Portmeirion Botanic Garden Tablescape

A true classic favorite, Porteirion's Botanic Garden dinnerware has been produced since 1972 and is as popular now as it was then. Our collection is limited to dinner plates but Pat can always come up with different looking tablescapes simply by changing the charger or color theme or something else as easy.

The table this week uses Bordallo Pinheiro "Geranium" for the charger and vintage Fiesta(ware) "Forest Green" for the bread and butter plate.

Flatware is "Butterfly" by Godinger

As most people know, I collect Fiesta(ware) bread and butter plates - vintage "Forest Green" was manufactured from 1951 through 1959.

The sweet glassware is called "Lawrence" from Pier 1 several years ago

One last look from the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Charger - "Geranium" by Bordallo Pinheiro from eBay and Replacements.com
Dinnerware - "Botanic Garden" by Portmeirion from TJMaxx this year and last year
Bread and Butter Plates- "Forest Green" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Replacements.com
Flatware - "Butterfly" by Godinger from Horchow this year
Glassware - "Lawrence" from Pier 1 several years ago
Silver Butterfly Napkin Rings - from Tuesday Morning three or four years ago
Wooden Candle Holders - from Michael's several years ago
Green Candles - from Pier 1 two years ago

We will be joining the following Blog parties this week:

"Dishing It! & Digging It!" at Rustic & Refined this Sunday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/ 
"Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/ 

Rose Fiestaware Tablescape

Recently, Pat and I attended the annual city-wide rummage sale in Fortuna (a small town just north of where Pat lives.) The City Fathers close off Main Street and most of the town businesses and vendors set up tables in the street selling items at greatly reduced prices. (And the citizens participate by having their own rummage sales in their front yards. It's always great fun to attend!!)

Well, we happened past one of the antique stores and oh, what a find! They were getting rid of their inventory of Fiesta(ware) and had it reduced by 75% or more. Needless to say, we didn't leave empty handed.

We brought home two tea pots (one in "Evergreen"), a water pitcher, a carafe (in "Periwinkle"), a large vase, four bulb candle holders, creamer and sugar on a tray, twelve napkin rings (four were in "Periwinkle"), ten bouillon cups, 13 cups and saucers, and a stick handle demitasse cup and saucer for $100. Quite a savings if you check prices on eBay and Replacements.com

Pat and I collect the newer "Rose" Fiesta(ware.)  It was produced from 1986 to 2005

Originally, Pat was going to use just "Rose" Fiesta(ware) on the table, but soon discovered it was too much pink on the table so she added "White" to break it up a bit

Flatware is "Vintage Countryside" by Ricci

Nearly impossible to find "Rose" colored bouillon cups anywhere, we got ten of these. They were marked $13 each.

Pat used a Salad plate for the Bouillon liner

Pat used a "White" Chop plate as the charger

Another thing almost impossible to find is "Rose" Fiesta(ware) napkin rings - we got eight of these

We bought eight Rose cups and saucers and the store threw in two more just to get rid of them. They were originally marked $14 each. 

The vase was marked $40 - we paid $8.00

The iconic water pitcher and teapot were marked $40 each - again, we paid $8.00 each

From the other end of he table

Where it came from:
Pink Checked Place Mats and Matching Napkins - from Pier 1 three or four years ago
Dinnerware - "Rose" and "White" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Macy's, eBay, Replacements, The Antique Villa in Fortuna, and anywhere we can find it
Flatware - "Vintage Countryside" by Ricci from Tuesday Morning two years ago
White Tumblers - from Pier 1 several years ago
Silk Flowers - from Michael's

We will be joining the following Blog parties this week:

"Dishing It! & Digging It!" at Rustic & Refined this Sunday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/ 
"Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/ 

NBA Finals Tablescape

I admit it - I had no idea what an NBA final game was or what even NBA stood for let alone who was playing until Pat's daughter was here this weekend. She graciously set the table this week for Pat as she enlightened us with basketball "glory" and knowledge.

