Swede

Tablescape: Loving the Color Orchid

 

One of my favorite colors in Spring is orchid.  I look forward to getting out the orchid linen tablecloth I made as soon as I get that Spring feeling.  It is made out of linen dress fabric so I can wash it.  I purchased eight yards of 58" wide fabric, cut it in half and sewed it down the middle. That way it will touch the floor on all sides of the table.

You have heard of "shopping your house" to redecorate with accessories you have put in storage, but I shopped my garage sale for this one.  I had a garage sale Friday and everyone picked up these silverplate julep cups but nobody would buy them for $2.  So I decided to keep them and use them for this week's dinner. I'm so glad I rescued them back into my stash.  I think they were originally candle cups from Pottery Barn years ago and a few now have the brass showing through the plating.  Guess that just gives them personality. 

Here are five cups placed in the center of the table for a low arrangement that people can easily see over.

Before putting the flowers inside the cups, I placed a cube of Oasis in each cup, wedged in tight so it didn't float up, to hold the stems more firmly in place.

The flowers purchased at my local grocery store includes three types of Roses, a pale lavender one called Purple Haze, a pink and white one called Highlander and cluster spray Roses. I also used three types of Chrysanthemums, including Fugi.

For service plates, I am using hand painted garden scene plates by artist A. Rhodes. I do not know who that person was but the painting is expertly done.  When I got them they had never been used and were in mint condition.  I like guests to appreciate them, but I don't want them scratched with forks so use them to set the tone of the dinner only.  It would be a shame to damage them at this stage.

Each of the 14 plates has a different scene, this one being two arbors in a garden.  They are painted on Royal Brixton blanks.

This one has a walled garden.

This one has a sundial on top of a pedestal column.

Wider view of table.

Underneath the service plates are chargers by French maker J. Siegnolles in the perfect shade of orchid to go with the tablecloth.

View of the table with the chargers.

For salad plates I am using these vintage French Haviland scallop-edge plates with wells.  I have no clue why such an elegant plate would have a well unless it is for salad dressing to drain down there.  I don't think these are oyster plates.  If you have seen these described in a Haviland reference book, I would love it if you would write to me and tell me what they said about this style.  You might think the chargers are pink until you put pink with them and then you can see that they are orchid.  I got a set of 14 of these plates with a large platter at an estate sale around 18 months ago.  You know me, the china addict, I leave no china behind -- sort of like the federal government's program Leave No Child Behind.  I just can't help myself when I find something this lovely in perfect condition. 

Napkins by Sferra and napkin ring by Kim Seybert.  Antique sterling flatware is Gorham's St. Cloud pattern.  I was very fortunate to find knives as they usually didn't survive. 

I'm using for dessert plates these signed hand painted English ones of Lilacs.

The paint used in the Lilacs is the perfect shade of orchid in the chargers.

Stemware left to right is Waterford's Colleen, William Yeoward's Flavia and white opaline goblet by French maker Portieux Vallerysthal.

On the console table is English transferware in that soft violet color that I think coordinates with the orchid theme.

Vintage clear glass cake stand holds a purchased white Sin Cake with cream cheese frosting and white sprinkles.

This week, I am linking to:

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

and http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Also, a reminder that if you would like to see my first digital magazine issue, sign up at either the top of this blog or my website at the very top. If you are on the blog in an email reader be sure to click the heading Tablescape:  Loving the Color Orchid to take you over to the Typepad site so you can see the sign up box. 

If you would like to read the feature on Swede in Coty Farquhar's April Styling issue, go here:

http://issuu.com/stylingbycotyfarquhar/docs/styling_april_2013

We are on pages 11, 12-13 and 96-100.

Summer

Photos: Swede

Tablescape: Orchid Colored Spring Tulips With French Fish Plates

I love when Spring Tulips are in the market at the end of February and first weeks of March. 

This Tulip centerpiece is four packages of Tulips in a clear vase inserted inside the grey Napa Home cachepot to hide the green stems.

For this dinner, I chose to use my antique French Limoges fish plates by Delinieres & Co. which are hand painted and signed Albert.

Here is a wider view of the table with the six placesettings.

The dinner plates are vintage Minton. I do not know the pattern name. If anybody recognizes it, please let me know. They are in mint condition.

On the bottom, the charger is JL Coquet's Hemisphere Gold pattern.

The green hand woven placemats are from Pottery Barn made from the fibers of the Abaca tree. Although very casual compared to the plates, I decided to use them rather than fabric placemats.

Green napkins are from le Jacquard Francais. Napkin rings beaded in green and navy are from Dillard's. On the right, you can see the line up of the plates.  Gold plated flatware is from Ricci of Italy. I like how the fish scales on the pattern of the handles keep the fish theme of the Limoges plates.

I purchased the bone handled knives in Paris at a brocante in the Marais district last May.

Hi-lo drinkware here is Varga's Amelia pattern matched up with tumblers from Target.

If you are a regular follower, you know I have a thing about collecting French fish plates and game plates as I think they add so much color and style to the placesettings when they are hand painted. Certainly a thing from the past. I just don't see these produced anymore. These have a navy border with gold embossed design.

Fish services generally have 12 plates, a sauce boat and large platter. The platter had been separated from this set when I purchased it and it only had 10 plates.

I designed this vitruvian scroll wave table for Swede Collection. Carrot layer cake is waiting. The aqua glass demijohns are from northern France.

Above is a wider view of the Minton dinner plates.

I really enjoyed having these Tulips in the house.  Just what I needed when Mother Nature was spitting snow and raining.

I am participating in:

Tablescape Thursday on Between Naps On The Porch.

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Centerpiece Wednesday on The Style Sisters. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Summer

Photos: Swede

Tablescape: Valentine's Day Dinner

 

To all my followers,

This year I created a simple dinner for Valentine's Day. Since Mr. Swede is home, we are doing it a week ahead of time. 

I wanted to use china I already owned which I think has a romantic theme.

At the bottom of this post I will show you how I made the centerpiece.

This is the overview of the table and console table. Simple - nothing over the top here. 

Mr. Swede is a traditionalist and wanted me to use red on the table. I do not have red china so used red flowers.

 
Here is the plate selection I am using.  On the bottom is an Anna Weatherly white charger with gold rim. Next is a service plate with a romantic couple in the center and wide gold rim. On top, the appetizer plate has cupids in the center. This is what I call the Vanderbilt china. I have shown it before HERE in a tablescape on August 10, 2011.

This vintage plate is by Schlaggenwald of Czechoslovakia. They would be fun to use for a bridal dinner. There were 18 in the set each with different couples in the center.

For flatware, I am using vintage and antique mother of pearl handled knives and Durgin's Empire pattern forks and spoons.

For stemware, I am using on the right - Varga's Imperial pattern in raspberry for water and an antique bohemian style stem for wine made by Romer in cranberry with gold enamel work.

The flocked velvet glass hearts are from Hobby Lobby.

As a rule, I try to keep novalty items in my decor down to a minumum. I would like to be able to do a tablescape with all antique Valentine's items like old love letters, shell box hearts, card-stock old Valentines, etc. rather than use new items, but alas, I don't have any of those things.  On this table, I did use new glass holiday ornaments that are heart shape.

Close up of the centerpiece using four red flower types.

The tablecovering [shown below] is two French white quilted boutis overlapping in the center.  I used two placing them crosswise so they would touch the floor. Napkins have Mr. Swede's monogram on them and are vintage lapkin size purchased in France.

Above you can see I switched out the Aubusson flat weave carpet for this diamond pattern neutral one made of jute.

Dessert is placed on the console table on antique pink Royal Worcester low pedestal dessert stands. Cheesecake on the left and carrot cake on the right, both with fruit toppings.  The figurines in the center of the sweet couple belonged to my Mother-in-law.

Yummy, yummy.

This is a carrot cake on the inside with white frosting and crumb edges.

Another view of the table.

A collage of photos of the table elements.

For those who would like to see how I made the centerpiece, below are the steps.

I had a round soup tureen with cranberry borders. It was in the 1989 San Francisco earthquake so the lid was chipped but the bottom was perfect.  It was made about 100 years before that earthquake and marked on the bottom with the San Fran retailer's shop in the 1890's. The flowers are hand painted.

I usually don't like round floral arrangements and prefer oblong or rectangular ones for the table center, but the colors of this round tureen worked nicely.

I soaked a full Oasis brick and smaller pieces from another project in water and inserted them in the tureen making sure the edges were above the lip of the tureen so I could insert downward fronds of the Nandina plant.

The greenery is from my front yard.  I seldom purchase greenery.

From the floral department of the grocery store, I selected four flower types:  Two-toned white/red Roses, two-toned Carnations, red Alstromeria and red Godetia.

After getting the greenery in the floral foam, I started with the dozen red Roses placing them by eye where I felt they were balanced. Photo top left.

The next flower added was the Godetia, bottom left.  Then the Alstro[top right] and finally the Carnations [bottom right]. 

The last thing I added was clusters of Nandina berries off the shrub in my front flowerbed.  I also have red berries on my Holly tree but was afraid they would drop and stain my tablecloth.

I am participating in:

Tablescape Thursday on Between Naps On The Porch.

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Centerpiece Wednesday on The Style Sisters. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Wishing you a romantic week.

Summer

Photos: Swede 

Tablescape: Winter Dinner in Purple

 

Today's tablescape I just threw together without much planning to examine how my new Versace chargers would look on the table. After months on order they finally arrived just days before Christmas. 

