Re-reading Harry Potter Tablescape

 Like many of you, I have spent lots of time reading this year - lots of time....in fact, I have read or reread over 150 books (Pat tells me she, too, has read at least that many.) Our entire family is composed of readers. We always had reading material growing up (not only books, but newspapers, periodicals, magazines, etc.) so it was natural to continue reading as an adult. And with so many more books available today to a reader (not only how many books, but how many different genres with affordable prices, with easy access to different ways to "read" - hardback, softback, paperback, kindle or other device, audiobooks, etc.) you can enjoy reading anytime and any place.

But this is a tablescaping blog, so on to that. One of my goals this year was to reread J.K. Rowling's monumental young people's series about the wizard-in-training, Harry Potter - the books that got millions of kids and adults. alike. to read. When Pat saw the stack of books on my coffee table, she immediately came up with the theme for this week's table: Reading Harry Potter. 

While the place setting is perfect for any Winter table, Pat used some Harry Potter themes to set the tone.

A simple napkin fold - but the addition of the glasses says more than words (fans will know what they mean)

Flatware is "Colonial Copper" from Horchow

This is a "Black" Fiesta(ware) luncheon plate by Homer Laughlin

The dinner plate is "Spice Route Sesame" from Pier 1. They carried this pattern in several colors that year

The charger is "Color Spectrum" by Mikasa

I love these very heavy, thick place mats - they work well for a Winter table

The iconic scar - this is actually a detachable washable tattoo. All the name tags list characters from the books

Glassware is from Pier 1 also - but at least fifteen years ago

The assorted owls are from our Mother's collection

One last look from the other end of the table

Where it came from:

Place Mats - from Pier 1 two years ago

Black Charger - "Color Spectrum" by Mikasa from Replacements.com

Dinner Plate - "Spice Route Sesame" from Pier 1 several years ago

Luncheon Plate and Bread/Butter Plate - "Black" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Macy's and Replacements.com

Flatware - "Colonial Copper" from Horchow several years ago

Black Glassware - from Pier 1 many years ago

Rustic Napkins - from Pier 1 three or four years ago

Porcelain Owls - from our Mother's collection

Wooden Candle Holders - from Michael's two years ago

"Harry Potter" glasses - from Amazon this year

Books - from my shelves

This week, we will be joining "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/ 

Cheery New Year's Tablescape

 It's time to turn the corner on a bad, sad, and mad year. What better way to start next year than to set a fun, easy table that "sparks joy" (with all due respect to Marie Kondo, of course.) Pat picked red and white colors because they make her happy. Here's what she came up with:

No, not traditional Winter colors, but this table does light up the room.

Originally, Pat was going to set a large white soup tureen on the table to act as a centerpiece but after trying it, she decided to use red silk hydrangeas to add more color

Flatware is "Primary" by Noritake

Pat used a white "Fiesta(ware)" salad plate as a soup liner

The red and white gingham check luncheon plates are by "At Home with Marieke"

The bright, true-red plate is "Fun Factory" by Waechtersbach

I found these red glass candle holders at Ross a few years ago

The bright white pitcher holds red silk hydrangeas

One last look

Where it came from:

Red Dinner Plate - "Fun Factory" by Waechtersbach from eBay and Replacements.com

Checked Luncheon Plate - by "At Home with Marieke" from eBay

Salad and Bread/Butter Plate - White "Fiesta(ware)" by Homer Laughlin from Macy's and Replacements.com

Flatware - "Primary" by Noritake from our collection

Soup Bowl and Mug - from Bed, Bath and Beyond several years ago

Tumblers - from the Dollar Tree 

Red Candle Holders - from Ross years ago

Individual Salt and Pepper Shakers - from Pier 1 

Large White Pitcher - from Target two years ago

Candles and Silk Flowers - from Michael's this year

This week, we will be joining "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/ 

Peppermint Santa and Elves Tablescape

With all the doom and gloom happening around the world, it feels like the right time to set a table that makes us feel better. Our State has shut down again (currently not in our area but the cases of Covid-19 have soared this week so it is just a matter of time) and Christmas day dinner may be a "solo" act for every family this year. So, for now, Pat set my table as if we will be together (for those family members that live locally) in a fun, festive style using some of my favorite Holiday collection - Elves Themselves by the Whitehurst Company. 

No charger this time - instead Pat used two placemats and offset them to add color

Flatware is "Primary" by Noritake

We have this plate in red also.

The napkin ring is from Pier 1 two years ago

Glassware is by Portieux Vallerysthal

That's Reggie up on the pole with his paint brush and Archie carrying a Christmas tree

One last look

Where it came from:

Red and Green Square Place Mats - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond several years ago

Dinnerware - "Peppermint Santa" by Certified International from a local store long out of business

Bread and Butter Plate - Vintage "Forest Green" Fiesta(ware) [1951-1959] by Homer Laughlin from Replacements.com

Flatware - "Primary" ceramic handled Primastone by Noritake from eBay and Replacements.com

Glassware - by Portieux Vallerysthal from eBay

Napkin Rings - from Pier 1 two years ago

Napkins - from Linentablecloth.com (a really neat site for inexpensive table linen and other tabletop items)

Santa's Elves - "Elves Themselves" by the Whitehurst Company from my collection

Small Christmas Tree - from Michael's

This week, we will be joining "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/ 

Stay safe. Take care of yourself and your community. Wear a mask.