Thursday, February 25, 2010

A Hint of Blue: a Tablescape

Snow has fallen all afternoon, bringing icy air to the mid-South, but inside my house, it's springtime. A white-on-white tablescape gives a nod to Old Man Winter, then sends him on his way.
Two blue hydrangeas form a make-shift centerpiece (my blogging "bucket" worked perfectly as a container). Figural Ironstone pieces add whimsy. The wintry air is banished by the fragrance of limes in a white pottery bowl.

No matter how many times I set the table with my Ironstone, it always feels fresh and filled with possibilities. Here, I've mixed American Atelier's Baroque with Villeroy & Boch's Allegretto salad plates and oversized soup bowls from Big Lots ($1 each).










Tablescaping Notes

American Atelier--Baroque dinner plates

Villeroy & Bosch -- Allegretto salad plates

Oversized soup bowls -- Big Lots

Flatware -- Towle's "Hotel" service

blue plaid napkins by Danica Imports (each purchase supports the Giving World Foundation). http://www.danicaimports.com/

Crystal -- wine glasses (Peebles), champagne flutes (wedding gifts)

Duck bowl and cow butter dish -- local antique mall

chargers and tablecloth -- Horchow

aqua blogging bucket -- Hancock's

blue hydrangeas -- Publix


Thank you so much for visiting today. Wherever you are, I hope spring won't be far behind. Please join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, one of the most beloved events on the net. Grab a pencil because you'll want to take notes. Prepare to be inspired.

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66 comments:

  1. Your tablecloth is gorgeous!!! And those hydrangeas are so beautiful. The whole tablescape reminds me of spring. Love & blessings from NC!

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  2. ML, I went into V and B yesterday and it was so sad. It is closing. First V and B in the US here in Southampton..I have been going there since the 80's..so sad!
    Your table is lovely, what is prettier than a crisp tablecloth like yours?
    And I await the hydrangea..they are my favorite!
    Beautiful table! See you tomorrow night for FF..

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  3. Ah, Michael- you know I love the white dishes and I adore hydrangeas, but the cloth is what makes my heart sing. I just LOVE the linens
    xoxo Pattie

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  4. You have the most elegant ideas! I was in the bookstore today. I thought I'd seen one of your books there a few weeks ago. But didn't have time to look long. I'll check next time. Would love to read them.
    Brenda

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  6. Stunning tablecloth and I love the hydrangeas!

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  8. The tablecloth reminds me so much of my Nana's handiwork!
    So lovely ... Michael... :)

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  9. Gorgeous tablecloth! Everything looks so crisp and fresh! Very pretty!

    DD

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  10. Simply elegant...love the hydrangeas.

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  11. Beautiful! I love seeing your table settings. The tablecloth is beautiful! I had a Army/Navy Tablecloth for years but rarely used it(I do not like to iron) and finally got rid of it. Heard about the weather up your way - I am sorry! :( It is cold here, but thank goodness no frozen stuff right now!
    Glenda

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  12. I'm in flannel pjs tonight. Bandwidth is hidden beneath blankets. Even the dogs are cold. I can't believe this weather!

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  13. I love your table and the serene feeling it provides. Your photo mosaics are divine!!! I so appreciate your comment on my blog especially coming from someone with your talent. Thank you!
    Have a wonderful Thursday,
    Tam

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  14. Evening, Dear Gollum Michael Lee! Oh, this is so pretty! Love the whites and that tablecloth is gorgeous. I'm coveting that little cow butter dish!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  15. Evening, Dear Gollum Michael Lee! Oh, this is so pretty! Love the whites and that tablecloth is gorgeous. I'm coveting that little cow butter dish!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  16. Hi Michael,
    I love love love that gorgeous tablecloth. It is so beautiful.
    and white is just so fresh and pretty. Love hydrangeas too.
    Very pretty table as always.
    I love the way you table sits by
    those great windows with the shutters. Really looks great there.
    Also liked what you did with the sitting area down there too. Came out very nice. Also have been enjoying your news letter too,
    especially the one today on Martha's stash. Very interesting.
    I used to love love love her old show, the new one not so much.
    Have a Super day tomorrow.
    Blessings, Nellie

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  17. That is some lovely cutwork... and the china deals really are fab... how lucky you are to pick up such lovely bargains and use them so well!!

