...family, friends, home and other tidbits of a blessed life

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

A Red and White Holiday Tablescape

Whether we are ready or not, December has arrived. 
Even when you've only got a few minutes to put a table together,
it's so nice when you do. The festive air it lends to dining is well 
worth the effort.
Simple red dinner plates, a white salad plate, favorite goblets, a few candles and a centerpiece and
you are ready to entertain. It's great to have a few standby tablescapes
that you can throw together in a jiffy! This is one of mine.

The white milk glass epergne (click HERE for some info and HERE for another epergne) is a wonderful tool to help you create a stunning centerpiece without much forethought. A few cedar or juniper clippings from the yard, some red ornaments and a couple of holiday picks are all that were used to pull this look together.

The runner was made from toweling yardage. It's linen and only gets better with each washing.

German candlesticks topped with a candle peg nappy (Cherry Kay of Entertaining Women blog shows some clever uses HERE) allows me to use a different type of candle.

 See the pretty picture I won above the leaded glass display case? It's an older oil and pretty darned cool. 
I was the lucky winner of the giveaway at A Beautiful Mess Antiques. You should go check them out.. very pretty blog!



This milk glass epergne was a wonderful piece I found at an estate sale for a small pittance. Love the grape design on the bowl and the insert. This is a crimped edge 12" Westmoreland paneled grape piece. More pieces can be found HERE.

The white linen napkin is very simply topped with a sprig of greenery. Can't get much simpler than that!

My favorite Mikasa French Countryside goblets always add a bit of flare to any setting.

 Villeroy and Boch Burgenland dinner plate

  Masons Vista dinner plate

 Spode Archive Collection Georgian Series Botanical

Spode Archive Collection Regency Series British Flowers

Signature by Old Company Plate


 Cast:
Table runner - vintage towelling
Candleholders - Villeroy and Boch Burgenland
Dinner plates - Villeroy and Boch Burgenland, Masons Vista, Spode Archival Series
Salad Plates - Wedgwood Windsor
Crystal - Mikasa French Countryside
Peg nappy and epergne - vintage
Napkins - linen
Greenery - from the yard
Red votive holders - vintage Crate and Barrel (I think)

Thank you so very much for coming by. I cherish your visit and can hardly wait to see all the lovely tables set for Susan's party every Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch! See you there.



35 comments:

Karen said...

Your posting in lovely. I collect transferware (brown) and also have a nice collection of milk glass.. mostly my mother's. Your tablescape is very inspiring and makes me want to get busy planning my tablesetting for the big holiday dinner.
Have a great day!
Karen
Ladybug Creek

Denise said...

This is so pretty, Marlis. I just love the simplicity of it. Makes me want to do my first Christmas tablescape. :) Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to have time this week.

Your runner is so pretty, and I love, love your transferware plates! The centerpiece is perfect -- such a great idea. Thanks for sharing and have a great day.

Denise at Forest Manor

Unknown said...

GREAT minds think alike Marlis! My post yesterday was on making toweling runners :)

Your table is gorgeous (as always)!

CHRISTmas Blessings!
Gail

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

This is an exquisite table, Marlis! Elegant in its simplicity. I love that runner, and the mix of plates. A few greens make it so festive. ANd I love the drama of the centerpiece too. I noticed the wonderful painting right away! Congratulations!

xinex said...

Your table is so pretty, Marlis, one of my favorites. I spent so much time looking at each photo, just stunning!....Christine

Tricia said...

Marlis, what a wonderful "how-to" you've provided for creating a festive table by adding just a few simple Christmas-y touches! I especially love the centerpiece of evergreens and ornaments, and adding a sprig of cedar to the napkins was the perfect touch!

Barbara F. said...

Beautiful, Marlis! You have such good taste. xo

Anonymous said...

Oh goodness. That last picture with the candlelight and lights from your Christmas tree are so beautifully cozy and Christmasy!! Your red dinner plates and candle holders are gorgeous!! A lovely table, Marlis!

Alycia Nichols said...

Bravo, Marlis! This is really beautiful. I really, really like that runner. It has a homey, warm vibe about it. Your centerpiece if perfect! I wish I had a juniper in our yard. I have nothing from which to cut except a couple of holly bushes that are not exactly the healthiest in the world. Poo! :-( The dishware is perfect for the Christmas season! Gorgeous!

Jewel Sauls said...

Beautiful table, especially the epergne. Your natural elements in the epergne are gorgeous!

Tess said...

This is a beautiful table. The transferware is so festive and the whole table is perfect for the holidays

Entertaining Women said...

