Swede

Black Eyed Susan Takeover

 

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Black Eyed Susans are not on my favorite flower list, but they are very prolific from seed and come up in my flowerbeds voluntarily each summer.  They are so thick now they are taking over the entire bed.  They produce a lot of seed and it easily germinates.  Their color makes a big splash of color so I allow it even though yellow. 

Here you can see how thick they are underneath my hanging basket arbor.  When it got so hot two weeks ago, 95 degrees for too many days in a row, I had to move the more sensitive hanging baskets off the arbor and put them in the shade of our smaller porch on an etegere.  When it cools off I will put them back on the arbor.  The only baskets that could take the heat were the red Mandevillas.  Next year I am just going to get a lot more of these to fill the baskets and containers on the patio instead of the Million Bells baskets or Impatiens baskets.  Mandevillas were real champions.  We still have to water all the containers and baskets twice a day while the heat is in the 90's.  That is just a lot of work.  

Below are photos of the red and pink Mandevillas I have in pots on the patio.

Wishing cooler weather for all of us!!

Colleen

It Is Peony Time - A Precious Week

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Peony time seems so short that one must capture it and hold it dear for as long as possible. 

Here I have placed 15 pink Peony buds in my white vase on my Swedish buffet. More buds open each day. 

I put them on top of a brass Bible stand found in France.  It has a cross on the top under the vase. Also has two small metal square opening which I believe hold some kind of flags.  I thought the antique pink Royal Worcester plates were a great pink match to the flowers.  Absolutely love these alabaster lamps. All are placed in front of my Swede Collection mirror above the buffet. 

I hear so many people say their favorite flower is the Peony.  I also like the deep red ones and white ones but not sure I would say they are my favorite flower as I love too many to pink just one variety.  

I am enjoying each day with them as they come and go so fast. 

Colleen 

 

 

Lauren Lachance Benitez Maker of Beautiful Dried Plant Herbariums

 

At Marburger Farm venue of Roundtop Antiques week, the Spring 2022 show, I came across the booth of Lauren Lachance.  Wow! Okay, it is seldom something new knocks my socks off.  This woman's work did that.  It has been decades since I have seen anyone sell framed new herbariums [dried flowers, leaves, foliage, plants] like they did in the 1800's.  I thought that art was lost. 

If you love flowers and plants, you have to see what Lauren makes.  Here is her website:  https://www.laurenlachance.net/.

My favorites were the two very large framed leaves.  These might be 24x30.  I loved the blue/green shade that they became when dried.  I can just see these in my next new home's breakfast room. 

Sorry about the reflection on the glass.  This photo does not do them justice as far as the color and the beauty of the work. 

I also loved the Hydrangeas since I grow a lot of them.  [Not shown here].  She also has Roses, wildflowers and ferns. 

I think these are Orchids. 

She also makes them in gold.

Oh, just so beautiful!

Colleen

At Marburger Farm venue of Roundtop Antiques week, the Spring 2022 show, I came across the booth of Lauren Lachance.  Wow! Okay, it is seldom something new knocks my socks off.  This woman's work did that.  It has been decades since I have seen anyone sell framed new herbariums [dried flowers, leaves, foliage, plants] like they did in the 1800's.  I thought that art was lost. 

If you love flowers and plants, you have to see what Lauren makes.  Here is her website:  https://www.laurenlachance.net/.

My favorites were the two very large framed leaves.  These might be 24x30.  I loved the blue/green shade that they became when dried.  I can just see these in my next new home's breakfast room. 

Sorry about the reflection on the glass.  This photo does not do them justice as far as the color and the beauty of the work. 

I also loved the Hydrangeas since I grow a lot of them.  [Not shown here].  She also has Roses, wildflowers and ferns. 

I think these are Orchids. 

She also makes them in gold.

Oh, just so beautiful!

Colleen

Love To All This Valentine's Day

Photo from a floral centerpiece I did a few years ago for Valentine's Day.

Colleen 

Holiday Lookbook 2020 Decor From My Home

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

I am sharing my personal home lookbook of holiday decorating.  

You can see it on Issuu via this link:

holiday decorating

It may be slow to load since it is 194 pages.

Sometimes the link doesn't work. If so, cut and paste this in your browser:

https://issuu.com/swedecollection/docs/holiday_lookbook_2020-compressed__1_?fr=sZTdkYjY0MjU1OA

Colleen 

It Is Blue Hydrangea Time

I love this time of year -- end of May -- first of June when the blue Hydrangeas bloom.  Picked these on the north side of the house this afternoon.  Wish they would bloom forever. 

This vase from Wisteria catalog is the closest one in color that I have. 

These plants are ones I got at the grocery store many years ago as potted plants to decorate with. When they finished, I planted them outside in the flowerbed.  I always try to save them and not just throw them away. I put many of them with the shrubs in the greenbelt.

Placed the vase on my swedefurniture.com buffet.  I've been redecorating and moving things around lately. The date stamp on the back of the gray English transferware platters is March 13, 1849.  There are four in the set.  One is huge [not shown].  Love them with the gray finish of the Swede trumeau and buffet.

I saw some dark red ones in a magazine this week.  They were 2Die4.  I also have pink but the bluish purple ones are my favorite.

Have a fabulous week!