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  18. michael~
    as usual you hit it out of the park~
    ~sigh~beautiful!
    one thing that caught my eye was your link to danica imports...it is spelled wrong.
    know why it caught my eye? because my name is danica! (not related to website) i was so excited to look at it~thus figuring out the error! :)
    LOVE your blog!!!
    stay warm!
    danica

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  20. Once again a beautiful table, fresh, crisp and serene! Gorgeous tablecloth! Hoow's the dish room coming, and how is your Mother!!??? XO, Pinky Our snow is suppsed to atart at midnight and snow til Fri. at noon....I NEEEEED Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  21. I love your beautiful white tablescape with the pops of blue and green. And hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers ever. I love this spring-like tablescape.

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  22. Beautiful table - love that tablecloth!!!

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  23. That window and spot is working out perfectly! Love the centerpiece and blue is my favorite color! Elegant cutwork tablecloth!

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  24. The white is so beautiful! The lacework on the tablecloth is stunning...so bright and fresh!

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  25. The ironstone is some of my favorite! I love you cow butter dish. The centerpiece is lovely too. The table says spring is around the corner.

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  26. What a gorgeous table setting! I really love the table cloth....and your hint of blue is perfect!

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  27. Totally gorgeous! Love the white china and blue hydrangeas---so "springy"!

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  28. Beautiful tablescape....Gorgeous tablecloth...thanks for sharing...Pat H

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  29. Very pretty! I love your mosaic! And you're right, this is a beloved meme and "prepare to be inspired."
    Blessings -Beth

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  30. You are so right! It's fresh! Love your tablecloth. Love it all!

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  31. Your tablescape is gorgeous! Come see me sometime! Would love to have you visit!

    Leigh
    Tales from Bloggeritaville
    www.lbratina.blogspot.com

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  32. Beautiful, as usual! I absolutely love the dinner plates and the tablecloth. All of it is very refreshing!

    xoxo
    Pat

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  33. such a beautiful tablecloth, I love all the white and I love the way you mix expensive and inexpensive and fluky things and come up with a wonderful setting...love that...Phyllis

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  34. Hi Michael!

    I started my comment saying, "Oh, I love that tablecloth" then I wrote, "Oh, I love those plates!". So, I am just going to say, "Oh I love this table!".

    have a wonderful day!

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  35. hydrangeas are my FAVE! Love this clean and elegant table!

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  36. Michael,
    Everything looks stunning. Your photography really captures the feel and colors of the table. --Delores

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  38. Very pretty. You are right, a white table is always so fresh looking and can really but turned into any theme.

    I just picked up my first white plates today and I can't wait to use them in a tablescape.

    Hugs,
    Joanne

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  39. Very pretty! This table design looks so fresh and inviting.
    (I used to have a duck like that. It had a wicker basket holder...circa 1976...a wedding present). I have no idea what happened to it.
    Jane

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  40. Wow, girl. Just look at all of your wonderful changes that happened while I was ailing. ;-) I have to come back when I have more time so I can take it all in.

    I am just back to work this week. It had been quite a while since I felt like visiting anyone, and I missed everyone.

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  41. Just stunning! I love white dishes!!
    Your pretty flowers just take your table over the top.
    hugs, bj

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  42. Icy blue but it it also says Springtime! Loving the light that comes in those windows, very cheerful...please send some sun our way!!