Hammered-like flatware is "Castello" by Godinger

This is one of four different plates of the set "Game Plan" from Pottery Barn

The dinner plate and the bread and butter plate are "Black" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin

The matching chargers are inexpensive plastic ones found on sale at Michael's after season and then spray painted with plastic adhesive spray paint to match the accent plate.

The glasses have the same "hammered" look as the flatware - they are "Frost" by Libby

No "girlie" candles for this table - only table decorations are small basketballs (OK - so they sit on crystal candle holders....) 

One last look from the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Black Place Mats - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond  several years ago
Rust Colored Chargers - Inexpensive lacquer chargers found on sale from Michael's spray painted to match the accent plate and napkin
Dinner Plate - Black Fiesta(ware) [1986-2014] by Homer Laughlin from Macy's four years ago
Black Bread and Butter Plate - Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Replacements.com
Accent Plates - "Game Plan" from Pottery Barn (one of four patterns) found on eBay three years ago
Glassware - "Frost" by Libby from Ross years ago
Flatware - "Castello" by Godinger from Costco several years ago
Napkins - Handmade by Pat
Napkin Rings - PVC pipe cut into 1" rounds and spray painted black
Small Square Black Bowls - from World Market years ago
Crystal Candle Holders - from Gottschalk's (a local department store now out of business)
Basketballs - from the Dollar Tree last week

We will be joining the following Blog parties this week:

"Dishing It! & Digging It!" at Rustic & Refined this Sunday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/ 
"Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/ 

Noritake Sampler Tablescape

I love sampler tablescapes - you know the ones where the hostess is "brave enough" to set out a different place setting for each guest. To unify the table, the flatware and glassware are usually the same. I talked Pat into setting one this week - the inspiration was some of our Noritake dinnerware that we have been going through (to check how many patterns we own. The family already thinks we have "lost it" when it comes to dishes....but we "might" have way too many......On second thought, you can never own too many dishes....)

Set for a Women's Luncheon, each guest is free to choose where she wants to sit. The name tag at the top of the place setting is the pattern name so you don't have to turn the plate over (like I sometimes have been known to do....)

Pat chose "Cameo" stainless steel with gold rope-like trim since one of the place settings has a platinum trim while the rest have gold trim.

The glassware is "Fedora" by Spiegelau - one of our favorites - it is showy but not too big and goes with every place setting.

These unique crystal flower vases were a recent find of Pat's  

The Armani figurine is from our Mother's collection

The pattern is "Stanford Court" (1986-2000)

The pattern is "Essex Court" (1994-2001)

This is Pat's favorite - "Momentum" (1991-1999) - it's a little to bold for me....

This pattern is sweet and very versatile - it doesn't have a name but has a number - "5248" (1951-1955)

Another very versatile and formal pattern - "Crestwood Platinum" (from 2000- )

The pattern is "Aldine" - I can't find how old it is but I think it is gorgeous - it is my second favorite Noritake pattern that we own

Here is my very favorite Noritake pattern - "Evening Majesty" (from 2006 - ) I would love to own a complete set but it is a bit pricey.....so I am happy with one place setting

Pat found this pretty set of dishes at a local thrift store a few years ago - it is "Thurston" (1967-1976)

One last look from the other end of the table

Where it came from:
All Dinnerware - by Noritake from anywhere we can find it (Replacements.com, eBay, antique stores, our Mother, the Discovery Shop, etc.)
Flatware - "Cameo" by Mikasa from Horchow two years ago
Glassware - "Fedora" by Spiegelau from Replacements.com
Flower Vases - from Art & Old Things (a local antique boutique) last year
Candle Holders - from Pat's collection
Armani Figurine - from our Mother

We will be joining the following Blog parties this week:

"Dishing It! & Digging It!" at Rustic & Refined this Sunday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/ 
"Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/