Colleen

Capturing Beauty: Hydrangeas

Today on my daily quest to capture beauty, the bluish Hydrangeas were ready.  I do favor the bluish/purple ones over the pink even though I have mostly pink ones.  I tried the soil amendment to turn pink ones blue but don't think it worked very well or I didn't do it correctly. 

I brought some inside to decorate around the house.  The periwinkle blue column vases I purchased several years ago from Wisteria catalog.  Bought them in a couple colors.  

Colleen 

Photo: Swede 

Tablescape: Valentine's Dinner in Shades of Red

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. 

Here is my table. So many shades of red and berrry:  Cranberry, raspberry, puce, aubergine, strawberry and ruby. In this tablescape for Valentine's Day, I pulled out of the cupboards a lot of red-ish plates and stemware.

I think I got the heart at Hobby Lobby as a Christmas ornament several years ago.

But first, here is my favorite definition of love:

When I Googled, it said the author was Simone Wood and the full quote is: "Love is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person. To love somebody isn't just a strong feeling. It's a decision, a judgement, and a promise."  With love being so hard to define, I like this one.

I decided not to make fresh flower arrangements and just use items I had in the house like the white Orchids and seashell sculpture for the centerpiece. 

 Antique Swedish Rococo cabinet from 1780. Swede Collection oval-back chairs.

 
I used this white quilted boutis tablecloth because I like how the scallops touch the floor.

Here are the resources I used:

Haviland charger in Laque de Chine Aubergine gold. These are new not antique.

The appetizer plate for soft foods that don't scratch the painting on the plate. This porcelain cherub plate could be made by Nyon of Switzerland [1780-1860] from the fish symbol that is on the backside with no manufacturer's name.  I call these my Florence Vanderbilt plates - set of 12.

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 and looked on Ancestry.com], 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.

This is Florence Vanderbilt painted in 1896 by John Singer Sargent.  Do I really own her plates? Will never know.

 

Salad plate is signed RB Boston. This color when it was popular was called puce. Lovely plates with the swirls, gold flourishes and hand painted flowers.

Rim soup plate by Royal Worcester marked on the back 1885. Wonderful size at 10" across.

Hubby made his fish chowder of shrimp, clams, mahi-mahi and vegetables.

The dinner plates I think are vintage not antique.

Made by Royal York of Germany. This color is more ruby or cranberry. Flatware is Ricci of Italy in the Raffaello pattern. It is gold plated stainless steel. I love the fish-scale design.

These dessert plates are among my favorite china. Made by Spode Copeland and hand painted and signed by R. Wood.  I call this color ruby.

I am using three pieces of stemware.

In front, William Yeoward's "Pearl", on left a Pottery Barn goblet with ruby stem, pattern name unknown, and on right, Varga's raspberry "Imperial".

Napkin ring by Kim Seybert and Le Jacquard Francais napkin in Graphic Black Current.

Thanks for visiting to see my tablescape.

This week I will be linking to:

Tablescape Thursday: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Colleen

Photos: Swede

Spring Decor: Daffodil Vase

 

While the Daffodils are still blooming, I wanted to show you these vases I just got. I put Daffodils in them, but they look best with Hyacinths. They are made in a clump of three, so there are three vases here for nine openings. You have to fill them with water using a turkey baster or a funnel with a long tip. They are made by Burton+Burton.  You can order them from floral supply wholesalers or find them at a retail florist. I purchased mine from a florist in Alabama after seeing them in a blog post of Victoria magazine owner Phyllis DePiano.  They are very fun. 

My favorite Daffodil is a double or triple with a peach center. I like pure white doubles as well.  

Colleen [Summer]

Photos: Swede

Tablescape: Orchid Color Theme with Spring Tulips

 

Tulips have been in the floral section of the grocery stores for many weeks now.  I love seeing them for sale immediately after New Year's Day.  I want to go from Winter directly to Spring.  I put together this very simple table this week using eight packages of violet colored Tulips.  I placed four packages each in two heavy Bosphorous glass vases from Pottery Barn. 

The Tulips look purple in the store but when you bring them home and they start opening up they turn red/violet. 

I am using my orchid colored paisley linen tablecloth I made out of eight yards of dressmaker linen from Hancock's Fabric store so it was washable. It really is orchid not pink but the light distorts the color. Tablecloths don't come in the size I need when have two or three leaves in my table. 

I got out my orchid and mulberry toned china and amethyst wine stem.

The centerpiece lidded tureen with purple flowers is Haviland Limoges.

These orchid colored chargers by French maker J. Seignolles in the Diplomate pattern are nearly the exact color of the tablecloth.

Dinner plates are English Royal Worcester's pattern The Chamberlain with the mulberry central landscape scene.  This is a vintage pattern with great style. 

Dual use salad/dessert plates are by English transferware maker E. Challinor in the Corinthia pattern.

I'm using several transferware platters from my collection in the purple and mulberry color range. 

Huge lapkins monogrammed with my husband's initials were purchased in France. I think they are about 32" square.   Sterling is Durgin's Chrysanthemum pattern that I have mixed with antique and vintage mother of pearl pieces. 

If you follow me, you know how much I enjoy the mix of antique, vintage and new china, flatware and stemware all on the same table. It gives so much depth. 

These oval back dining arm chairs are the newest ones from my Swede Furniture collection. Large and comfortable. 

This is very simple in style.  Low key with not much fanfare going on. I am making a conscious effort to keep centerpieces low and not put too much stuff on the tabletop. I hope the trend in tablescaping soon gets to eliminating so much clutter on the tabletop. 

