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

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The table that almost wasn't


Ever have a day week where everything is just a bit off kilter? You go to get flowers and after the third stop, you decide that the flowers have all died and gone to flower heaven because there are only some seriously sad looking ones around. You thought it was Mardi Gras a week early. The greenery in the yard is frost bitten, oh yeah what there is of it. So you are left in quandary: to table or not. This is life, make the best of it! Table!!       So we are dining simply this evening. 

 A self-sewn burlap runner down the table. Each setting anchored with a black felt placemat. 

Topped with a shabby wooden charger.

And then a white dinner plate.

Black and white transferware on top of the black sateen napkin creates a setting of interest.

For a bit of whimsy, I used 4 salad plates from Villeroy & Boch that depict humorous hunting scenes. The plates are in a mixture of French and German. Saar is a state now in Germany, but once was part of France. They speak a dialect that encompasses words from both languages in that area.

Love these plates. On this plate, the hunter is chasing the animals as they are running around the thicket. Loosely translated: This is ridiculous, been going around the thicket 6 times now and can't see the buck." Actually the term used is Bock which refers to a goat, but I don't see one in the picture!

Another loose translation: Darn it Seppi (a guy's name), the buck isn't back there! 

This one is labeled in a mixture of French and German. Another loose translation: Lauban (dog's name) Come here and bring it back, you evil beast!

Now this one is funny, as the dog has torn off the bib front of the hunter's Lederhosen. It says: Teifi, Phylax (dog's names) Devil, evil this is a nice gift. Bescheerung actually cannot be translated as it is the word for the entire "ceremony" of opening gifts. Did you notice that not one animal was harmed?  



Close up of a bit of the rim area.

Black and silver flatware adds a bit of elegance to the table.

Curvaceous French Countryside glasses go so well with this setting, don't they?

A hand-painted centerpiece that was supposed to hold flowers, is also painted with animals. Look at those darling ball feet!







Tried some frost bitten greenery left in the yard, but it was too bad to leave on the table!





To tie the candles into the table, I tied twine around the pillars and this brought the burlap up from the table.
 



Cast:
Burlap runner - fabric from Hancock Fabrics
Black felt placemats - Halloween item from TJ Maxx
White wooden chargers - Pier One
Plates - Wedgwood Windsor
Hunt salad plates - Villeroy & Boch
Black and white  farm scene salad plates - Royal Stafford
Crystal - Mikasa French Countryside 
Flatware - Hampton's San Remo - Horchow's
Black Sateen napkins - Tuesday Morning
Centerpiece - Handpainted Coimbra, Portugal - Horchow's
Candle holders - Hobby Lobby

*Disclaimer: nothing for this table was purchased especially for this tablescape. All items have lived in the house for a long time. ;-)
I'm linking up to Susan's Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. It's a lovely place to hang out and a wonderful chance to visit many other plate addicts!




59 comments:

Entertaining Women said...

Those silly felt placemats are always so effective...they kind of fascinate me. The burlap with the black and white is wonderful. Sometimes I like to challenge myself by not using flowers. Thank you for sharing your beautiful design. Cherry Kay

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Your hand-painted centerpiece that was supposed to hold flowers blows me away! The animals and ball feet are great! You have given me an idea with the burlap fabric. I love this table!

Miss Char said...

Great minds think alike Marlis....I'm doing black on the table this week too. Your V&B dishes are beautiful and the simplicity of the table with the burlap and the black and white china is a great balance. Thanks for sharing.

Tricia said...

What a great table, Marlis! I enjoyed seeing the witty transferware, and your black and white looks wonderful with the burlap. Adding the twine was an inspired touch -- really adds the perfect look!

Unknown said...

Marlis...what a delightful table -- I love the black & white and always love transferware....that set is a scream, lol. I also love your chargers.

Blessings!
Gail

Susan said...

Your table is beautiful! I love black and white together and the touch of burlap and twine is perfect!! thanks so much for giving me some new ideas!
Susan

A Hint of Home said...

Whata stunning table. I love your dishes, charger and flatware.
Black and white is a classic!

Kuby said...

Your V and B dishes are absolutely gorgeous! I love what you did to the candles and just love the burlap table runner! Just an incredibly inviting table.

Anonymous said...

Hi Marlis! What a beautiful table you've set. Love those pretty dishes and the chargers are so unusual.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

xinex said...

