Monday, September 3, 2012

The Sporting Life - Equestrian Style

Doesn't this look like fun?  When Rebecca Smith, owner of Rebecca Ray Designs invited me to come to her house and play with dishes, I couldn't wait to start.  My last post was the first table we collaborated on, titled "The Sporting Life - Canine Style".  You can see it here.  Then, we quickly put those dishes and accessories away and pulled this breakfast table together.  We switched to equestrian style with these beautiful pieces.

Again, we just set up one end of the table with three placesettings.

My first choice was these vintage hunt scene napkins and placemats.  They went directly on the old Baker table.

Next she offered these old Fitz and Floyd plates.  How perfect!

But wait!  It gets better!  Then she remembered these dessert size plates that were perfect on top.  They are Wedgewood and the pattern is "Hunting Scene".

Then she threw open this closet full of glass and crystal and said, "just pick some glasses".  Well......I think I did pretty well.  Rebecca doesn't know anything about these beauties, as they came from an estate sale.  I grabbed the water goblets ......

and the compotes.  Score!

After that, I was on a roll.  Rebecca got some unexpected company, so I just wandered around the house filling up the table.  There were so many beautiful things to pick from.

Like these sterling silver and cobalt glass salt cellars.  Do you see what is on top????  A fox!!!

And I found more foxes to use as knife rests.

Then, in the silver drawer, I found these engraved silver dishes.  I'm not sure what they were intended to be used for, but I'm showing them here as butter plates, and I've added these silver plate individual butter spreaders.  These were all Rebecca's grandmother's.

One has to have a teapot for breakfast, right?  I first thought that this was a fox on top, but it really is a cat.  Still, it's perfect.  I only used one of a pair of these.

Now, I'm on to the centerpiece.  Out in the kitchen, I found a basket of white peaches, just picked that morning from their orchard, and a single dahlia that "matched" the peaches.  Onto a green bordered plate they went, and they were perfect to soften the table.

Rebecca suggested this cement horse for the center of the table.  It is one of a pair and very special.  It is signed and dated "Hughette Wheeler, 1930".  I did a little research and found that the sculptor is often called "Tex" Wheeler and did the life sized statue of Seabiscuit that stands in Santa Anita Park.  

Naturally, we added these old stirrup cups for some extra color.

And there you have it!  It only represents a tiny fraction of the beautiful decorative accessories Rebecca and Derek had available to me.  And they were still unpacking!!!

Yep!  You'd never guess from this angle that they had JUST moved and that much of their stuff was still in boxes.  This house is undergoing some major changes and I can't wait to see what they do.  

For now, I'll just give them a huge thank you for inviting me to do this photo shoot and hope that it won't be too long before they can actually take the time to sit down and enjoy a meal at a table like this.
Talley Ho!

Joining:
Tabletop Tuesday

Wow Us Wednesday

Open House Thursday

Tablescape Thursday

Inspiration Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

Fridays Unfold

Seasonal Sundays

Let's Dish










19 comments:

  1. Love Equestrian style! What a great collection!

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  2. What great fun for you.You did a wonderful tablescape.She must be a great friend to let you play with her dishes.

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  4. The Hunt dishes have lingered on my "list" for quite a while. I adore them! The assortment of animal items is charming. The crystal might be AJKA. it reminds me of the Waterford Clarendon, but I think that it would be marked. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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  5. I love anything equestrian and this is absolutely stunning. Love all the detail to every single element. Gorgeous. Thanks tons for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  6. What a wonderful table, all the little details are just perfect.Those napkins are wonderful.

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  7. Fabulous equestrian style table. Beautiful!

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  8. What an amazing treasure trove! A simply fabulous collection.

    - The Tablescaper

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  9. What fun you must have had putting this table together! I especially love the knife rests :)

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  10. Cool table...those dishes are great!

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  11. Once again, you pull together an amazing table! Doesn't hurt that Rebecca had so many beautiful pieces to work with. How fun!

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  12. I am so impressed that anyone would have so many fox hunt themed items! The table turned out very cute!

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  13. Fabulous equestrian style table. Rebecca and Derek have a wonderful collection, and you put it all together very nicely.

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  14. How beautiful and what fun to do that! I can't wait to do a hunt scene table myself but I think I will wait till OCt when the season starts here. I love the hunting table elements and those glasses are gorgeous!..Christine

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  15. Linda,
    The Sporting Life, both equestrian and canine are fabulous. What amazing collections your friend has amassed. I'm a big fan of both horses and dogs and love the idea of setting the table using some of my own collection of pieces. Great posts.
    Karen
    P.S. I've corrected my post that features your delicious recipe. Thank you for contacting me.

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  16. Great table and how fun that your friend invited you to come with the dishes.

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  17. Great pieces. I love, love, love that horse.

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  18. Hello, I contact you from Spain, I just discovered your wonderful blog and I'm impressed. I love the details you show in each of your posts. I'll be your follower from now on.Greetings!

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