Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Tablescape Thursday - Red Birds in the Snow



I decided to repost this cheerful Winter's table....we haven't had any snow around here.....what a difference a year makes! Anyway....the winter is still young and we have lot's of snow opportunities still to come. I do love cardinals in winter....don't you?



It's time to play with our dishes again! I love Tablescape Thursday and who knew how many of us there were -- until Susan invited us all to come out of the dish closet and play along. So here we are -- back for another week of dish delights -- and I'm amazed week after week at what everyone displays -- those decorating books and magazines have nothing on many of you tabletop designers!

Here in Virginia, we have snow once again -- and so I've set my kitchen table with a look at "Red Birds in the Snow". Our state bird is the Cardinal....so it just seems fitting. I love red in the kitchen. My grandmother's kitchen was red long before red was popular. I mean back in the 60s! She painted her ceiling red and had red countertops. Her kitchen was always open for morning coffee and conversation with her neighborhood friends - so I always think of her when I see red tablescapes.



Here's a place set just for you!



Usually my two napkin rule is paper for the mouth and cloth for the lap, but today I didn't have any paper napkins that matched ....so I put out two cloth ones. Actually the bigger ones are dish towels from Target ... they were 1/2 price after Christmas and since they matched the tablecloth (also Target 1/2 price), I'm using them today for extra large napkins. The red napkins are ones I got when my dad downsized a few years ago.


Here's a look at a little different style dish cloth. Perfect for our snowy weather!


Here are our red birds on the centerpiece. Actually all those candles were the same color when I purchased them back in the Fall. Don't know why they're changing colors.


They take on a different hue when they're glowing.


Some of you may remember when I got this iron candleholder a few months back from the thriftstore -- it had started out black and had been painted white -- after going back and forth.....I finally decided to return it to black.


Let's do the tabletop strip tease. The napkin rings were purchased from an antique store a few months ago.


Red salad plates came from Marshall's after Christmas sale 2008.


You know about the dish cloth .... the flatware is from Target closeout last Summer.


These white dishes are really more cream colored -- They're orig. from JCPenney's -- but I got them from GoodWill about three years ago -- I had been wanting some white plates for a long time and I was able to get 10 plates, 8 bowls and 8 coffee mugs all matching for less than $20.


A view of all the layers.


I loved finding these red goblets at a Pre-Christmas open house at one of my favorite antique stores. I was able to get 6 for a good price. I've been on a kick with colored glasses lately -- I found these first, then four green ones at GoodWill, then four that were hand painted with flowers on them at GW(I haven't shown you those yet), then I found 6 blue water goblets at GW, then I picked up 6 blue wine stems from Dollar Tree and today I purchased 8 pink Fostoria goblets from e-Bay! Ok...I think I'm over the glasses now. Anybody thirsty? Really, REALLY thirsty?



Did you see this tablecloth at Target around Christmas --- the one close to me had lots of them left after Christmas and I was pleased to find them on sale -- I guess they didn't look Christmasy enough -- but perfect for Winter, I thought!



The only problem was...they only had the larger sized cloths......shhhhhh, don't tell anybody else, but I'm going to let you in on a little secret....


Do you see how I folded the end underneath to make the cloth the right size for my table?


Unless you really look closely it's not terribly obvious.....and you know how the camera makes every wrinkle and bump glaringly apparent. All the things you didn't mean to catch on camera for everyone to see.....



....like the furry leg poking out from under the table.....



.... of my camera shy assistant.


Late afternoon shadows on my table. Soon the sun will set and it will be time.....


....to light the candles.



Cardinals in the pines.



Warming themselves in the glow.



I'm so glad that you visited me today and I hope you'll get the chance to make all the rounds to see what everyone's set on their tables over at "Between Naps On The Porch". You'll find a place set just for you.


See ya!

60 comments:

  1. I LOVE YOUR CARDINAL TABLE MARTHA! Those red goblets really caught my eye, I have been looking for some and those look perfect! Gorgeous Table. Cindy

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  2. Martha,
    Your table is just beautiful, I love all the red. My Grandmother also had a red and yellow kitchen. I love the red goblets and salad plates. Everything looks so warm and inviting, as usual. I don't know about you, but I am SICK of snow. We are expecting another large snow storm to hit us again this weekend, third weekend in a row. Thanks for sharing.
    Sandy

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  3. Such a lovely tablescape. I love the red. YOur napkins and the red plates are just gorgeous and just perfect with the tablecloth. Fantastic idea to fold the cloth, it looks super. I really like the candelier painted black and the cardinals are a fabulous finishing touch. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Morning, Martha! Oh, how I love your pretty table. Love everything sitting on it and especially love see the little fuzzy face hiding under the table! I love all of your reds and I just thought - if you changed your tablecloth and napkins - you'd have a Valentine table too!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  5. I don't know how I missed this last week, but I'm glad I found it!!!

