Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Tablescape Thursday - Pheasant Fall

Here we are gathered for another visit to Susan's tablescaping party on her porch. This is such fun week after week and I can't wait to visit everybody to see your inspirational tables!


Since I have a fondness for pinks and flowers - most of my tablescapes are rather feminine. Or very colorful and childlike for my grandgirls. Today, I decided to set the table a bit more masculine -- for the "Gentlemen" of the family. Here we are approaching our Fall tablescape. The tablecloth came from Target ($16.99). I usually love vintage tablecloths, but I've been pleasantly surprised at some I've picked up at Target for very reasonable prices.


A pair of pheasants are my centerpiece today. They usually reside on my mantle.


I found these back in the spring when I was looking for something unusual for our Dad's April birthdays. I found them on eBay for 99 cents! When I set the table for that occasion, I knew that they would make a great Fall tablescape as well. I love their bronze glaze.


Here's a place set just for you!


I also found eight bird themed plates for the same Birthday occasion. These were also from eBay - for $24. I picked the four that looked the most "fallish" for todays tablescape.


Each plate has a different pair of birds.


Each has an adult bird and a young one.


I don't really know anything about this china -- on the back it's marked "M & R" (interestingly my husband's and my initials for Martha and Rick). Bone China made in England -- and dated 1940 -- maybe some of you will recognize it.


The back view.


A few feathers here and there to add interest and texture.
(I just said that to make it sound like I know what I'm doing -- I really DON'T!)


Another full table view from the side.


Breaking down a place setting. Bird salad plates on top.


Chocolate brown cloth napkins from Tuesday Morning ($6.99)


The Big Lot's Gibson plates, now affectionately known as "Gollum dishes" -- since she sent out a dish alert back in the spring and we all ran to get a set!


Dark seagrass placemats purchased from Marshall's back in the spring.


Target flatwear -- 99 cents closeout -- wish I could find 4 more knives, but they seem to have completely sold out.


Pewter wedding goblets mixed with heirloom wine glasses from Rick's grandmother.


The next few shots are of the centerpiece from several angles.


I just love these birds.


It appears that they were made by someone in a ceramics class.


It seems like everytime I'm taking pictures, the day is overcast -- sorry for the lighting -- I'm trying to resist using the flash.


An overview of our tablescape.


overview of the centerpiece.


A parting table shot.


Since my #1 tablescaping assistant was helping out today I figured I would get his picture in here.



#2 assistant was just waiting for the food - he's unimpressed with tablescaping.

But if you want to be very impressed with some beautiful tablescapes...be sure to head on over to "Between Naps on The Porch" -- you'll be glad you did!


See ya!

47 comments:

  1. Oh Martha!
    I really like your dishes and what you've done.
    So very pretty especially this time of year.
    May you have a blessed Thanksgiving,
    d from homehaven

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  2. What a beautiful fall table, Martha. Love the bird dishes and you pheasant centerpiece. I don't have the Gollum dishes, but these remind me of Italian Countryside, which I do have. Very versatile.

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  3. Martha, this is just gorgeous. I love the pheasants. They are stunning. You bird dishes are beautiful and so interesting to showcase all different birds. The feathers and and leaves complete such a beautiful tablescape. I really like the use of the pewter in this tablescape. Everything is so beautifully done. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Martha, I just love this table scene for thanksgiving. Those plates are adorable.
    The pheasants always remind me of fall and thanksgiving. Just lovely girlfriend.

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  5. gor-GEOUS Martha! One of my favorite tablescapes of the year! And gotta love that little assistant!!!
    Kim

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  6. Oh Martha! Just beautiful. My husband goes pheasant hunting on Colorado often so I have MANY arrangements in my home with those beautiful feathers. I have been looking for a pair much like those for our great room. I will have to look on ebay. What a great idea! Just a beautiful table. GREAT JOB!

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  7. Hi Martha! Oh, I just adore your table - it has an elegant manor look to it! The pheasant theme is wonderful. Love your centerpiece and those bird dishes you found are just perfect! Don't you just love tablecloths? Your pewter goblets just are perfect! You've done such a wonderful job and I always love to come and see what you've been up to.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  8. Martha-This is just beautiful! I love, love, love those plates. The guys in my family are bird hunters and I would love to have some! It is a great masculine tablescape--mine is "manly" too this time!

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  9. I love the pheasant tablescape. It is just right for fall. I like the use of the pewter glasses.

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  10. The dishes are so perfect with your centerpiece. I don't have anything masculine either. I tend to like elegant or fun dishes, I never really thought about having a manly table:) Truth is...I've never thought so much about tables before ever !

    This all looked beautiful.

    Sue

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  11. Martha,
    This is a beautiful tablescape, I love the pheasants in the middle of the table. Your dishes are wonderful. As usual perfect.
    Sandy

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  12. Beautiful plates and I will keep my eye open for you on those flatware pieces when I go to Target next week. Happy Thanksgiving.
    Joyce

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  13. The vintage cornflower crystal certainly makes a nice contrast to the rugged pewter goblets. They add a softness to the scene. Good for you!

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  14. Martha, this is so pretty. I cannot believe the deals you got on those pretty pheasants and dishes. They sure make a lovely tablescape, and those pewter goblets are stunning. laurie

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  15. Love your pheasant table Martha! I like Target tablecloths also. I have bought some on clearance that were so cheap but have stood the test of time! :D Jewel

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  16. Hi Martha,I love yor beautiful table... You did a wonderful job...
    Happy Thanksgiving
    xoxo
    Julie

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  17. A really pretty scape!! Love those pheasants and can't believe you got the for the price you did!! The plates are so wonderful too--love the tablecloth as well---everything is a smashing sucess!!