The purple wine stem with clear base on the left is from a set I purchased many years ago probably at someplace like Marshall's or a department store.  I didn't enter it in my inventory so have lost that information.  They are well made.  The stem on the right is white opaline from French maker Portieux Vallerysthal.  One of my sisters gave me the crystal knife rest set. 

This week I am linking to the blog parties at:

Tablescape Thursday: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Show and Tell Friday: http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Colleen [Summer]

Photos: Swede 

Gardening: Spring's Arrival

 

The first bloom of my Quince bush arrived. It hasn't finished unfurling but getting close. Love the buds. It is the Texas Scarlet variety. Very late blooming this year from a cold winter. Usually blooms the end of December. 

First sign of a great promise of Spring coming. 

Colleen [Summer]

Photo: Swede 

 

Paris Daily Photo: Montparnasse Florist

 

Walking through the Montparnasse area, I passed this florist each day. 

They are selling three colors of Peonies.

Love these coral colored ones.

Do you like the red ones?

Or pink?

Love Sweet William that spells like Cloves.

Floral vendors are throughout the city but not as many as I had imagined.

Summer

Photos: Swede

Tabletops: Console Table Style

 

I switch up my console tables in the house every few days.  Here is the latest for the console in the dining room.  The Hydrangeas in the yard are really glorious right now. 

Both paintings by me, perriwinkle vases from Wisteria catalog, tall candlestands from Restoration Hardware, short ones from Macy's repainted by me, baskets from Pottery Barn, Swede Collection console, Varga stemware.

Summer

Photo: Swede

I support original content blogging.

Father's Day

For my 85 year old father-in-law.

From your Son and daughter-in-law.

Photo: Swede

Tablescape: Melon Colors

 

Melon Colors:  Cantelope, Peach, Nectarine, Apricot and Tangerine.

I am showing today a switch up on my St. Patrick's Day tablescape.  If you follow me, you know that I like to do back-to-back events to maximize the effort by making changes to switch up the first tablescape into a new creation.  This allows me to use the same floral centerpieces twice. This is particularly great if you have weekend guests so you can do one table Friday evening and change it out for Saturday. Even slight changes will make a big difference.

I have changed up the console table by removing the green Orchid arrangement and replacing it with orange Parrot Tulips plus adding a sunset/seascape painting I did years ago in melon tones.

I am using the same 30" flower tower arrangements. These are the appetizer plates which are French hand-painted ones from Limoges with tangerine and melon colors in the paint. I've also switched out the English Primrose cachepot for these peach colored seashells.

Here is what the plates look like close up. They are signed Puvis who was a well-known French china painter and very prolific. You can fairly easily find his work for sale today at various auction houses. There were 12 plates and a platter in the set when I purchased it. You can see the platter on the console table. Each of the plates has a different fish.

The layering of the table starts with a canvas tablecloth and then green round placemats from Pottery Barn that I think are made of abaca fiber but am not completely sure.  The peach charger is from French maker, J. Siegnolles in the Diplomate pattern.  Napkin ring is Kim Seybert and hemstitch melon napkin is from Martha Stewart via Macy's.

I am using the same sterling pattern as the St. Patrick's table, Tiffany's Saratoga from 1870.

Here is a good example of mixing vintage glassware with new. The vintage peach ice tea glass is the Whitehall pattern from Indiana Glass. Green crystal is Varga. You know how I love to mix everything up.

There is peach coloration in the leaf of the waterlily plant on this plate. I like the beetles and bugs the artist adds.

Hand-painted dinner plates are Anna Weatherley in the Waterlily Seascape pattern.

Dessert plates are hand-painted French fish plates made in Paris around 1880-90.

A larger view to see these plates on the table.

This week we are test driving this new Swede Collection dining chair in the Swedish Empire style to see if any changes need to be made before more are produced. I like to make sure a man can sit in it comfortably.  Mr. Swede is happy with it.

This week I am linking to:

Centerpiece Wednesdays: http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/.

Show and Tell Friday: http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Seasonal Sundays:  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Summer

Photos: Swede

St. Patrick's Day

It is very cold here today. Hope where you are is warmer so you can enjoy a lovely St. Patrick's Day.

This was taken at the Dixon Botantical Garden in Memphis.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Paris Daily Photo: Gardens at Notre Dame

 

Today's Paris photo is this one taken in the rear garden of Notre Dame of the pink and black Parrot Tulips.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Tablescape: St. Patrick's Day Dinner

 

There are no leprechauns or Shamrocks in sight at this dinner table to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  The green and orange theme represents Ireland and England. Do you remember as a kid getting pinched if you wore orange or any color other than green to school that day?

For today's dinner table two floral arrangement towers are used together with a cachepot in the center of English Primroses.

These 30" towers allow for guests to see across the table. All flowers are common to pick up at the grocery store, Carnations in two sizes, Statice, Protea, Mums in two sizes and Tulips. Greenery is Nandina from the shrubs in my front yard.

 

Here is a close up view of the left-hand tower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is the right-hand side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

English Primroses are in a silver beverage tub from Pottery Barn with gold etched design.

To start the tablescape, I am using chargers from my favorite French porcelain company, Jaune de Chrome, with their pattern Cream Scale Platinum.  The glaze on these is very unusual and has a touch of green in it. They are very contemporary which I like to juxtapose against antique plates.