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  43. Your tablescape is so pretty and fresh, Michael, and you're right, just like spring! Dh said our daffodils started blooming. I can't wait to go home now to start gardening!...Christine

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  44. Your tablescape is so pretty and fresh, Michael, and you're right, just like spring! Dh said our daffodils started blooming. I can't wait to go home now to start gardening!...Christine

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  45. I love your cut work tablecloth. Lovely scroll edging on it.
    Yes and I am mentioning the copper skillet again. Light and fluffy eggs in it would be a sweet lunch.

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  46. I love everything about it, the flowers, the linens, and of course, the lovely dishes. Just beautiful...

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  47. Everything is lovely, but I was particularly drawn to the cow butter dish. Since I'm moving to the country I'm attempting to merge my beachy look with the local farm landscape. My new hunt is for small, white porcelain farm animals to mix with my white seashell dishes. I have a chicken and a rooster so far. I was so disappointed when I saw it was from an antique mall and not a store. Guess I better keep my eyes open!

    Love the cutwork tablecloth!

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  50. Pastel blue is so calming... so cool..so SPRING!!!!

    I started a new blog where stories will be published about the farm and the animals if you enjoy reading!
    www.equusgirl.blogspot.com

    Julie

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  51. that is one beautiful table I love the way you paired up the different collections. Absolutely beautiful.

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  52. Somehow, Michael, you've taken cool blues and whites and created inviting warmth on a cold, snowy day.

    Love the mis-matched chairs (and flatware). I enjoyed the way the scroll design of the chargers repeats the cutwork pattern of the tablecloth. The fold lines of the cloth add to the clean, fresh crispness of the table. I can't remember where I read it, but it seems that, in Italy, it's considered bad form to smooth out the creases of the cloth (gives the impression that human hands have spent too much time touching the linens).

    Thank you for the inspiration!

    Bill

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  53. wow! I'm lovin this white on white.

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  55. Your table, as always, is beautiful and inspirational. I love how you take the elegant and the wanna-be's and mix them all together into beauty. I also used whites and blues this week.....in what I hope is a FAREWELL to winter! I need some spring!!!!!

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  56. Crisp and beautiful! But... go check your lime bowl. If I'm not mistaken, it's slanted!

    Justine :o )

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  57. I love your chargers...everything looked so inviting and crisp. Thanks for sharing!

    Blessings!
    Tonya

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  58. Your white table today is lovely and the plates you layered add elegance to the table. I love the cutwork cloth you've used too. I also posted about blue today. Come check it out and say hello! Have a great week and I hope spring comes early where you are too!

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  59. Lovely! I don't know if you shop at prime times or what, but I've gone to Big Lots a couple of times and find squat :(

    I know that some days are better than others {they have to be from my experiences} to shop at these stores, or else I simply live in a area where dishing is just not all that popular. But this will not deter where I planned to be...tablescaping my heart out.

    Jan
    BellaCasa

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  60. Michael...love all your wonderful ironstone. I think if I could only have 1 set of dishes...it would be ironstone...gorgeous all alone or mixed with other pieces. The resting cow butter dish is sooooo cute!
    Hugs,
    ~S
    P.S. How's the dish room coming along? :-) I can't wait for the unveiling!!!!

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  61. Beautiful as always...love the blue and the hydrangeas are my fav!

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  62. Gorgeous tablescape! I love the tablecloth and your dishes.

    Jane

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  63. I am loving this tablescape against the cremey walls, white table linen and white dishes; all this against those mix match chairs. So lovely!

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  64. I think hydrangeas just make the world a better place, don't you? I love them with white...I love everything with white! This is crisp and fresh! Love it!

    Sue

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  65. This is such a fresh, inviting tablescape, Gollum! Loved this!

    XO,

    Sheila... who is catching up on your posts! :-)

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  66. From the blue hydrangea in the center right down to that gorgeous white linen cloth beneath this beautiful setting, this table is sheer delight. I love to see different shades of white used, especially with all that texture. It all makes for beautiful layers.
    PS,
    I'll just remind you of my desire to be the winner of the Treble Clef flatware. LOL

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