This is a two-part post. First my weekly tablescape and then a note about Mr. and Mrs. Perrin.
When Fall comes, I gravitate to the color purple. This tablescape has a quick centerpiece that anyone can do. Just pick up two potted plants from the floral section of your grocery store and put them in a basket. How easy is that? I am striving to use less in the center of my tables. All I have added are purple mercury glass votive holders. I decided not to add candlesticks. When searching through the cupboards, I found some dark sweet cherries made of crushed walnut shells and resin. You may remember the Kentucky company called Apple Annies who made all kinds of fruits and vegetables in the 1990s that looked very real. I don't think they are in business anymore.
I sprinkled some of the dark cherries on the table. I'm still debating whether they look dorky or fun. I've had them probably 15 years and never used them, so this is their debut. People can't resist picking them up and looking at them.
I am using shameless flameless candles in the purple mercury glass votives.
I love the color of purple Asters. Potted plants are great when you are in a hurry after work to throw a table together. I find I can always count on the floral section of the grocery stores in my town to have blooming potted plants in many different colors. The Asters will be planted in my garden after the event is over just like I do with Hydrangeas.
For service plates, I am using old purple transferware. I think it is fine for an appetizer but I don't use them for a meal. This pattern is called Washington Vase. I only collect transferware which is not crazed so the search is a long one. The charger is Anna Weatherley in violet.
When planning a tablescape, I generally decide what color I want to use and then look in the cabinets for china in that color. I start with what I want to put in the center of the table. Sometimes I select objects and sometimes an idea will spark when I see flowers at market in a particular color. I am always open for ideas.
Dinner plates are Wedgwood's Cuckoo bird pattern. I am pulling out the purple color of the bird's feathers and the Peony flower. I have had this china since 1977. It was the first formal china I purchased. Even though it is English, I bought it when visiting Germany and had it shipped. The dollar conversion rate was very good at that time so it made it worth shipping. My sister helped me add to the set when she lived in England in the early 1980's.
The tablecloth from Williams-Sonoma is a beige damask that has paisley designs among the leaves and flowers. I love the scale pattern on the gold plated stainless steel flatware. It is by Ricci of Italy and was on sale at Neiman-Marcus last month.
Close up of the napkin ring and the true color of the hemp napkins. You will notice that the napkin is more of a reddish purple. Napkins are from Williams-Sonoma and are made of 100% hemp. Silver napkin ring is in a grape cluster pattern.
The stem on the left is Royal Scot's Society pattern in Home! James amethyst. I never knew the pattern name of the stem on the right as it wasn't labeled when I purchased the set about 10 years ago. The camera light makes these look more reddish purple, but in real life they are a true purple. I've noticed that lighting really changes the colors a great deal in the photos. I wish I could shoot this in natural light.
I still love this little bird and try to find ways to update this china by mixing it with other patterns.
Even though I have cups/saucers, salad plates and serving pieces in this pattern, I've never liked the look of using all the same pattern on a table. Two pieces alike is my limit.
The Wedgwood Cuckoo cream soups serve butternut squash soup that my husband loves to make with Granny Smith apples and the squash I grow in the flowerbed. It is very creamy and rich so these smaller bowls work very well.
It seems all my purple items are a slightly different purple. Some have more blue undertones and some more red. No matter -- I will blend them.
Dessert plate is from Royal Crown Derby in Olde Avesbury. The Wisteria flowers are the exact shade of purple but there aren't many of them in the design. Not to worry, though. The plate will be covered up with cheesecake.
Dessert is a mini cheesecake with chocolate stars and raspberries on top. I resisted the temptation to use dark sweet cherries.
Casa De Perrin
Have you seen the website of Casa de Perrin? This husband and wife team have a tabletop rental business in Los Angeles.
I'm sure Mr. Swede thinks I have too much tabletop stuff. Ha! Honey, I've only just begun. What a stash! So much eye candy here.
Have you ever seen so much beautiful colored glassware? I see my turquoise tumblers in this photo.
I have to admit as a dish addict it would be easy to have dish envy of their cupboard contents.
Where do they find all the beautiful plates? Maybe when I retire I can volunteer to dust their shelves or wash dishes just to admire them all. Take a look at their site HERE. What a fun business. I wish them much success in following their passion.
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 [except last three - Casa De Perrin]
