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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

A Pre-Valentine's Day Tablescape

Playing with dishes really is a lot of fun! While I have another table planned for next week. I was dying to use these new Juliska plates! And it is still winter, you know. Really go check the calendar.. not the thermometer. LOL, we sat outside and had lunch today. Kind of unheard of.

So I paired those sweet dishes with a red plate I found, wait, that found me.  Added a silver heart, some lace and tulips and the red flatware and called it a Valentine. It could pass, couldn't it?

I think the lace on the napkins really does tone down winter and brings out more of the love.

Yes, these red plates jumped into my basket at Tuesday Morning, after Christmas, during one of their sales. They were a whopping 1.87! Now with that price there was no second guessing. And for those who played along earlier, HERE, those dishes haven't made their trek back to Pier One. Yet.

I really love the edge of the Juliska plate. So curvy!

I "planted" the tulips in a vintage Burgenland serving bowl. They are really not too tall to leave on the table. A silver candlestick and a red votive holder complete the centerpiece.

There's a story to the red votive cups. Our youngest son and my father conspired to bring a lot of mom's stuff (that no one else wanted) to rest in our garage. What a horrible mess it was. Last Saturday, I bagged up 8-10 bags of fabric, a vhs player, a bag of ribbon, some clothes, etc and we took those to Goodwill. Amongst some of her things there was a bag purchased at a now defunct Christmas store. Inside the bag, amongst some pinecone ornaments that I love love love, I found these red crackle glass cups. Love them too. You might think I rescued them, but they rescued me.

Sweet Mr. CJ bought these hearts for me last year. Aren't they precious tucked into the braided, red napkin ring with the lace napkin.

Here is the start of my latest obsession with Juliska. Youngest son gave this platter to me for Christmas. It's their Holiday Country Estate line. He loved it, I loved it. And I love him for it!

 Flowers were very scarce last weekend. What's up with that? So I found these red and white potted tulips and thought they added a good mix of pretty to the table. 
 I added a bit of green dried stuff to the edges of the bowl to soften the look and plopped an unused heart into the bowl.



Because the Juliska plates were so curvy, the Mikasa French Countryside goblets fit the bill for a glass. Their curves mimic the edges of the plates. Repeating elements on a table or any other design, is always pleasing to the eye.

As if to give a stamp of approval, the sun broke free of the clouds and danced across the table with joyous abandon.

I was skeptical of the red flatware, thinking it might be too much, but it just brought the plate outward and completed the setting perfectly.




 I brought this lace runner back from Switzerland as a remembrance of working there. Andrea took me to the textile museum in St. Gallen. Also HERE if you can read German. It is certainly a place that is a must see.

Each set of Juliska holiday plates has 4 plates with 4 different scenes. Well, I had a tray, I needed something to go with it, right? It was perfect by itself, but so much happier with friends!!


Cast:
Chargers - Pier One
Dinner Plates - Thomson purchased at Tuesday Morning
Salad/Dessert Plates - Juliska Country Estate Holiday
Glasses - Mikasa French Countryside
Napkins - vintage
Napkin rings - World Market
Hearts - United Market Street
Flatware - Cambridge
Lace Runner - St. Gallen, Switzerland
Bowl - Villeroy & Boch Burgenland
Silver Candlesticks - Gorham Chantilly

Thank you so much for dropping in on this post. I'm always so happy to see you've been by and love reading your comments. I am joining the following ladies at their parties this week. I sure hope you will join me. There are so many pretty tables set just for you! 



35 comments:

  1. I'm winning! I'm winning! I'm winning! The plates are still at your house!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, I'm sitting on pins and needles waiting to see what their fate will be!!! Meanwhile, LOVE those Juliska plates!!!!!! Those are gorgeous, Marlis! They are the perfect thing for the crazy time of year that is still winter (the winter scenes) but hinting Spring (the tulips) and all about love (the red & white, the hearts). I don't know that you could have been more right on with your choice!! Hooray for sweet sons who know just how to feed into their Mommy's addiction! :-)

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  2. OK, I'm in love with this table Marlis, your choice of plates is excellent for this time of year...the winter plates just made my heart go pitter patter. And as for the tulips, they're my favorite all year but especially this time of year. Thanks for sharing special winter table.

