honestly, the beautiful color combination of the scarf led the way for the rest of the tablescape.

I began my layering with a soft grey grass mat from Crate & Barrel.

Next I added a smaller, coral placemat they recently found at World Market on top of the grey.  All this simple table needed were my favorite plain white plates, but this time, since this table is for breakfast...

I brought out my seldom used, albeit very pretty, coffee cups and saucers.  The smoky handles of my Aero flatware...

(a current item at Crate & Barrel) were a good compliment to the grey.  A simple pale yellow linen napkin fancied up with these...

cute beaded napkin rings from Sur La Table completed my layers.  I have had these fabulous bright canary yellow champagne flutes for years,

and until today, never had quite the right spot for them.  I think they are perfect.  As is this chartreuse art glass vase from Sweden...

filled with carnations that are the ideal shade of salmon.  Excuse me while I grab a bottle of Proseco and settle in for a very special brunch.

All Suited Up

The inspiration for this tablescape came from a Chicago Tribune feature on holiday decor.  What is so great about this table is its adaptability.  This could easily turn into a lovely Thanksgiving table with the right details. Dress it up for Christmas or New Year's Eve.

I loved their idea of a grey flannel tablecloth. Or use it all winter long for a dressed-up look.  All that is required is a trip to the fabric store.  Called "suiting", this fabric makes an ideal table covering.  Not only does it look classy, but it resists wrinkles, drapes beautifully and washes easily.  What's not to like?  I did not even bother to hem my cloth. The soft grey color is the ideal backdrop for all the extras.  I have chosen to use my favorite white dishes, this time sitting atop shiny silver chargers.

Matching Callsitoga wine and water glasses from Crate & Barrel add some class.

I do believe my favorite recent purchase has been this very fun Aero flatware, also from the Crate with its circular spoons and stylish skinny black handles.

I could not resist  this playful grey fabric, accented with circles of black and shades of soft green and aqua, which quickly turned into napkins.

Accessories also look fabulous against the grey flannel.  These adorable mother-of-pearl napkin rings from Ten Thousand Villages once again pick up on the subtle circle theme going on.

White paper roses, also from Ten Thousand Villages, are scattered all over the table.  

The final touch is another one of my go-to pieces, a sculptural candelabra from Crate & Barrel.  This time I've added chunky round white candles for some mood lighting.

I  hope I've inspired you to give this grey flannel tablescape your own personal touches.  Looking very forward to seeing what my fellow dish lovers at Between Naps on the Porch have in store for 2012.