I love your black and white transferware, Malis and I am in love with your white wooden charger too. They are so pretty together....Christine

Dianne said...

The table is wonderful, elegant and humorous at the same time. I really love the chargers. Are they new? I have been on the hunt for white chargers that are interesting. Dianne

Kathleen said...

How beautiful! The centerpiece is stunning! I like those felt place mats too!
Miss my Villeroy and Boch store here!

Jacqueline said...

Glad to see you use the chargers. Aren't they fabulous. I love mine too.

I almost had the same dilemna, couldn't come up with an idea and then I spotted the dishes my friend had given me. It is just this inbetween time of year here - not inspiring.

I love all of the black and white, that felt placemat is fabulous. If you hadn't told us about the flowers and the greenery we wouldn't have noticed! The dish stands on its own.
Thanks for your sweet visit to my blog! It really did encourage me to get going again. I am going to try Blurb to print it to a book so in case it ever happens again, I will have something!
LOL
Jacqueline

Miss Merry said...

I love those black and white transferware plates (even more with your translations!). Such a pretty table - how lucky to find everything right there in your lovely home.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Your black and white table scheme is stunning. I love the burlap tablerunner. hugs ~lynne~

Linda said...

Your plates are to die for. Love the humor in the scenes. The burlap runner is perfection. Love what you did, and glad you DID!
Linda

Lynn said...

Lovin' the neutral colors Marlis and your chargers are just beautiful-enjoy:@)

Designs on 47th Street said...

Oh how I enjoyed the table that almost wasn't! It is such a classy look and then you look closer at the whimsy of the salad plates. How fun and pretty they are! I also LOVE those charger. Those Halloween placemats sure work well with this scape,and no one would ever know. So glad you followed through with this. :)

Donna

podso said...

It looks lovely. Like the transferware so much. (and your china cabinet! :-) ) The lighting is wonderful for the whole setting!

Debbie said...

I don't miss the flowers for the centerpiece one bit. That urn in the center is so pretty on its own.

I really like the look of the whole table. Love the blacks and whites and that burlap runner is fantastic. I need something like that.

My favorite part of all was all the interesting little salad plates and your translation of what they say. That's so cute and would be such a conversation piece at dinner.

Sarah said...

Marlis, no flowers needed for this beautiful setting. I love the tureen from Portugal. It makes a perfect statement. You know black and white make my heart sing. Love this table! ~ Sarah

A Perfect Setting said...

I can't think of anything I like better than black and white. It's always so classy and elegant. I love the way you used the burlap and the twine on the green candles. Gorgeous!

Mary said...

I love the whimsy of your V&B hunt scene plates! Your flatware & glasses with your burlap runner are perfect together. I don't miss the flowers with your wonderful centerpiece!

Anonymous said...

You did a hellova job making lemonade out of .......

Marigene said...

I love the black and white, it is such a classic. Those salad plates have a really pretty border. I love the wooden chargers...I looked at them but decided not to get them...I am sure I will go back soon to rectify this! Beautiful covered bowl.

grammy and papi said...

STUNNING!! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful table.

Have a God Filled Day
Shirley

Sharon Haynie said...

I am loving the black and white! Burlap is getting to be one of my favorite fabrics too! You've done a great job, thanks for sharing!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Marlis,
I have never seen such gorgeous transferware! I'm going to be looking for these! The detail and hunt inspired design is really so becommig!
I just photographed a black and white table for next week. Great minds!!!!
Using the burlap runner give a nice calm background for your felt placemats, chargers and of course, those dishes!
I could just take your centerpiece home with me. What a beautiful covered piece.
There is somethings striking about a black and white table and you did it to perfection!
Yvonne

Alycia Nichols said...

Hey, Marlis...I just sent you a really long comment, but it just disappeared and a banner came up that said it was unable to complete my request. Not sure if it really didn't go through or what. If you get a chance, please let me know. :-(

Tess said...

Marlis...this is stunning. The black and white is so elegant!

Meredith said...

Love your table runner and the transferware is simply beautiful mixed with the white plates and chargers.

Lizabeth said...

Wow I do love this..that is the coolest pattern on the transferware. Black and white is always so striking! The That's neat idea with the jute twine wrapped around the candles! The centerpiece is elegant and looks like there should be something wonderful inside it! I love the Mikasa French Countryside glasses...I got them in the Ruby but I want the clear too! The burlap sure is a nice touch!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

I'm in love with those chargers! Love the black and white transferware and flatware.