The pattern is Grand Divertissement by Versace made in Germany by Rosenthal a great old porcelain firm. This is the charger at 13" diameter hosting "Mr. Eyebrows" in the center. The other items in this pattern have different designs on them. Love the big swirls.

You can also see this pattern in the November/December 2012 issue of Victoria magazine on pages 28-33.  The purple of the plates on those pages look much richer and darker than these are in person. As you can see in my photos they are more lavender color.

I had a crinkled taffeta tablecloth that was approximately the same purple.  The Sferra napkins I have are a bit too light so I need to look for darker ones.

Napkin rings are by Kim Seybert in the Mogul pattern.

I do love the way they used gold to accent the design. The dinner plate at top is an antique set of Wm. Guerin from Limoges.  When I bought the set I thought the flowers were Bachelor Buttons or Cornflowers but now I am thinking they are Thistles.  Anybody know for sure?  I have no idea what the pattern name is. Most likely made 1890-1910.  Purchasing this set on eBay carries with it some horrid memories of dealing with the seller who didn't seem to know the difference between a lie and the truth on condition.  No chips or cracks has a different meaning to her.

I first fell in love with the HUGE soup tureen she was selling and ended up purchasing most of the service. I do want to mention that I was crazy over this set and I do NOT buy china with little flowers all over them. I'm sure you have seen Limoges plates with little blue, pink, yellow, etc. sprigs scattered about.  They just don't appeal to me.  So I broke my rules in buying this pattern.  I am a nut case for any old French porcelain and had this not been French, I definitely would have passed on it.

Here's how they look on the table.

Hyacinths from the grocery store inside the gray ceramic cachepot.

One of the beautiful things that make January liveable.  LOVE-LOVE-LOVE these in all colors including coral which you don't see commercially grown for the floral industry.

Glassware is !Home, James! on the left in Society amethyst pattern and on the right is one that I've had probably 20 years. I'm not sure if I ever knew the maker or pattern.

I thought my antique English purple transferware platters would look good with the Versace purple so brought them out for the console table.

This pattern was only made for two years, 1852 and 1853.  I've never collected blue and white transferware, but I do love the purple and mulberry colors.

I think I'll cook Mr. Swede some pork chops in sauerkraut with gold beets, green beans and applesauce.  Something simple.

I am participating in:

Tablescape Thursday on Between Naps On The Porch.

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Summer

Photos: Swede

Holidays: Thanksgiving Breakfast

 

One tradition at our house that was kept by Mr. Swede from his maternal grandparents is fried oyster breakfast on Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings.  I like oysters if I cut the green part out, if you know what I mean. This year Mr. Swede had forgotten to purchase them in all the rushing about but I surprised him and found some.  He only likes the Willapoint brand from Washington state since he grew up in both Connecticut and Seattle.

He fries them in olive oil after dipping them in beaten eggs and saltine cracker crumbs.

The only time I use blue and white for a tablescape is with these plates.  I am not a fan of blue and white decor but these plates were so wonderful I couldn't pass them up. They are English transferware by Cauldon. They were made in two shades of blue. This is the brighter one. The other shade is a darker more flow blue one that is not as crisp in the design. I purchased the oval cachepot at a charity consignment shop to use with these plates. White Cyclamen are in stores now and one of my favorite winter plants.

All of the plates have the turkey motif.  I do not have any other plates or cups from this pattern and have not seen any for sale.

Each Thanksgiving I bring out my Smith Glass turkeys. I think they were made to hold cranberry sauce but some people use them for soup. Here I am using them for fruit with a rich cream cheese sauce. For the main Thanksgiving meal, I place little gifts inside them for each guest.  The blue plates are used for breakfast and then I switch to another Spode/Copeland bird plate set for the main meal.

Another look at Mr. Gobble. Metal turkey placecard holders are from Pottery Barn.

I like bright green with the cobalt blue.  This stem is from Varga.

Royal blue napkins from Sferra. Chargers are Anna Weatherley and sterling is Tiffany English King.

Fried oysters with scrambled eggs.

Did your family carry down any Thanksgiving traditions through the generations?

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Paris: Visit to the Sevres Porcelain Factory

 

On May 19th, Mr. Swede and I toured the Sevres porcelain factory on the outskirts of Paris.  I had always loved the quality of Sevres work but never imagined I would visit their museum. [You do know that I am not the kind of pre trip planner who studies every map, review and book before I go! I'm lucky if my passport is still current.] You can purchase a Museum Pass at the lower level office at the Louvre [I highly recommend getting a pass]. When I looked at the list of what museums it covered, Sevres was on there.  Mr. Swede wanted to go and lead the way -- good thing I had a personal tour guide as he knew how to get there.

When you get off the train and come up to ground level, you cross the street and then cross over a bridge and it is right there.  You can see it when you get to the bridge.

It had been raining so this photo is a bit misty.

You have arrived. Museum of French ceramics.

As you enter the courtyard, Mr. Bernard Palissy's monument is there. The dates are 1510 to 1590.  Notice how tall the blue and white vases are compared to the tourist at the door.

He is the guy that Palissyware is named after.

When you enter there is a bookstore on your left and the ticket desk. I only found one book printed in English. And, before I go any further, I want to tell you that I had been pronouncing Sevres wrong. When I asked the guy at the desk about books in English, he very swiftly corrected me.  It is "Sev' RUH".  I had been saying "Sev-zzzzz". 

Then you go up these marble stairs to the exhibits. I think these paintings are done on porcelain not canvas.

You enter a large red room and see all these gigantic vases.  I do mean HUGE. The pedestal supports they are on is above my waist and the tops of the vases are way, way, way above my head.

The other side of the room.

My brain just could not grasp all the details of these or understand how an artist could design and make one -- mind boggling to think of what all would have been involved in those years before electricity to produce such masterpieces.

Here are a few close ups of the details. Love the little white face towards the top. I could take this one home.

This really makes me aware that I have no true talent in artistry. I think the lettering says it was made for the President of the Republic of France.

So fabulous. How do they do it?

Pretty green plate. The side rooms were full of glass cabinets with displays of china they had produced there.

Always learning something new - I had never seen this style of deep protective saucer before. Sort of like a little tutu. Sorry but this was taken through security glass.  

How about this?

Must be for Louis Philippe Prince Regent.  I kept seeing RF on things and finaly figured out that meant Republic of France. I want to find one of these at a garage sale, don't you?

Looks like Madame DuBerry shopped there.

And, Catherine The Great of Russia came by for a little shopping.

I just know that if Mr. Swede would let me spend the summer traveling around to all the flea markets in France, I would find some of this. Well, I won't bore you with all the photos of dishes in this museum.

The worst part of it was we were there on a Saturday and the gift shop was CLOSED!!!!  They told us where their retail store was in Paris and we went there the next day.  Can you believe it was CLOSED for remodeling and was going to open back up on May 30th after we had gone home?  Oh well, Mr. Swede now knows where it is.  Remember, honey, it is near that pharmacy.

A little history.  There was not ONE poster in English in the entire museum. I was just kicking myself that I didn't take French in college.

I wouldn't mind using this desk to pay my bills or use my laptop.

Here is one of the factory buildings where they make porcelain. It was under some rennovation.  We could not go in.  I really wanted to watch the process.

If you plan to visit the museum, I hope this gives you a little glimpse of what to expect.

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Tablescape: Autumn Oranges and Tortoise Browns

 

 

Saturday I made another tablescape using the floral arrangement I used in the office lunch tablescape Friday. HERE  I like getting double duty out of the centerpieces whenever I can.

When fall comes, I like getting out my French orange hand-painted fish plates.  It just seems the right time of year for them with all the oranges and chocolate colors of the season.

I love the pairing of two different generations of china. Here we have the new Jaune de Chrome Tortoise Gold Encrusted charger paired with the antique French Limoges hand-painted fish on Coronet blanks by French artist Puvis. The joining of these two worlds is awesome. I am using the same products as in Friday's lunch:

Placemats:  Copperworx

Flatware: Vietri's Alladin Tortoise Brilliant

Dinner plates:  Vintage 1920 L. Bernardaud

I switched out the napkins to Martha Stewart peach hemstitched ones and changed the napkin rings to a Kim Seybert peachy/orange beaded one.

Same stemware:  Vintage Indiana Glass's Mt. Vernon on the left and new Yurana Designs amber button on the right.

Another look from an angle.

Here you can see the centerpiece used in the office lunch.

My preference is peach roses over red ones any day.

Lovely bronze Mum.

Here she is for her portrait.

Overview of the table.

Here's another pretty face.

I am participating in:

Centerpiece Wednesday on The Style Sisters. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday on Between Naps On The Porch. http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Paris: Daily Thing of Beauty

 

Love this beautiful green damask-covered French chair at Versailles.

The painted frame is 2die4.  Love the running coin, twist legs, gold trim and that scene in the damask! 

Here is a close up view of the damask design. Love the design, but I would choose another color other than green if it was my chair.

And, how about that table.  Looker isn't it?  Wouldn't mind having it in my master bedroom.

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Paris: Shopping for Antiques at Saint Ouen

 

Today's photo of beauty is this tablescape in an antique store at the Paris flea market Saint Ouen de Clignancourt.  This was the view into the shop from the sidewalk as you walk down the alley. 

I loved the white chairs [would love them more if the frames were painted], white marble on the tabletop, the candelabras, white and gold trimmed compotes at the back of the table, and the oriental soup tureen.  Behind the table you can see a C-scroll desk. I am not a fan of cane-backed chairs, however.

