A Christmas Storybook Luncheon (T)

 

 

Welcome to my Christmas Storybook Luncheon!  When I saw this tablecloth I had to have it because I already had the gingerbread house on the credenza and it was a perfect pickup to it.

 

Some florals from Costco went into a crystal vase.  The crystal stemware reflects the same shape as the vase.

 

To my dismay when I got home with these flowers there were two mums that were completely dead, but I made it work!

 

What's a Christmas storybook without Nutcrackers!  Williams Sonoma tartan dinner plates and salad plates layered on a Pier 1 charger on top of a placemat.

 

I just love the cheerfullness of this tablecloth!

 

I used a napkin embellished with rhinestones for a little bit of sparkle along with these Pine Tree napkin rings (both from Pier 1 a few years ago)

 

I layered golden leaves in the center and two gold candle votives.  The gold is also reflected on the edge of the plates. With my small table you can't get too elaborate!

 

Thank you for visiting!

 

I hope you enjoyed my Christmas Storybook luncheon!

China Cabinet Spruced Up!

Well- I'm still moving around the house 

updating, redesigning and organizing!

Today I tackled my China Cabinet.  

It had gotten a bit too disorganized and 

needed some editing.

Back in September I purchased

some new plates by Spode-

The Traditions Series

Archives Collection- Cranberry

*See below for description 

Initially I just squeezed them

in there.

 I bought acrylic stands for displaying them.

 By using the stands it allows me to stage 

some of the stemware behind and in front, 

rather than using the plate rail which 

would have kept them in a fixed position.

I relocated my red stemware to the top

shelf (they were behind the plates on the 2nd shelf)

 I moved the china set down to

the wood base surface.

 I also removed most of the crystal

stemware- washed and hand dried

them. Then I went about relocating

most of the pieces.

These are some of my favorite pieces

in my china cabinet...

Back in the mid 70's my parents 

went on a whirlwind trip of Europe.

While in Venice my Mother bought this

serving set at the Murano Factory. 

She's  been asking us to take

things of hers for years so I asked 

for this.

While in high school my daughter 

met a girl from Italy that was here

as a foreign exchange student.  Her

experience with her sponsors turned

out poorly so we took over and had

her live with us.  The next summer after

she had left we sent our daughter over

to see her in Naples and they toured all

over Italy.  While in Venice my daughter

went to the Murano factory and found

these glasses and a candy dish that she

bought for me!

This is a little favorite of mine that

I found at an antique store.  The first and

only antique I've ever purchased!  Since

I love gardening I was intrigued by it.

The tag said it was from the 1930's.

 I think I need more of the red Mikasa crystal 

pieces don't you??  :-)

This also gave me a chance to dust 

inside.  It's pretty sealed up but somehow

dust migrates in there over time.

Finally done and closed up!  

Whew! That took about 2 hrs to do!

Glad I finally did it!

*This set of six (6) 10 1/2" dinner plates in the Traditions Series from the Spode Archive Collection in Cranberry, made in England. The titles of this beautiful set of six are : Aesop's Fables, Caramanian, Castle, Greek, Lucano, and Milkmaid. This red / pink transferware series features magnificent traditional designs with wonderful landscape scenes of some of the most popular hand-engraved original copper engravings that were taken from Spode's archives. 

(I bought mine through Replacements Ltd. on Ebay)

I'm joining Bunny Jeans Decore and More
for her
Bunny Hop Party

Rosy endings....

I had some roses still blooming so I decided I had to cut some and enjoy this last bit of summers offerings.

Since they are pink it was a little tricky working them into a fall arrangement.

I still have hydrangeas so I cut a few of them and some stems with leaves for bulk and color.

I cut some leaves of the cordyline spike plants that I have in some containers outside hoping to add a little drama to the arrangement.





I tried to help create more fall tones by using my sunflower vase and my amber stemware.

I did not visualize these little bowls as ever going with my April Cornell placemats. I found the placemats on mark down last spring and the bowls late last winter.  I also was pleased because it helped carry the floral theme from the arrangement.

The table cloth is a ivory colored burlap piece I picked up at Pottery Barn.  I liked the texture for this setting and the napkins I recently acquired had a nice woven texture to them too!

I decided to keep the napkin fold simple and it repeats the straight lines of the bowl and the placemat.  The Mikasa Italian Countryside dishes came in handy again and the new ivory flatware did too!

Since it's a table for two and informal I kept it simple.

My daughter gave me this little Waterford votive

and it makes a nice accent.  I strung the

plastic beads around to add a little color and give it a touch of glam!

 I made a quick little cake
 (some people call them a dump cakes)

It has cherries on the bottom, cake mix, chopped pecans
 and butter.

 I know my husband will be going back for seconds!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed the visit.

I'm joining Susan at Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

for her weekly tabletop party!