Tuesday, March 11, 2014

For Mary Kate Danaher, 3.11.14

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog.  I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.  ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Our new dining table is finally in place.  As I thought about setting my new/old table to share with you for the first time, I began remembering one of my lifetime favorite movies, first seen in a theatre when I was six years old.  Since then I've watched John Ford's "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, many many times when it shows up on one of the classic movie channels.  Do you remember the movie?  In the story, a rather mysterious American, Sean "Trooper" Thornton buys his family ancestral farm in Inisfree Ireland.  As the story progresses, Sean falls in love with the beautiful Mary Kate Danaher, younger sister of Sean's nemesis, Squire "Red" Will Danaher, her guardian and the village bully.  Will finally allows Sean to wed Mary Kate, but after the marriage, Will refuses to give his sister her dowery.  Chaos erupts between Sean and Mary Kate because Sean won't demand that Mary Kate be given what is legally hers.  He just doesn't understand how important it is for her to have her family treasures around her.  She can't "feather her nest" without them.  I'll never forget when she finally receives her share of the family furniture, china, crystal, and other treasures.  She lovingly arranges her belongings in the old Thornton cottage, and she proudly sets a supper table for Sean.  There's much more to this wonderful old movie, but it's this scene that I was remembering as I chose the items for my St. Patrick's day table.  I hope that you'll enjoy my table; I created it with Mary Kate Danaher in mind...   

 I found the Karges dining chairs in a local consignment shop.  They are 30 years old, and I got a fantastic deal on them.  I brought one home for Sweet Mister to try for comfort.  He liked the chair, so....just in case...I checked for a Karges table on eBay...


Sure enough...I found the Karges dining table for 12 through Stenella Antiques, located in Perkasie, Illinois.  It was also an amazing deal.

 It was well worth the wait.  We are thrilled with our new addition, and I am excited to share it with you tonight.

 Because I wanted to share the table with you, I decided to go with one of Nana's lovely old sets of placemats and napkins, done in organdy with linen appliqués.  I wonder if Mary Kate had some fine old Irish linens in her hope chest.  I'll bet that she did!


 I've always enjoyed utilizing a variety of greens in my designs.  It was a welcome day when I was told to look in the garden...all those shades of green abide very well together, and they'll work well together on the table, too!

 Yep....



 ...Works every time.

 Now, for some of the details...

 Nana's lovely old white organdy placemat and my mother-in-love's Francis I flatware.

 Bernardaud Limoges Artois Green, bought from a friend who was a Haviland dealer for many years.
 The Coalport Z3137 Exotic Bird luncheon plate, acquired over a long, long time through eBay.  This is one of my favorite patterns, and I continue to search for more dinner plates.  I find one every 2-3 years.

 When we think of Ireland, beautiful crystal and the color green inevitably come to mind...The Waterford Simply Green goblet works nicely with the AJKA Arabella emerald green wine stem. Both were collected slowly via eBay
 Also an AJKA piece, I bought a pair of these green crystal presentation bowls at the tail end of an estate sale...for $30.00 for the pair.  I couldn't grab them quickly enough!  The runner matches the place mats.


Good ole eBay yielded the pair of Minton lidded tureens.  The border design is similar to the Minton Cockatrice, and I love the way that it works with the Coalport Z3137 Exotic Bird.  The adjustable silver stands belonged to dear Nana....just the right elevation.

 I think that Mary Kate would have set the table just the same way!

 So what do you see?  I see a fairly traditional setting to celebrate St. Patrick's Day...

 A punch of greens that sing of shamrocks...

 ...Lovely antique linens...

...Family silver and beloved vintage china...Treasured elements that I love to use as I feather my nest.  I understand Mary Kate Delaher's determination to gather her family things around her.  I'm waging a pint at the pub that you do, too!  Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Old Irish Blessing:  "I pray that when one of you sheds tears, the other one tastes salt."

This week I'll be joining:
Cuisine Kathleen for her St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl
Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
Seasonal Sundays with The Tablescaper
Entertaining Women
Entertaining Women

Hello, I'm Cherry Kay I was 40 before I realized that I am an artist. I love to paint, work in clay, rubber stamping, design tablescapes, entertain, and share ideas. I'm an interior designer wanna-be...no credentials, but lots of experience.