I am still sorting, straightening and fixing all the thousands of photos I brought back.  I hope to do a post on my experience with this large flea market, including Paul Bert and the other divisions soon.

Summer

Photo: Swede

 

Paris: Grand Trianon at Versailles

 

Continuing along with more photos of our trip to Paris, I am showing below some of the furniture at the Grand Trianon on the Versailles estate property. This is where the king and queens went [across the property several hundred yards, maybe] to get away from the goings on at the palace.  I am only showing furnishings in this post as the gardens were not planted yet so no flowers in bloom to speak of for vast colorful sweeping views.

I thought the chairs in the first photo above were totally unusual with the pierced seats and backs.  I've never seen anything like them.  Very intricate carving.  They also had small benches in the same design.  I like the ormolu trim on the table's rim but not the urn and pheonixes on the stretcher. There was a time in my past that I would have liked the savonnerie rug, but not now -- just too much color and too much pattern.  This estate is a good place for it to be together with those rose damask chairs.

This is one very large sitting room.  You could probably entertain 100 guests here for cocktails. Notice the lavender paint trim on the chairs.  Very unusual don't you think paired with the turquoise damask?

Of course, you have to see the queen's bedroom.  I don't think I could do the gold room either.  Just tooooooo much.

Nice console table but I probably would get tired of the swags. Some more unusual chairs.  They said that during the revolution most of the furnishings were looted and they have slowly gotten some of them back by donation or acquisition.  Some pieces were brought here from other palaces that they owned in the kingdom.

I enjoy looking at the interiors even though much of it is not my taste.  What I did love, though, were the doors, interior shutters and door hardware --  oh! much to love there.  Look for a later post of those objects.

I did also want to mention that it was difficult to get great photos inside the palaces because of the light.  It was either too dark with the drapes pulled, or too bright with so much light flooding in.

Summer

Photos: www.swedefurniture.com 

 

Daily Thing of Beauty: Antique Iron Console

 

It has been awhile since I've talked about furniture or my love of white. This iron console is one of the pieces of furniture in the house that I did not design for Swede Collection.  It is a piece of iron from a balcony railing that came out of a turn of the century theatre building in New York City.  The reason I know it is an interior railing is that it is finished on both sides to be visible in an open area. It is not an outside window balcony salvaged and made into a table. I see quite a few of those. It clearly has never been outside. The iron is extremely detailed with the winged figures sitting on nautilus curves, grape vines, and torches on both ends. It takes four men to lift it so I guess it won't be going anywhere. It is my understanding that the salvage company had three sections.  I know where two are and the third supposedly was bought by someone in the music industry in Nashville who removed the beige marble and replaced it with black.  I never would have done that unless the marble was broken.  It is one of my very favorite items in the house and I find it strange that guests never look at it or mention it. It will be one of the very last pieces I part with before my coffin is nailed shut.  Love, love, love it.  Why don't craftspeople make things like this anymore?

This is where the photo on the top left in my blog header came from.  I change the display on top frequently.  Here is my love of white coral and white Hydrangeas with some mercury glass.

Summer

Photo: Swede

 

Tablescape: Awesome Aqua - Version Two

 

Last week I presented an aqua and white tablescape HERE.  I like to use the same table elements back to back when the occasion works.  Today I am using some of last week's tablescape -- the tablecloth, napkin rings -- to make a different version of aqua.  This week's theme is Hyacinths -- both real and metal. I love metal flowers, especially old ones, and love collecting them as they are so "permanent".

Today's aquas are:

1) Kim Seybert capiz shell round placemat. It is actually aqua but the camera reads it as a deeper shade of green; 2) charger in sage by Mikasa in their Color Spectrum series; 3) dinner plate by Royal Worcester with a date code of 1950. That color was popular then. I don't know the pattern name; and 4) shell-shaped French Limoges hand painted dish that I am using for dessert service.

Here is what the sage Mikasa charger looks like. They were made in many colors in the late 1980's and 1990's. You've probably seen them many times or own them.  That is not a mark on the charger, it is just a wierd light situation.

But starting the dinner off are these hand painted French Limoges bird plates for appetizers. I love them for their blues and greens and birds in the Spring seems a natural element.  Each of the plates has a different pair of birds.  The French artist's signature is there but I can't read it easily as I am not familiar with French last names - L. S ----; need to research that more.

The species of bird is not marked on the back so on some of them I would just have to guess. These are probably Quail.

A collage for you.

More cute birds.

Pheasants on this plate.

The bird appetizer plates go directly on top of the chargers. Often I show you photos of the plates stacked up, but I don't like them stacked when the guest is sitting there.  It is cumbersome and awkward for them. Use only one plate on top of the charger at a time.

For the center of the table, I am using fresh Hyacinths from the grocery store.  In our area we only have three florists left still in business in a 30 minute drive from my house. The cut flower business has gone to all the grocery stores and I can find upper end cut flowers at two of them but one has outrageous prices.  I wanted white Hyacinths for this table because I have the white metal ones and luck so had it that Fresh Market grocery store had them this week in both white and pink. Usually you can find the purple ones in pots.  When I buy them in the pots, after the bloom has ended I plant the bulbs in my front yard in the sunniest spot so they come up first thing in the spring.

I purchased three bundles and placed them in three clear glass footed vases.  You can imagine the great aroma these three bundles makes in the house.

Here you can see the metal ones clearer.  I purchased quite a few of these for a photo shoot I did previously and have some small, medium and large ones for sale still in the original boxes.  I am going to open an eBay account this week to sell the extra ones. They take spray paint well if you want different colors. Above you see light blue, aqua and white ones.

I am always intrigued with the line up of plate edges.  You can see the Martha Stewart Home aqua quilted tablecloth here and the Yves Delorme napkin with Kim Seybert aqua beaded napkin ring.  I chose antique Gorham in the St. Cloud pattern.  It used to be very hard to find, but I've seen alot of it come on the market lately.  Old Gorham patterns were hand tooled and very well made and many have romantic patterns popular at the turn of the century.

I've also added nests with birds' eggs which I enjoy doing only in the Spring.

And blue eggs.

Here is what the pattern looks like on the Royal Worcester dinner plates.

And how they look on the table.

The French shell plates came in four colors, pink, yellow, pale blue and aqua.  I like the aqua ones best.  I found mine in San Francisco about 15 years ago and I added a couple more that I found in the French section of Canada.

All the dessert shell plates have different florals on them.

It is about 5:00PM so the low sun is coming through the plantation shutters.

I am using clear glass today because I forgot to go upstairs and bring down my aqua bubble glass goblets. I have not had any luck finding aqua toned crystal stemware.  This is etched Zodax on the left and the Edward pattern by Williams-Sonoma on the right.

I wanted you to see the close up of this Martha tablecloth.  It has what I would call vermicelli style stitching in the quilting and then has tone-on-tone embroidered flower clusters all over it. The color actually is aqua in person but the camera is reading it as almost white which is a shame since it is truly a lovely color.  It also has a scalloped hemline. I purchased it at Macy's about four years ago.

Collage of the Yves Delorme napkin and Kim Seybert napkin ring.

Above is a close up of the metal flowers. They are quite sturdy and well made with alot of detail work to cut the petals in the metal and attach them.

I'll leave you with this last photo so you can take a deep breath of this tremendous aroma.  Can you smell them???

I am participating in Tablescape Thursday this week on the blog Between Naps on the Porch. To see all the entries, after 10:00AM Eastern on Thursdays, go here:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Valentine's Day: Romantic Porcelain Cup

 

I'm not a collector specifically of valentine-themed china, but I can't resist romantic china.  I found this hand-painted Old Paris porcelain large cup at an estate sale several years ago.

Such an adorable couple. Pink English Primroses.

Very loving scene of them holding hands and her touching his head while he reads her love poems. Of course, this is just like Mr. Swede and I, except he doesn't wear the funny blue cape. [big smile].

The pedestal cake plate is English Royal Worcester with a date mark of 1877.

I hope you have romance in your life on Valentine's Day.

I am linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. To see all the entries, after 6:00AM Eastern on Thursdays, go here:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Summer
Photos: Swede

 

Tablescape: February is Primrose Time

 

Right after the holidays I start yearning for spring bulbs and plants. I look forward to English Primrose time -- the few weeks that stores sell the plants in January/February. This week's tablescape is to honor the Primrose.

The Primroses shipped to stores in our area are the intense pink, purple and yellow ones.  Sometimes they are sold in small 4" pots, but this year I could only get them already planted four to a pot. So in the wire planter there are eight plants and on each side is a single artificial plant that I purchased several years ago at the Nashville Antique and Garden Show held in February. Wire metal planter with removable bottom tray was a Hobby Lobby purchase many years ago.  I like putting potted plants in it.

I also like getting out my metal insects like this grasshopper.

Elements of the tablescape in a collage.

I am building the tablescape with these chargers by French maker Alberto Pinto in the Or des Airs pattern.  There are six different birds in the series.  I call this one Mr. Fancy Tail.  The borders around the edges are also different with each pattern.

Here you can see some of the different birds. To go with the intense colors of the Primroses, I am using a linen hemstitched tablecloth in bright pink from Williams-Somoma. I don't have napkins that look good with this pink, so I am using antique white monogrammed lapkins.

I picked these chargers for this tablescape because of the color in the feathers of the cute little birds.

Next, the dinner plate which is antique English Cauldon with the Tiffany's New York retailer mark on the reverse.  I am also using my gold flatware by Ricci since there are a lot of gold edges on the plates.

