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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Cheerful Birdies on a Gloomy Day

Be sure to visit Cuisine Kathleen's linky party featuring birds, nests, and eggs.  It's sure to be filled with inspiration galore!


Listening to the birds chirp the other day, I decided that I needed to do a bird themed table.  This periwinkle blue and white palette came together so easily.  When I started poking around, I couldn't believe how much bird stuff I had.

This Robert Allen fabric was the inspiration.  It seemed to blend traditional and contemporary in its simplicity.  I just hemmed a length for a tablecloth.

I chose the drop-leaf table in the bar for this lunch.  I like to leave it pushed up against the wall and set the ends when we only have four.

Then I replaced the fish plates in the antique French shelves with some old bird plates.  There are no markings on these at all, so I can't share any information other than to say I bought them at an antique show years ago.
 
I love this wicker plant holder for small spring pots.  Today I added a small glass filled with water to each terra cotta pot and then placed a blue hydrangea moppead in each one.  I love the way this watercolor of Cape Cod shares the colors of the flowers.
The double-faced satin ribbon comes from The Paperie at Sam Flax, one of my favorite sources for beautiful papers and ribbons.

Here it is used again as a napkin "ring" on a crisp white napkin from The Palm line of linens at Homegoods.  The little vine nest that I used as a placecard holder is from Michaels and was very inexpensive.  These white bistro plates are some I've had for a very long time.  I think everyone needs to have a simple white set of dishes to play with, and they are available many places at very affordable prices.

I am so fond of the look that a mixture of silverplate flatware gives to a table.  Here I've used it with these mother-of-pearl handled knives that pull the white into the design in another interesting way.

Waterford's Lismore pattern of water and wine stems keeps the look crisp and simple. I think it is the most popular pattern that they make.  I have so many friends that have this pattern.  Great for borrowing!  My mom has gifted me with these pieces for many years.  Thanks, mom!  I love them.

This white faux bois cup held the cream of asparagus soup on a similar faux bois plate.  
 
A larger faux bois plate held a simple salad of arugula, avocado, and fresh apricots dressed with a lemon cream dressing.

My white bread and butter plates were a little large for this table, so I used these little fluted dishes for the rolls with a twig butter spreader.

I almost forgot I had this little French white porcelain butter dish with the bird on top.

This casserole dish has been a favorite of mine for many years.  I am always careful not to bang the bird on the top.  It held a delicious orzo primevera.

This might be one of my very favorite tables I have ever set.

I found this roll basket at the Flower Factory in Chagrin Falls, Ohio last week.  They are closing and everything is drastically reduced.  I think I paid about $3.50 for it.  Great bargain, don't you think?

I used this sweet little dish to serve lemons and dill for garnishing the salmon.

Coffee in these cups with the faux bois design were served at the end of the meal with dessert.  The dessert was a meringue shell (made extra rough to look like a nest) filled with lemon curd and garnished with a whipped cream "egg".  I wish I had taken a picture of it, but I never remember to photograph anything once I start serving. 

One more birdie item held sweetener.

It was a gloomy day, but the friendship was warm and the conversation was light and fun.  We have lots of spring flowers blooming, but the rain has kept me out of the garden.  I did a little clipping a few days ago, but things will have to wait for a sunny day for any more gathering.  I didn't even stick my head out to get a picture of the bird welcome sign on the front door.

The guest bathroom vanity even got a nod to spring and birds.

A metal nest.......

and a cute hand towel round out the theme.

Menu:

Asparagus Soup
with Radish Micro-green Garnish

French Rolls

Arugula, Avocado and Apricot Salad
with Lemon Cream Dressing

Soy-glazed Salmon

Orzo Primavera

Meringue Nests filled with
Lemon Curd and a Whipped Cream Egg

Coffee

Don't forget to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her weekly blog party featuring lots and lots of fun tablescapes.  Thank you, Susan for this forum.


29 comments:

  1. I can see why this is your favorite table, it is delightful...the tablecloth is a beautiful shade of periwinkle.

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  2. Hi lovely lady ~~~ I also see why this is your favorite table sweet lady. this is one of my favorite Tablescapes just Beautiful !!!Can you tell me about the Butter Spreader love it !!! I hope you can come see my new Tablescape for today ~~~~
    xxoo

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  3. Beautiful table. I especially like all the pretty white dishes. The faux bois cups are fabulous. Your menu sounds delicious. Love meringue and lemon curd! ~ Sarah

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  4. What an inviting table! I love that periwinkle blue fabric as your inspiration.

