Thursday, June 17, 2010

Summer Vacation

I really love Summer tables, but the season does present a bit of a paradox for a blogger. Summer suppers provide wonderful opportunities for tabletop time, but Summer vacation means I'm not sitting by the computer as frequently as during the New England winter. Luckily, we're home this week and expecting that other bounty of summer...visitors! I love to welcome friends with souvenir cloths from the area. Here's a super New England-themed cloth. The graphics are so special that they deserve some close ups before setting the table.





Both Braves and Red Sox fans live here, so this cloth is especially welcomed to the table! We can date this cloth to pre-1953, when the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee. In addition, I work in Higher Education, so I was really drawn to this corner with college pennants.

















Now that we've seen vacation options for every season, shall we set the table? I collect tablecloths to showcase my dishes. You may not see new and different dinnerware on each table here, but I hope you will enjoy seeing unique combinations that celebrate the re-use of vintage and American-made contemporary pieces again and again. Today let's play with two of my very favorite lines, Riviera and Retro Red Stripe Fiesta dinnerware!





Working with souvenir tablecloths is a little different from setting the table with a floral, fruit or novelty cloth that creates a symetrical layout for the table. I often reserve souvenir cloths for a table for two so that we can enjoy more of this asymetrical design.













The placesettings feature square Fiesta dinnerware in chocolate, retro red stripe dinner plates & tumblers, and blue and green Riviera plates, mugs & fruit bowls with Bakelite flatware. Riviera serving pieces complete the table.

Tomorrow friends will be over for supper, so we'll be setting the table for four. I think I'll wait and do it after they arrive so that they can see the full beauty of this cloth!

It's been a while since I could sync up my shedule for Tablescape Thursday, but I'm glad to be sharing this table with the folks at Between Naps On The Porch.

I'm also excited to share this post for my first Summer Sunday with The Tablescaper! Please do check out these wonderful expressions of this special season.

13 comments:

  1. HI Daphne, what a great tablecloth! I love those dishes. You can't go wrong with Fiesta wate...I love it.
    Great table. And I agree with you...during the summer we want to be outside or doing something not sitting in front of the computer for hours!
    Blessings,
    Debbie

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  2. Lovely, lovely table! Glad I stopped by to see it!

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  3. Lovely table! I chuckled at your "may not see..." comment, I get excited when I've seen that you posted something because I can't wait to see what tablecloth you've used!

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  4. New England offers so much any time of year, but it is special to me in the summer...love the tablecloth with the mostly blue and green dishes...we all know how much I favor those two colors together.

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  5. I love the table linens. Thanks for sharing your lovely table.

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  6. What a delightful post!…I love maps and I live in New England so I really enjoyed your description of this tablecloth. Your table setting is delightful with the vintage dishwares.

    I did a post using a vintage map tablecloth from Europe. Here is the link:
    http://oakrisecottage.blogspot.com/2010/03/europe-illustrated-tablescape.html

    Enjoy your company,
    Carrie

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  7. Love that tablecloth! What a great tablescape.

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  8. Daphne, this tablescape took me right to the vacation feeling. It's amazing how you got all the matching colored plates and dishes. That is absolutely perfect. Very nice.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  9. Thanks for your kind words, everyone! Happy Summer Sunday!

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  10. I love your collection of tablecloths and this one is no exception. It's got great colors and amazing details. What a wonderful way to welcome summer visitors.

    Thank you for joining in the fun of "Summer Sundays".

    - The Tablescaper

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  11. I was just looking at your post again. That flatware is amazing. I love the blue edge.

    - The Tablescaper

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  12. What a great tablecloth! I love vintage linens!

    Donna

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  13. Daphne, This tablecloth is a just delightful and so detailed. What a wonderful treasure to have and to share with us! Arn't the people pictured and activities so much fun to see?
    And the way you have it set keeps the focus on this great cover too!
    I have never seen a tablecloth like it before! Thanks for sharing!
    Yvonne

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