The toweling runner is so effective. Thanks for the mention....I haven't used my peg nappies in ages...I need to get them out again. The mix of red transferware is lovely...makes me happy. I have one small silver epergne, but I'm still looking for something with BIG impact...some day. Thanks for inviting us for a peak at your marvelous design. Cherry Kay

Jacqueline said...

Red transferware is so great because you can use it all year round yet it is perfect for the holidays. I just love seeing your Christmas tree all lit up in the background of your pictures. The fresh greenery is wonderful and I bet it smells great too.

podso said...

Lovely, lovely~ I am very partial to red and white transferware. especially Spode. Yours is simple and elegant.

Liz@A Dish Here, A Glass There said...

Wonderful job! I love your epergne and how you arranged it. Very traditional and classic! Your long table runner unifies everything and I love your transfware plates. I just got some recently myself! I like your sprigs on the napkins and of course the French Countryside stemware ( I have some too!)

Unknown said...

Beautiful table! Love the china! Thanks for sharing Joann

Unknown said...

Beautiful table! love the china Thanks for sharing Joann

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

This is all so lovely and elegant. The red and white china is beautiful along with your pretty French runner. The sprigs of greenery are the perfect accent. And I love that wonderful milkglass centerpiece.

A Perfect Setting said...

I'm oohing and ahhing over your centerpiece epergne--very beautiful! The entire table is just lovely. It may be simple to you, but it looks very elegant to me. A beautiful white linen napkin with a sprig of greenery? Can't beat it!! I love your 'stack' of dishes. I used a peg nappy in my post this week too!!

Robin said...

Love your red and white but what I like the best is the "real" greenery. I'll bet it smells good too. Can't beat the real thing.

Robin
Robin Flies South

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh, Marlis, this is a gorgeous tablescape, I love everything, from your china to your beautiful centerpiece, just lovely! You sure are ready for the hollidays! Hugs,
FABBY

Meredith said...

I love your transferware. Just beautiful and those shades of red with your runner are lovely!!! Your greenery looks stunning in your centerpiece!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Your table is stunning. I love your centerpiece. The shot of your Christmas tree in the background is gorgeous! hugs ~ lynne ~

Phyllis @Around the House said...

Your transferware is delightful and your table is absolutely charming...love it

Mary said...

Marlis this is beautiful in its red & white simplicity...the evergreens, the milk glass centerpiece...SWOON...your red transferware! Your German candlesticks & runner are perfect and lovely by candlelight!

The French Hutch said...

Hi Marlis, This is such a lovely red and white tablescape. The white milk glass makes such a stunning centerpiece. I love how it's tiered and makes a perfect way to display favorite flowers and baubles. I love the gape design. The red and white Villeroy and Boch pairs beautifully with the Spode. The candleholder is a lovely piece. The runner is gorgeous, and the candles and goblets add sparkle. Oh my, you're making feel way behind on tablescapes. I have to find time to do one.
Hope your weekend is great.

~Emily
The French Hutch

Tea in Texas said...

Simple but Lovely! I like it all! The table runner of the red and white toweling grounds everything. My favorite is the candle holders and just another great touch. The whole tablescape is just Beautiful for the colors are just right. Happy Tablescaping.

Susan Hawthorne said...

Love the runner mixed with the transferware. Very festive indeed!Susan at Romancing the Home

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady.
Your Tablescape is Gorgeous with your China!! I love your collection the Regency Series British Flowers is a must for my collection. The countryside goblets go great with your tablescape sweet lady.
I could go on and on about your tablecape.
I would like to thank you so much for your sweet comments on my tablescape.
XXOO Diane

Marigene said...

Simply elegant...my favorite kind of table. The transferware plates are beautiful. Lovely centerpiece, too!

Elaine said...

Marlis, this is so darn pretty! The plates, goblets, and flatware are just gorgeous, and I love the simplicity of the runner, napkins, and greenery. Very lovely! And congrats on winning the painting!

Elaine
Creating Wonderful Spaces

Leslie's Garden said...

Your table is lovely, I would love to own some of the red transferware. I also really enjoyed the background of your photos, I love to see a Christmas tree in the background. I like the pretty greenish cabinet, too.

Sandra Lee said...

Love the evergreens on your table. You've created a very peaceful setting.

Anonymous said...

Your red and white table is gorgeous! I love the candlesticks.

Dianne said...

Marlis,

I have been out of town and I am behind on viewing my favorite blogs, but I knew you would have something wonderful for me to see when I returned and you didn't disappoint. I especially love the table runner. You are right, it is so festive. Dianne

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