Thursday, April 26, 2018

Celebrating Favorite Tablescapes

Susan, from the blog Between Naps on the Porch, is celebrating her 500th TABLESCAPE THURSDAY this week and she has asked everyone to share their favorite tablescapes from past years.  It seems like forever since I wrote a post, much less put together a tablescape.  This has given me an excuse to revisit some of my old posts and I hope you enjoy these memories as much as I did!  

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

10 comments:

Creations By Cindy said...

Oh my Zenda! I love them all. Everyone of them. My eyes went straight to the one with the deer though. So beautiful. I am hoping to get back to my seasonal tablescapes when makeover is accomplished in kitchen. So glad to see a post today sweet friend. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Sandra @ Dinner at Eight said...

There's always a special place for wedding china, and I'm so glad you featured yours. I'd have to say that was my favorite!

Catherine said...

Wow Zenda, I thought you had decided to disappear out of the blogosphere like I did! Lovely to see you back and to revisit your previous posts. I am a lover of china of all sorts. Yesterday my husband and I visited the Wedgewood museum near Stoke on Trent in the UK. It is well worth a visit as it shows the development of Josiah Wedgewood’s pottery from the early 1730s with all the experiments to get the different colours and shapes. What is more it is free to go in! There is a wonderful store, tearoom and factory outlet too. I hope we get to see some photos of your new home soon.

Kim said...

Oh my goodness, Zenda, each and every tablescape is beyond lovely! This post is truly a feast for the eyes. I cannot believe all the gorgeous china that lives with you. So many pretties to make a beautiful tablescape at your whim. Love, love, love the first one with all those gorgeous blues AND the Hydrangeas!! Then as I scrolled down and saw the gorgeous lilac quilt....be still my beating heart.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

This is so fun reviewing everyone’s tablescapes like this. I love that you found the Moderntone dishes from your childhood. That purple and white quilt is so vibrant- what a great way to use it. Loving the tea set you got and I adore the blue turkey plates- those are very special!

Alycia Nichols said...

You’ve been so consistent with the quality of your tablescapes over the years, and I’m glad I found you! Your first tablescape was as great as your most recent ones. (The hydrangeas in that first one...gorgeous!!”) I truly think your tablescaping “hobby” has become a part of you. That’s a good thing! Have a joyous weekend!

xinex said...

Each and everyone of them is so pretty, hard to pick a favorite....Christine

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Oh it's so fun to scroll through and look at your tablescapes. Loves the purples, plus the hydrangeas. The blue and white is so pretty with the hydrangeas. The I've been trying to grow them but not great luck yet. The purple checked quilt is so pretty on the table. Thanks for sharing your 10.

FABBY'S LIVING said...


All your tables are stunning, I couldn't pick a favorite !
Lovely hyandrangeas table.
Fabby

Art and Sand said...

Each table setting is lovelier than the next!

I set a nice table every night - lovely dishes, cloth napkins, candlelight. The only trouble is my husband hates to have the centerpiece on the table while we eat. I don't complain though - last night he made us lobster and the night before was lamb kabobs. I don't want to upset the chef!