As I neared retirement five years ago, I happened upon some blogs that dabbled in a new-to-me hobby, tablescaping. I was so intrigued by this that I wanted to join in. Both my mother and mother-in-law loved dishes so I had some to start with. My first table was this one in July of 2013 - "Dining on the Porch."
I used what I had on hand from family members and antique auctions. What fun to put together 'pretend table settings!'
Our old house had lovely hydrangea bushes that helped me create these beautiful arrangements. I've planted new ones at this home.
One of the most popular posts was this one from January 2014 entitled 'Rustic and Refined.' The bowls, mugs and place mats were from William Sonoma. The woodland friends were collected from here and there. This has always been one of my favorites. The setting was created in front of the fireplace in our former home.
These are my favorite mugs! One has a cardinal and the other one a deer.
The next setting showcased an unusual (to me) tea set. I found it at a local resale shop then added the teapot from another shop.
One of the most fun tables was this one from June, 2014. I had wanted to do a purple table but the week turned out cloudy with rain off and on. Lucky, there was a break one day and I hurriedly put this table together - just before another downpour. Oh, the lengths we Tablescapers go to
to get those posts in!
This simple setting used woodland bird plates I love. Husband, J, is an outdoorsman and I bought these at a resale shop for him but I have them on my hutch right now.
We've all done those over-the-top holiday tables. Here are a few of mine.
Even a glitzy Halloween table!
I've always loved silver and white together!
One of my favorite sets of dishes in my Moderntone, gifted to me by my mother-in-law. As a child, my own mother used pink Moderntone as our everyday dishes. She had traded the rest of the colors in the set to her sisters so she only had the pink plates left. She had no other pieces in the set except the pink salt and pepper shakers. When I first started dating J, I went in their basement one day and saw the COMPLETE set of these dishes from my childhood! I was totally amazed there were other colors and lots of other pieces! My mother-in-law also collected depression glass and gifted those to her daughter. But she let ME have her Moderntone collection!! Oh, my, how I love them!!! I have some of them on display in the cabinets in our new kitchen.
My book club read the Orphan Train in May of 2015 so I used these dishes (ALL OF THEM!) with a vintage tablecloth (another love of mine!) and served Dorothy's Current Cake and popcorn!
And, as it is our 30th wedding anniversary this year, I'll share our wedding dishes. Kathleen, of Cuisine Kathleen, encouraged everyone to share their wedding china in May of 2014.
We live in the country so my "wedding china" was Pfaltzgraff dishes...much more practical...but we chose this set together and we both still love it after all of these years!
What fun it's been to look over these tables. I think it's inspired me to begin again. Thank you, Susan for this great suggestion and Happy 500th Tablescape Thursday! Here's to many more!!
Join in the fun and see other's posts for the party here: 10 Years and 500 Tablescape Thursdays
As always, I love reading your comments. Wishing you a happy day!
Zenda
