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This remarkable table design is brought to you by my remarkable grandsons.  Owen, 9, and Teddy, 12, were visiting and they wanted to create their own table.  I thought that was a great idea, so in between golf and swimming one day, they came into the house to make their version of magic.  I did nothing other than find things for them when they asked for them.  They shopped the house, the garage, the basement and just about every cupboard and closet.

 

My only requirement was that they use something under the "centerpiece" and the dishes, whatever they determined that would be.  So, down a burlap runner, they piled up lumber pieces they found in the garage.  They deemed wood as close to flowers, "because it's from nature".  Good so far!  Then, in my craft room, they found sticks, which were added rather gracefully, I must say.  THEN, a helicopter.  OK.

Then the toy closet (which is really the panic room), yielded rescue rangers, and a toy fire fighter's hat.  They wanted to "feature Boys Through Their Ages".  Every table needs a theme. 

To go with the wood centerpiece, there were safety goggles, a tape measure, and a hammer.  Then, as you can see, there is a turkey call, as well!!!!!  I loved this so much! 

I thought this was particularly inspired:  They took a safari toy cage and used it to house the salt and pepper shakers!  Fabulous!

Tortoiseshell glasses were chosen after much discussion. (Fighting.)

These quilted French placemats were a good choice.  The pinecone charger "matched the wood", and the natural colored dishes were the "something not fancy".  The flatware "matched the wood" too.  (Well, it DID!)

Weren't these napkins a good choice?  I'm blown away by their sense of color.  

This was the first selection for a napkin ring.

BUT, this one won out.  Rabbits with stags.  Well, ok.

Here's the placesetting.  Pretty sophisticated, right?

This is the most beautiful table that has every been set in this room.  

And this was one of the most wonderful meals.  These guys were so proud and I can't wait to have them do this again.  I'm flattered that they wanted to be part of my blog and so very proud of the results.  James Farmer and Eddie Ross might have some competition!

Earth Day on Paper

In light of Earth Day on April 24, I thought I would feature these paper placemats that I found at Boxwoods a couple of months ago.  With just a few simple elements, I set a table that let the placemats shine.

These were made by Cake Kitchen Papers and come in a pad of 50 for about 30 dollars.  They are 30% recycled and printed in the USA.  The paper is about the weight of watercolor paper and has such a nice feel.

In order to let the printed design shine through, I used clear acrylic flatware made by Cambridge and a clear glass plate.

Here's the "plate".  Don't you love it?  Disregard the shadows on this post, as I preferred to set this up outside, but it is pouring rain. (But, yea for me......I had sod laid yesterday and I'm thrilled with the rain.)

I just love the way the "utensils" are viney, knotty, twisty, and primitive.

The knife and spoon are even better than the forks!  Especially with the little guests painted into the design.

Here's the way the clear glass plate let the wood grain shine through......

and this is the way the flatware looked.  You can also see the dark brown napkin with a grapevine napkin ring.

What other choice could I make?

This blurry picture shows you the wooden slice that I love to use as coasters.

I chose these brown tortiseshell glasses to go with them.

This arrangement of fresh ferns with a dracenea spike and moss in the faux bois pot stays on the breakfast table all the time.  It seems to go perfectly with this earthy tablescape.

I am, however, very glad that the insects are also faux. 

Be sure to see these parties for more Earth Day tables:

Cuisine Kathleen

for

Let's Dish

Between Naps on the Porch

for 

Tablescape Thursday 

"Wood" You Like To Come To Dinner?

This is a table I've been wanting to do for a long time, so I set the table today, since tomorrow, we're having another couple over for an early dinner before a meeting.  I wish the light were better when I photographed this, but you'll get the idea.  I wanted to use these white faux bois plates, and I paired them with lots of other faux bois items.

I limited the colors to taupe, white and dark brown and I used woods and wood grains whenever I could.

I starrted with this two-tone linen tablecloth that I brought back from France.  I love the embroidery and the faggoting.

This is a better photograph of the corner.  It shows the colors better.  Do you see the cicada?  That's a traditional image in all of Provence and you see it often in their pottery and linens.

I first saw these place mats at the Merchandise Mart at the fall show in the Caspari showroom.  I wanted the entire line, but that wasn't enough to put together a minimum order.  When I saw them at Boxwoods, I bought them immediately.

  I got the matching cocktail napkins and fingertip towels, too.

These bleached wooden chargers came from World Market.

I don't remember where I got these plates, but they carry them at Boxwoods.  I can't tell you how much I love them, even though the raised wood grain detail makes it a bit hard to eat off of them!

I decided to use the dark brown napkins between plates to make them show up a bit more.  

This flatware worked well.

These tortoiseshell water glasses are some of my hardest working glasses.  I've had them so long that I can't remember where they came from, but the little raffia covered glasses are from Tennille and Company.  I like to use them for wine.

I debated and debated about flowers.  I knew I wanted to use these birch bark covered pots.  Originally, I planned on white roses, or hydrangeas.  Then I contemplated white hyacinths, but I realized that I had white daffodils and Lenten roses already growing right in the garden.  I ran out in the rain in my pajamas and grabbed some.  Then I found some river birch twigs and added them.  Sheet moss covered the oasis and I added a few pieces of lichen for a little contrast.

Here's the way the three pots looked marching down the table, interspersed with birch bark covered votives.

I'm going use these little taupe dishes as bread plates.

I've had these tiny bark baskets for a long time.  I love to line them with parsley and then place a couple of butter balls in each one.  They look like little eggs.  I've sometimes rolled the balls in herbs or spices, but tomorrow, they'll be plain.

I had to use these faux bois salt and pepper shakers.

This good old wicker wine coaster looks good on this table.

This is another piece I brought back from France.  I bought it at a market in Aix.  I don't know what it was originally used for, but I like to use it for water.

Sometimes four is the perfect number of guests.  I love the conversation that flows.

I loved the way the flowers came out.  They were interesting, but very understated.

Here are the little dishes I used for the Pot de Creme.  They look just like tree stumps!

 

If anyone has the matching cream pitcher and would like to sell it, please contact me.  I've been looking and looking for it.  This is just too cute to use with a plain Jane white pitcher. Anyone???  Anyone???

And the place settings were casual, but creative.  I like the way the table gave a nod to Spring, but didn't go toward pastels.  But wouldn't this have looked wonderful in the garden?  Give me another fifteen degrees and we'll be dining out there regularly.  Can't wait!

MENU:

Avocado and Grapefruit Salad

Spinach and Mushroom Stuffed

Chicken Breast

Spring Vegetable Medley

Oven Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Chocolate Pot de Creme

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I'll be posting at the following blog parties:

Tabletop Thursday

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Wow Us Wednesday

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com

Feathered Nest Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com

Inspiration Friday

www.atthepicketfence.com

Fridays Unfold

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