These chargers, being non-feminine in style work great with the antique French scenic game bird plates that I am using for appetizer plates to set the tone at the beginning of the meal. There are a lot of flowers here, so I don't want the style to get too feminine. Game bird and fish plates are great to lean towards a more masculine edge so men at the table are not uncomfortable.

You are sitting here -- I thought you would like the Pheasant. These are hand painted and signed. Made by Avenir of Limoges. There are various birds; this being the Pheasant, but there are Mallards and other ducks.

I do not serve any food on these that would scratch the hand painting.  Crab cakes work well and other finger foods.

This is what they look like on the table. Sterling is Tiffany's Saratoga pattern from the 1870's with French vintage bone-handled knives which I liked the look of with the linen placemats. I found the knives at a brocante in Paris two years ago.

Dinner plates are Haviland Laque de Chine in the color Pistachio Gold.  They are a great match to the placemat's embroidered line in spring green that runs around the edges of the placemats.  Placemats are by Mark & Graham in linen. I am also using a canvas tablecloth that reaches the floor on all sides.

This is how the dinner plates look on the table.  Napkins are Jacquard Francais in verde.

Glassware is Varga. Tumbler is the Imperial pattern and stem is Hattie.  All of the green stems are different patterns with girls' names. On this table besides Hattie is Sharon, Amelia, Madison, Gemma and Aspen.  On the right is a cheesecake on a green display stand by Williams-Sonoma.  The hand made porcelain pea pods are by Vieuxtemps HERE.  I found this sculpture at a charity consignment shop for some ridiculous price like $30 in perfect condition.  I knew exactly what it was when I saw it in the glass case because I had been an admirer of Pamela for years but couldn't afford her pieces.  This one sells for $329. I'm sure whoever put it in the consignment shop had no idea what they were selling, but my gain.  I grabbed it up so fast and squealed with glee all the way to my car.

For dessert plates, I am using this antique English Coalport batwing style with gold gadrooned edges.  I have really enjoyed using these. They are from the 1860's.

Dessert plates on the table.  Guests are offered a choice of desserts including the two kinds of cheesecake on the console. What else is for dinner?  Corned beef, cabbage and boiled potatoes and carrots, of course.

These plates are part of a larger dessert service which includes the bowls on the table and four pedestal cake plates.

The Swede Collection console holds two oriental green tall vases with birds on the top edges.  I made the central artificial green Orchid and Amaranth with Curly Willow arrangement about five years ago that is placed in a peach oriental scene vase purchased at the same charity consignment shop, one of a pair. 

Detail shots of the plates.

I have added two antique English green pedestal bowls to the console mix.

We are test driving these new Swedish Rococo dining chairs, one of the newest products of Swede Collection to see if they need any changes before more are produced.

These arrangements are formed in wet Oasis.  They will last 7-10 days.

This week I am linking to:

Centerpiece Wednesdays: http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/.

Show and Tell Friday: http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Seasonal Sundays:  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Summer

Photos: Swede

Tabletop: Dining Room Console Arrangement

 

One more restyling of the console table.  I have layered another painting, a Spangler artwork of Paris restaurant Cafe de Flore, of which I have also taken photos while in Paris. This painting has peach and melon tones to coordinate with my sunset oil.  I have switched out a different French fish platter and am using a poppy colored vase for the Tulips.  They are so blown open they almost look artificial.

This is the last of the "orange" series. I'll change to a new color this coming week.  I am linking up to the Tablescaper's party called Seasonal Sundays here:  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Summer

Photo: Swede

Tabletop: Styling the Console Table

 

Today's Daily Thing of Beauty is a restyling of the dining room console table.  I was looking for a lighter color of peach for a background and remembered that stored in the attic was a peach oil I did about 12 years ago, a sunset seascape sort of thing. I found it and used it to layer over my other metallic canvas.  I do love layering paintings to give more interest.

Just a restyle as I am using the same Parrot Tulips with the darker ones removed from yesterday's vase, same French hand-painted fish platter and plates and same Mottahedeh cups/saucers in the Sacred Bird and Butterfly pattern.

Of course, you know I will redo it tomorrow.

Happy Saturday.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Tabletop: Parrot Tulips For Spring

 

Today's Daily Thing of Beauty:  I switched out the console table again with orange Parrot Tulips.

Happy weekend.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Valentine's Day Greeting

Sending love to my tremendous followers:

Dicentra 'spectablis', perennial old-fashioned Bleeding Heart. It is one of the oldest perennials in cultivation today. I love mine. There is also a solid white variety. If we have a warm winter, they bloom in February, otherwise March.  One of the earliest plants in my yard to bloom each Spring.

What are your favorite love songs?  Here are a few of mine.  Add to the list by letting us all know your favorites in the comment section below. Let's see if we can identify some really great ones.  Doesn't have to be current -- go back in the archives a bit to some classics.

Since I am a woman, most of these are of a man singing to a woman.  Who wouldn't want a gorgeous cowboy passionately singing you a love song?

1.  I Love The Way You Love Me, by John Michael Montgomery.  Also same song by Calvin Charles is great.

2.  I Can Love You Like That, by John Michael Montgomery.

3.  Your Love Amazes Me, by John Berry.

4.  I Wanna Be Loved Like That, by Shenandoah.

5.  Feels So Right, by Alabama.

6.  Its Your Love, by McGraw and Hill.

7.  Love Me Tender, by Elvis.

8.  Amazed, by Lonestar.

9.  When You Say Nothing At All, by Keith Whitley + Alison Krauss.

10. You Won't Ever Be Lonely, by Andy Griggs. 

Most of these artists have videos you can watch of them doing their songs.

