Fiesta(ware) Election 2016 Tablescape

Like it or not - it has been one big roller coaster ride this election year. It doesn't matter what political party you belong to.... things have never been like this before. And I must confess - I have thoroughly enjoyed the process. I'm not a "political junkie" as some people are, but I do love watching a good campaign fight. I was always taught that this is why America is so great. We are given choices (some better than others depending on your point of view) and then we decide who is the better candidate. WOW! I love that......

Anyway, back to tablescaping. Pat set this year's Election table in a very traditional manner. As I said in a pervious posting, our family is quite unusual - we have equal numbers of Republicans as we have Democrats. It makes for "interesting" family gatherings at this time of the year.

Pat pulled out the Fiesta(ware) and set the table in traditional patriotic colors

Red, white, and blue.....Pat used "Scarlett," "White," and "Cobalt" Fiesta(ware.) Flatware is "Colonial" by Sakura.

Can you believe the red, white, and blue paisley material that Pat found for napkins?

Notice how Pat layered the glass rocks the same colors as the stack of plates.

The Democrats get these for favors......(FYI - Tim Kaine is never without his harmonica and often pulls it out to play for a crowd.)

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Flag Placemats - from Tuesday Morning this year
Flatware - "Colonial" by Sakura from our Mother years ago
Dinnerware - Assorted Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Macy's and Replacements
Red Water Goblets - from the Ferndale Emporium (a local kitchen boutique) years ago
Blue Wine Glass - Cobalt "Premiere" by Libby from our collection
White Goblet - from eBay years ago
Napkin Rings - from Pier 1 last year
Paisley Napkins - Handmade by Pat
Glass Flag Holders - "Tasters" by Stylesetter from Ross two or three years ago
Flags, Colored Rocks - from Michael's
Candles - from Pier 1 last year
White Milk Glass Candle Holders - from Art & Old Things (a local antique store)

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/

Heather Clippings Table

I was out in the garden the other day (between rains storms.....YES!!!! very welcomed weather in drought suffering California) and was pruning my heather - or should I say, what is left of my heather after a very dry year or so (more like four.) Four years ago, my yard was filled with beautiful heathers and conifers. Now, I am slowly replacing all of them with succulents and very drought tolerant plants, but that's another story and nothing to do with dishes.

Anyway, back to tablescapes....I got to thinking about Pat's set of Royal Doulton "Bell Heather" dinnerware (1942-1958). Since we haven't used it in quite a while, I called Pat and suggested it for this week's table. Here is what she came up with:

Pat wanted to use the same vintage for flatware as the dinnerware - "Wind Song" silverplate was the perfect choice. It was  discontinued in 1955. Given away to anyone who purchased a set of "Vita Craft" pots and pans, it was considered quite inexpensive at the time. I just saw it on eBay for over $200.00 for a complete 40 piece set. Times have sure changed......

The amethyst sherbet and liner are "Newport" Depression glass by Hazel Atlas

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Charger - "Burgundy" Color Spectrum by Mikasa from Replacements.com and eBay
Dinnerware - "Bell Heather" by Royal Doulton (1942-1958) from eBay
Amethyst Glass Sherbet and Liner - "Newport" (1936-1940) Depression Glass by Hazel Atlas from wherever we can find it (yard sales, antique stores, eBay, Replacements, etc.)
Glassware - from Pier 1 two or three years ago
Silverplate Flatware - "Wind Song" by Oneida (discontinued in 1955)
Amethyst Napkins - Handmade by Pat to match the Depressionware
Napkin Rings - from Pier 1 two  years ago
Silver Candle Holders and Centerpiece Bowl - from our collection

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/

Autumn Tablescape

I've said it before, but Autumn with it's beautiful colors of oranges, reds, golds, and greens, is not my favorite season - it could be that here in "our neck of the woods," we don't really have those colors to enjoy. What we have it green. Lots and lots of green.....all year long. (Granted, last year with the horrible drought, we have lots and lots of brown, so I am not complaining.) But, usually, we don't really have distinct season changes.

However, Pat loves this time of year. She would set the table every week using the traditional Fall color palette if I didn't "wine" or "moan" or "roll my eyes" which I have been known to do......my sister is a trouper - she gives into me quite often.....So this week is her choice. And I think she nailed it again.

Definitely Fall colors....

Flatware is gold "Sofia" by Hampton Forge

Pat used Tabletops Unlimited's "Espana" dinner plate and charger as the foundation for the place setting.

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Light Green Charger and Dinner Plates - "Espana" by Tabletops Unlimited from the Cancer Society's "Discovery Shop" thrift store several years ago
Dinner and Bread/Butter Plate - "Paprika" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Kohl's and Replacements
Gold Salad Plate - "Ginger Spice Route" Stoneware from Pier 1 two or three years ago
Ivory Salad Plate - "Ivory" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Macy's
Flatware - Gold "Sofia" by Hampton Forge from Tuesday Morning
Gold Hemstitch Napkin - from Pier 1 two or three years ago
Napkin Ring - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Water and Wine Goblets - from the Dollar Store
Champagne Flute - "Bubbles Galore" by Maxwell & Williams from Tuesday Morning
Glass Candle Holders - from TJMaxx last year
Pumpkin Colored Candles - from Ross

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/

Spode Indian Tree and Amber Tablescape

Spode's "Indian Tree" was made from 1879 through 1994. It was most popular during the early part of the 20th Century when "busy" patterns were the norm. Together, Pat and I are lucky enough to have twelve place settings of this gorgeous dinnerware (in all honesty, I love it a lot more that Pat....).

For the centerpiece, Pat layered several amber glass pumpkins and squash on top of silk fall leaves 

Pat used copper flatware and a copper glass charger to bring out the color of the plate

The flatware is "Hammered Copper" by Hampton Forge

The napkin is a dark pumpkin color

Each year we add to our glass amber pumpkin collection

From the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Beige Placemats - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond two or three years ago
Glass Copper Charger - from Pier 1 two years ago
Dinnerware - "Indian Tree" by Spode from family heirlooms, eBay and Replacements
Flatware - "Hammered Copper" by Hampton Forge from Horchow's
Glassware - from Pier 1 several years ago
Dark Pumpkin Colored Napkins - from Pier 1 this season
Amber Glass Pumpkins and Squash - from Tuesday Morning and Pier 1 over the last three years
Silk Fall Leaves - 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/