Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Winter Berries

"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. During this beautiful season when we celebrate harvest and Thanksgiving, I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger

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Last week I was blessed to host my dear Garden Friends Bible study for a November birthday luncheon.  The house was still partially dressed for the Thanksgiving holiday, so I decided that I wanted to "flirt with Christmas", but not completely embrace it for my table design.  I chose to highlight the beautiful berries that seem to flourish during this season, a "Winter Berries" theme, if you will.

I've been eager to use the Zina Vasi, "Winter Village", tablecloth for a long time.  I bought it last winter on eBay.  I also reverses to a dark center field with the village in the lighter tones.  The cloth set the tone for the rest of the elements that I would use for the luncheon...

...I think that I'm going to enjoy this cloth for many years.

I've always liked the warmth created by a white-on-white design...I love the idea of mixing a variety of white tones to create a place setting for my table.  To anchor the setting, I've chosen the hammered copper charger plate, an estate sale purchase.  I couldn't resist the opportunity to use our antique carved ivory handle flatware again.  Isn't it silly that some funky old silverware can make me so happy!  The dinner plate is Copeland Spode, "Jewel", collected over a period of time through eBay.  I laid the Royal Doulton, "RD199", luncheon plate as an underplate for the Haviland, "Ranson" coupe soup...also eBay acquisitions.  I placed the Haviland, "Ranson" crescent plate to hold bread and butter.

I bought the napkins many years ago for one of our lake houses.  I don't use them often, but I thought that the crocheted corner was fitting with the vintage look of the tablecloth.  The napkin ring is actually a candle ring that I frequently use for the Christmas holidays.

 The Mikasa, "French Country" goblet is such a versatile stem.  It works for casual everyday purposes, and it also looks beautiful in a more formal setting.  Today I've paired it with a cranberry Bohemian Crystal goblet.  I found a set of 8 on eBay.

The minute that I decided to use the Zina Vasi tablecloth, I knew that I wanted the collection of antique English Barley Twist candlesticks to be incorporated as a component for my centerpiece.  I bought my original small pair in a local antique store, but I watched like a hawk to find the two larger pair for great prices on...you guessed it...eBay, of course.  The pair of berry topiary trees have been a part of our Christmas decor for years.  They are so easy to use, and they live happily in the Christmas closet for the rest of the year.

This is the second year for the Reindeer Sleigh to make an appearance as part of our Christmas decor.  Last year, it was a headliner in the foyer.  After the luncheon, he'll make his way to the front hall again.  The berry arrangement is compiled of two large berry candle rings that I squashed together to fit in the sleigh.  I then added four large 'picks' covered with berries and shimmering green holly leaves.  No brainer, people!  I liked the look enough that I went out and bought another couple of candle rings, so these could stay as an arrangement for the entry hall center table.

Voila!...my Winter Berry Tablescape.  The chandelier is laced with pine and berry picks from Hobby Lobby.

Kept if fairly simple on the antique Country French buffet...the Hobby Lobby lanterns have been joined by a pair of shimmering green mesh Christmas trees.  The antique Towle, "Lafayette" sterling tea service and the pair of Barker-Ellis silver candelabra always reside here.  The silver pieces all belonged to our amazing Nana.


I took some candlelight shots the night before the luncheon...


  
   
     



The Garden Friends are waiting with eager anticipation to celebrate the most important birthday of each year.  We are blessed each week to be able to sit at the knee of our sweet Master, Jesus, lover of our ragged souls, and soak in the encouragement and peace that comes from studying His amazing Word.  We would welcome you to join us for prayer, study, and blessed fellowship any time that you happen to pass our way.  Just let me know, and I'll set a place for you at the table.  And so, this wonderful season has begun.  Buckle up!  It's going to be an exciting sleigh ride.

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THURSDAY."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!  







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.

