Delphinium Inspired Floral Tablescape (T)

Sadly my beautiful delphiniums became broken over so badly that they were just going to die a quick death so I decided to cut them and use them in an arrangement.  Then I decided to create a floral tablescape!

Just a few days ago I took these pics.

Today they were a broken over.  😕

I cut more flowers from the gardens including some lilies, butterfly weed, zinnias, pink speedwell and the delphiniums.  A very casual just gathered look!

I rummaged through my dish hoard storage and these beauties showed up.  They have all the colors I wanted and are so beautiful for summer dining.

I chose the orange placemats to repeat the orange found in the arrangement. 

 OMG I am totally cracking up...I just realized I had the fork and spoon on the wrong side when I took the pictures! 

Perhaps it's silly to light candles during the day but these are scented so they're giving off a nice aroma.

I dressed the base of the floral arrangement with a crocheted piece that I stole acquired from my mother's home a few years ago.

I'm going to serve iced tea with a little bit of lemonade in them.  I chose these champagne flutes because they reminded me of the shape of the vase.  A friend is bringing some chicken salad sandwiches on croissants!  I'm adding some cut pieces of cantaloupe.

The etched floral designs on the vase (up near the top) and champagne flutes have a similar design.

My kids gave me this ice tea maker and I really like it.  It works pretty fast and tastes great!

Around 1:00 the sun is hidden behind the trees for a while.  Perfect time for a lunch!

I read something once about having dinner guests over and if you find you are short on time, then go ahead and bake pot pies or something simple like that but serve them in something special to show your guests you cared.  That stuck in my head and opened the door to not only setting up pretty tables for special occasions but anytime you wish!

I'll be joining:

Between Naps On The  Porch

for

Tablescape Thursday

Table contents:

Dishes- Pier 1 Imports (last year) Floral Medley

Stemware- Williams Sonoma, Vintage

Crystal Vase- Gorham, Chantilly Floral

Placemats- Home Goods, Cynthia Rowley

Flatware- Horchow, Sophia

Bistro set from Sam's Club

Candlestick Tea light/Votive Converters

Happy October 1st!

We recently visited a little town near our area called Manistee and went into this store called Surroundings.

 I had previously avoided going in there because the first word I saw was "Tobacco" in the window.  I truly hate smoking and my mind stopped on that word and I went no further.

So I read the sign again and the first word on the description of the store was actually candles then gifts, so I decided to give it a chance. 

 (no compensation just my desire to share here)

I copied this from their Facebook Page so I blurred the faces since I don't know the people in them, and no it's not the property brothers!  LOL

 As it turns out it was a cute little store loaded with multiple brands of candles and gift items There is a humidor room as well as a smoking room in the back.

 It's impressive to see all the cigars stacked up around this room almost like a wine cellar but that's as far as it goes with me. Cigars make me sick- always have. 

So to get to where I'm going for this post..... I found this pair of candlestick tea light/votive converters. I really didn't know what to call them, but after searching the web that's what I've come up with!

 They had a clearance price of $1.00 each- who could resist!

The little rubber gasket stabilizes them nicely in the candle holder and I loved that they have a hummingbird and flower design etched on them.

 I found these adorable little pear shaped mini candles that fit in them nicely so I grabbed them up.  Now I wish I had bought more, but that will be another trip! 

 I had seen these candlestick votive converters before but never gave them a 2nd thought. They are a nice way to still offer candlelight, but without the mess that a taper candle can cause.  

These even smell like pears!  I'm not going to burn them just yet.  My candlesticks already had a built in cup holder to contain drippings but these didn't look bad set down in there.

 Have you ever used these or saw them and wondered what they were for?  

I'm joining Ivy and Elephants for

What's It Wednesday

Candlesticks and a Rug

A pair of crystal candlesticks inspired me to make a little change at the formal dining table

 These are from a collection by Gorham, Chantilly, Floral

 I spotted this rug and liked that it had a French writing on it.

They described the writing as this: The elegant poem rug design was created with words from famed 17th century French fabulist, Jean de La Fontaine. La Cigale et La Fourmi tells the story of an industrious ant, a carefree cricket and the end of summer. Inspired by the fables of Aesop, La Fontaine wrote volumes of simple poems using animals to teach real-life lessons.

Here is a close-up.  The words are heavily textured and as you can see the yarn is two tone for the base of the rug.  When I first saw it I was inspired to try it as a sort of runner on my dining table.

It's a bit dreary out and kind of dark inside so I decided to take pictures with the candles lit!  I chose some brown ones because everything in this vignette is brown.  I tried a couple of colors but I liked this the best.

I had this footed mirror tray under the big textured bottle but it decided the candles would look best on it and I just added a tassel that has been used in a few spots around the house before for a little added touch!

I like that these have a deep well and can catch any drippings from the candles.

I had a little trouble getting the rug to lay real flat because the ends wanted to roll up.  I've gotten it about as flat as I can get it.

So what do you think?  Ever thought of using a small rug in this manner?

I'm joining the following:
The Dedicated House for
Make It Pretty Monday

A Stroll Thru Life for
Inspire Me Tuesday

Our Home Away From Home for
Tuesdays at our Home

Kathe with an E

You're Gonna Love It

Ivy and Elephants 

What's It Wednesday