"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.
A few of my dear friends called today, so I invited them to drop by for an easy lunch from the fridge...chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad, fresh strawberries, and cookies. Time for a 20 minute tablescape. I know it's Fall, but I'm only ready to flirt with Fall...not embrace it.
By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, I'm generally completely over pumpkins, gourds, and all the rest, so this tablecloth seemed to meet me right where I needed to be today. I wonder if this 90" round cloth might meet you in the right place, too? I've been editing my linen closets, and this beautiful cloth has lingered too long without being put to work. Therefore, I've decided that it's time for it to find a new home. Will it be yours? Make sure that you are a follower and leave a comment. If you'd like to go explore my archives and leave comments from older posts, you'll increase your chances to win in a random drawing. I'll draw the winner's name to be announced in my tablescape post next week.
I think that this is actually a great four seasons cloth.
Come a little closer...
Let's examine the elements of my tablescape design...
Once again, I've built off the gardener's philosophy....a good mix of greens will yield a pleasing gardenscape...
...no matchy matchy here!
Shall we dissect the stack?
An old standby, the
Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Leaf charger plate provided my first shot of green...
...a nice blend of the florals in the cloth...I chose the
Luneville Louis XV dinner plate to hold our lunch.
Tip: Luneville Louis XV can usually be found for incredibly reasonable prices on
eBay. I bought mine a few at a time, and it didn't take too long to collect them. They are regularly available.
...Successfully drawing the eye to the colors in the cloth, the
Bordallo Pinheiro leaf salad plate was eventually used for our dessert. The
Argent Sophia gold were found through
Tuesday Morning and
Horchow. Horchow still sells them online.
Thank you Italy and France...a continental stack.
The leaf green hemstitched napkin is caught in a ring of beaded fall leaves and berries. It's really a candle ring, but today it has a new job description!
Stemware for today was the
Vietri Optic green goblet and the
Bohemian orange wine goblet. Tip: If you're in the market for a new crystal goblet, the
Vietri is reasonably priced and probably available in a gift store near you. It comes in a great assortment of colors. Check it out!
Do you think this tablecloth needs to go home with you?
The
cabbage leaf tureen is
Italian, but I don't think that it's
Bordallo...
I found the pair of
majolica spill vases in a local antiques shop.
I always call this my "Marlis angle" (
Marlis @ Creative Journeys). She likes the
McGuire Empire folding screen with the
Fortuny inserts.
My friends should be here any time now...
I'm ready...
...I love the opportunity to "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off"...
...and enjoy some precious time with friends for good food and blessed fellowship. You're welcome at my table, too!
This week I'm joining:
Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
Thursday's Favorite Things Blog Hop @ Katherine's Corner
It looks wonderful (as always!). Love the green majolica ware. The tureen centerpiece is perfect! xoxox
ReplyDeleteI'm completely impressed! All those choices for lunch and a gorgeous table setting as well. Your friends are very fortunate indeed :)
ReplyDeleteThe tablecloth is lovely, and would be a welcome addition to my home. I finally bought a new, round table a few months ago and most of my tableclothes were purchased for a rectangular table and are too narrow. The 90" round would also work when I add the leaf to accomdate more guests.
All the best,
Mary
Beautiful 20 minute table! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI always love using the Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage leaf pieces from my cupboards. They certainly set a wonderful table any season. Your tablecloth is lovely, Cherry Kay. It's the perfect base for these dishes. Round tablecloths are a staple here. They seem to work best on our oval table and of course on the round table in the sun room and the one on our terrace.
As much as I'd love to have this beautiful textile grace one of our tables, I don't feel right throwing my name in the hat. Your amazingly generous gift of the Sacred Bird plates still thrills beyond measure. Thank you again and again, Cherry Kay.
Miss Cherry...we both know how this will work, you will give this tablecloth away to one of your tablescape fans, and sure enough, you will say to yourself, I sure wish I had that cloth back! haha....table is beautiful!
ReplyDelete20 minutes? Wow you work quickly to creat a lovely welcoming table - your dessert dishes are my favorites!!
ReplyDeleteAs always your table is exquisitely staged and it amazes me how you always have just the right pieces. When it comes to fall I love the season but a little goes a long way when it comes to tables.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect transitional blend of colors for fall. Fall is hitting us here so I'm embracing it (can't change it) and going for the whole pumpkin, gourds and rustic color thing! Love that tablecloth- what a wonderful giveaway! I use round tablecloths primarily since I usualy stick to my kitchen table for tablescapes.
ReplyDeleteHi there, Cherry Kay! You'd better believe I could give this linen a good home!!! I don't have a lot of florals in my collection, so this would be a welcome addition. Please throw my name in the hat! And while you're throwing stuff in that hat, go on and (very gently!) toss that tureen in! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm an enormous fan of well-blended instead of "matchy matchy." I'm that way with everything including my wardrobe (oh, God bless Queen Elizabeth's little heart with her totally matching ensembles!) and our furniture. I prefer to present a "collected" look. I understand that not everyone is able to do that or even that everyone necessarily likes that, but every designer I know has that as a part of his/her credo.
I have been put on lockdown (yes...again!) from buying new dishes and such, but you have shown here with another of your "20-minute tables" that one needn't run to the mall every time. All it takes is a discerning eye and the will to make it right!
Have a great weekend!
Although I always love all of your tables, this one has got to be one of my favorites! Love all the green with the other colors, and your stemware is divine. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteThe tablescape is gorgeous, but i must say that Bordalo Pinheiro is a Portuguese brand.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday Cherry Kay..
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly different and very beautiful. I love the cabbage pattern and your use of greens and mustard yellow on this pretty table. You are very very generous. How fortunate we are to be consider for such a gift.
You are a master at creating exquisite tables. Wishing you a wonderful week.
Janet
It is so beautiful....and you are so kind to share, I hope it goes to a wonderful home. As always I am inspired by your work. Thank you for putting these beautiful pictures up...your pieces are perfect. Having said that I have the perfect dishes for this tablecloth!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, CK! I am sorry I missed this. I would have loved a chance at the tablecloth. I just acquired cabbage plates! I am not supposed to buy anymore sets, but I did, 12 of each! I am a bad girl!
ReplyDeleteHello CK,
ReplyDeleteThe colors you chose really are reminiscent of the fading of summer (like the yellow of a sunflower). The greenery & the crops have not quite yet faded away to autumn hues. It is almost like an Indian summer day tablescape. Very late summer - earthy - nice. Regards, Robin