Receive a gift from your honey that is unusual or creative? Do tell all.

Hugs and kisses.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Tablescape: Valentine's Dinner

 

As I usually do, I like to mix vintage, antique and new items in my tablescapes.  Here is my Valentine's table.

Another definition of love.  Can love ever be perfect if both individuals are imperfect?  Something to ponder.

Very simple white and magenta theme with a fresh red floral arrangement as the centerpiece. Varga stemware, French plates, mother of pearl flatware, Venetian glass wine stems and French linens.

Close up of the plates with cupids in the center.

Red Roses, Carnations, Alstromeria with red Nandina berries and greenery cut from the shrubs in my yard.

The Swedish Empire chair in the foreground with the X-back spindles is from my furniture line, Swede Collection.  They are available as dining chairs and as an occasional chair.

 This week I am linking to:

Centerpiece Wednesdays by the Style Sisters:

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/.

and Show and Tell Friday by My Romantic Home:

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Summer

Photos: Swede

Flowers: Tulips - Seeking Spring

 

Thinking about Spring.

It won't be long now.  Quince and Camellias are budded out. They are about six weeks behind from the cold this winter.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Tablescape: Rushing Spring With The Color Orchid

 

It is this time of year, the dreary days of winter that I want Spring NOW so I try to rush it in my tablescapes and other decorating around the house.  As soon as Tulips, Hyacinths, English Primroses and other Spring flowers hit the floral market, I want Winter finished. Orchid colored Tulips do the trick.

This color is not Radiant Orchid, the Pantone 2014 color of the year, as it is much lighter, but still Orchid all the same.

I haven't changed out the dining room console since last week as I sort of like this one so am keeping it longer.  The abstract painting I did does have metallic orchid squares and other orchid hues in it which goes with this theme.

Starting with the charger, I am using French company J. Seignolles's pattern called Diplomate which I think is a perfect match to the orchid tablecloth.

For stemware, I have chosen on left William Yeoward's Flavia pattern large water with the square foot, and in the center French company Portieux Vallerysthal's white opaque goblet for wine and on right, a Venetian hand blown stem for dessert wine.

This photo shows the paisley embroidery on the linen tablecloth. I made it out of eight yards of dress linen cut in half [two four-yard pieces] and sewn together down the middle.  It will fit my table with one leaf in it and touch the floor on all sides [110"wide and 144" long]. I use dress linen so I can wash it not dry clean it.  The center seam just disappears and is not noticeable.  I really love this color so it is my favorite tablecloth. The flatware is Ricci of Italy's pattern called gold Raffaello with the little fish scales on it.

Sferra dusty lavender napkin with Kim Seybert napkin ring.

The vintage appetizer plates are Italian Richard Ginori with men and women in rural outdoor scenes. I do not know the name of the pattern.

This is the gal.  I don't think these look too feminine.

And this is how they look on the table. 
 
I am using five 10-paks of Tulips in a glass vase set inside the grey Napa Home cachepot.

The Tulips got somewhat darker as they aged.

Dinner plates are from a German company called Fraureuth and are handpainted. The company started in 1866 but I believe these are vintage and not antique.  When I use a color like orchid I try to limit using a lot of feminine floral china so men at the table are more comfortable.  Pinks and orchids can get delicate and too feminine rapidly. I am limiting the plates to only one floral.

This is basically only orchid and white.  Besides the flowers, I am only using two mercury glass candlesticks.  I have been trying to keep the centers of my tables less cluttered. This is an international table with items from Italy, England, France, Germany and the US.

After a day or so, the Tulips get leggy and have to be cut down.

For dessert, I am using English mulberry transferware plates by E.Challinor in the Corinthia pattern.  The scenic does not look feminine.

Dessert plates on the table set for six.  These plates are high on my favorites list.

This week I am linking to:

Centerpiece Wednesdays by the Style Sisters:

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/.

and Show and Tell Friday by My Romantic Home:

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Summer

Photos: Swede

Looking Back at 2013: My Life in Flowers

 

Another year has come to an end.  Mixed emotions.  Looking forward to great joys but sad to see another year has passed.  They say an ending is a new beginning.  Perhaps time will tell.

In looking through my archive of photos, I found a photo that represents each month of 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

It is true that being a gardener you are a "forward thinker" constantly looking forward to what is blooming next.  The thrill of anticipation.  It also means that you are a nurturer of the soil, the plants, of beauty and life.  The birth of the newest flower brings joy to the heart.  You capture it and hold tight as long as possible because it will soon fade.  Wishing that you may all have the spirit of a gardener -----

Summer

Photos: Swede 

Winter Flowers: Amaryllis

 

Amaryllis bulbs are one of winter's joys.  If you are a gardener, getting through the winter months without the ability to dig in the dirt can be softened by indoor potted bulbs.

I could only get red this year.  My favorite ones are peach -- yum, yum, just fabulous.  Ones with stripes are pretty also.

One thing I regret is the ability to plant them in the ground outdoors after they have bloomed.  Just too hot here for them to survive.

Do you have any at your house this year?

