Dog Day Afternoon Tablescape

With high temperature reaching 66 degrees and sunny today, most people feel that would not fit the definition of a hot day, But it is above average for this time of year here along the north coast of California and is expected for the rest of the week. It is great "get out and garden" weather and we are going to enjoy it.

Pat decided we need a fun tablescape this week so she pulled out a tablecloth that she made years ago and set a table around it.

We call these "Dog Collar" napkin rings - they are perfect for canine-themed tablescape

Pat used red and yellow "Fun Factory" dinnerware by Waechtersbach

The brown lacquer chargers are inexpensive thrift store finds that Pat's husband spray painted with plastic adhesive spray paint to match the tablecloth

Another thrift store find - this time  Pat found them at the Cancer Society's Discover Shop

The simple centerpiece consist of a fire hydrant (naturally) and two SandiCast Dachsund figurines

The candle holders are small doggy rawhide chew bones glued around an empty cat food can

Treats for humans - Pat found small bone shaped graham crackers (thanks to Scoobie Doo)

Where it came from:

Doggy Tablecloth - Hand made by Pat

Brown Charger - Inexpensive lacquer charger spray-painted to match the tablecloth (Pat's husband uses high gloss Fusion Spray paint)

Dinnerware - "Fun Factory" by Waechtersbach from Tuesday Morning, Replacements.com and eBay

Flatware - Pattern unknown by Cambridge from Pier 1 years ago

Napkins - From Linentablecloth,com  (always available)

"Dog Collar" Napkin Rings - from ebay

Glass - From the Cancer Society's Discovery Thrift Shop

Dachshund Figurines - by SandiCast from a local Hallmark Store now out of business

Fire Hydrant Centerpiece - from Design Toscano (mail order) several years ago

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

Remembering Richard Simmons Tablescape

Although Richard Simmons had stepped aside from the overall public eye, he had not totally disappeared as some people believed. He was active on his social media accounts and kept in contact with his followers and fan base. Beloved by many, he continued his work as a fitness expert and media personality during the last ten years and will be missed. He passed away July 13th.

Pat decided to set this week's table to remember the flamboyant and inspirational "Weight Saint."

Just like the inspiration, the table is flashy and bold. Richard Simmons has been described as "ebullient and effervescent" but I think he would be OK with being described as flashy and bold.....

Flatware is "Byzantine" by Yamazki

Pat used four different colored metallic-like place settings 

The goblets are "Lady Diamond" by Cristal D'Arques-Durand

Also famous for his dolls, Pat used just two sets from his "Nana's Family" collection for part of the centerpiece.

Meet Sid and Vera - dressed for an elegant dinner to remember Richard

This is Uncle Jake and his date Bell (of the ball)

Where it came from:

Rectangular Mirror Place Mats - from Michael's several years ago

Glass Gold Scalloped Like Rimmed Chargers - from Linentablecloth.com

Dinner Plates - from Pier 1 over the years

Flatware - "Byzantine" by Yamazaki from Horchow eight or nine years ago

Glassware and Matching Vase - "Lady Diamond" by Cristal D'Arques from Ross years ago

Candle Holders - Marquis" by Waterford from Pat's collection

Figurine Dolls - All Richard Simmons "Nana's Family" dolls by Annie Wahl

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

 

Garden Gnome Tablescape

Garden gnome figurines are the epitome of kitsch - those tacky, tawdry, junky, and sometimes offensive garden additions that some people love and some people love to hate. I fall somewhere in between. I love them but wouldn't have them in my yard. But as a dish decal, yes. As a tablescape centerpiece, a definite yes. So Pat once again broke down and decorated this week's table to make me happy.

The accent plate is "Gnome" from Kiss That Frog dinnerware

Pat used used the large dinnerplate from Pfaltzgraff's "Naturewood" as a liner/charger and the solid green buffet plate as a dinnerplate

The dinner plate is 11 1/4" in size

Love this guy - from Design Toscano (mail order catalog company)

Where it came from:

Jute Place Mats -from Pier 1 years ago

Dinner Plate and Luncheon Plate - "Naturewood" by Pflatzgraff twenty-five years ago

Accent Plate - "Gnome" by Kiss That Frog from eBay

Flatware - Sage "Sofia" by Hampton Forge from Tuesday Morning years ago

Glassware - 12 oz. Pilsner by Circleware from Ross

Sage Green Napkins - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond years ago

Watering Can Napkin Ring - from Pier 1 eight or nine years ago

Wooden Candle Holders and Candles - from Michaels

Large Centerpiece Gnome - from Design Toscano a year or two ago

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

Cows on Parade Taablescape

This week's table was a fun surprise for me. Pat arrived at my house as usual to set the weekly blog table, but she was carrying a big box. She set it down and proceeded to pull out smaller boxes. Then she opened them and to my delight, she had several of the most unusual cow figurines that I had ever seen. She announced that this week's inspiration/theme would be "Cows on Parade." 

As she ran around the house gathering dishes, glasses, flatware, etc. she told me the fascinating story of the cows and how she came to have them that day. They belong to an exercise friend from the gym who thought they would make an interesting table feature. I'll say they did! The cow parade is an international exhibit featuring individual and unique artist-designed fiberglass cows (the original cows are life size and white). These are later auctioned off as a fund raiser benefiting charities around the world. Celebrities such as Ringo Starr, Elton John, and even Oprah Winfrey have bought the original artwork. 

Here's Pat's interpretation of Cows on Parade tablescape:

Pat selected the color of the dinnerware based on several of the cows with similar coloring

Simple centerpiece - cows on parade

Flatware is Noritake's ceramic handled "Iron Brown"

Glassware is "Clarion Brown" by Lenox

This cow is called "Mooooonwalk"

Every parade should have a clown

One of my favorites - "Mooshoe"

This one is just called "Pull Toy"

This one is called "NYC Taxi"

Where is came from:

Beige Place Mats - from Pier 1 several years ago

Wooden Chargers - from Pier 1 nine or ten years ago

Dinnerware - "Spice Route Ginger" from Pier 1 thirteen or fourteen years ago

Flatware - "Iron Brown" by Noritake from a local store long out of business

Glassware - "Clarion Brown" by Lenox purchased at the same gift shop more than 45 years ago

Napkins and Napkin Rings - from our collection

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