Monday, May 18, 2009

Tablescape Thursday - Strawberries On My Table

It's Tablescape Thursday and you know what that means....all across blogland ladies are setting their tables and playing with their dishes!

Here's my kitchen table this week - full of strawberries. Vintage strawberry dishes on a vintage strawberry tablecloth.
Now, I do like to let others have the opportunity to learn from MY mistakes. As you'll notice the flowers look rather orange in the picture - actually, in real life they are more peachy pink with a yellow center. When I bought them this weekend they were tight buds and looked like they would be pink and redish. So the lesson here is no matter what buds look like, when they open up you can still end up being surprised. I guess, you just can't go wrong with white flowers (sort of like white dishes). I was hoping that the yellow would pick up the color of the handles of the flatwear - but not really. Anyway, regardless of color, I am enjoying my bunch of peachy Alstroemerias.


Here's a close up of a place setting with my "Strawberry Fair" dishes that came from my mother in law. I do have quite a few of these dishes with 2 platters, a vegetable bowl, berry bowls, luncheon plates and a few soup/cereal bowls. These were the dishes she had at their river cottage. Luckily for me the other women in the family are not into "vintage" like I am. So they all came to me!


You can see the strawberries (and a few cherries too) inside the teacups. Oops! I didn't put the teaspoon on the saucer like Miss Janice taught us.


Take away the teacups and this is the dinner plate. I love the scalloped edges of these plates and all the detail of the transferware.


And here's the backside of the dinner plate. Even more strawberries back here!


My charger is my white JCPenny ironstone. Because these plates are so flat - they actually make better charger plates than dinner plates.


Here's a close look at the strawberry pattern of the tablecloth. The background colors are a very soft blue and green (I don't think the green really shows well in the photos). I love the soft material of these vintage tablecloths. They just don't make them like this anymore and this one is in excellent condition. You can also get a pretty good look at my new Cambridge bamboowear.


Here's a close up of the design in the middle of the tablecloth -- I think that you can just barely see a bit of the soft green here.


Here's my poor topless empty sugar bowl. It sort of looks like Bill and Beulah (my Target birdie S&P's)are looking for the top or at least the sugar! Oh, I almost forgot -- I also have a gravy boat and underplate in the Strawberry Fair pattern.


On the other side of the flowers we have my white butter dish and a small jam pot of strawberry preserves.


Ok - Ok -- If you really look closer you can see that those are red raspberries - but I've never seen a raspberry that red before - have you? Looks more like a strawberry color to me!


Another view of the full setting of the table.


A close look at my grandmothers antique white pitcher filled with my surprising bouquet.



A final birds eye view of vintage strawberries on my table. I hope you enjoyed your visit. For more tablescaping fun, be sure to check out Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan of Between Naps On The Porch -- you can get there from my sidebar. You'll find a table set just for you!

See ya!

28 comments:

  1. Martha,

    How lucky you are to have these beautiful dishes passed on to you!! And you can't go wrong with anything by Johnson Brothers. I really like this pattern~so bright and cheery. And to tell you the truth, I think the flowers add a nice contrast! Your tablecloth is fabulous also!

    I know I would certainly love to sit down for breakfast or brunch at your table! Thanks for the tip on the Penney's ironstone~it does look like a great charger!

    Have a wonderful week, Martha!

    xoxo
    Jane

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  2. Martha, I always look for you post on Wednesday. These dishes are perfect for this table sitting. I have to admitt I love those chargers! My favorite. I have to check them out when I get to the mall. Are they expensive? They look it and most of us have to stay close to the budget. I like any woman love to shop but I have to limit myself.
    So sprin....ey.

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  3. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the gorgeous vintage pieces. The tablecloth is lovely and the dishes are just wonderful. What a treasure to have family heirlooms and they're so lovely. All of the accessory pieces are beautiful. Even if the bouquet colors aren't what you thought they would be, they are so pretty. Great tablescape. Hugs, Marty

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  4. I want these dishes when you are done with them! they have always been my favorite!

