Stuff in Storage Christmas Tablescape

This week's table is using stuff that we haven't used before or used in a very long time. As fellow  tablescapers, many of you know that when you are out shopping and see something "great" that you "might" use sometime, you just have to buy it - only to have it sit on a shelf collecting dust. Well, this tablescape is using all kinds of that "stuff." So - from the outset - I apologize for anything on the table that is "not quite right" or would be better somewhere else. We just wanted to try something different for Christmas.

The hodgepodge table (or should I say the more socially acceptable or appropriate "eclectic" table?)

The place setting

We have actually used the flatware ("Fluence" by Oneida) before, but it has been a very long time

We also have an unused juice glass in this pattern - someday, we'll figure out how/where to use it, too. I love the modern style but they are not easy to use to decorate a table. The champagne flute in the back is my favorite.

Same with the flatware - I love the style but hard to use

We bought these silver napkin rings on sale at Bed, Bath, and Beyond at least two-three years ago never to be used......

I fell in love with these accent plates when I saw them at our favorite antique store - bought them and then stored them.....

Pat used this dinner plate once when we first started to tablescape blog

I fell in love with this color on Pier 1's web site - not available in our local store. So, I ordered them and then, you know, stored them.....

Pat found these mint green glass rocks sitting among a bunch of vases in the garage. Forgot I even had them....not to mention the candle holders. We found them in the back of my closet - no telling how they got there.....

Mint green poinsettia and silver glass balls - they were going to decorate a Christmas tree one time.....long ago.....

From the other end of the table (and yes, I had to pull back the curtain to get enough light....."it was a dark and dreary" day...)

Where it came from:
Green Charger and White Dinner Plate - Pier 1
Green Glass Leaf Plate - by Indiana Glass Company from Art & Old Things (a local antique store)
Flatware - "Fluence" by Oneida from Replacements, Ltd.
Modern Glassware - also from Pier 1 a very long time ago
White Bread/Butter Plate - from Target
Silver Beaded Napkin Ring - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Candle Holders - Pier 1 a long time ago
Mind Green Poinsettia, Glass rocks, Candles, and Ornaments - Michael's

We will be joining Christine at Rustic & Refined for "Table It!" this Monday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/

We will also be joining Susan's "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch this Thursday: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Lenox Essex Christmas Tablescape

As every tablescaper knows, sometimes you start a tablescape with one theme in mind, and somehow is "morphs" into something totally different. That is what happened with this week's table. What started as a table using our Nutcracker accent plates with nutcrackers as a centerpiece turned into a very elegant and formal table without a nutcracker in sight.

The table

The place setting - Maroon "Essex" by Lenox with a smooth rim was produced from 1938 through 1978.

This is the "footed cup" and saucer - a larger, round cup was also produced in this pattern

The pattern detail is beautiful

Pat never thought when we bought these chargers that we would use them so much - but they have become a favorite.

Sorry the picture doesn't show how striking the napkin ring is but they are really elegant.

The pineapple is the traditional symbol of hospitality dating back to colonial days.

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Red Glittery Charger - from Pier 1 last year
Flatware - Pattern unknown from eBay
Dishware - Maroon "Essex" by Lenox from eBay and Replacements.com
Red Water Goblet - from Pier 1 years ago
Trumpet Champagne Glass - "Selection" by Cris d'Arques from Ross
Napkin - from Tuesday Morning
Gold Napkin Rings - from Tailwaggers (a local thrift store that supports Sequoia Animal Rescue)
Candle Holders - from Pat's collection
Three-tiered cake stand and red votive holders - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Assorted Imitation Fruit and Greenery - from Michael's
14" White Tapers - from the Ferndale Emporium (a local gift boutique)

We will be joining Christine for "Table It!" at Rustic & Refined this Monday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/

We will also be joining Susan's "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch this Thursday: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/  

The only thing we kept from the original place setting was the charger..........

