August 26, 2017

Ole Homestead Tablescape

Most of the Tablescapes that boast of beautiful Farm House Place Settings are an abundance of white and tan.  This setting catches your eye because of the bright colors all over the scene with the brown textures of basket weave chargers to the smoothness of the enamelware.

This rustic and fun table setting was a huge hit when unexpected company dropped in and I needed to get a quick meal on the table.

I wanted to keep things light and casual and this Enamel ware worked out perfect.

Combining a blue and white checked tablecloth with  colorful striped napkins along with the basket weave place mats seemed to work.  Mixing the Mason jar glasses and enamel ware mugs for the drinks

I found an old campfire coffee pot and placed some field and summer flowers inside for my centerpiece.

 Then added colorful glass lanterns for light brought out a cheerful  blend to the table. The black dinner bell went along for added charm.

A vintage glass butter dish and a couple of miniature coffee pots brought much attention and stimulated conversation.

Keep Track of Vintage Pieces

This Tablescape was inexpensive and allowed me to use several things that were on hand that had been collected for awhile.  Everything but the blue and white checked tablecloth was either a Garage Sale find or an item on Sale.

Hope you get a chance to try this easy-going sunny tablescape before the summer ends.  It captured glad hearts that made a pleasurable evening.

 

August 17, 2019

Mediterranean Sea Scape

  When I look at my everyday dinnerware, for some reason, I always think of the countries that are in the Mediterranean; Italy, Greece, Spain and try to imagine what colors along with the ones on my plates, would look pleasant and inviting for a tablescape.

 These colors, textures and patterns that are conducive to that area gave me the incentive to pull together my own rendition of a setting that can go along with the beach scenes in my first blog post. 

Fundamental Essentials – Dishes,Tablecloths, runners and placemats

 

Each tablescape begins with a base or surface to place all the necessary items on.

Most of the time it’s a table or counter or even the ground that needs a covering. In this case I have a dining room table where most of my tablescapes will be shown. 

 I found fabric that would work for the underlying base, sand colored linen with a swirling pattern of crewel design and combined it with a bright paisley. Sewing the pieces together as a runner laying across the table, tying opposite sides together.

               

 Layering Effects

From this point setting items on the table will be our own design. Configuring things to see which looks good together and which doesn’t.

Growing up in California in the east bay area of San Francisco, we lived on a small farm with a variety of trees; apricot and fig, walnut and olive.

Summers were hot but sitting under those huge leafy boughs gave a much needed escape from the heat and eating that juicy fruit was just an added pleasure.

But here in the Northwest I haven’t seen any Fig or Olive trees and the closest thing to fresh figs are more apt to be found in Trader Joe’s.

 

So I opted for some silk branches and tall grasses to make up for the loss of the olive branches. This centerpiece, in a tall trumpet vase, has white flowers that cascade down and the grasses give the height that I wanted as well.

Mixing Colors and patterns

Using a lighter tone of green for the charger gave the dinner plate a little more show, especially with the brown and tan border.

Wanting to keep with the heaviness of the Fitz and Floyd dinnerware I chose a vintage peach-orange Goblet in Carnival glass. I also put in a vintage red Biscuit Jar in Carnival Glass and set it on a riser to get the hi-lo appearance.