Summer

Photos: Swede 

Tablescape: Plum, Amber & Russet for Thanksgiving Dinner

 

I decided on the colors for my Thanksgiving table when I saw a runner at Williams-Sonoma's store that was in plum and russet [but called red].  Online it only came in ivory so you had to go to a store to get it. It is called Antique Floral Jacquard. I used the 108" runner and put matching placemats along the sides.  I don't like the brown wood of my table so cover it up most of the time.  If you follow my blog, you know I've threatened to paint my dining table many times.  One of these days I will actually do it. This Henredon table turned 30 this year.  Past time for a finish change since it is not a valuable antique.

The runner and placemats are primarily russet but have plum stripes along the edges. I already had napkins from several years ago made of 100% hemp in a plum color from Williams-Sonoma, so I thought they would work just fine.

I'm using my Vietri tortoise flatware instead of antique sterling as I thought it was a good color blend.

Here is another view of the runner. I'm using my new flower towers with russet Chrysanthemums, purple Alstromaria and Hypericum berries.

For the centerpiece, I am using a metal turkey dome. They have been very popular the past couple years, both antique ones and new.

These amber turkeys are made by Smith Glass and sold through Williams-Sonoma stores.  I place one on each person's plate filled with little gifts for the start of the meal.  The space inside isn't large, so I have to find small gifts for women, men and children. For example, a woman may get a tube of lipstick, fingernail polish, cooking spices or costume jewelry. I enjoy using these and think they are very fun for a family event.

On the left, you can see a better view of the silver flower tower and in both photos the console table I designed for Swede Collection in Swedish gray.  This is the first sample that was finished last month. I am making a few changes to the rim and then it will go into production.

I decided to get my mercury glass pieces out before Christmas to place on the console table. I will switch the console up a little bit after Thanksgiving.

I love to use berries in floral arrangements whenever I can.  These are a great plum color.  As you know, I cut greenery from the shrubs in my front yard to use in the arrangements -- I never buy it.

My camera distorted the colors of these flowers. The Alstromeria is really purple not pink.

Under the amber turkeys is this appetizer plate by Royal Crown Derby in the Olde Avesbury pattern.  I chose this one because of the plum and amber colors in the birds.  This is another example of mixing old patterns with new to give them renewed life.  Olde Avesbury is still being made but it has been around a long time.  I think the colors are great to be used in the fall.

Underneath, the charger is Tortoise extra-embossed by French maker Jaune de Chrome, one of my very favorite new porcelain makers because of the unusual glazes they use.

For stemware, I am using purple and amber.  On the left is a stem made in Poland but I don't know the pattern. In the center is Varga's amber Renaissance pattern and on the right the water goblet is Royal Scot's !Home, James! pattern in Society amethyst.

These metal turkey placecard holders are from Pottery Barn. I didn't have the cards with names in them when this photo was taken.

Dinner plates are vintage Copeland Spode probably from the late 1950's or early 1960's.  Each of the 12 plates has a different bird on it.  The turkey is shown above but there are also Quail, Pheasants, Pintails, etc. all in brown and white transferware. I found this set in perfect condition. I like using bird plates in the fall.  Just seems right. 

Pumpkin pie is served on these turkey plates from Williams-Sonoma that I purchased a couple weeks ago.  Brown and white traditional edge with a decal Mr. Tom Turkey in the center that is quite handsome.  As I mentioned before, Thanksgiving is one of the few times I use novelty plates.

In the background you can get a glimpse of the 60 x 48 inch gallary wrap canvas I finished just in time for this shoot.  Gold leaf damask pattern on metallic silver background.  I'll show you better photos of it later.

I'm linking this week to:

Centerpiece Wednesdays by the Style Sisters:

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

and Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/.

Summer

Photos: Swede

Tablescape: Autumn Dinner - Centerpiece Problem Solved

 

Sharing my tablescape this week. 

If you have been following my tablescape posts for a few years, you know I struggle to get my centerpieces low enough so people can see over them.  I don't like placing the centerpiece on the buffet when the dinner starts.  Somehow my floral arrangements get huge and out of control very fast.  Well, guess what!!  I finally solved my problem!! 

I saw towers being used in commercial work and I thought there was no reason they couldn't be used in the home.  So I bought a couple.  Well, correction.  I bought two gold ones and had to send them back because they were made in India and I couldn't get them screwed together because the threads were all stripped.  Horrible quality.  So I ordered these silver ones.  One wouldn't go together and one would.  After returning and exchanging one, I finally now have two that work. 

What do you think?  Below is what they look like without the flowers. I would like to change their bowl design to be straight sided. Don't notice that my pumpkins on the console are two different colors.  Just didn't have time to paint them with Annie Sloan chalk paint which I will do next week.  Console table I designed for Swede Collection shown here in Swedish Gray finish.

The bowl is curved so the Oasis doesn't fit very well.  It doesn't hold enough Oasis to make a huge arrangement, so that limits you and makes you cut down on the mass you can create.   Also, due to the curve, you have to anchor the Oasis down with floral tape or it will slide and pull the arrangement out.  Dangerous.  With the floral arrangements above people's heads it gives much more open real estate on the tabletop and guests can see each other across the table.  Solution found.  

Here's what it looks like with the security tape.

Here are the products I used in this tablescape. 

Started with this charger by French maker JL Coquet in the matt gold Hemisphere pattern that has groved rings.