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  5. BEAUTIFULLLLL! I adore that tablecloth!!!Thanks for sharing!Thanks for dropping by Bloggeritaville! I LOVE your blog!!!!

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  6. I love your dishes and you'd better hide them--the relatives may want them when they see how great they look! I am the only "taker" for vintage in my crew too--thank goodness :) It is definitely strawberry time and I love your theme!

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  7. Martha, thank you so much for thinking of me and the Fried Rice recipe. I would be honored to have you use that in your review. That is really sweet of you. We love it and always eat way too much. Thanks again, Hugs, Marty

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  8. What pretty table -- nothing like strawberries in May!

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  9. Hi Martha! I love your strawberry table! The dishes are beautiful, don't think I've ever seen that pattern before. Your vintage tablecloth looks awesome with everything! The flowers are lovely no matter what color they are and the new flatware looks wonderful! You've done a terrific job!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  10. LOVE the dishes..and strawberry theme! Happy Tablescape Thursday ~ Susan

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  11. Those are the prettiest strawberry plates/china I have ever seen ! What a great treasure....Love how you matched everything together so perfectly !
    Hugs ~ Kammy

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  12. Oh I've always loved Johnson Bros.! This strawberry pattern is great. Happy scaping to you!

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  13. Those strawberry dishes are just beautiful! I love the cup with the design inside...The table is lovely!

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  14. I love your strawberry plates! Oh so summery! Liz

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  15. Beautiful China! I love the T/C too...such vintage appeal!
    Michelle

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  16. oooh love Johnson Brothers plates, this pattern is particularly nice...

    I have the exact same tablecloth, picked it up years ago from a thrift shop and love to use it especially outdoors

    happy tablescaping

    Sarah
    A Beach Cottage

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  17. OHHHH! I love any vintage items with strawberries. It's lovely! Stop by and see my table setting, if you like what you see, be sure to subscribe to my blog by clicking on "Follow" in the right hand column. This way we can inspire one another frequently! Be sure to stay a while when you're there and enjoy the experience!

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  18. I'm in love with your dishes. You are a lucky gal to have them. I am so jealous!! And the vintage tablecloth is fabulous as well.

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  19. Your table setting is delightful. I enjoy seeing motifs that are repeated. It's so nice that you got the vintage table cloth and the fabulous Johnson Bros. dishes.

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  20. Martha, those dishes are beautiful! Good thing you're the only one who likes vintage, huh?! Johnson Bros. made some very pretty dishes in their time!
    Hope you're rid of that snake soon so you can enjoy eating outdoors again!
    happy holiday weekend!
    ;-D

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  21. Martha...gorgeous table! I'm seriously coveting those darling Johnson Bros. strawberry dishes! :-) I love Johnson Bros...they always have such wonderful patterns! Oh...and come on...you have a standing invitation to the porch! Remind me what state you are in...I have a brain like a sieve! :-)

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  22. I adore that China pattern! Love the JC Penney plate/chargers too!!!

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  23. I have never seen that strawberry pattern before.The dishes are so beautiful!..Christine

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  24. Just today I saw reproduction table cloths like this only brand new. But honestly, there is something more attractive about the vintage one!

    Pretty table!

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  25. How lovely! I'm drooling over those dishes... so yummy!

    thank you for sharing your lovely tablescape.

    Blessings, Emily from too Blessed to Stress

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  26. What beautiful dishes! I am quite green with envy, and also going to Ebay to try to find a few for me!
    Lovely, lovely design, as always.

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  27. I love your red and white china and white chargers! Your vintage table cloth looks wonderful with it. :O) Mary @Boogieboard Cottage

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  28. I am late getting here, but I am so glad I came by. I adore that china! I've never seen that pattern, and it is so pretty. How wonderful that it is an heirloom-that makes it even more special. And your vintage tablecloth is perfect for the china pattern. The strawberry jam jar is so pretty (yep, I think they look like strawberries too). Lovely tablescape. laurie

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