Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Winter Paisley

"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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I can't believe that January is half gone.  It's been a rather lackadaisical few weeks.  Tonight I've prepared a luncheon table for eight.  I'm going to invite the Garden Friends to join me for lunch after we finish our Bible study...or we might just hit one of our favorite local restaurants. We'll see.  After all the high color of the Christmas holidays, I wanted to create a design that was soft and calming...

...and I've been eager to use the Waverly, "Paisley" tablecloth, a Tuesday Morning find, for quite a long time.  Shades of teal and aqua always rank right at the top of my list, and I adore paisley patterns.


 My centerpiece is anchored by an antique wash basin and pitcher by Kirkland & Pidduck, England.  It belonged to my beloved Aunt Ida, my mama's sister.

I used our collection of antique Barley Twist candlesticks to flank the basin and pitcher.  The dried hydrangeas are still hanging on, after I cut them from my garden this summer.

 The hammered copper chargers make yet another appearance as a base for the Royal Doulton, "The Beaufort" dinner plate.  I liked the chocolate furls featured on the plate's rim, punctuated by just a touch of blue and pink.  I collected this pattern over a stretch of time from eBay.  The soft golden ivory tones of the antique carved ivory flatware  seemed a natural choice with the cream and taupe paisleys in the tablecloth.

Each placesetting is crowned with the Wedgwood, "Majolica Grape Leaf" plate, an eBay acquisition.

You won't be surprised to find our Nana's antique linen napkins gracing the table.  The lacy edge seemed made to go with the intricate furls in the cloth.  Did you know that in the 20's, paisley was often called the  "Persian Pickle" design?  It was evidently considered quite a treasure, especially among quilters. 

I haven't used the Godinger, "Sutton Park" goblet in quite a while.  Today I've paired it with one of my favorite new tabletop items.  Throughout the Autumn, I enjoyed using the Vietri, "Amber Optic" goblets.  I liked them so much that I decided to add the "Smoke" goblet to my collection.  This is really a pretty amazing piece of stemware.  It's a lovely gray tone, but when you place it against other colors, it becomes a crystal chameleon.  Depending on your line of sight, this stem will appear to be aqua or taupe.  It makes me smile.  I can picture using this pattern in any number of designs.

I'm good to go for tomorrow's luncheon.  I captured some candlelight shots...








I am so grateful for the new camera that Sweet Mister gave me.  I've enrolled in some photography classes at our Museum of Art.  I can hardly wait!  Do you read the Pioneer Woman's blog?  She has a section devoted to photography.  Her archives go back about four years...tons to read and learn!  Give it a try; I think that you'll really like it...

The sun was dancing through the dining room windows this morning, and I couldn't resist the opportunity...













 I'm off to my Garden Friends Bible study, my favorite day of each week.  If you're passing our way, you will be more than welcome to join us as we sit and study the Word at the knee of sweet Jesus, lover of our ragged souls...and of course, I'd love to have you here to share a meal at my table. So many many blessings!

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.

34 comments:

  1. A very pretty table and I do love that tablecloth!

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  2. Gorgeous table. Everything is stunning. I am in love with your tablecloth.

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  3. Everythinhg looks just lovely! And the linens are gorgeous! Have a wonderful evening.

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  4. It really is a calm and quiet table, and all the lovelier for it after the excesses of the holidays. I don't know which photos I like better - the night time or day time shots - I love the way the aqua is more visible in daylight. Did you lunch together, or did you go out?

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  5. I think these are some of my favorite colors. I love brown transferware, especially with hints and hues of blues and pinks. I almost bought that same tablecloth or one very similar. I might have to go back after seeing how lovely it is in your room. Your candlesticks are a beautiful anchor to your basin and pitcher. I could go on and on. Your dinner plates are just beautiful.

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  6. You sure created a gorgeous tablescape on top of the fabulous tablecloth! Lovely dishes, the stemware is beautiful and I love the wash basin as a centerpiece with the hydrangea with the pretty candlesticks on each side. Thank you for sharing. Hugs,
    FABBY

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  7. Hi Cherry Kay! My eyes were drawn to the tablecloth right away. What a pretty pattern and texture and combination of colors. Your plates are also so beautiful. Your nana's napkins are lovely. Everything in the table is just adorable...Christine

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  8. What a beautiful tablecloth! I need to visit Tuesday Morning more often! I really enjoyed seeing the serene table you set this week. The soft colors and pretty texture of the hydrangeas and lace trim of the napkins add wonderful appeal. And I enjoyed seeing your pretty colored crystal in the china cabinet in a shot near the end of your post.

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  9. Cherry Kay, what a beautiful and elegant table you have set. I so wish I could come to visit and study God's word wtih you and share a meal at your lovely tables.

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  10. Cherry Kay, you have certainly created a gorgeous table. love the waverly cloth which makes the furls on the dishes pop! Your new crystal is perfect. the centerpiece is stunning. What a delicate design. Your evening and sunshine shots are spectacular! Another design masterpiece. PS.. i could scrunch that runner or use it on the table this weekend, great idea. xo marlis

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  11. I love paisley too. Those napkins are just wonderful and the ebay plates so versatile! Beautiful table, CK, and the sunlight shot is beautiful.