39 comments:

  1. Love this theme...winterberries..so natural and pretty. Love all the white really sets off the red berries! Hope you are enjoying the season..sure is cold tonight. Hope to see you in the office soon! Stay warm!
    Miss Bloomers

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  2. Love this theme...winterberries..so natural and pretty. Love all the white really sets off the red berries! Hope you are enjoying the season..sure is cold tonight. Hope to see you in the office soon! Stay warm!
    Miss Bloomers

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  3. This tablescape is just gorgeous! Love the cranberry elements! Everything here is just wonderful!! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. I love this table, Cherry Kay - but then I love white-on-white and I love red accents.
    Wouldn't I love to sit at your table with you and your Garden Friends!

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  5. This is just beautiful. I love the red and white together!

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  6. Another gorgeous table, Cherry Kay! I am so in love with your table cloth and your ivory flatware. But then again, I love everything else on the table too....Christine

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  7. Love the sleigh with the holly berries...that is really a quite beautiful tablescape.

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  8. Cherry Kay, this is a fabulous table for twixt and tween the holidays. I love the tablecloth. It is perfect in your setting with the lovely barley twist candlesticks, the gorgeous white china and the gleaming glassware. The sleigh is another fabulous piece! thanks for sharing.. xo marlis

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  9. What a fabulous tablecloth! I just adore it and you are going to have such fun with it through the years. The winter berry theme is wonderful. I love your gorgeous sleigh filled with them and your trees. The goblets are just perfect with the dark red of the berries. What a delightful table. You have such beautiful furniture in the dining room too. Oh, and did I mention the chandelier? Everything is just lovely.

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  10. How lovely your table is....mine is so full of junk right now it's hard to see! I'm still decorating....no tablescapes this week....it's my workspace. Thanks for your visit and I do think this is such a peaceful table. Love that gorgeous tablecloth.

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  11. Such a stunning table, I love each and every detail.

    Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

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  12. That tablecloth is so beautiful and unusual! Love it!!! Of course, I love the Spode Jewel plates also! The whole winter berry table is beautiful!

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  13. The Zina Vasi tablecloth is fantastic! I love everything about the table!

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  14. You are the eBay queen! I love that cloth, and the berries add such a wonderful pop of color!
    Beautiful table, the glassware is stunning!
    Have a wonderful weekend, Cherry Kay.

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  15. What a beautiful tablescape and dining room you have, but I have to say I was totally blown away with your daughters voice and song writing ability and her efforts with stop hunger. You must be incredibly proud of her and quite rightly so, I am off to listen to some more :-).

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  16. You have found some great things on ebay. That has to be the nicest sleigh I have ever seen and I love those candles. Everything looks great with the red berries. I'm sure your Garden friends enjoyed this table.

    Robin
    Robin Flies South

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  17. So beautiful! All the elements, the tablecloth, the stemware, the candelabras, the gorgeous chandelier and it's adornments! Love it all!
    The red cranberries look perfect with the color and texture of the tablecloth! The flatware is really unique (of funky!) as you said! Should be a great table to gather at.

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  18. Very elegant! Love the centerpiece and the trees on your sideboard.

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  19. Fantastic as always. What a marvelous dining room filled with beautiful pieces from your sweet Nana, and treasures found on shopping journeys, electronic and old school. Love the "Lafayette" sterling tea service, the white on white plates, and great flatware. The layers begin with the new tablecloth. Great find. Thanks for sharing/posting. ~CJ

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  20. What a beautiful tablecloth! Your winterberry centerpiece is stunning with the elegant stemware.

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  21. Cherry Kay, your berry-themed table is gorgeous! That is a uniquely beautiful tablecloth, and the simple white dishes let it share the spotlight with the berries. The centerpiece is amazing, too! Isn't ebay great?

    Elaine
    Creating Wonderful Spaces

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  22. Just beautiful! I really like the tablecloth and the red looks wonderful with it!