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  3. Marlis, I sent you an email about this post, but have to say again how gorgeous this all is. Totally in love with Juliska's Country Estate series and especially this Holiday edition. I hope they continue to product it because I may have to bring some of to our house next year. '-)
    All your special details are perfect compliments for these plates. And kudos to that son who knows how to give a great gift!

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  4. Wow, Marlis, how will you outdo this table with a different one for Valentine's Day?? This is stunning! I always drool over the Juliska displays in stores, but I hadn't seen this pattern. Gorgeous! The silver hearts are a wonderful touch, too.

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  5. I love your dishes and the table is set so beautifully.
    Great blog.
    Mary

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  6. This may be one of the best Valentine's tables on earth! That piece of lace is exquisite, and I love your Juliska. I would faint dead away if my son ever gave me anything like that. Kiss him for me and tell him he did well!

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  7. This is a really pretty tablescape! I love those Pier 1 chargers and the Juliska plates! So lovely!!! =D

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  8. Oh my gosh! I've been in love with those Juliska plates and serving pieces since I first saw them. I'm telling you......they haunt me. I just might make them the first item on my wish list for my birthday, and anniversary, and Christmas. What a treat this table is!
    Linda @ A Toile Tale

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  9. I'm trying to remember if there was a table at the Flaming Festival that used those wonderful Juliska plates. They are waaaaayyyyy coooolllll! Al fresco in February...you have to love the Southwest! The sun kissed shot makes my heart beat a bit faster....some day I'm going to sit at that table. Looking forward to our Tables for Two next week. Cherry Kay

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  10. I'm trying to remember if there was a table at the Flaming Festival that used those wonderful Juliska plates. They are waaaaayyyyy coooolllll! Al fresco in February...you have to love the Southwest! The sun kissed shot makes my heart beat a bit faster....some day I'm going to sit at that table. Looking forward to our Tables for Two next week. Cherry Kay

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  11. Marlis, Your table is beautiful, as usual! Blessings, Tammy

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  12. The red and white plates are amazing Marlis! Beautiful table.

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  13. What a stunning table...I love all the red and white...those dishes are beautiful.

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  14. Love the Julista plates although I love everything else on your table, Marlis. Someday, I'll buy those white chargers, just can't justify myself yet, lol. Sweet of your hubby to give you those cute hearts and your son to give you the pretty plates. I can tell you have a very loving family...Christine

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  15. Beautiful table, Marlis. I have now fallen in love with your Juliska plates...they are so pretty!

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  16. Gorgeous Juliska plates and paired with the red snowflake plates from Tuesday Morning makes a wonderful combination. The red and white theme with the lovely tulips is so pretty. The entire tablescape is beautiful and the metal hearts are my favorite. You certainly have been busy with all the sorting and clearing.The bonus is the sweet red cups you found while so busy! Glad you added them to your treasures. A lovely table set for a special meal.

    Pam

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  17. You bet your bippy it is still winter! We are bracing for another snow storm this weekend!
    Those plates and platter are beautiful, what a find! Gorgeous table!
    I envy you sitting outside for lunch! We have 4 months before that is even a possibility!

    Thanks for linking to Let's Dish!

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  18. Hi Marlis, I love reading your posts! They just make me smile. I never heard of Juliska dishes, but gosh they are sooooo pretty! They look perfect for Valentine's Day...pre or not!! I'm loving your sweet hearts from your hubby and that crocheted runner is gorgeous.

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  19. These plates are GORGEOUS!! I love Juliska anything, but didn't know about these--oh-oh...They're perfect for your bautiful winter/Valentine table, but won't they be great at Christmas?? Can't wait to see what you do with them again! I agree that the lace napkin added the bit of romance needed for the Valentine table--good choice! Hooray for your good son with good sense! :) ~Zuni

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  20. Hi marlis, your tablescape is beautiful I love those plates.
    thank you so much for your lovely comments on my blog.
    Blessing
    Isora
    XO

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  21. Marlis, Once again you have outdone yourself. The table is a perfect mix of the crispness of winter and the warmth of Valentines day. As for the plates from Pier 1, if they are still in the house and you've already made a home for them, I think you must want to keep them.