A stack of antique dessert/salad plates - can get a tablescaper's heart to pound at an estate sale.  I had the dinner plates first and then found these salad plates about a year later from another dealer. I usually don't like a lot of matching plates but made an exception here. 

View of the dessert plates.

The appetizer plates are from an antique English dessert service that consists of four pedestal cake servers and 14 plates only. These are made by Royal Worcester dated 1877.  Each plate has a different hand painted floral grouping.

Mr. Swede brought the rose wine back from a trip to Paris. The coasters the wine bottles are in are Waterford that I purchased in 1980.

I enjoy seeing plate edges in how they relate to each other when made many decades apart.

Another collage. Bread plates with a golden yellow edge are Coalport's Hazelton pattern.  Crystal knife rests are Shannon via Godinger, a gift from my sister.

Mr. Swede inherited two of the Moser stems on the right from his mother. I found more to add to the set.  His Mom bought them when in her late 60's so they were not in the family when he was growing up.

 

I am participating in Tablescape Thursday this week on the blog Between Naps on the Porch. To see all the entries, after 10:00AM Eastern on Thursdays, go here:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Tablescape: Winter White

 

Still in love with white in all its various shades. Whether winter or summer.

Mr. Swede and I just celebrated our 20 year anniversary. This would be great for a bridal dinner anytime of year as well.

White coral is so easy to decorate with.  Put a few pieces in the center of the table and you're done.

Stemware is Simon Pearce's Stratton pattern on the left and William Yeoward's Flavia on the right.

All the china is Anna Weatherley.  I just got the chargers and love them. Undulating edge in gold and totally plain in a great size. Dinner plates are Anna's Simply Anna pattern in white on white. Bread and butter is very simple with a cute shape.  Butter knives are French made by Jean Dubost.

This is really a simple table. No flowers, no placecards, no service plates, no fuss.

Napkins were purchased from a very sweet American lady living in France who loves the brocantes and flea markets like I do. This is Mr. Swede's monogram, so I had to buy them. Also came with a tablecloth. Napkins are actually lapkins as they are 30" wide. It took me a while to learn how the French fold such a huge lapkin to get it this size.

Flatware is mostly antique mother of pearl sets I have found at places like Roundtop and from various antique dealers.  The forks and fish knives came as a set.  The ice tea spoon is new from Vietri. I'm not sure regular spoons were ever made in MOP as I have never found any.  You see mostly knife sets.

Heavy quilted cotton cloth with scalloped edge.

When guests know this can be thrown in the washing machine they relax. I have found many people have a fear of white. Pillow on the sofa in the back of the room is from Callisto Home.

View of the placesetting.

Clear glass candleholders and four inch chunky candles are from Pottery Barn.

Most of the large coral pieces were a gift from Mr. Swede over a period of years and are from the Iron Gate shop in Franklin, TN, which we love visiting.

There is more white coral in the mercury glass on this console table I designed for Swede Collection. This is the mercury glass I showed in my New Year's table last week.

Also in the dining room is this Swedish buffet cabinet I designed for Swede Collection with the leaf tip trim and stepped base. Of course, it is full of plates!

I love the natural beauty of white coral so much I can't imagine getting tired of decorating with it and storing it away.

I'm going to keep this one on the table for a few weeks as I never tire of white.

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

 

Tablescape: Maroon-Puce-Raspberry-Magenta?? What to call it?

 

Today's tablescape for the holidays is the third in a series. What has become almost my trademark style is to get the most stretch out of a tablescape by doing change ups for each meal over several days with the same basic design framework. Change ups give each one a different look.

First I showed you the Friday night dinner in magenta here: http://swede.typepad.com/swede/2011/12/tablescape-holiday-dinner-in-magenta.html

Second, I showed you the Saturday lunch in cranberry here: http://swede.typepad.com/swede/2011/12/tablescape-cranberry-and-magenta.html

So today is the Saturday evening dinner.  I have mixed all reddish-purplish colors so I don't know whether to call it raspberry, maroon or puce???

The changes from the previous two posts in this dinner tablescape are the goblets, tumblers, and dinner plates. The centerpiece has been changed up a bit and the ornaments on the plates are a different style. Jeweled glass ornaments from Target last year.

I kept the silver tablecloth, runner and the napkins.

 
The dinner plates with magenta swags of flowers are antique German.  I am also reusing the Haviland Malmaison magenta bread and butter plates, the Jaune de Chrome English Rose on Song chargers and Tiffany St. James antique sterling.

New to this tablescape are the water goblets which are Varga's pattern Imperial Grande in the color raspberry. The tumblers are from Bormioli Rocco & Figlio of Italy in the Bicchiere Sorgente pattern and colorway Fucsia.

Collection of the Varga stems.

 
Here is a close up of the place setting.

The flowers I arranged in the baby cups are still good from the day before.

Here is a collage of the stemware and the mercury glass pedestal bowl with new magenta ornaments added.

The only thing I changed in the centerpiece was the addition of more magenta ornaments.

Here you can see a partial overview of the dining room with the Swede Collection console against the window. To see the post on the arrangement on the console go to Holiday Decor in Magenta HERE.
A view of the end of the table. 

Another collage of the flowers and glassware.

I really enjoy making the switch ups to extend the tablescape theme over several meals for a weekend.

There is alot to do in preparing the meals so this plan works for me. Guests so far haven't complained about seeing much of the same thing.

A wider view of the table.

Antique sterling baby cups used to hold the flowers and a close up of the new centerpiece ornaments.

Bird's eye view.

Mercury glass pedestal bowl.

Large glass vases on the console filled with ornaments.

 
Another collage.

I love how all these purple-y colors seem to mix.

These silver mercury glass trees came from Dillard's last year. Love using clear sparkley bead garland with mercury glass.

More maroon and magenta.

This was taken before I put the flowers back on the table.

Lots of raspberry and cranberry colors.

I like buying bowls on pedestals.  It gets the focus up off the flat tabletop.

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

 

Tablescape: Autumn Greens

 

There is a shade of green that I like to use in the fall.  It is sort of an acid green like Granny Smith apples.  I think this color comes alive when used with oranges and other fall colors. Today, however, I am using it primarily with other greens with just a little rust found in the Limoges bird plates.

I love using bird plates in the fall.  Somehow they just look better than in the heat of summer. These bird plates are Limoges hand painted by Max. I wish I knew more about him. Max painted on Coronet blanks but I do not know if he was a factory artist or had his own studio.

I believe these plates were designed to be wall or cabinet plates, but I am using them as presentation plates at the beginning of the meal for an appetizer as they set the stage for the entire dinner.

Above is a collage of four of the different birds on the plates. I have duplicate plates of a few of the designs and other designs like ducks that are not shown.

Below is a view of the table set for six people.

Starting on the bottom, I am using leaf green placemats in a scalloped shape made of capiz shells. 

I purchased these about six years ago from a local tabletop store but I do still see them in other colors online and in the round shape.  Also using my now new standby gold Ricci flatware and napkins from French maker Le Jacquard Francais in green linen damask Primrose Bordier and a beaded napkin ring from Dillard's.

Waterford crystal wine and water in the Colleen pattern and a green rim-flashed tumbler from Dillard's.

For dinner plates, I am using antique Minton plates with gold-embossed borders.

Surrounding the central vase arrangement, I am using mini gourds, fresh picked Osage Oranges, faux mangos from Apple Annie of Kentucky and two large dried gourds dyed green from Hobby Lobby. You can hear the seeds rattle inside them when you pick them up.

A little closer look. I got the oriental vase last year at a charity consignment shop.

The Nandina berries and Hydrangeas are from my yard.

Above is a closer look at the green orchids and the Copeland Late Spode dessert plates.

The green draping flowers are Amaranth and I dried Curly Willow branches.

Above is a wider view of the dessert plate setting with the Spode Late Copeland scenic plates.

Collage of various photos of the tablescape.

 

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

 

Decor Style: Shopping Marburger Farm at Round Top

 

I attended the fall antique show at Round Top, Texas last week in the 96 degree heat.  I came home a day early. Yes, unheard of for me to be a quitter at an antique show. I got to the point where I was drained of energy and just couldn't focus on another booth of fabulous stuff. I guess I shopped until I dropped. Just too hot to shop after about 10:00 in the morning. On the second day of shopping it rained for all of five minutes and didn't even get the ground wet. Texas has a big struggle with livestock survival this year as the long-term intense heat dried up all the grazing land and ponds. Driving across Texas the land looked desolate. Even the Red Oak trees couldn't survive and the Live Oaks were struggling. Everything was brown. On the highways we noticed truck after truck hauling hay bales into Texas.  

 
To see past posts I've done on the spring antique show at Marburger Farm, go HERE and HERE. Marburger Farm is just one venue at this event. There are more venues all up and down Hwy. 237 and in the small surrounding towns near Round Top.  Mile after mile of antiques. I did notice that the former sign that said the population of Roundtop was 77 had been changed to 90.  Now imagine 20,000 people showing up for a week of antique shopping. We certainly helped the local economy. 

First, if you have never attended, I want to show you how big the tents are at Marburger Farm. They must be the length of a football field.  There are three this big [below], another one this long but only half as wide and then another two that are almost this long and wide and three a little bit shorter and then two small tents.  To get through the eight major tents and 11 wooden buildings on the promenade takes a full day if you move fast.  I try to move through them at a moderate pace and take two days.  Then I go down the road to The Red Barn [air conditioned!!!] for a half day. Sometimes I hit Bahia or go to Warrenton.  You really can't see it all even if you stay a week.