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  12. This is so gorgeous! I love that beautiful tablecloth. The dishes you picked are so soft and pretty. I just finished reading a book titled "The Persian Pickle Club" about a group of quilters during the depression.

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  13. What a lovely table you have created for your garden friends. That transferware pattern is so beautiful. I also love the china cabinet -- the glassware was so beautiful. From the raggediest soul, Joni

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  14. Yet another beautiful, classy (and I DO mean classy) table, Cherry Kay. Oh, how I'd love to stop by for one of your meals! Would love your company and the company of all those beatiful pieces you have! Loved every detail of this table. Thank you for the feast for the eyes! ~Zuni

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  15. I love that tablecloth! It is the perfect compliment to your dishes. Such a soft look and with all that beautiful white and the crystal sparkling! Your Aunts centerpiece and the napkins are just lovely. You always set the most gorgeous tables! Hope you are staying warm with all this bone chilling weather!
    Miss Bloomers

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  16. Pretty Table and wonderful tablecloth! Those are my favorite colors too. Those are lucky gals to be invited to such a lovely lunch! XO Cindy

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  17. Cherry Kay, your table is absolutely gorgeous. I am SO drawn to paisley, and the colors in your tablecloth are my favorites, too. I like how you kept to muted and neutral colors, so the tablecloth can shine as the star of your table. And the sun has done glorious things to your table, too!

    Elaine
    Creating Wonderful Spaces

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  18. Beautiful table and a beautiful room! love your new tablecloth.

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  19. You make me laugh that you call yourself lackadaisical. You're always entertaining - and in high style! Getting the table set is a job in itself, let alone preparing all of the food and cleaning it all up. I don't know how you do it! What was on the menu? I could see your favorite chicken soup being perfect for a winter's luncheon, but I didn't see any bowls.

    Your table is beautiful and serene, but I couldn't take my eyes off that antique ivory flatware. Wherever did you find it? It is amazing.

    - The Tablescaper

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  20. Cherry Kay,

    What a lovely table. I was totally unfamiliar with the plates and the goblets. Visiting other blogs is dangerous business because it is hard not to want more dishes when they are as pretty as the ones you set out so well. LOL.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Eldarose

    P.S. We are following your blog now. I thought we were following you (and some other folks actually) already, but I saw that we weren't today so I fixed that.

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  21. Cherry Kay, Beautiful, calming, and inspiring table AGAIN. Love that you think about anchoring and flanking items on the table! What an eye for design, and voice for explaining your process. The twisted barleywood candles are my favorite. Thanks for sharing so many pictures and the thought process of the design. Happy Week! ~CJ

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  22. Beautiful table, Cherry Kay. I saw that lovely tablecloth and debated, now I wish I had picked it up. Aunt Ida's wash basin and ewer make a great centerpiece.
    I just love those grape leaf plates...they look so delicate, almost translucent.

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  23. Your touches of elegance are always stunning. And I'm with you, where does the time go? Before you know it we'll be doing Christmas tables again!

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  24. The tablecloth was a great find - so pretty. And it looks like it is very long. Sometimes I can only find short ones so have to buy two. The toile or chinoiserie scene in the center of the dinner plate is so enchanting. Beautiful table as always. Do other members of your group tablescape also or are you the only one who sets a beautiful table for them? Love all the colors and the elements that you chose to combine. I think you mentioned before that we share the same leaf Wedgwood plates. And, I loved seeing the colors of your crystal in the cabinet behind the table.

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  25. Beautiful table! I am a nut for paisley too and the colors are wonderful!

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  26. You hit the look you were going for right on the head, Cherry Kay! It's calm and peaceful and soothing...just what the doctor ordered for these cold winter days after the hoopla of Christmas decorating! The tablecloth is a beautiful anchor to the all pretties you have on top! You have a wonderful treasure trove of dishes and details that you really put together beautifully!!! I don't think I have ever noticed your china cabinets all lit up like that. I've noticed the cabinets, but not any lighting. They are extra gorgeous!!! What's wild is that in the photo with the sunlight hitting them, they are equally pretty! Aahhhh...the power of light! :-) And speaking of light, your chandelier is looking particularly fetching in these photos!

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  27. Elegant, refined, feminine, and serene. Beautiful job!

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  28. Your table is stunning! Everything is beautifully done!
    Have a great weekend!

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  29. This table rings my chimes! Everything about it appeals to me. I love the colors you chose to accent that lovely tablecloth. The copper chargers, dishes, glassware and all the candle sticks you chose are wonderful. Dianne

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  30. A beautiful table. Love the tablecloth and the dishes. Those barley twist candlesticks are just beautiful.

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  31. Oh how pretty! I can't take my eyes off the chandelier and the lighted china cabinets! I love how your soft browns blend so well with the beautiful tablecloth. This is a relaxing table, although very elegant.

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  32. Hi lovely lady.
    Your Tablescape is Gorgeous with your beautiful Chain and your lovely Tablecloth !I would like to thank you so much for your sweet comments on my Tablescape. I hope you have a wonderful week with your family.
    XXOO Diane

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  33. I love paisley and this table looks stunning day or night. Lovely shots. Fun to see your barley twist candle sticks down the table. We have a nice grouping of these that I like to pull out for fall tables.

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