You know I love these antique hand-painted fish sets for the style impact they bring to the mix.  I just purchased this set of 12 plates by one of my favorite French porcelain companies, William Guerin.  There is also a large platter with the set that is 2Die4 all painted by J. Barbarin.  I use these for appetizer plates for finger foods so the paint doesn't get scratched.  Just love these -- all in excellent condition.  One thing about collecting these sets from the turn of the century is that since they were specialty items, families purchased them and then didn't use them so they sat in china cabinets for 100 years untouched, so most of the time you are getting them in fabulous condition.

The tablecloth I made several years ago from a Schumacher upholstery fabric.  It is moire so shines in the right light. Melon color. Flatware is Vietri's tortoise and Italian Ricci's gold pattern.  Same Pottery Barn napkins from last week with Kim Seybert animal print napkin rings.  

Stemware left to right: Amber Yurana Designs with the exterior buttons that I think are so cool, Richard Strini's Bella Iron Gold pattern in the center, and right is amber square-based vintage Indiana Glass Mt. Vernon pattern.

Centerpiece is two pheasant statues with Bittersweet vines. Glass votives in metallic copper.

Dinner and salad plates are English Royal Worcester's 1967 pattern Chamberlain.  Because of the orange color, I only use these in the fall.  Just doesn't look right in the heat of the summer.

Teacup and saucer is Mottahedeh's Sacred Bird and Butterfly pattern.  I like the mix of this pattern with the Royal Worcester plates.  I placed a red pear in the cup. The pears are made by a company in Kentucky called Apple Annie, now out of business.  They made fabulous real-looking fruit sculptures in the 1990's.
Can't wait to use these towers again as they are so versatile.  This style is 30" tall. I think for residential tables the 27" variety would work just fine also.  Commercial ones like you see at wedding receptions are 35".

This week I'm linking up to:

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

and Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/.

Summer

Photos: Swede

Gardening: Iris Time

 

Today's daily thing of beauty is this lovely face.  October is Iris reblooming time.  I found her in the side yard and had to capture her beauty.  I think her name is Raspberry Ruffles but have lost the tag.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Paris Daily Photo: Flower Market

 

I found several of these large floral markets while walking around Paris. They always have a huge selection to choose from.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Gardening: Hey Pretty Girl

 

Sharing today a Hibiscus photo I took two days ago in my garden.  Pretty lady with lovely ruffles.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Tablescape: Tulips in the Summer

 

I was surprised to find a large variety of Tulips in the grocery store at this time of year.  We always think of them as a Spring flower.  Couldn't resist purchasing the orchid color ones. 

I put them in a big cachepot on the center of the table and let them go to the full-blown state.  I'm not going to show the entire table this time, just some shots I liked.  It has been quite a while since I posted a tablescape.  I've been very lazy and seem to post in spurts.

Love using antique transferware for appetizer plates so they don't get as much use as dinner plates to prevent crazing.  This English one is in the mulberry color.

Another look at the ironstone transferware plate.

Great for a couple crabcakes.

Waterford stem.

Multiple languages spoken here -- English, Italian, Irish and French.

English floral plate, unknown pattern. Italian Richard Ginori's Torino pattern dinner plate and French charger in orchid by J. Seignolles in the Diplomate pattern. American sterling by Gorham in St. Cloud pattern.

I don't usually like plates with overall floral patterns, but the gold edge, perfect condition and quality of this set whispered take me home.

Tulips stretching out and doing their pretty thing.

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

Sferra monogrammed napkins and Kim Seybert napkin rings. I made the linen tablecloth last year.  

Torino dinner plate.

This week, I am linking to:

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

and Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/.

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

Have a wonderful week.

Summer

Photos: Swede 

Paris: Floral Shops

 

Love the floral shops around the city of Paris.  This florist is displaying many colors of Roses in these large container bowls.

Summer

Photo: 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

Wisteria: Love It Or Hate It?

 

Where the developers have not scraped the land, there is still Wisteria clinging to trees and growing wild.  This vine is behind our Home Depot store on vacant land.

In talking to people who have lived here for some time, I find that they treat Wisteria as an obnoxious choking vine.

Here it grows all over the shrubs and trees along this lane.  It only lasts about a week, so I do enjoy seeing it in the Spring.  I am on the love side of the question.  I have purchased plants at the nursery and tried to grow the purple, white and pink varieties to no luck.  Just won't bloom for me even when I gave it triple phosphate.  Must not have the correct soil or sunlight for it to bloom.
I think this is lovely.

Summer

Photos: Swede 

Tabletop: Spring Green

 

I have been switching up items on my dining room console table on an almost daily basis.  Below is last week's scape.

Mottahedeh cachepot holding English Primroses, miscellaneous patterns of green wine stems from Varga on right and in center an oriental scene vase from a consignment store holding green Amaranth, Bells of Ireland and green Orchids.

Tomorrow I think I will cut some of my Snowball branches and bring them inside and put them in a green oriental vase.

Hope you are enjoying Spring weather.

Summer

Photos: Swede 

Daily Thing of Beauty: Bleeding Hearts

 

Spring perennials in the flowerbeds are now coming into full bloom with the ornamental trees.  Irises are blooming, and this Bleeding Heart plant. 

Lots to love here.

Summer

Photo: Swede 

Daily Thing of Beauty: I'm a Fickle Lover

 

I'm admittedly fickle.  Every day I have a new love.