 
Do you think this tent is 100 yards long? These tents are not air conditioned. See how brown the ground is - grass has all died. If I go back again, I think I'll only go to the spring show in April.  I saw Leslie Sinclair outside one of the buildings under an awning selling her new book, Segreto. That's a dedicated but brutal way to sell your book. Also signs were along the road pointing to Rachel Ashwell's place but I decided not to go to her book signing party at her new ranch Tuesday evening.

Walk through the tents with me and I will point out the things I liked and the best booths. They claim to have 350 dealers on 43 acres, so I only photoed a few. My camera got very heavy in the heat so I didn't take as many pictures as I have in the past. I must say that they do have fabulous items - so many incredible things your head spins.  I have never found a bargain here either. Mr. Swede calls it "high retail".  The most I hope for is just a fair price. Much of it is out of my price range, such as a set of 8 Swedish small kitchen chairs for $16,000. Looking at the eye candy is inspiring and I find it uplifting and joyful.

 
This is the General Store. Inside are six dealers with fabulous china, glassware and other decorative treasures. On the porch is Maison de France of Leeds, AL. I never miss stopping by the porch for antiques brought over from France by Ginny. I purchased a metal floor candlestand here.

 
I like how the antiques are displayed. Mirrors stacked in front of mirrors, architectural salvage and big French chairs.

 
Designing with alter candlesticks is still going strong. Nice country fruitwood chest.

 
Sconces, neutral pale pottery, and big meat domes are plentiful. Gilt and silver leaf finishes always get my attention. I am seeing severly distressed objects being considered "perfect" condition. I like aged finishes but not distressing on purpose to create age.

 
Sunburst mirrors of all styles going strong. I loved the pattern on the frame of this silver mirror. I still see many lamp bases made of iron salvage. Those looks don't seem to have faded in popularity.

 
I don't think French chairs will ever go out of style. These Louis XIV chairs have been recovered in linen. Beige linen upholstery or white upholstery is still a great neutral choice.

 
Small tables and French mirrors of any size are always in demand. I always get my fill of eye candy at Ginny's booth.

Next building - Legler House on the promenade.

 
There are two wonderful dealers in this building, Designs by Grace and Kelley Zeleskey of Houston.

 
These dealers show repainted furniture in lovely shades of gray and white. Here you see some 1960's blue dining room chairs waiting for reupholstery. Do you remember this style? There were thousands of this style French chairs made in the 60's and 70's.

 
They do a great job of merchandising and display. They always have nice mirrors. I enjoy this very pleasing booth since I am a lover of white and neutral interiors.

 
Here are two cute white painted chairs and another look at the French cupboard which was probably brown wood before. Now it is sporting wire door panels.

Next, in big tent A, we have Willow Nest Farm from almost local Burton, Texas. It is a booth not to miss.

 
If you love white, romantic interiors or feminine style, don't miss this booth. Above you can see the beautiful white children's clothing.

 
The Aubusson flat weave rug and coverlet is in a soft shell pink color. Just beautiful!

 
Linda and Ludmil put together a stunning booth.

 
Linda's attention to detail of small objects is just total eye candy.

 
In Tent A, this is California dealer Machtolff's Mercantile. Linen and hemp fabrics are still going strong along with Belgian decor.

 
This is a wider shot of their booth.

 
A couple dealers had these zinc baskets. None of them could nail down what they actually were used for. Machtolff's said they were to dip olives into a brine during harvest and were from France, others said they were from Turkey and others said they were to dip flowers into water during field harvest [don't think so]. I first saw them online at Atelier de Campagne HERE in California. I also got the popular zinc wire baskets from Machtolff's that dealers weren't sure what they were originally designed for.  They reminded me of baskets to pick potatoes [but too tall] and one dealer said they were for harvesting mussels. Lifting those filled with mussels would ruin your back! I would guess they are from the 1960's.  I think it is best to buy them only if you like them and not count on dealer information to be accurate. HERE are the wire baskets at Atelier de Campagne in California. It would not surprise me if some dealers purchased them there at the recent container sale to sell at Marburger Farm.  Mine has a maker's mark on the handles that does look Belgian.

I bought two zinc baskets from Machtolff's to use for burgundy colored fall Mums for my front porch.

 
I saw prices all over the place on these -- from $65 with a lot of rust to $295 - that's crazy! You could use them like I am as cachepots for plants with internal pots such as ferns or any seasonal plant or for rolled bath towels at a beach house. Pretty much as versitile as a woven wicker basket. Mr. Swede loved buying wayyyyyy too many gourds and pumpkins in Burton at a roadside stand.

 
Louis Vuitton trunks are for sale outside the Gulf building.

Also in Tent A, I always stop at Antiques on Holiday's booth.

 
I'm always anxious to see what Ann and her husband brought back from France and Belgium.  They have the best prices on glass demijohns.  Ann always has things like bird cages, antique books, china, tables, chairs and this time a taxidermed blue peacock.

 
Here you can see the peacock.

 
Ann's shop is in Destin, Florida. She has a good eye for selecting merchandise.

 
Sconces, paintings and architectural elements like shutters and doors are still going strong. People are still faux painting in light paint these brown wood French buffets, chests and armoires. The two big books above are French dictionaries.  

Another dealer not to miss in Tent D is Mitra of Houston's Art & Antique Hunter booth.

 
Mitra has fabulous trumeaus, chandeliers, tables, mirrors and chairs.

 
I believe she said she is a fourth generation importer of Italian and European antiques. My eye caught the coronas on the table.  A wide variety of lovely things to choose from in this booth.

Next in Tent A is this eye candy booth which I think is East of LA. One thing I don't like about Marburger Farms is that the booths do not have the seller's logo prominently displayed so you know whose booth it is.

 
I love this gal's style. She does a great job of merchandising her wares. Gold leafed chairs and metal objects, white/light fabrics, great display pieces.

Maybe because I am attracted to white and light interiors, I found many booths at Marburger in this style. I don't think it is going away anytime soon.

 
Cute little French desk in the front. Lots of white pillows, slipcovers, etc.

 
White chest, white marble sculpture, white iron planter, etc.

 
Light wood chest and mirror with iron lamp bases.

 
Another light wood chest, metal lamp bases and painted metal box for flowers.

 
Every shade of gray is still going strong. Notice the salvaged wood used to back the sconces.

 
This painted white antique chair is ready for reupholsery and a better faux finish on the frame. Very unique and a true antique. If there were do-overs, I would have purchased this.

 
There was an unlimited supply of brown wood furniture painted light colors -- gray, white, beige and pale greens or blues.

 
Chairs reupholstered in white.

 
Chests and nightstands ready for a new life.

 
I am so glad the recycling of these pieces is popular. I can't imagine how much furniture went to the landfill before this style became chic. Sorry I don't know the name of this dealer.

 
Here is another dealer with a fabulous booth. Wonderful canape/settee.

 
Needlework pillows and a framed piece on the wall.

 
We do see some brown wood tables that were not repainted.

 
Old beds are always popular especially with white bedding. Lots of ruffles. I think this dealer is J. Hill Designs.

 
Very attractive look of the lace top on the dress form. Nice French cabinet also.

 
Clock faces in decor hasn't faded. This dealer was also selling Leslie Sinclair's new book, Segreto.

 
Silverplated meat and food domes are in the height of popularity.  Very beautiful display.

 
Crackle painted old kitchen cabinet.

 
And, here is the latest style --typography used in interiors.

 
What do you think? Do you like subway style?

 
And the industrial look. 

 
Another building not to miss is the Silver Dollar Saloon. The dealers in here sell excellent transferware, majolica and estate jewelry.

You can also find an English transferware dealer at Zieger House.

 
Christopher English and Dennis & Dad are the dealers here.

 
They have an extensive collection of transferware, earthenware and pottery. I have a platter very much like this one.

 
Some nice painted chairs here on the porch.

Note to Dealers:  If I could not find you or your business card in your booth to identify you in my photos, I want to give you credit. Please send me an email and I will add your name. I don't want to leave you out but I couldn't be certain from the Howdy map who the owners of the booths were.

We came home to a cool 70 degree temperature.  My flower garden is loving it -- and so are we!!

Hope you enjoyed your tour of Marburger Farm.

Summer

Photos: Swede

Romantic Tablescapes: Parisian Woman Reading

 

This magenta tablescape centerpiece is a statue called Parisian Woman Reading that was found at an estate sale in France.  I got it directly from the dealer in central France. I believe this statue was probably on the top of a clock or some similar object at one time.

 

 

I chose the magenta colorway based on the color of the cherubs on the service plates. The dealer I purchased them from told me they belonged to a granddaughter of Florence Adele Vanderbilt Twombly [died 1952], who was one of nine children of William H. Vanderbilt. Apparently there was a large set of this china but by the time I found it only the dinner plates were left. According to the dealer, much of the set went to a man who collects Vanderbilt memorbilia.  I did not buy them because of the V connection because I thought that was just sales talk, but checking into it further [I Googled], I did find the last name of the seller [Burden of Connecticut] and it matched the family name on her family tree.  That doesn't really mean the granddaughter got them from Florence.  They could have come from another source or even the other side of her family.  This is when I really wish antiques could talk and tell the story of their lives.  A lot of times there is more fiction than facts to inflate an object's value.  I know that I could never sell anything that I inherited from my Grandmother or GreatGM even if I was starving.  Here is a fun New York Times story about Florence's oldest daughter's wedding in 1904. Here  I wonder if these plates came down from her inheritance.  I will never know.

