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

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Christmas Dinner with Friends 2016



Every year we host a Christmas dinner. Each year I try to come up with a different theme or color combinations, use conventional and unconventional Christmas china, and present a different menu. Each year in January the menu, tablescape and decor is set. Next year's theme was chosen while we were in Vail and a trial table has already been pulled together, so I'm way ahead of schedule! 😉

For this year, the theme was rustic; brown with green. I so badly wanted to use magnolia leaves in garlands around the house and on the table. A Williams Sonoma jacquard tablecloth was the first layer and provided the backdrop. 


However, the idea was sparked from this Kim Seybert beaded runner found at Cielo, Santa Fe, years ago. When they were still open. When they had so much eye candy that I could actually feel myself feel faint when entering into the store. It's always a bit sad to know that when we go to Santa Fe, Cielo is no more. Tears flowing! 😭😭😭


I monogrammed the matching napkins to the tablecloth. I just love the addition of a monogram on table linens. 💓 It's all in the details!

Etsy provided the perfect wooden tree slices for napkin rings. A wooden charger is the base for Spode Delamere dinner plates and Noritake Royal Hunt salad plates.

Vagabond stag flatware (natural sheds!), vintage crystal knife rests, Mikasa Parklane iced beverage glasses and Ajka Arabella wine hocks finish out the place settings. 

A recent trip to Bonnes Amies, a delightful store in Plainview, Texas. yielded the wooden tags used for placecards. Some die-cut winter branches, a few beads and handwritten names personalized the tags in a hurry! The name tags rest on some resin antlers sold by the pair as Christmas tree ornaments from Wal-Mart.  

Sterling and not sterling candleholders combine on each end of the table to provide ambient light at the table. A very vintage lace runner that belonged to my grandmother-in-law and then to my mother-in-love ran down the center of the table to break up the mass of brown.

 Lenox Holiday Tartan votive holders add some light at table level. Resin antiqued silver deer gussied up with a double-faced satin ribbon and a small bauble finish the centerpiece.

A silver Revere bowl provided the vessel for the flowers; white roses, alstroemeria, magnolia leaves and pheasant feathers. The arrangement lasted well over a week!

For dinner parties, I like to serve a salad to seated guests and then serve the remainder of the meal buffet style. It certainly breaks up the formality and gets guests up and moving! It's always a nice touch to add a menu to the table. It whets the appetite!

A rustic Christmas dinner indeed. The red touches add the perfect holiday touch to the table. 

Cast:
Tablecloth and napkins - Williams Sonoma
Chargers - Pier One Baroque
Dinner plates - Spode Delamere
Salad plates - Noritake Royal Hunt
Flatware - Vagabond House stag flatware (Horchow or Nieman Marcus)
Iced Beverage - Mikasa Parklane
Wine hocks - Ajka Arabella red cut to clear


I pray you had a blessed Christmas and wish you many blessings for the New Year ahead.


14 comments:

Dianne said...

Rusty? You still got it! A perfect table that really appeals to me. I love it. Dianne

Anonymous said...

This rustic theme is very nice. Beautiful setting.

Tricia said...

Just gorgeous, Marlis! I love all your special touches, like the monogrammed napkins and darling place cards. I know you enjoyed putting this table together, and I'm sure your guests were appreciative!

Kathleen said...

It's beautiful, Marlis! The chandelier ties in nicely too! The monogram is gorgeous!! I guess you've planned next year's table already! I'm impressed!
So nice to see this post, and to recognize all who commented before me!
Happy 2017!

Lulu said...

You might guess I like the unconventional, and I've never been disappointed in what you do.

Maria C said...

Marlis! What a treat to see your post! Once a year is not enough, Marlis, it just isn't, especially when you present us with this masterpiece that has my mouth watering! I remember that brown and green are one of your favorite color combinations and you've done other tables with those colors, but this one . . . I'm speechless! That tablecloth alone . . . I remember seeing it and thinking Thanksgiving, leave it to you to figure out how to use if for Christmas! The centerpiece is wonderful! I love white roses at any time of year, and paring it with magnolia leaves and feathers . . . perfect. I, too, have some Spode Woodland Brown dishes, and have actually thought to use them for Christmas one year. I think now you've given me courage. Happy new year to you and your family!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

I'm always so excited to see you do a post Marlis! Your table is beautiful. I love WS table linens and the monogram you added to the napkins is beautiful. I love the mix of magnolia leaves with the white roses! You always put together a beautiful table- so enjoyable to see.
Best wishes for a very Happy New Year to you and your family!

hidden art of homemaking said...

Marlis,
Just gorgeous..I love everything about your table and that you start planning a year ahead of time..Those napkins inspire me to begin planning for next Christmas..
I love your creative spirit and always look forward to your blog posts..Royal Hunt is my daughter's Christmas china..just lovely, Marlis..
Happy New Year to you..
Love, Mona

hidden art of homemaking said...

Marlis,
Just gorgeous..I love everything about your table and that you start planning a year ahead of time..Those napkins inspire me to begin planning for next Christmas..
I love your creative spirit and always look forward to your blog posts..Royal Hunt is my daughter's Christmas china..just lovely, Marlis..
Happy New Year to you..
Love, Mona

hidden art of homemaking said...

Marlis,
Just gorgeous..I love everything about your table and that you start planning a year ahead of time..Those napkins inspire me to begin planning for next Christmas..
I love your creative spirit and always look forward to your blog posts..Royal Hunt is my daughter's Christmas china..just lovely, Marlis..
Happy New Year to you..
Love, Mona

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Hi Marlis! So glad I got a chance to see this spectacular table you put together! The details are wonderful. I love the deep tones and colors and all the earthy accents. The lace topper and silver make everything so elegant. It is the kind of arrangement that makes one want to linger over the whole scene. Really warms the heart. Bravo! Happy New Year!

hidden art of homemaking said...

Marlis,
Your table is just gorgeous. My daughter has the Royal Hunt that she uses at Christmas. I am so inspired by your beautifully monogrammed napkins. Love your table..
Love, Mona

Entertaining Women said...

So wonderful to hear from you! I agreed with Maria C. Once a year is so not enough to find a post from you...and this one is from last Christmas. I love this table. After my critique from Miss Beatrice, it occurred to me that red goblets on my table could have been a nice Christmas touch. I still need to get some napkins to you for your magnificent embellishments. I loved the font that you used this year. Will we see your 2017 Christmas table edition, please!? Wondering if you’re still working? Thanks for touching base and inviting us for a peek at your gorgeous Christmas gift for your guests at the table. Happy New Year!

Entertaining Women said...

It's now March, 2018, and I still need to hear from you! I miss your gorgeous tables so much. Revisiting this post, I was taken once again by the canopy you created over the table with greenery and other amendments. It's truly magnificent. Touch base, and let's visit about napkins when you have an opportunity. I think that this is a good time of year to start on them, if it's good for you. Happy St. Patrick's Day! Cherry Kay

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