Spode's Woodlands plates just speak fall to me. Here is the Red Grouse pattern salad plate on top of an antique Minton gold-embossed dinner plate. The green of the Minton plate pulls out the green vegetation surrounding the birds. I only purchased the salads in Spode Woodlands bird plates, not the full service as I think too much of it is just, well, too much of it. As you know, I like to mix and match to get a full variety of interest on the table.
The tablescape for this dinner brings together vintage, antique and new tableware. The very popular Spode Woodland plates are combined with new and vintage amber glassware, ceramic green pumpkins, and metallic tones in the copper pumpkin leaves, copper metallic placemats and metallic glazed Jaune de Chrome chargers in the Flemenco pattern. Great light is needed to see the great beauty of the glaze on these chargers. Dim light in my dining room does not do them justice.
The above photo of the plate edges shows the unique combination of browns and greens on the left and on the right the browns of the natural acorns in a marigold footed carnival glass dish, copper painted pheasants and brown metal detailed stems on the pumpkins from Tuesday Morning. I picked up the acorns from the ground under an Oak tree near my office. I spray painted the pheasant pair in copper to give them more life as the original finish was a flat dull brown.
Above left is the Spode Pheasant plate on top of the Minton dinner plate. Lower left is the orange metallic votive from Dollar General with maple leaves around the top. Top right is the Jaune de Chrome Flamenco charger and lower right is the Minton green gold embossed dinner plate.
To serve a choice of pies for dessert, I am using a green antique batwing scenic style plate by Copeland Late Spode. The red/orange in this plate is brought out by the same color napkins. Napkin rings are by Reba Home.
Pheasant and Mallard details in the center of the plates.
The details in these Snipe and Quail birds in vegetation are all about nature.
The collage above shows four of the designs I have on my twelve salad plates.
The placemats made by Copperworx of Clinton, MS are hard to photo due to the reflective glare the copper produces. The surface treatment on each placemat is unique with no two alike. They are cork backed so not to scratch your table.
Above is an overview of the table. Napkins are from Pottery Barn, flatware from Vietri and orange metallic glass votives with leaves come together to express fall. All is set on a tablecloth I made of Schumacher plaid melon fabric.
Amber button stemware is by Yurana Designs and the vintage amber iced beverage is Mt. Vernon by Indiana. I think amber colored glass is so fitting for a fall table.
Close up details of the center of the table shows the German majolica pedestal dessert plate holding natural acorns and faux mangos from Apple Annie of Kentucky.
My tablescape style is to coordinate details that provide the greatest interest to the eye as possible. It matters not to me whether an item is $2 at Dollar General or the flea market or pricey French porcelain. My goal is to define the "look" and with each tablescape try to become better at this styling craft. I am a dish addict who finds great joy in color combinations, honoring the skill of the dish makers and making a photo document to share with other tablescapers. By blogging I hope to improve defining the eye candy that excites and expires my daily life.
I am participating in Tablescape Thursday this week on the blog Between Naps on the Porch.
To see all the entries, after 9:00PM Eastern on Wednesday, go here:
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Summer
Photos: Swede
I like what you said at the bottom of the post about not caring how much an item costs in reference to the overall look of the finished product. I couldn't agree more! I have everything from stuff that is kept in a safe to stuff that I bought at the dollar store. If it works well together, then I'm all for it! I could just blow myself over with a feather over those chargers and dessert plates!!! Still wanting to beat myself up for not buying the Spode when I had the chance at a very good price. Oh, well....not meant to be for me! :-) Thank you so much for stopping by to see my gory offering. Those slithering snakes give me the willies, too!!! I have abeen known on occasion, however, to greet the UPS man with the python wrapped around my shoulders. Scared the little brown short pants off of him the first time I did it! Now he just thinks I'm weird, I'm sure! :-) Have a wonderful weekend!!!
Posted by: Alycia Nichols | 10/28/2011 at 03:34 PM
I always have the imipression that yo and I see light and color through the same lense. The greens and amber sing beautifully in combination on your table. Thank you for inviting us to join you at your table. Cherry Kay
Posted by: Entertaining Women | 10/28/2011 at 02:50 PM
I love the autumn colors and the overall feeling of warmth. What gorgeous dishes you have!
Posted by: Barbara | 10/28/2011 at 12:15 PM
Just...s p e c t a c u l a r!!! The Minton is beautiful! franki
Posted by: Franki Parde | 10/27/2011 at 09:04 AM
Wow, your table is terrific. One of these days I want to have a collection of themed dishes for fall and winter. All of your pieces are lovely and you've shown them off beautifully.
Posted by: Lulumusing | 10/27/2011 at 06:55 AM
Wow! Everything is so pretty. Such rich warm colors. Beautiful table.
Posted by: Jocelyn | 10/26/2011 at 09:53 PM
Your table is lovely. I so agree with your philosophy. I too enjoy mixing the fine with the dollar store find. You have some AMAZING china. The Minton in this post is fabulous.
- The Tablescaper
Posted by: The Tablescaper | 10/26/2011 at 09:48 PM
Another fabulous table.. I love the dinner plate and I agree with the "too much".. perfect pieces that go so well together.. I love the copper placemats.. so pretty. another winner table.. xo marlis
Posted by: marlis | 10/26/2011 at 09:06 PM
Very , very beautiful Autumn table. This rich table speaks to me of all the beauty of the season. You china is exquisite and I adore Woodland. It is on my list of must have china.
You displayed it perfectly!
Yvonne
Posted by: Yvonne @ StoneGable | 10/26/2011 at 09:04 PM
Your table is absolutely stunning. Spode Woodland is one of my all time favorites too. It speaks fall for sure.
Love how you paired it with the Minton. I've never seen your dessert plates before. Simply gorgeous!
Posted by: Delores | 10/26/2011 at 08:37 PM
This is just lovely! I think the Spode is gorgeous and would love some myself. The Minton green dinner plate is even prettier. I would use it regularly.
I agree about the amber stemware at this time of year. I love the vintage ones the best. They have a pine cone look to them.
Very, very beautiful.
Posted by: Debbie | 10/26/2011 at 08:25 PM
Beautiful table!!
Posted by: Pat@Back Porch Musings | 10/26/2011 at 08:16 PM
Wonderful 'falltastic' tablescape. Love the color combinations you created. I love those Minton plates! Great idea on spray painting the pheasants. I must remember that when I see a pair of birds that could use some help. I would love to have dinner at this table. Your thoughts at the end were well said, my friend.
Posted by: Maureen | 10/26/2011 at 06:25 PM