I do have a William K. Vanderbilt sterling slice from the special commission made for him by Tiffany.  Apparently, a few years ago a division of the Vanderbilt Tiffany silver service was sold at auction after it had been previously split among family.  My piece was bought from someone in Canada. When it came up for sale, I recognized it from a book I have on Tiffany sterling and was the only bidder.  I did make sure it was not a fake. 

 

I just know you are not going to notice I haven't polished it.

 

I'm not sure if it was used for slicing blocks of ice cream or something else.

Here is Florence's portrait by John Singer Sargent done in 1896. Photo: johnsingersargent.org. Here

 

 

There are several different cherub scenes in the centers of the different 12 plates. They are marked on the back with both the Dresden mark and Fraureuth of Germany. 

 

Since I am doing this dinner for two in the living room on the marble-top center table circa 1902, there isn't a lot of room for a floral centerpiece so this statue works out nicely.  On one end of the table I am also using a candlestand with white candles that I purchased earlier this year at a church rummage sale. It has cherubs in white porcelain around its base.

 

 

In the above photo, you can also get a glimpse of the milk chocolate walls and seagrass rug that I did as a loving gesture to my husband who loves brown.  I've never had brown walls in my life, so that was a big departure for me. I think he was very surprised when he came home and found me in the middle of brown paint. I'm sure he thought the walls would become some shade of fleshy peach. Yum, yum.

 

I pulled the chairs back so you could see this 1902 center table.  When I bought it at an antique shop, the dealer told me it came from Marble House mansion on North Parkway in Memphis when the mansion's contents were sold when the home became an office for a church.  There were two tables for sale but the other one was huge and although I loved it more, I had no place for such a big piece of furniture.  You always regret not buying those things later.  I did drive past the house once but it is on a busy street and there is no place to park and take photos.  It is possible the table came from there, but who really knows????

I think the Vanderbilt plates with frolicing cherubs are very romantic in style.  I am using French maker JL Coquet's Hemisphere chargers with another French maker - Jaune de Chrome's dinner plates in the Feuille Or gold pattern. These plates are currently being made. They are not vintage nor antique.

 

For salad plates, I am using another German plate with a magenta floral border.

 

Here is a bigger photo.

 

Bread and butter plates as well as dessert plates have a darker shade of magenta in them. They are made by Haviland of France in the Malmaison pattern.  I think the couple fishing is romantic as the wife is sitting  on a rock holding their baby while keeping her husband company as he fishes for their dinner.  So French!

 

Below,  you can get a better view of the Jaune de Chrome dinner plates as more edge is showing.

 

I do love the unusual glazes that Jaune de Chrome puts on their china.

For napkins, I am using French maker Primrose Bordier Le Jacquard Francais's pattern Cassis Graphic Black Current. I have tucked them in between the charger and dinner plate as well as using them for a runner. They were a gift from Mr. Swede when we toured the cute little town of Franklin, TN and stopped in The Registry china shop on Main Street.

 

In the above photo, you can also see the glassware I have chosen to use in the closest color to magenta that I have.  The stemware is by Moser in a cranberry cabachon panel pattern that I do not know the name of.  They were inherited by my husband from his Mother. The tumblers are from the Italian maker Bormioli Rocco & Figlio in the Bicchiere Sorgente pattern "rosa fucsia" colorway.  The day after I ordered these from a local china shop, I found out that Marshall's and TJ Maxx purchased a warehouse inventory of them in every color they were made in.  I went down there to see if it was true, and sure enough they had the factory stickers on them.  Price: $2.99.  Well, you lose some and you win some, as they say.  I purchased all the aqua ones they had but didn't like the other colorways that were left. When I was checking out, the clerk confirmed that they did indeed have them in all colors.  What do you think Miss Vanderbilt would say about my putting these cheap glasses with her fine plates? The sides are undulating??? so you can put your fingers in the recesses to hold on to them better.

 

For flatware, I am using gold plated stainless steel made by the Italian company Ricci Argentieri in their Raffaello pattern.  You can find these at neimanmarcus.com and the non-gold ones at some Dillard's stores. They were recently on sale at both stores with extra percentages off.  The knife blades are not gold plated.  I loved them because of the fish scale pattern and the handle is round.  Sometimes sterling, being gray, just does not go well with gold rimmed plates.  This is a good alternative.

 

Below, and above, you can see the Coquet Hemisphere's deep groove lines. They are very heavy.

 

It is fun to turn the forks upside down like the Europeans do.

 

 Put on some romantic music.

 

 I do like using the height of a center table as a coffee table so it can be used to dine on occasionally.

  

On the sofa in the back of this photo, the center pillow is a new one I just got made by Callisto Home here.  I love all the embroidery on it.  Don't tell Mr. Swede it was about half the cost of the Vanderbilt plates. Lovely, but ouch! Good thing my bonus check came in.

 

 

 

  

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/

All the best to you,

Summer

 

Tablescape: Crowns

 

I put together this little tablescape for my husband and I using one of my favorite objects, a crown.  I remember liking that shape since I was in first grade. I like collecting old ones especially if they are from an European church.

 

 

 

I just purchased this old one which I believe was used in a processional. Inside it has where the pole would be attached.  I liked the aqua stones in it so am pairing it with my aqua bubble goblets called Summer Oasis. They are from Dillard's.

 

I am also using this gold metal crown together with other old world looking objects for the centerpiece.

 

The French dinner plate is from Niderviller and the pattern is called Grande Siecle Henri IV.  It has an irregular shape and I loved the crown motif on the top center with the insignia and the little detail at the plate bottom. The brass chargers my husband inherited from his Mother. In this photo, it is easy to see that the plate is not round.  Sort of a funny shape.

 

The sterling flatware is from one of my favorite companies, Durgin, in the Empire pattern from 1895.  I love the little crown on the top.

 

The Niderviller bread plates are cute too.

 

A close up look at the top.

 

Here are a few items I gathered up from around the house for the centerpiece.

 

I am using napkins from Daniel Cremieux from Dillard's because I liked the gold pattern on the neutral linen. I also like that they are 22" square.

 

I am using my canvas tablecloth again that I have shown many times. I like the rough texture of it.

 

Fun for a dinner for two.

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/

All the best to you,

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Tablescape: Godetia and Gold

 

For this week's tablescape, I am using the colors of gold and magenta. Instead of using objects in the center of the table this week, I decided to do a fresh floral arrangement.  Godetia flowers are nearly a perfect match to my antique china.

 

I purchased five packages of Godetia from my local grocery store to make the centerpiece.  The tag says they were grown in Colombia. 

 

I am cutting greenery and pink Fairy roses from shrubs in my yard. I need two bricks of wet oasis. So for a total of $34, this is what I made.

 

I will show you how I put the centerpiece together further in this post.

I also made the gold shimmery tablecloth with nine yards of Monace satin from Hancock's Fabrics. Since it is metallic, there is a reflection in the photos. It is washable and just happened to be on sale for 30% off the day I was there, so I made it for about $61.  It will fit the table with two of the 22" leaves in it so I can seat 10 people.

 

Below is the china I will be using today.

 

Napkins are 100% hemp from Williams-Sonoma in a magenta colorway. I know you are not supposed to place the flatware on the dinner napkin, but sometimes I break the rules when I don't have much space to work with.

 

Charger is JL Coquet's Hemisphere Matte Gold. It is heavy and very wide.

 

Dinner plate is German Royal York. Magenta with lots of gold.

 

The salad plate is probably English.  It is only marked on the reverse with the retailer's store name with the words B. Nathan, San Francisco.  I purchased these plates with the lidded tureen used for the floral arrangement at an estate sale in the Gold Coast of Alameda, CA around 1995. Those estate sales in the old Victorian homes were always amazing and I miss going to them. All the pieces are hand painted with different flowers on each plate.  This one looks like a Rhododendron or Camellia.

 

Here is the Iris.  There are also Roses, Pansies, etc.  I got them all for $8.  Yes, you read that correctly.  I would have gladly paid $80 or more. They just wanted to clear everything out.  I got to the sale late and found these in a cardboard box underneath a table so most people missed them. One good find keeps me going to more estate sales.

 

Dessert plates are antique Spode Copeland hand painted and signed by R. Wood.  

 

I'm using two pieces of stemware. On the left is Varga's Imperial in raspberry and on the right is a ruby flash stem from Pottery Barn in bubble glass. I guess you would call this hi-low decorating at $325/$11.  I don't care much about the cost of the item but care more about quality, how it looks and the colors. The same for the plates. They can come from Tiffany's or Goodwill as nobody will know but you.  

 

For flatware, I am using William Durgin's Chrysanthemum pattern from 1893. It is as detailed on the reverse side as it is on the front and maybe more. 

 

This is the overall table with the salad plates.

 

A wide view of the dinner plates.

 

And the dessert plates.

 

Dessert is a vanilla cheesecake with strawberries.

 

The cake plate is a Spode/Copeland service plate from a larger set that, unfortunately, has only a few pieces remaining.

 

Lastly, I said I would talk about putting the centerpiece together.

Starting with the five packages of Godetia, I cut greens from the yard.

 

After soaking the oasis, I cut it with a butcher knife to fit the container.

 

I just walk around the yard and find different kinds of greenery that please me. 

 

I have seven of these Fairy rose bushes in the yard, so I clipped some stems that are close to the pink on the inside of the Godetia blooms.