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  5. Such a pretty table! Lovin' your MOP butter knives:@)

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  6. The periwinkle color caught my eye right away! It's beautiful!!! (I'm gushing, yes...because the color is STUNNING!!!) What an incredible way to usher in spring! I love the pattern, too. Your place settings are gorgeous and I agree...a set of white dishware can be the foundation of SO many beautiful tablescapes! I really like the way you decorated the wicker plant holder, especially the ribbon on it. It reminds me of the cake in the final scene of "Sense & Sensibility". Beautiful!!!

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  7. The Robert Allen blue fabric looks great especially with all the white pieces you have. Love the pearl handled knives, too. Spring is a great time to do a bird theme. Yours looks wonderful.

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  8. What a beautiful Spring table. I love the birds and all your ribbon touches! Gorgeous!

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  9. I love your blue and white. absolutely lovely. all the bird pieces are such treasures. Loving each one of them.

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  10. So beautiful ... love that shade of blue ... and the birds are so pretty. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Love, love, love your table Linda! The blue hydrangea look fab. with the great fabric you chose for your cloth. It's a fun pattern and with all of your great white accessories everything on the table looks crisp and clean! The menu looks great too. I may have to use it for MY next party. Perhaps a spring luncheon in my garden...in the next 2 1/2 months. I'm not sure spring is coming this year!!!! Barb B.

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  12. Well I can see why this is one of your favorites! The tablecloth is the perfect backdrop for all your wonderful 'bird' items! The color is great and works so well with the white! I just love that cup/saucer, salad, and b&b plate! Very gorgeous. Great job!

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  13. This is lovely! The cloth paired with the white dishes and nests ares s pretty! Sings Spring!

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  14. Oh my gosh, I was relating to so much in your post. I too did a bird themed table this week. I live south of Chagrin Falls (who doesn't ha)so I will have to make the trek up to check out their wares before they close! I love the unified soft blue and white you used on your table. And so glad you rememberd all the "birdie" dished you almost forgot about. Lovely. Thank you for sharing.

    Miss Mindy @ The Howell Blessings.

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  15. This is such a pretty table! I love the table cloth and the bird theme that you went with is charming.

    Thank you for your kind words on my blog,

    Carolyn

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  16. I love bird themes. Yours is so sweet . Love the table cloth and bird dishes. The menu sounds yummy too

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  17. Your spring birds table is so sweet. Love the pretty colors you've gathered. So pretty!

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  18. I love your table setting,,,, and you do have a lovely assortment of "birdie things"! I must remember to collect pretty ribbons to use as napkin rings!
    Happy Almost Spring!

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  19. I love. love. love. this table. The blue and white fabric is so wonderful. I have a pair of your roll basket...a gift from a friend who visited Nell Hill. I use them with my Mottahedeh Bird tureen...speaking of....your tureen is lovely. Great table! Thank you for sharing your birdie design. Cherry Kay

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  20. This table is just gorgeous!! I especially love your linens and fabrics. The tablecloth is beautiful (periwinkle blue is one of my favorite colors). I love the blue hydrangeas and the double faced satin ribbon. These colors blend beautifully. And last, but not least, the porcelain bird-topped butter dish is precious! Thanks for sharing.

    Denise

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  21. Bright and cheerful setting for a spring celebration, birdies are a cute theme

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  22. Oh, I so like this! The tablecloth is dynamite. Love your whites against the cloth.

    - The Tablescaper

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  23. Hi there, awesome site. I thought the topics you posted on were very interesting

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  24. I love the periwinkle blue and white table. The menu sounds great too! My mother and I both has Lismore and she gives me a few more stems each year!

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  25. Your table is so perfect with all the lovely bird accessories! My favorite is the bowl with the bird used for the rolls. Your periwinkle and white colors are so pretty as the bird pring tablecloth

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  26. That is such a pretty fabric for the tablecloth. Your dishes, crystal and pretty flatware look lovely. Cute bird accents- I never see things like this! Great buy on that new piece!

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  27. I see why this table is a favorite of yours. Love that tablecloth and all you did to top it!

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  28. I love your blue and white table cloth with all your white dishes! It looks so clean and crisp. You are right - you DO have a lot of bird decor! I enjoyed viewing your beautiful table. :-)
    Blessings,
    Kim

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  29. Love that blue and white table cloth! This is such a beautiful table..love it!

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