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  18. Beautiful table setting. The pheasants give the table an English Hunt feel. Makes me want to have a walk in the woods.
    Susan

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  19. It is all gorgeous, but those pewter goblets are to-die-for! Love those! Beautiful plates!

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  20. Oh I just love the pheasants and ducks on the plates and the one for your centerpiece. And you got these at a bargain too! Did good, girl!

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  21. Martha, your table this week is VERY autumnal & VERY beautiful, too. The pheasants were the perfect choice for your centerpiece & what a bargain!
    I think your plates are just lovely & I did a google search for something similar but came up empty handed. I think you've got yourself some real treasures there.
    Thanks for sharing & Happy Thanksgiving!

    fondly,
    Rett

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  22. Martha,

    Your table looked so high end, that for a minute I thought you had taken a photo at a store! Simply excellent! Love all the elements you used... what a bargin on your center piece and combined with the beautiful feathers. All I can say is Wow!.... Dee Dee

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  23. Martha I loved last weeks table so much BUT I must tell you this one has stolen my heart. See my last blog & you'll see why. Your plates would be perfect accents for my table. I LOVE THIS!!!! How perfect that they are marked with you & your husbands initials.

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  24. p.s. Your plates are from Mark & Rosenfeld.

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  25. oooooooooh --- so very nice! i like the browns for autumn.

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  26. Hi Martha! Thanks for stopping by again. Your table is awesome. It's elegant with a lot of textures. The colors are so restive.

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  27. Martha, very pretty and inviting, and I like the masculine touch. Also love pheasants. They are really popular right now! Happy Thanksgiving to you! Linda

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  28. Ooh, lovely colors! And your assistants are terribly cute as well. :0

    Thanks for dropping by and happy Thanksgiving!

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  29. What a pretty table! The colors are so beautiful and the pewter goblets are gorgeous! I've been wanting some just like those, but I'm having a hard time finding some. Thanks for sharing and happy TT to you!

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  30. I really like this, it's so pretty! What a bargain on those pheasants, they are great! Very nice dishes as well!

    Katherine

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  31. Your centerpiece is fabulous and I love the dishes withe the two birds on each. Cute little helper you have there and I can relate to the one who just wants the food!

    Christi @ A Southern Life

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  32. Oh what a beautiful tablescape! I love the dishes and the pheasant. Lovely touch.

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  33. Martha...first of all, I love the pics of your tablescaping assistant. :-) So cute! You and I were definitely on the same wave length...isn't that something...we both did pheasant tables! I am soooo jealous of the the deals you find on eBay...those pheasants and plates are fabulous! I would have paid way more...what a steal! Beautiful tablescape! Thanks for the Target tip...I'll have to check out their tablecloths.
    Susan

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  34. Martha-

    Love the tablescape, hope the "guys" appreciate it too! Thanks for visiting me in blogland too!

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  35. Nice to see a more "masculine" 'scape although I'd love to eat at it too! Those pheasants are wonderful and make a terrific centerpiece for this time of year. The pewter goblets are perfect as are the plates! Great job!

    DD

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  36. Well, you really got good deals on Ebay, for sure. I love the pewter goblets, too. I like the way you broke the place setting down for us. Great idea.

    D

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  37. Hi Martha,
    Just beautiful!!! When I saw your table, I literally leaned forward thinking how much I loved the colors, the centerpiece, and the clean design. Your plates and centerpiece are perfect together, and the pewter goblets look great with the colors and textures you've used. Very impressive!

    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Bill

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  38. What a great table, Martha! I love this! Pheasants are always one of my favorite birds, and I like the way you have layered this look. As Bill said, it has great texture! Good job on this! I like your pewter tankards, too.

    I was going to tablescape with you all this week, but my wireless router gave me fits. I finally got the modem to work again, but it was long after all the tablescapes were up. But I'm finally up and running again! :-)

    XO,

    Sheila

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  39. Thanks for setting a place for me at your beautiful table! I love your cute little pheasants and they look great with all your warm Autumn colours.
    Best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving, Natasha.

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  40. Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love your tablescape. Those Gibson dishes look so much like Wedgwood's EDME pattern. I once found a vintage set at a thrift shop for $17 and it was worth about $400! Needless to say, your Gibson plates are a little bit more durable and in much better condition!

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  41. Gorgeous fall tablescape, so elegant with a Hunt theme going on. The pheasants are perfect as part of your centrepiece, and what a bargain they were.
    Your M&R china would suit us too. (Maggie & Roger).
    Thanks for visiting Normandy again.
    Maggie

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  42. I love the china...although I don't know what it is, it reminds me of something my grandpa would like...he's a big bird guy.

    -Grace

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  43. Hi Martha! Oh, thank you so much for your sweet visit. I am too so glad we've met. I just can't get over how sweet you were that time telling me you wanted to send me some gifts! I'll always cherish them and especially the little girl figurine you said reminded you of me.;)
    Have a blessed Thanksgiving,
    Shelia ;)

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  44. Hi Martha! I love your "guys" table -- those pheasants were a great buy! They really set a nice, outdoorsy tone for the whole table.

    My favorite? Your helper and your non-helper... how adorable! My own "helper" just waits for food, too; he thinks humans are pretty silly.

    Cass

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  45. Miss Martha- this tablescape is stunning, and your blog looks amazing.

    I also wanted to say how much I sppreciate all of your wonderful comments. You are a very special blog friend.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving,

    Laura

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  46. Martha, I really enjoyed seeing your lovely pheasant plates and the entire English theme. It's a lovely way to herald the holiday. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving from all of us and our thanks for stopping by.

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  47. Love this tablescape. The dinnerware is beautiful and I love how you created the centerpiece using the pheasants! Lovely.

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