 

This is the container I am going to use. It is the bottom of the lidded tureen that matches the salad plates.  The metal frame I purchased this spring at Texas Marburger Farm antique show. The brass, crystal and marble candlesticks were inherited by my husband from his mother.

 

Notice I placed the oasis so it sticks up above the rim of the dish. That way I can grip the oasis on an angle and have my stems drape over the container sides.  

 

On my kitchen counter, I put the greens in first. Then place the flowers in with numerous triangles until I am satisfied with the spacing.

 

As the Godetia ages, it will unfurl so the blooms will be closer together in the arrangement.

 

I hope you are having an enjoyable week.

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/

All the best to you,

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Mother's Day 2011

 

 

 

Have a romantically nostalgic Mother's Day.

Summer

 

Tablescape: Retirement to the Beach

 

This tablescape is a lunch to honor someone who retired with a subsequent move to the beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida. I did a similar tablescape in 2007 and will show photos of that lunch at the end of this post.

 

This beach theme is carried out with seashore elements: natural white coral, shell encrusted chargers, fish net, sea glass napkin rings, water-y blues and more.

 

The service plates were hand painted at the Royal Worcester factory in England in 1936 by Harry [Tim] Ayrton, a factory painter. They are date coded on the reverse. Ayrton spent his adult life painting porcelain at the factory. He is best known for his fruit still life paintings on plates, cups and vases.  I am fortunate to own 16 of these fish plates in mint condition. Each one is signed and marked on the back with the species of fish he has painted on the front. Below are a few of the different fish.

 

 

 Angel fish.

 

 Hind.

 

A shark.

 

 Spanish Hog fish.

 

 

 

Squirrel fish.

I had the napkins custom embroidered onto white Hotel napkins by Williams-Sonoma with shells and seaweed wreaths. The Pier 1 flatware has turquoise acrylic handles.

 

 

I started this tablescape with a tablecloth made of 8 ounce beige canvas that comes nine feet wide. The rough texture represents beach sand.  The round shell-encrusted chargers I am using as placemats. I love the pale color of all the shells. They were purchased at Pottery Barn in 2007 and no longer available. I have seen other companies make these but with colored shells.  To further the beach theme, I am using fish net as a runner. The beach glass and wire napkin rings are also from Pottery Barn.

 

This blue charger is by Anna Weatherley produced in Hungary.

 

For the appetizer course, I am using my Hammersley English fish plates with the wide gold rims.

 

These also have different species on each plate.

 

Blue ones.

 

Vibrant coral colored fins on this one.

 

 And a wider angle view of the end of the table.

 

Novelty items are usually not my thing, but when I saw these plates with a beach chair designed by Lin Sislar at Bed, Bath & Beyond, they were so on target that I had to get them. I am using these as the lunch plate for the meal. Life couldn't be much better than sitting in that beach chair in the sand listening to the Seagulls, watching the Sandpipers flit around and hearing the waves splash.  I love spending as much time on the beach as I possibly can.

 

 

Two tumblers are used instead of stemware. 

 

Guests can choose if they want ice tea, water or another beverage.  The shorter tumbler on the right is hand-made mouth-blown glass made by Saul Alcaraz at Santa Barbara Art Glassblowing Studio in California.  These are iridescent with art glass inserts. Saul also makes them in other colors. Just love these. Much more attractive in person as you can see the art of each one. Here is the link.  Saul Alcaraz

 

The underplates for the dessert stems are these shell plates from Williams-Sonoma designed by Marc Lacaze.  There are several different shell styles in the set.

 

 

 

These clear turquoise stems will hold the dessert which is a light pound cake with fresh berries and whipped cream.

 

This is the table-end view showing the dessert set up.

 

This tablescape is a scaled-down version of one I did for the retirement of my Vice President in May of 2007 for 18 guests in our office conference room. The table is 25 feet long, so it required much more decor in the center of the table.  I have used two painted iron birds from my porch at home as well as large glass iced wine bottle buckets made into mini aquariums containing real fish.  I used all the large coral pieces I own as well as my entire shell collection to fill the table.

 

The 25 foot table.  You will recognize many of the same elements used in my current tablescape.  Below is a close up of the fish in the wine coolers.

 

And a close up of the place setting.

 

 

 

I also brought in some art work for the conference room wall that was done by a Canadian artist of a beach chair and boat.

 

Personally, I would love to retire to a residence on the beach. I love walking up and down the sand at the water's edge.

  

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/

All the best to you,

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Tablescape: Easter Table in Orchid and White

 

 

Here is the front and back of my centerpiece. For my Easter tablescape, I chose orchid and white for the colors. You may have seen the orchid linen tablecloth I made and posted about earlier this year. I wanted to use it again for this tablescape as it is so spring looking especially with white flowers. When you put the color orchid and white Lilies together, they automatically spell Easter.

I decided to make a fresh floral centerpiece for this table.

 

At Marburger Farm Antique Show the first of April, I purchased a gold metal frame stand and an English Meakin ironstone bowl from an antique booth called Rubbish. I have been using it to hold shells on my foyer table.

 

Here is a closer look at the frame but with another tureen that I was testing to see how it would look.

 

I like being able to get the floral arrangement up off the table surface with some sort of pedestal. I decided on the ironstone tureen as it was deeper and would hold more water and Oasis.   I purchased Lilies and Mums from our local Fresh Market grocery store and cut greenery out of my yard.

 

There were only three stems in each package so I needed two packages of white Lilies, two packages of large Fuji Mums and three packages of small Mums. I also had six lilac Roses left from another bouquet that I used.

 

These Nandina shrubs are in my front yard. I cut a few stems from them to use as I wanted the greenery to be light and feathery.

 

Above is the Nandina in the ironstone tureen.  I only needed one brick of Oasis which I soaked in water for about an hour.  I wanted the greenery to hang out in a lace-y fashion from the tureen.

 

The white Lilies are added first because they are the primary flower and give it the structure and shape I want. Be sure to pinch off the pollen stamens or you will have orange die all over your tablecloth.

 

Next, I add the lilic and white Fuji Mums.

 

And last, I fill in with the mini lime green Mums and the lilic ones with the yellow centers.

 

For chargers, I am using lilac buffet plates that match the tablecloth pretty well. They are from Jammett Seignolles, another French porcelain maker that I like.  On top of the chargers, for the service plates, I am using German plates with a magenta border.  I really love these plates.  Easter and Thanksgiving are the two times that I use novelty items on my table.  I've had these glass bunnies for many years. I believe they were made by Smith Glass. I got them at Williams-Sonoma.  This year W-S had glass lidded bunnies but they were very miniature and would not hold very much.  I place gifts inside each bunny for the guests and try to find things each person would like. I don't like filling them all with just candy.  For women, I might use nail polish, lipstick, sewing items, cooking spices, or costume jewelry.  Children's bunnies are pretty easy to do but for men, it is harder to find items that they might like.  Golf balls will fit inside, store gift cards for a particular hobby or interest work. One of these days, I will be so organized I will make a list of items that have worked in the past!!

 

Since I could not find orchid colored napkins, I went with my French monogrammed white ones.  The placecard holders are green glass rabbits from Williams-Sonoma.

 

Above, you can also see the embroidered paisley motifs that embellish the linen.

 

At Marburger Farm I found a set of mother of pearl knives and forks. I like the light white color for this table.

 

There were no spoons in the set, so I am using Tiffany's Japanese pattern sterling from 1871. Birds are always good for a spring table.

 

Below is an angle view of the table set for the first course. I enjoy watching everyone open their rabbits.  My husband always finds a surprise for mine.

 

I am using three pieces of glassware. On the right is an etched tumbler by Zodax, in the center is William Yeoward's Flavia pattern, and on the far left is a crystal stem that I purchased on eBay whose seller didn't know the pattern.

 

Here is another view.

 

The dinner plates I have shown before. They were hand painted in Germany from Fraureuth. Some of the flowers in the pattern blend well with this tablescape.

 

Below is a wider view of the table with the dinner plates.

 

The dessert plate is an antique Cauldon one that actually has a pale blue border that looks in the light, however, like it is a pale gray.  I wanted to use these even if they didn't coordinate perfectly with the orchid. I love the design and have never seen anything like it.

 

Below is an overall view of the table with the dessert plates.

 

The candlesticks are from Pottery Barn purchased several years ago. Our PB has since closed.  The mercury glass lilac candlepots hold battery operated flameless candles and are from Target.  

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/

All the best to you,

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Getting the Look: Marburger Farm Continued

 

Continuing my prior post about antique shopping at Marburger Farm in Round Top, Texas.

 
 

I want to show you some of my favorite booths. I am going to just post the photo with no comments about each one so you can enjoy the details in your own way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those of you who have never been to Marburger Farm, or attended the Round Top antique show [there are hundreds of venues], just at Marburger Farm alone, the brochure says there are 350 dealers on 43 acres.  There are old buildings which look like they were brought onto the site as well as HUGE white tents.  Four or five of the white tents are each the size of a football field. Below is a photo of one of the smaller tents. There are probably 3 of these.  There are also venues in Carmine and Warrenton. I don't think it is possible to see every vendor in the county in a week's visit.

 

Below are some of the old structures where vendors set up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we are traveling down the two-lane back roads to get to Round Top, we go through this one-lane arch.

 

If you love antiques, and have not been to this antique show, I hope you are able to attend soon.  They are held twice a year. Check out their website.

Summer

Photos: Swede  

Searching for Beautiful Things: Guess Where I Went Last Week

 

Here is a clue as to where I went last Wednesday.

 

Isn't she a beauty? Kinda skinny though.