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  22. Oh, the Juliska plates are fabulous and YES it is still winter, although we have had a little sun and snow melt. What a nice present from your son! Anything red and white is always so stunning and photographs so perfectly. I love your table.

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  23. Marlis - everything on your table is beautiful, but I cannot stop thinking about the lace. That runner is a treasure! Also, I wish that I had run across those red plates on a shopping trip - wow! Of course, the Juliska plates are fabulous!

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  24. I adore those red and white plates. Perfect touch. They represent Valentine's Day as well as winter, well the winter we aren't having this year;)

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  25. Marlis, I just love the way you have captured the beautiful shadows on your table. I bet you are loving having the sun peeking through. Me, I'm just about done with our hot weather. 42 degrees on Monday here!!!!
    Suzyq

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  26. Marlis,
    Lovely red and white tablescape, dear friend!!! I adore the snowflake rimming your dinnerware and the winter scences are awesome!!! I love that your son knows his mothers taste!!!
    Those red crackle tea light votive holders add such a pop of color to the table along with your flatware...great choices!!!Silver candlesticks and tulips add the touch of romance!!!
    The only thing missing...SNOW!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  27. This table is absolutely gorgeous! I love all of the details, especially the Juliska plates. Great story about your mom's things; I love that sort of seredipity.

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  28. LOVE those winter red and white plates! You've already shown how versatile they are for Christmas, Winter and V's Day! How fun of you to post that you "audition" dishes...loved that post! My problem would be I'd keep them all!
    Did your hubby REALLY buy you those silver hearts? If so, I can tell he really "gets" you...how romantic!

    DD

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  29. Marlis, your table is truly beautiful. I adore lace, so it sets the table perfectly. What wonderful treasures those Juliska plates. I have those very same chargers. Everything is so elegant too!

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  30. I am in love with the Juliska plates. They are so quaint and it my favorite colors. Love the red plates you paired them with, and of course I love the Pier 1 chargers. Such a great table, and those little hearts are so charming. Joni

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  31. Hi dear Marlis,

    Ah what? Sat outside? U got to be kidding. I am blown away? Not a chance in Sweden right now! I am so tired (again? every year millions of people complaints) LoL*

    Kidding aside, I was deeply in love with the red dishes. That's a steal, for 1.87$, don't you think? Graciousness!

    I remember, your chargers. Last Autumn, I found this kind of wooden chargers at Indiska, Indian in Swedish. It is a store that sale products made in India and I love it. I supposed to buy even 6pcs but, I had shopped lots and I don't have a car with me. It happens that I went shopping after work. So, I said to myself, I will be back in the morning. Unfortunately, the stocks were FINITO. Imagine, the whole Sweden. For a day? From that moment, I can't forgive myself not buying them that day. So sad.

    Now, I am drooling and everytime, I see ladies, who own a set, makes my heart jump out §:-)

    Happy TS, Marlis and to be honest? I couldn't join the votation coz, I love all the dishes? Does this mean that I love American stuffs?

    Hugs from D´Box,
    /CC girl

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  32. Marlis, your choice of the red Juliska Country Estate pattern is just wonderful for winter and Valentine's Day both. Have you seen the blue in that pattern? I must say those silver hearts R 2Die4!!! Your table is very lovely!

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  33. What a gorgeous tablescape! I love the lace edging on your napkins.

    Have a very Happy Valentine's week!

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  34. Marlis, I LOVE, LOVE those plates! Your table is wonderful. Great way to "plant" the tulips, and the hearts are perfect on the napkin rings. But..I want some of those plates now, and I have no more room in my house for plates. What's a tablescaping girl to do? laurie

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Thank you for visiting and commenting. I love reading your thoughts. Blessings, Marlis