Poinsettia Christmas Table

Yes - we, too, have jumped on the Christmas tablescape bandwagon like many other tablescapers even though it is still November. Christmas is our favorite time of year, and both Pat and I start planning for next year the day after Christmas. So it seems natural to start setting the table for the season now.

Over view of the table

The place setting consists of a glitzy red charger holding poinsettia plates with a glass poinsettia plate on top. Gold flatware and gold-like crackle glassware match the center of the poinsettia.

Flatware is "Gold Iconic" by Wallace Silver

We bought these glitzy red chargers at Pier 1 last year

Love these glass candle holders from Ross

Pat arranged a huge handful of silk poinsettia in a large milk glass pedestal bowl

Pat added these small gold packages and red berries to the greenery for more color

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Gold Flatware - "Gold Iconic" by Wallace Silver Co. from Replacements, Ltd.
Red Glitter Charger - from Pier 1 last year
Dinnerware - "Poinsettia" by Hallmark (purchased by Pat at a rummage sale to support Hospice)
Poinsettia Plate - from Michael's and Pier 1 last year
Glassware - Amber "Crackle" from Pier 1
Napkin Ring - from Pier 1
White Napkin Overlay - a gift from Pat
Red Candle Holders - from Ross Dress For Less
White Bowl (holding Poinsettia) - Milk Glass from the Westmoreland Glass Co.
Gold Packages - from Pier 1
Candles, Flowers, Greenery - Michael's

We will be joining Christine's "Table It!" at Rustic & Refined this Monday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/

We will also be joining Susan for "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch this Thursday:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Bundt Pan Challenge

With sincere apologies to Cuisine Kathleen, we are taking some liberties as we participate in her Bundt Pan Challenge this week. Yes, we are using a bundt pan - two in fact - and yes, we are setting a table, but that's where we begin to digress from the original challenge. As everyone knows, Pat likes to be a bit unconventional when it comes to tablescaping....so here is her version of Kathleen's challenge.

Pat's beat-up bundt pan has seen better days......used many, many times, here it sits among bird seed, gelatin, and Sandra Lee's 2009 Christmas Special Collector's Issue magazine with the bundt pan wreath bird feeder recipe that we used.

Over view of the table - each guest is given a small bundt pan wreath birdfeeder as a favor. It also acts as the place card holder.

A large piece of burlap was laid across the table before it was set

The place setting - each place setting features a different accent plate showing one of several birds from the Audubon Society's "Birds of America" collection. The plates were made by Alfred Meakin over 70 years ago.

Flatware is "Montana" by Gourmet Settings

Pat used a green tumbler instead of a stem glass because the place setting is rustic.

Two napkins - one olive green, one cinnamon to match the charger - are held by a wire napkin ring that matches the votive holders on the table

Each accent plate is done in great detail

The dinner plate is an inexpensive ironstone from Pier 1

We got these chargers on sale a few years ago - we already had eight in the original brown wood tone, but Pat thought these would be perfect spray painted in this unusual cinnamon color.

The centerpiece

Pat used just the base from the individual cupcake holders - these bird seed wreaths are made from small bundt pans

The votive candles match the chargers and cinnamon napkins

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Olive Green Placemats - Bed, Bath, and Beyond several years ago
Flatware - "Montana" by Gourmet Settings from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Cinnamon Charger and White Dinner Plate - from Pier 1
Salad/Accent Plates - "Birds of America" from the National Audubon Society by Alfred Meakin purchased from eBay and Replacements
Glassware - "Lawrence" from Pier 1
Bread/Butter Plate - "Racine" by Hutschenreuther from eBay and Replacements
Small Cake Stands - from Ross
Large Cake Stand - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Nest-like Votive Holders - from Michael's
Napkin Rings - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond

We will be joining Christine's "Table It!" this Monday at Rustic & Refined:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/

We will also be joining Cuisine Kathleen's "Let's Dish" for her Bundt Pan Challenge this Wednesday:  http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

And we will be joining Susan's "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch this Thursday: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/