 

My nice husband took these photos for me of the Longhorns. And, here's another clue.

 

Texas Bluebonnets. I couldn't figure out why there were so few wildflowers on this visit, our second time to visit in the spring.  Locals said it was because this winter there wasn't much rain.  Indian Paintbrush was just starting to bloom.

 

This cute little flower below was very plentiful, though.  I don't know the name of it but I think it is an Evening Primrose.

 

It was a last minute decision to go to Round Top, Texas for the semi-annual antique show. We barely found a hotel room in College Station.

I want to show you vendors' booths at The Red Barn, The Arbor and Marburger Farm that I found visually appealing.  I am not giving the vendor's name or prices on items. This is just a visual tour and an overview of decor style that intrigued me.

 

French demijohns are still popular. There are fakes among them with new wine labels. Most were only used to transfer juice from the grapes not wine after it was made. I saw a lot of glass domes as well.

 

 

 

Shown above are four that I purchased. They range in age from the 1920's to the 1960's.  My husband likes the green ones and I like the aqua ones.

 

Here is what they look like in my family room after cleaning them up.  The big green one is very large so it sits on the floor.

 

Everything light and white is still in. I saw a lot of old brown wooden antiques repainted with white or creme paint.

 

 Cast stone in light coloration.

 

Bed coronas and anything crown shape is very popular. I've always like this symbol.

 

The spiritual look was also prevalent. Lots of church alter sticks, religious statues, alter and podium architectural pieces and sconces.

 

Madonnas of all kinds.

 

Angels of all sorts.

 

 

 

Any architectural piece out of a church sells.

 

Someone could write an entire book just on photos of these items found at Marburger Farm.

 

Sunburst mirrors were still plentiful.

 

The Belgian linen look was still strong.

 

 

And, of course, you could purchase yards and yards of linen to upholster your own items.

 

 

I saw a lot of brown wood furniture pieces painted white or creme. The Shabby Chic look seems to still be continuing in polularity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For tonight I will leave you with this unusual booth display.

 

I took over 300 photos and will show more tomorrow. I have selected some of my favorite booths and will show those.

All the best,

Summer

Photos: Swede [exception: Longhorns taken by my husband] 

French Collectibles In-house Antique Sale in Memphis

 

 

 

Joni Webb, on her blog Cote de Texas, mentioned that New Orleans antiques dealer and stager Mignon Favrot Topping was doing an in-house antique sale in Memphis, TN this week.  The information is at the very bottom of Joni's post on February 22 where the main story is on Jackye Lanham. Last year, Joni did a post on Mignon's in-house sale staged in Houston on June 25, 2009. To read it go here.  The home used for the June 2009 sale was very large.

The Memphis one is a very small 1940's English cottage style 3b/3b home in a very established older section of Memphis called Belle Meade. It appears that Mignon's business plan is to host these sales in vacant homes that are for sale.  Unique idea, I admit.

To see the house when it was listed for sale, go here.

Here are some photos of the French Collectibles Memphis sale.

 

4143 Gwynne Road in Memphis

 

 Stone, brick and metal entry.

 

French Collectible's sign hanging from the huge old tree.

 

The front door opens directly into the living room. Here we have a Swedish bench in front of the window holding silk pillows, an acrylic coffee table, silver metal and glass-top end tables, contemporary art over the fireplace, a black French occasional table, faded Oushak rug, leather folding screen, French chairs, and in the wall niches painted black, some small artworks.

 

Near the front door, an inlaid chair and a large walnut French chest. Notice the rugs.

 

 

 On the left you can see a painted corner cabinet that is nice. In the foreground is a Swedish daybed in melon silk.

 

 

 

On a short wall, there is a mirror on top of a Swedish chest and a wooden box for a statue. Of course, you could put a lot of wonderful objects in this cabinet.

 

 

Here is a close up of the small double door tabernacle.

In the hallway on the left there is a small wooden chest, a black painted wooden art piece and a candlestick.

 

Below is a bedroom with twin beds.

 

Modern tables at the ends of the metal beds.  Cute chest in the middle.

 

I think this was actually the master bedroom as the other two bedrooms were smaller.  

 

A closer look at the chest.

 

And a leather screen.

 

And antique framed wallpaper panels.

 

 The third small bedroom had a coffee table, bench and chest.

 

 

Here is a French vanity with inlay, probably walnut.  

 

A pair of pretty white chairs.

 

 The third small bedroom had a French trumeau.

The dining room was my favorite.

 

The relief panels of putti above the Italian console were wonderful.

 

The opposite wall in the dining room. Trumeau above the pine cabinet.

 

More views of the dining room. The carpet was made in patchwork squares.

 

 

 

Here you can see the candlesticks are not gilded on the backside. This is the way they were made at the time because gold was precious in cost and when placed on the alter, nobody saw the backside anyway.  

 

 

 

This kitchen table had two benches.

 

The kitchen banquette area displayed these bamboo-style chairs and a bamboo trimmed wall cabinet shown on the right.

The upstairs family room was a sales display area for smaller rugs.

 

I have intentionally not given prices on this post.

Mignon's sale runs through Saturday, February 26th.

Hope you enjoyed seeing the photos.

All the best,

Summer

Photos: Swede

 

Tablescape to Honor A Man in Your Life

 

This week's tablescape is an example of a table created to honor a man. Perhaps you need to create a table setting for a birthday or Father's Day or some other family celebration. I find creating a tablescape for the male species is not as easy as for a woman. Not all men hunt, fish or golf or like race cars. Generally, if I am hosting a lunch or dinner for someone, I like to relate the event to the person in some way, perhaps their hobby, interest, occupation or event in their life such as a retirement, promotion, graduate degree, etc.  This tablescape is for a birthday brunch for a man who restores old homes.  It does have fish and birds in it, but the theme is carried out by the architectural salvage fragments in the centerpiece.  I like to use objects that have unique interest instead of flowers if I can, although a floral centerpiece can be designed to be masculine.  I am also using a canvas tablecloth for a more rough texture. And, I have chosen brown and aqua for the colors.

 

The service plates have bird pairs on them. Each hand painted French Avenir Limoges plate is different.

 

This is a wider view of the table with the service plates. Below are a few photos of the other designs on the plates.

 

And another one.

 

It would be hard for me to choose a favorite in my game plates, but these are right at the top. Beautiful quality and mint condition with well executed painting.

 

These must be Pheasants.

 

The chargers are from Jaune de Chrome, my favorite French porcelain maker for new china.  If you follow my blog, you've heard me rave about them.

 
The pattern name is English Rose on Song in Ivory.  Even though they are floral, I am using them for a man because the colorway is chocolate and they don't shout floral like pink roses would.  You probably wouldn't know they were roses.  

 

For the centerpiece, I went around the house and gathered architectural salvage pieces I purchased in antique shops.  They are in their originial grimey condition with pealing paint.  My favorite is what I call the onion top. I've also included two newer finials because of their coloration.

 

The napkins I selected because they had both brown and aqua in the pattern.

 

The napkins are from Yves Delorme Paris in the Recevior Verone pattern. My nice husband gave them to me for Valentine's Day together with the etched tumblers you will see below. Napkin rings are Reba McEntire Home collection for Dillard's in the Stratford Woven pattern.  

 

For some reason I use three pieces of glassware on my tables. Left to right, the tall goblet pattern is unknown. I got a bulk of 14 of them and the seller didn't know the maker or pattern. Next is an aqua vintage  tumbler by St. Clair in the Holly Panel pattern made around 1967 by Joe St. Clair who used to work for Northwood known for making carnival glass.  On the right is my new gift of oversize double old fashioned engraved on clear glass by Zodax in the Normandy pattern.  These are hefty and feel great in your hand. Thank you, Mr. M.

 

The sterling for this occasion is Tiffany's Japanese pattern from 1871.  I chose it because of the birds on the handle to go with the bird plates.  This pattern was reintroduced by Tiffany in 1956 with some changes to the handle as the Audubon pattern which I believe is still in production today.  I've also seen knock offs of it in stainless steel.

The tablecloth is industrial canvas.

 

This canvas is one of my best kept secrets.  You can get it 12 feet wide at companies who sell canvas for awnings and boat covers.  A piece 15 feet long cost me around $32.  So now you know my secret.  These work wonderfully outdoors on picnic tables. You can wash them in the extra size washers. They will become your go-to item. I think they work well with Swedish and Belgian looks indoors as well as for a beach theme since the canvas looks like grainey sand.

Here are a couple shots of the left and right table ends before we move on to the salad plates.

 

 

For the salad plates, I am using aqua rimmed plates where the fish this time are around the rim.

 

These are English Royal Worcester with a date mark on the reverse of 1912. The hand painted fish around the rim vary in color and species.

 

This is the wider view of the salad plates.

I only have two aqua dinner plates, so I am using the Royal Worcester one even though it is not especially manly.

 

I don't know the pattern name, but I believe they were made around 1950, so they are vintage not antique.

 

I am bringing out another fish plate to serve dessert.

 

I think these coordinate well due to their aqua watercolor tones.
These fish plates are Limoges and made by E. Alluaud & Co. I like the unusual shape.

 

 

The other two aqua low cake plates on the table are Royal Crown Derby from the early 1800's and are Derby before the company became Royal Crown Derby.  I am using them because of their color.

It is a good idea to keep an inventory notebook of the tablesettings you have done along with comments on who attended, some photos and other details. I find it very handy to refresh my memory of what plate combinations worked well together.

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/

All the best to you,

Summer

Photos: Swede