Dahlias and Tomatoes

Last week, on my way home from Cashiers, N. C. (post to come on that), I passed a darling couple who were selling dahlia plants and arrangements.  If you've ever driven that area, you know how I risked my life when I turned around at my first opportunity and went back to buy some.  That mountain is steep and the curves are wicked.  Here's what I chose: mixed dahlias in a commercial sized empty tomato tin can.  Here they are sitting on the railing of our deck when I got home.

Well, I originally intended to put the flowers into another container, but as I looked at them, I decided to celebrate the humble tomato with a yellow and red tablescape. 

I haven't used these dishes or these linens in ages.

These French linens from Souleiado fit the bill.  Actually, the French do red and yellow together pretty often, and these small prints were just about perfect to go with this can label. 

I used these wicker chargers from World Market and added a dinner plate made in Portugal by Vista Alegre called "Bahia".

Then, to make a break from the busy tablecloth and dinner plate, I added a salad plate by Over and Back, Inc., made in Italy.  The bowls were some I picked up at Homegoods last year, made by 222 Fifth and fittingly called "Heirloom Tomato".  Each one of the four is different and the variety is depicted on the outside, as well as the inside.  This one is all red......

 

This one all yellow.......

Another red one......

 

And a red and yellow stripe.  I served gazpacho in them, of course!

I think this red and yellow flatware came from Target many moons ago. 

This red goblet is pretty old.  I can't even remember where I got it.  The clear stemless wine glass beside it is Reidel.

Even though there were just four of us, I put out place cards, mainly because I wanted to use these small, red zebra tomatoes with them.  Aren't they cute?  And, man, oh man, do they taste good!  All of the tomatoes come from a wonderful road side fruit stand called Osage Farms in Rabun Gap that I passed on the way up to Cashiers and couldn't wait to stop at on my way home.  Incredible stuff!

 

It made a pretty table.  Kind of different, and certainly a tribute to the end of summer.

Overhead view.

Just before our company came, I was in the refrigerator getting cheese, and I spied this quart of heirloom cherry tomatoes in all of these great colors, so I sprinkled them around the base of the tin and shot one more photo.  Brilliant, huh????  I love the way they look.

Ahhhh!  Daliahs.  That north Georgia/ North Carolina area grows some mighty fine beauties. I had heard that all of the rain this year spoiled them, but the sweet lady I bought these from said that God shone on her fields and she had plenty!  I love that!

 

 

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Cashiers Showhouse

A few weeks ago, my best friend and I met in Cashiers, N. C. for the 14th annual decorator's showhouse.  This year, it was a log cabin which was built in l967.  It is made of two log cabins, one from the l790's and one from the 1830's.  They were purchased, dismantled, moved and reconstructed here in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It sits on 42 acres and as you enter the gate, you cross the Eastern Continental Divide.  The house was remodeled by 17 interior designers and 4 landscape architects for the show.

Look at the logs and chinking and stonework.

This entry patio was done by James Farmer.  The folding chair is only there for viewers to sit to put on shoe covers.  I had to stop photographing here, because they did not allow pictures inside. 

BUT, when I got to the porches, I started snapping again.  This is the lounging porch done by Francie Hargrove who owns a wonderful shop in town.  I so want to pull a chair up to this table and sit for hours.  Imagine the beautiful memories that you could make in the cool mountain air with the crickets chirping, the wine flowing, and your  friends surrounding you.  It is so beautiful and just my favorite rustic style in the world. 

Here's a centerpiece that everyone can see over!  Just an old wooden dough bowl filled with moss.  Perfect!

I fell in love with this pewter wine coaster.  It is a spaniel flushing a duck from the reeds.  I was determined to buy one of these when we went to Francie's shop until I saw the price.  Sticker shock! 

Look at these glass bird votives.  So cute.  Don't you love the wood table?

These free form dishes are topped with pewter acorn napkin rings.  Love. Love. Love.

And look at the beautiful monogram on the linens.

These unusual hurricanes are terrific for this table.

Across the porch is this a-ma-zing bar.  Seriously cute.  Brown and cream checked curtains surround this entire porch.

I didn't get the whole outdoor fireplace, but this is the mantle with this incredible black forest antler plaque.  Oh, my gosh.....this piece is soooo special.  I don't know if I could bear to let it hang outside.  See the curtains?

And look at the twig trellis that surrounds the porch.

On the back porch, I fell in love with these iron turkeys.  I looked for these in town, but never found them.

I would live out here.  How about this great planter? 

Have you ever seen a cuter swing?  Check it out.  Burlap and nailheads.  Hung by ropes.  Darling!

Could it be more creative?

The other end of the porch held this stunning vignette.

You can't fake the beauty of this railing.

All of the flower boxes on the railings were filled with these cheerful Black Eyed Susans.

And here's the view to the crystal clear lake.  The showhouse cafe has table and chairs here and they were having problems getting people to leave and give the seats to the next people.  Nobody wanted to leave this view.  This was really a great showhouse.  Mary McDonald and Nathan Turner from Bravo TV's "Million Dollar Decorators" both spoke, as well as James Farmer and Charles Faudree, who did the entryway.  Rumor has it that Charles is moving there. 

I loved the day I spent with my dear friend whom I haven't seen all summer.  She has the most exquisite taste and just built a mountain house herself.  She has promised that I can do a post soon on it. The perfect day with just the right person.  Worth the drive!!!