Today I'm in love with our ornamental flowering Peach tree in the front yard.   Cobwebs and all.  Tomorrow, it will be a new love.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Flowers: Last of the Hyacinths

 

I've loved all the Hyacinth bulbs this spring.  Down to the last ones.

Time to move on and love other flowers.  All the bulbs get planted in my front flowerbed that gets the early spring sun.

Summer

Photo: Swede 

Gardening: Yoshinos in Full Glory

 

This week is Yoshino week.  They are in their full glory.

The buds ready to burst open.

White with pale pink.  So delicate.

Now fully open.

Like all flowers, I wish they would stay and last longer.

From a distance, they look like little puffs of popcorn.

Hope you are having a beautiful week.

Summer

Photos: Swede 

Gardening: Spring Flowers with Rain

 

Our Easter Sunday today was cold and rainy.  Between showers I went out and took some photos of the blooming shrubs.

This lovely gal is a peach Quince.  Has tears all over her face.

In my garden, I have red Quince and peach ones.  Probaby have about 10-12 of these peach ones.  I really love how delicate the blooms are and look forward to seeing them each spring.

Hope you enjoyed your day even if you also had rain.

Summer

Photos: Swede 

Easter Greetings

 

Just for you,

A few decorations on my dining room console table.

This wreath is on a black iron stand from Williams-Sonoma.

Love the color of this cup full of candy eggs.

A mix of vintage goblets.

Hope the Easter Bunny comes to your house.

Summer

Photos: Swede

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/

Tablescape: Simply White

 

This week I decided to do a very simple white table. Just simple. Just white - no real color other than gold trim. Nothing over the top.

When I was at the Fresh Market grocery store last week, I spied these small four inch pots of White Robe Hydrangeas and they stole my heart.

There are three four-inch pots in this large Raj Party Bucket from Pottery Barn. It would have taken four of them but the store only had three. I like the gold etching on the outside of this cachepot.

There is no easier centerpiece than plopping a plant inside a planter or cachepot.  Something you can do on short notice when company is coming. I like collecting a variety of these pots so I have a choice of which one goes best with the color of flower I purchase.

White Robe is the first macrophylla Hydrangea I had seen, so I was enthralled with it.  I have white Annabelle's but only pink and blue macros.  When the blooms croak, I am going to plant them in my shade garden.

On the Swede Collection console table, I placed a white French Haviland porcelain tureen and some white candles in an old black iron candlestand with my standby coral and Pottery Barn candlesticks.

For the table items line up, I started with this Anna Weatherley white charger.  The rim has a slight ruffle and it is a great size.  When I use white, I always reach for my vintage and antique mother of pearl flatware. Also using Durgin's Empire and Iris patterns to fill in. Don't know why I've never come across antique tablespoons in mother of pearl.

The dinner plate is from a porcelain maker in Poland called Wawel Recznie Malowane. That's a mouthful to pronounce, but I think their quality is awesome.  Just as nice as Haviland. I had never seen Polish porcelain dinnerware before and was very impressed by the quality and I liked the gold pattern.

Here is the covered vegetable bowl.  I was fortunate to find platters and bowls as well as all the plates in one set in mint condition. 

For dessert, I am using these monogrammed French Haviland plates.

French vintage monogrammed huge lapkins with Mr. Swede's initials that I purchased from a favorite seller in western France.

A place setting.

For stemware, on the left is Waterford's Colleen wine glass and on the right is French white opaline water goblet by Portieux Vallerysthal.

I like the opaque glass on this white table. It does add something as all clear stemware would not give the same look.

Another view.

The cutwork tablecloth was made in China but I bought two of them in Canada.  It is a bit more formal than my personal style is now as I have grown out of this look.  I have layered it on top of a beige canvas cloth.

A wider view.

This week, I am linking to:

 http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

 and http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

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

Spring Flowers: Hyacinths

 

Today's Daily Thing of Beauty:  Hyacinths

Spring wouldn't be spring without these fabulous bulbs in the house.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Gardening: Prunus 'Okame'

 

Today's thing of beauty: Prunus 'Okame'.  I know it is spring when I see my Okame flowering Cherry trees blooming. They are the first of the Cherries to bloom starting in February.

I thought I had better take her portrait today before the petals fell to the ground.  They don't stay on the tree very long.  Okame is the type of Cherry tree that you see in Washington, D.C. for the famous Cherry blossom time.

Summer

Photo: Swede 

Valentine's Week of Love

 

Continuing with the Week of Love, today's daily thing of beauty is my Dicentra plant - Bleeding Hearts.

Hope you are being cherished all week.

Summer

Photo: Swede

Gardens: Spring Has Arrived Early

 

Birds are singing. Quince, Forsythia and Daffodils are blooming. I can see the Flowering Cherry trees just wanting to bust open.

I picked some Daffodils and brought them inside just in case the temp dropped and they froze. I did a little grouping on the console table. 

We have early, mid and late blooming Daffodils.  These are the early ones and they are about two weeks early, usually appearing at the end of February. My favorite ones with a red center called Ring of Fire will appear mid March.

My second favorite is the all white one.

There are many of these two-toned ones.  When we first planted the bulbs several years ago, we purchased the 100 count bags and put several thousand in.  Many of them no longer bloom even though they put up leaves.

The all yellow are the most prolific.

I'm sending cheery spring thoughts to all those in Connecticut and Massachusetts who received Mother Nature's snow dump.  We only got a little rain here.

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