Spode Tower Luncheon

Pat set the table this week for a ladies luncheon using one of my favorite patterns that we own - Spode Pink Tower. She didn't want to set out coffee cups at the place settings because it was already too "busy," and she still needed room for the soup tureen, so she did the next best thing - coffee and tea were available at the table but were placed at head and the soup tureen became the centerpiece.

I usually finish the series of pictures with a picture from this end of the table, but you can see how Pat set the table this week.

The coffee and tea pots were placed at the head of the table along with the creamer and sugar.

Flatware is "King James" silverplate by Oneida

Pat used a cream soup bowl and liner for the first layer of the place setting

This is a luncheon plate that will be used for the meal

The dinner plate was used as another charger

Always one of my favorites, Pat used ecru placemats instead of a tablecloth

Pat made small flower arrangements in bouillon cups

Where it came from:
Ecru Placemats - from Lentz Department Store (a really neat local store that recently closed after the owners deservedly retired.)
Burgundy Chargers - "Color Spectrum" by Mikasa from eBay and Replacements
Dinnerware - "Pink Tower" by Spode (I started to collect this pattern because my wonderful dish-addiction-enabling cousin and spouse bought me my first pieces.....and I fell in love with the pattern....and my cousins even more.)
Flatware - "King James" silverplate by Oneida from our Mother
Glassware - from Pier 1 several years ago
Candle Holders - from Art & Old Things (a fabulous local antique store)
14" Tapers - from the Ferndale Emporium (another local store)
Off white Napkins - Handmade by Pat


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/

Yard Sale Glamour

Recently, Pat dragged me to a "city wide" yard sale - you know, where just about everybody in town was having some sort of yard sale getting rid of their old junk. Pat's motto has always been when it comes to yard sales and thrift stores, "You have to kiss a lot of frogs, but once in a while...." Well, I am a believer now. She found a entire set of Flintridge "Midnight Rose" dinnerware for eight in absolutely pristine condition (more like never used) for less than $20. Not everyone's taste, the pattern is simple and elegant. Here's what she did with it:

Pat mixed silver, stainless steel, and mirrors to give the table a touch of glitz.

Flatware is ultra modern looking "Sculpt" by Lenox

The plates have a simple gray and black rose motif with a thick platinum trim

Pat used round mirrors to "anchor" the place setting

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Mirror Placemats and Centerpiece Mirrors - from Michael's over the years
Silver Chargers - from Costco years ago
Dinnerware - "Midnight Rose" by Flintridge from a local yard sale
Flatware - "Sculpt" by Lenox from Tuesday Morning this season
Stainless Steel Glassware - from Pier 1 last year
Black Champagne Flute - "Jet Black" by Artland Glass from Replacements
Black Napkins - Handmade by Pat
Silver Candle Holders - from Pat's collection
Silver Vase and Stand - from our Brother
14" Candles - from the Ferndale Emporium (a local gift and kitchenware boutique)


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/


Not Exactly Tablescaping Stuff:
According to my "go to for information" guru and guide, Harry Rinker's Dinnerware of the 20th Century:  The Top 500 Patterns, " the Flintridge China Company was established in Pasadena, California, in 1946. They are responsible for introducing the platinum trim (in 1952) on dinnerware to the American public. The company was sold to Gorham in 1970 who continued for a while producing some of the more popular patterns.

Summer Flower Garden

One of Pat's favorite everyday dishware patterns is "Botanical Garden" from Pier 1. (Dishware Confession Time: Pat rotates dish patterns on a monthly basis. That way she can keep the table "fresh" and make it more interesting - it's especially easy to do with all of the dinnerware she and I own......) This week's table uses a colorful Fiesta(ware) "Sunflower" dinner plate and a "Botanical Garden" salad plate.

Flatware is the very popular "Napoleon Bee" by Wallace

The placemat is a large terracotta tile from our local building supply store that has been painted with a glossy sealer

Pat turned these adorable tiny watering cans into votive holders

I bought the "Garden Girl" years and years ago at Michael's. She is actually a bird feeder.

The flowers in the vase are the same colors as those on the accent/salad plate.

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Terracotta Tiles - from our local building center
Dinner and Bread/Butter Plates - "Sunflower" Fiesta by Homer Laughlin from Macy's and Replacements.com
Salad Plate/Accent Plate - "Botanical Garden" from Pier 1 last year
Flatware - "Napoleon Bee" by Wallace Silversmiths from Horchow's
Napkin Rings - from Tuesday Morning two or three years ago
Yellow Napkins - from Pier 1 this season
Glassware - "Carousel" by Anchor Hocking from Ross several years ago
Garden Girl and small watering cans - from Michael's
Yellow Votives - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond


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/