    Katherine

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  23. Another gorgeous tablescape in your beautiful dining room. I love your ivory china, it's lovely and the tablecloth is beautiful! The centerpiece with the berries takes center stage. Your chandy looks gorgeous! Merry Christmas. FABBY

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  24. Just absolutely beautiful, Cherry Kay! The tablecloth is indeed, a wonderful find & I can envision the many different tablescapes you're going to have fun creating on it.

    Your sideboard just makes my ♥ melt...you are so fortunate to have so many wonderful heirlooms! I know Nana is smiling down & thrilled to see her items treasured & used again.

    Hugs,
    Rett

    p.s. I'm seriously coveting that stemware!! LOL

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  25. Oh my, absolutely gorgeous. Your tablescape is stunning, every detail is perfection. You really do have such a beautiful dining room and you do an amazing job with all of your tablescapes. Love it. I am sure the Garden Club loved it too. Hugs, Marty

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  26. Cherry Kay, this table is just beautiful. So many amazing things here, I don't know where to begin. You put it together so well, I'm sure your guests were delighted! Also, love how you decorated the chandelier. Tablecloth, napkins, and that gorgeous Bohemian crystal stem--these are my favorites!! Beautiful centerpiece creation too!!

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  27. Your tablescape is beautiful and elegant, but I must say I'm in love with your dining room. Fantastic chandelier, buffet and those glass hutches with all the sparkling baubles inside - to die for!

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  28. Gorgeous with a capital G, Cherry Kay! I'm a berry person year round (strawberries and blueberies in summer, holly berries and nandina berries in winter), so this design really speaks to me! Great job with the sleigh! Sometimes when we improvise, we come up with the coolest stuff! I love the copper chargers, and I can see why you would be excited with the look of the flatware. BEAUTIFUL buffet! The design on the table linen really intrigues me. You say it is reversible? Talk about a great buy!!! Two thumbs up!!!!

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  29. Hi Cherry Kay, oh my goodness, this is gorgeous! I love your berry trees with the gorgeous chandy dripping it's beauty from above. You always inspire.. hugs ~lynne~

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  30. Lovely as always with the tablecloth being a most special backdrop for all the pretties. I bet your house is a wonder this time of year.

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  31. How lovely to see your Winter Berries! I am always excited to see your new tablescape and the lovely pieces you use. The different white china blends beautifully together. I just love Spode Jewel with it's lace rim and you can never wrong with RD and Haviland. The tablecloth is a winner and is fun to see how it is used. Just Lovely! Thanks for visiting me last week. Happy Tablescaping! Pam

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  32. Repeat: Though shalt not covet thy blogging friend's tablecloth. Repeat ...

    What a fantastic cloth! And reversible, too! The other side must be stunning as well. Can't wait to see it someday. The berries were the perfect choice for between holidays. Wonderful table!

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  33. Beautiful! Your dining room is what I dream about! You have such a lovely home,should be in a magazine.Thanks for sharing.JoAnn

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  34. Oh my gosh...such a lovely voice and great song! Really admire the red berry table setting., too!!!

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  35. A simply gorgeous setting! Your tablecloth is beautiful and I know you will enjoy it for many years. I do love white dishes and your copper chargers really help to ground them. The berry theme is so lovely. What a fun table! I'm sure you and your Garden Friends enjoyed a wonderful luncheon filled with fellowship.

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  36. I LOVE your tablecloth and your tablescape looks so elegant!

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  37. Another beautiful tablescape, Cherry Kay! So pretty and festive! Love the chandelier! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

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  38. Hi Cherry Kay,
    I don't know where to start. Ok, the tablecloth! I've never seen anything like it! It sets the tone for a fabulous table. The ivory handled flatware? OMgosh! Love it all: the crystal, the chandelier, your dining room is just beautiful. ~Delores

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  39. I would love to know more about the Reindeer Sleigh! Is it made of wood? I'm going to go back through other Dec posts and see if there are more details about it. Cheers!

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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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