34 comments:

  1. I see a stunningly gorgeous tablescape! Wow! The new table and chairs are perfect for your space, and the details of this tablescape would make any bride's heart sing as she dreams of feathering her own nest. I agree with you about the Coalport Exotic Bird. The design is exquisite, and it looks fantastic with the tureens. You do find the best of the best, Cherry Kay. I was thinking about your dish collection recently. I have a lot of dishes, but you have a beautiful collection of fine china. I've learned of many lovely patterns from reading your blog. Someday I want to tour that dish room. '-)
    Thanks for sharing this sweet story line for your table. I'm going to rent this movie.
    Happy St. Patrick's Day!
    PS
    Your greens top mine! '-)

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  2. What a beautiful table and so nice to see you back again. I do hope your sweet hubby is doing well and recovering. We've missed you. Thanks for sharing. Vicki in Louisville KY.

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  3. Stunning, Cherry Kay! Your new dining table and chairs are lovely. I especially love the beautiful linens, but the china is also gorgeous. You're right, all greens DO go together, and beautifully!

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  4. Your tables always look so beautiful and so inviting. I also especially love your flower arrangements. So lovely. Happy St. Patrick's Day to you! xoxo

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  5. Breathtakingly beautiful and your floral centerpiece takes my heart sing!

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  6. Yes, I agree - your table is gorgeous, but my heart is beating over the Coalport Exotic Bird dinner plates....near Cardiac Arrest time. And that Minton tureen!. I love to check out your tablescapes. You always amaze and thrill me.

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  7. I can't take my eyes off your centerpiece. I know you will enjoy many fine meals at your new dining table!

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  8. I think Mary Kate would love your table. Your linens and green goblets steal the show. Everything is lovely and your flowers are gorgeous.

    Your new table and chairs were worth the wait! Love the grand reveal.

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  9. Wow, I do not know where to begin. This table is stunning. The china is gorgeous, those placemats, so lovely. Fabulous job. xo

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  10. So much about which to comment!! I love it all. You've done the movie and St. Patrick's Day proud. Your choice of linens, dishes, crystal----everything is absolutely exquisite. I love your new dining room set as well. Thank you so much for sharing so much loveliness! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

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  11. St. Paddy would be very impressed. Carved table legs and lovely chairs draw you to the tap top, then you blended classic china together and all of a sudden magic erupted on the table. Great table, come visit my blog,
    Pam

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  12. Cherry Kay, you have me speechless with all the beauty of your collection of wonderful china! Everything is simple beautiful and wonderful find with your dining and chairs, lovely!
    Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!

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  13. Gosh I love how tied in the thoughts about Mary Kate Danaher and her beloved things that she had to have when she got married. Your table is stunning and so are the chairs! It looks so beautiful with the organdy placemats- I'd be afraid to really use them! Your dishes and the beautiful stemware are all so elegant! Beautiful flowers to boot!
    Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  14. Hi Cherry Kay,
    I love your new/old dining table and chairs! Your table is so elegant set for St. Patrick's Day. I'm swooning over the placemats and runner and oh, the centerpiece!! Mary Kate would be proud. Happy 🍀 Day!

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  15. Wow, Cherry Kay! This is just perfectly beautiful! I love your placemats and runner so much; they look so delicate and elegant. All the china is gorgeous, as is the crystal and silver.

    Yes, I can definitely understand how the Irish wife felt in the movie. I definitely treasure my family heirlooms. I've seen bits and pieces of that movie, but never the whole thing. I'll make a point now to watch it; so many of you have mentioned it this week.

    I enjoyed your post -- oh, and your new table and chairs are beautiful. Visiting from Kathleen's Blog Crawl -- Happy St. Paddy's Day to you. :)

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  16. I love your Coalport set, Cherry Kay. So exquisite! I also love the glassware. You new table and churchs are so perfect. I love the upholstery....Christine

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  17. O, this is so lovely. Your table and chairs are to die for and your settings are just stunning.
    Happy St. Paddy's Day....

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  18. Love this table! Your stemware and plates are to die for and I am so coveting them. Very elegant and beautiful.

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  19. Exquisite! Just breathtakingly beautiful...all those luscious shades of green truly do remind me of the Irish countryside.

    The organdy placemats with linen appliqués allow the beauty of your table shine through. Love it!

    Have a delightfully delicious St. Patrick's Day weekend.

    Hugs,
    Rett

    p.s. hope your hubby's knee is feeling better each day!