Scribbler said...

You had me at black and white -- so snappy! The pictorial stories on your plates are really cute.

Lori Lucas said...

Black and white is always a classic and yours is absolutely beautiful. How funny that you translated the plates. That was very humorous! Loved your entire table. Lori L

Debby S. said...

This is truly beautiful! You have the most beautiful black transferware I have ever seen. I love your layers. You never miss a beat in your tables. SIGH.....Now I must have black!!!!

Debby S. said...

This is truly beautiful! You have the most beautiful black transferware I have ever seen. I love your layers. You never miss a beat in your tables. SIGH.....Now I must have black!!!!

Diane said...

Oh my gosh! There is not one aspect of this tablescape that I am not lusting after!

I have a particular passion for any type of transferware so the V & B plates are at the top of my list. But those Pier 1 chargers are pretty awesome, too!

Anonymous said...

I love a black and white table, Marlis and yours is gloriously gorgeous!!

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Hi Marlis, I think you are right--we do have the same taste! I used those chargers again this week--aren't they great? And I have those candle holders, too. Your table is beautiful and the transferware is so pretty and funny! I did not realize that there is an area in Germany with a mix of French and German languages. Have a wonderful day. It is sunny here--yippee!! Linda

Anonymous said...

Marlis, I really like the mixture of the elegant dishes and glassware with the burlap! This is a beautiful table setting.

swedecollection said...

Loved the transferware, wood charger and black handled flatware. The charger looks like the inset depth would keep the plates from slipping around. I had not seen those before. Very nice!

Sweetladyelaine said...

A beautiful table! I love your shabby chargers and transfer plates, beautiful! I haven't set a black & white table but you are convincing....
Blessings My Friend,

La said...

Your transferware is amazing! Your tablescape is very elegant and pretty. La

Kathy said...

What a gorgeous "cast" Marlis and you deserve the oscar for your directing of this tablescape. pure genius. love it, everything :-)

CJ Foss said...

Great pairing of china and burlap. Love the stories told on those beautiful plates. Thanks for sharing. CJ

Phyllis said...

I must say that you have created a stunning table and without flowers. The contrast of the white and black really stands out and is so impressive. The transferware plates are so different....not seen everyday, and the translations are fun to learn about. I am convinced that I need some black and white in my entertaining closet......and soon!!!!

Theresa said...

I love everything about this table!
Simply beautiful. I really like the layers of black and white and those chargers are georgeous!

Fuzzy Slippers said...

Oh wow! You made some great lemonade from those lemons. ;) This tablescape is AMAZING. I'm glad you didn't find those flowers or we might not have had this wonderful inspiration. :)

All The Pretty Dishes said...

I love your table and your centerpiece. Who says a centerpiece has to have flowers?

Homeroad said...

Beautiful! I love the black and white and where did you get those beautiful wooden chargers?
Susan

FABBY'S LIVING said...

I love this tablescape Marlis! The black transfer china is unique, elegant and gorgeous...yes, I can understand you loving it. Beautiful center piece. Love the big candles and glassware. Perfect table, I love it!

LOVE
FABBY

Tess said...

Marlis...
Just stopping back to thank you for your comment and to let you know that my teacart folds up and slips into a pretty small space. The quality is great (got it on QVC...here's the url http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.K28247.cm_scid.PROM

On Crooked Creek said...

Marlis,
I am so glad this was the table that was! Those plates would be darling conversation starters! Lovely detailing! Your disclaimer, too darn cute! Have a lovely weekend and thank you for posting!
Fondly,
Pat

Custom Comforts said...

Absolutely stunning!!! Every bit of it is perfection! Gorgeous combination of black and white.
Cindy

Anonymous said...

Black and white transferware is on my list of things I'd like to have. Your tables are always wonderful, and your photos keep getting better. Hope all is well.

Denise said...

Hi Marlis,

This tablescape is a knockout!! I just love toile and the black and white patterns are so elegant. The centerpiece bowl is also beautiful. I love the combination of burlap with the more dressy look of the dishes and flatware. It all came together for a perfect look. Enjoy your weekend!

Denise

Linda Q said...

Great table, love the classicness of the black and white. Like your placemats, chargers and transferware!!
Linda

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Well Marlis,
I am glad you decided to table.
It looks grand, very striking.
Love those white plates or chargers with the interesting shape to them.
Who said you need flowers to make a pretty table.
Blessings, Nellie

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