Transformations

Christmas is finding its way onto most of the surfaces in my house. I thought you might like to see a few of the transformations for Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Through Life.


The mantle~












With a little "candlelight"~




The glass nativity~




Christmas dishes on the shelves~






The Christmas tree~





The dining room is nearly done. All of the vintage Christmas tablecloth are washed. Thanks for stopping by today, and please do come back soon for the rest of the tour and the launch of the Christmas tabletop!

Back to Where We Started

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! That means the one year anniversary of my blog is rapidly approaching. Since it's Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper and Sunday Favorites at Happy To Design, let's take a look back at how things started on my tabletop. This post originally appeared on December 1, 2009.


Welcome to Tabletop Time!

I collect dishes made by the Homer Laughlin China Company and vintage tablecloths and table accessories. In July 2009, I presented an exhibit at the conference of the Homer Laughlin China Collectors Association entitled "Tabletop Time." The exhibit featured placesettings that showcased my collections and offered some history of the wares. This blog is a followup to that exhibit to celebrate the holiday table.

Here are a few of my favorite things to welcome December: a vintage tablecloth, Riviera dinnerware, blue and pearlized Bakelite flatware and pine cone elves.

Yes, We Do Use the Tablescapes!

I'm often asked if we actually use the tablescapes that I share on my blog. In short, yes! I like to create the full tablescape to greet guests (or even just the two of us on an ordinary day). When it's time to eat, the centerpiece is relocated to the side of the table or to the Hoosier cabinet.

Here's the table yesterday when the guests arrived~



and here's the tabletop filled with food.



Yes, I often use a plastic tablecloth cover depending on the vintage cloth that's on the table, what's being served and the occassion. Two things can intimidate guests: cloth napkins and fancy tablecloths. After a reassurance that the napkins really are for use and that the tablecloth is protected, folks are more at ease. No, you won't find this play in any etiquette book, but the point of all the "rules" in the book is guest comfort, right?

How about a few more shots of Fiesta in action!











I hope you enjoyed this last look at Thanksgiving. Next up: Christmas!

Turkey Tabletop II

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's a second turkey tabletop with turkey sandwiches in mind. Leftovers will be here before you know it!





I just love the ruffles on these Stangl Colonial grill plates. The plates mirror the border on the vintage acorn cloth.







All best wishes for a wonderful day of thanks as you gather around your tabletop!

I'm sharing this last autumn-themed table of the season for Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch...a most excellent diversion while you enjoy that turkey sandwich!

Turkey Tabletop

The turkeys have landed just in time for Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

In the kitchen~



On the mantle~



In the dining room~





And on the tabletop!



Shall we take advantage of all the November sunshine that pours inside now that the leaves are down?











Now we'll turn the flash back on so you can see some of the great details on these pieces.







I do love acorns!







This tabletop for giving thanks includes Fiesta dinnerware plates, tumblers and a disk pitcher with the HLCCA exclusive Retro Red Stripe treatment, a prep bowl in chocolate and a divided serving bown in scarlet. Villeroy and Boch Boston glassware, vintage Bakelite flatware, chocolate napkins, turkey plates from the Christmas Tree Shop, a contemporary covered casserole and acorn salt & pepper shakers complete the tablescape.

Thanksgiving at my house is always an evolving affair with the final numbers changing right up until I set the table. Watch this space for a second acorn and turkey table in a totally different colorway...I have to keep a 'scape waiting in the wings for this holiday!

Tiny Tabletop

How about a tabletop for one?



Raking got you down? Take a break for a moment to savor the colors on the last of the leaves.







A vintage Riviera plate, Century demitasse cup and saucer, Oneida Cityscape demitasse spoon and a Crate & Barrel napkin rest on a P86 Fiesta pizza tray in shamrock being used as a tabletop.

I'm sharing this seasonal "time-out" for Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper. I hope you find a moment to reflect on the beauty of the season!

Tabletop Seattle

Hello tabletop fans! I have a treat for you for this week's Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. My friend Rebecca has invited us across the country to her tabletop for a polka dot celebration in gray and scarlet! I think these colors are just the ticket after our Halloween fantasies in orange and black.









This stunning Greek Key-themed vintage tablecloth sets the stage for a combination of vintage and post-86 Fiesta dinnerware. The vintage pieces include the sauceboat and nappy bowl in gray. A bread tray, hostess bowl, pasta bowl & pasta/salad servers, ramekins and figure 8 tray come from the P86 side of Homer's house. The polka dot plates are an exclusive design from the 2010 conference of the Homer Laughlin China Collectors' Association.







The placesettings include Bakelite flatware, vintage polka dot napkins, contemporary napkin rings and vintage scarlet stemware.



Rebecca has a clever solution for that tablescaper's delimma of candlesticks that won't fit in the candleholder. She places vintage glass votives in the pottery candleholder! Handmade origami roses in a gray Fiesta disk pitcher complete the accessories on this tabletop.

Thank you for having us over, Rebecca! You're a wonderful hostess.