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  20. Your table and setting are just beautiful! Congratulations on your new additions. Your plates and stemware are especially lovely.

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  21. Cherry Kay, I adore the theme of your post. It touched my heart to think of the women from the past who treasured beautiful things for their homes and preserved them for all of us to enjoy. Your table certainly honors Ireland with the multiple shades of green. You have such lovely pieces and I am always intrigued by the mention of your Nana - what a eye she had for the finer things. Thank you for sharing them with us.

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  22. Cherry Kay, Love your table! The dishes are so stunning. I hope your hubby is doing well and recovering. I am glad you are back. I missed you!

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  23. Oh my goodness Cherry Kay, St. Pat would have not believe the stunning tablescape you created in his honour! Gorgeous, starting from your lovely dining set. The lovely placemats from your dear Nana, the dishes, the gorgeous Green stems and the centerpiece Green bowl is totally swoonnnnn!!!!!
    I also love that movie, wish I could see it, sounds like a wonderful warm story about the home and feathering our nests. I guess us women were always like that and still are, I so treasure my many family heirlooms mostly!

    Happy St. Patrick's Day to you,
    FABBY

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  24. Beautiful table...the china, too! I drool every time you use those emerald green AJKA stems...they are gorgeous!
    You always have the loveliest centerpieces.
    Have a wonderful week, Cherry Kay.

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  25. What a beautiful dining room! I love your new table and chairs -they are just perfect! Your linens and china are just gorgeous and look wonderful for spring. The Quiet Man is probably my favorite John Wayne movie, but Mary Kate definitely steals the show with her love of their pretty little cottage and her stubborn spirit to get her things! Such a great movie! Have a Happy St. Paddy's Day!
    Miss Bloomers

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  26. Lovely, lovely, lovely, every detail perfect. Your elegant taste shows itself beautifully on your newly acquired table.

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  27. Lovely new table and chairs. Clicked on to see if you were back and am so happy you are. Such a pleasure to read your posts!

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  28. Wow, that's gorgeous! Many happy and blessed meals at your new table.
    Love the touches of green in the scape. Perfect to celebrate Mar. 17th!
    As for the movie, I can't tell you how many times I have seen it. Though my dad passed when he was 50, I remember him enjoying that movie time and again! My Irish born bil owns it so it has been replayed to beat the band!
    Thanks so much for taking part in the 6th annual St. Pat's Bog Crawl! Slainte'!

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  29. Your new dining room set is lovely and the setting is so beautiful and welcoming! I am sure your daughter is enjoying the other set back in its original home! I have shared this story a few times with some friends! Hope you and your husband are doing well!

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  30. I absolutely love your new table and chairs. You are so persistent -- we could all take a lesson. Your table is the best one for St. Pat's out there.

    I have to thank you for your inspiration for something I brought home today from an estate sale. (I gave you credit on the post!)

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  31. Hi, Cherry Kay! I've never seen the movie, but I have not a doubt that Mary Kate AND Nana would both be thrilled with the care and love that went into creating it. Doggone it, girl...you ripped this one to shreds!!! It's gorgeous! So over-the-top elegant! I like an elegant St. Patrick's Day dinner table. We dine like refined people then blow it out like the real heathens we are afterwards!!! :-)

    Congratulations on your new dining room furniture! It is really very, very sophisticated. The fact that it's sturdy doesn't hurt, either! So nice of you to get the Mr.'s approval on comfort before signing on the dotted line! The fact that the table can seat 12 (and that you have a dining room large enough to easily accommodate 12!!!) is fabulous!

    I hope your St. Patrick's Day was a good one, and that the week ahead blesses you equally. Take care!

    (P.S. - Still not getting the email alerts when you post. I'm so mad at Google or Blogger or WordPress or whoever is responsible for messing that all up!)

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  32. Cherry Kay,
    This is just a fantastically beautiful table..I love green anyway so this is just what I like..Great job on picking out this table..with these chairs...so wonderful..
    Love, Mona

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  33. BEAUTIFUL table setting....I love the green and the Organdy lace place mats. The flower arrangement is absolutely lovely as is the sterling. Just gorgeous!

    I love your blog and am a new follower!

    xo/
    Christine
    http://suburban-charm.blogspot.com/

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Thank you for spending your time to leave a comment. I read each and every one of your generous thoughts. They encourage me in so many ways.

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