A Calm Welcome Tablescape

 

After all the color from the past season, I was yearning for calm and quiet. White on white with a hint of nature. Which in my book reads green or brown or both. 

 I removed the greenery from my favorite box, will I ever get tired of it? Added the last of the paperwhites and some pine cones. I must tell you a bit of a confession. I pick these things up from everywhere we visit. I just love how they add nature back to our home. 

When it's hard to reach over or around a centerpiece, individual salt and peppers are a must on the table. Especially when, if like me, we have reduced our salt intake and others around us have not.

I force my paperwhites in a ceramic planter with rocks. I did a little bit of a test this year. I some forced in water, you know those special little containers where the bulb sits in the top bowl and the roots grown down into the larger cavity. And I forced some on top of small rocks. I forced 3 batches this year. Each bath contained some of both. The paperwhites came from various sources, but repeatedly and without fail, the paperwhites forced on the rocks (what a lively concoction) sprouted and bloomed earlier than the ones just forced in water. 

Sorry it's just a gloomy day. Rain is predicted, 90% chance and the clouds are hovering, but nary a welcome drop has fallen.

I know some say that the heady perfume from the paperwhites is too much for them, but we welcome the fresh scent that permeates our home.

I used three different vessels for liquid, one for the appetizer, a water and a wine goblet.

I love how they play so well together in the same sandbox. Each robust enough to stand on it's own, but somehow, together they create a 3 part harmony.

Is it really too early to use bamboo flatware? Is this akin to wearing white pants or sporting white shoes before Easter?

Should I remove the paperwhites before dinner?

 The pine cone napkin rings came back out to play today. I think they bring the pine cones from the centerpiece to the table.

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 Since there wasn't room for large candlesticks, I added individual candles to the "green things". I think these were originally individual ashtrays, but I've scrubbed to within an inch of their life and used them to hold candles and as salt sellers. 

Using a heavy matelasse covering does give the table a bit of warmth during these cold days of winter!

Cast:

Matelasse - vintage

Teak chargers - vintage

White dishes - Wedgwood Windsor

Bamboo Flatware - Horchow's

Napkins - Pier One

Napkin Rings - Kohl's

Large wine goblet - Dollar Tree

Water glass - handblown in France, purchased in Santa Fe, NM

Sherbet - Fostoria

Indivdual S&P's - old

Thank you so much for dropping in today! I love having company and wish each one of you could sit at my table so I could get to know you better. Do pop over to Cuisine Kathleen's Let's Dish party on Wednesday evening and then on the Susan's Tablescape Thursday on Thursday for more pure dish entertainment!