    I love your table! There's something about Cardinals that make me smile. They are such beautiful birds and you have done them proud with this tablescape.
    Everything is beautiful...and your assistant is too bad either;-)
    ~Holly

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  6. I love the pup under the table:) You always get yours posted just as I'm starting to think about what I will be doing! Your cardinals are so pretty tucked into the greens. I love the red goblets...I looked for some for this weeks tablescape, but I didn't find any.

    The table is gorgeous by candlelight.

    Sue

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  7. How DO you think of these things??!!
    Beautiful, just as I knew it would be.
    I loved your "assistant" too!

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  8. So cute! Love your snow theme - it's so appropriate! Say Hi to your assistant for me. :)

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  9. Martha, that is a very pretty table. I really like the red/grey/white combination. The "large" napkins are so perfect with the tablecloth. How lucky to find those gorgeous red stems...I have been looking for some, but with no luck...seeing I have given up, they will show up!

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  10. Martha, I an enthralled with this tablescape. I love everything about it: the tablecloth, dishes (!), napkins, goblets, and that beautiful centerpiece with the cardinals. It's elegant, whimsical, and inviting. Sitting down to dinner at your house must be a treat!
    XX00

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  11. Martha, you have set a wonderful winter table. The goblets are a fabulous find! They are beautiful. Thank you for the great tip about your 2 napkin rule. Very smart!!!! I think I'll use that too. The snowy theme is perfect for you. I live in Pa and my son lives in southern Va. and daughter and son-in-law live in DC and they are telling me we are in for a big snow! So your snowflake them is very appropriate as well as lovely!
    Yvonne

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  12. What a wonderful table setting! I love your cardinals and the goblets are beautiful.

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  13. This table is just adorable! I love the red and white with the grey/silver. That tablecloth from Target is so cute, I can't believe I didn't see those in any of the Targets where I live! I would have snapped it up myself. Some great finds on your table too!

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  14. Lovely combination, Martha. I would have scooped up that tablecloth too. You got a good buy on those plates..
    Very pretty!

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  15. The snowman theme is so sweet, however, with the color combination of the gray, cream and red, it is still sophisticated. I really like the use of gray in a tablescape.
    Susan

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  16. Gorgeous table! I love the red dishes (I've been on the lookout for the perfect red dishes - you have them!!) ;-D

    Love the gray as a complement to the red. Great tablescape!

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  17. Oh I love the red also! That centerpiece is lovely with the birds and the pine. We too have snow again and more in the forecast. REady for spring here! Beautiful table!!

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  18. Love your snowman & snowflake tea towels on the table. The gray with the red is great.

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  19. Perfect Red Birds in Snow tablescape! You have tied everything on your table into your theme! I love that tablecloth, again perfect for winter. The red stemware is fabulous and lucky you, finding all those other colours lately - I am always on the hunt but haven't been so fortunate! Another way to disguise a too-long tablecloth is to tie the corners up with ribbon - I always buy the large size ones so they are more versatile.

    DD

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  20. I love the beautiful gray and red and white, i also love the way the dish cloth matches, I would use them for napkins too....the table looks so inviting and wonderful...thanks for sharing...Phyllis

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  21. Very pretty table, Martha. I am loving cardinals right now. Yours are pretty. You have some great finds! Love the doggy assistant. :)

    D

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  22. What a fun winter setting!
    Love it :)

    Kay Ellen

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  23. Martha, What a great table - I love the way you used the dish cloths as napkins - they match so perfectly with the lovely tablecloth.
    Suzy

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  24. I love the cardinals and the stemware is very pretty. Actually, I love everything on the table. Good job, Martha!...Christine

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  25. I love those dish towels - gave a set to my sister-in-law for Christmas! You have really put them to amazing use here. Love the red bird theme!!!

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  26. I love red too! the tabel is set beautifuly!if your candels are stored in a warm place they will turn, I discovered that when I use store things in the attic,my candles that were red turned red & brown LOL

    Helen

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  27. Wow!! I love the red winter tablescape. The goblets are my favorite. LOVE RED!!

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  28. Lovely table. The red and grey together is so inviting and I love the cardinals as well. Thank you for sharing such an inspiring table (gave me an idea for one of my own).

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  29. How beautiful! I love red and am going to have to begin the hunt for some of my own red tablescaping decor. The little red birds are fantastic, and your table overall looks so inviting.
    Holly @ 504 Main

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  30. I really love the deep red plates and those snowmen on th"napkins" are so precious. Thanks for sharing.

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  31. So pretty, I love the tablecloth,napkins,and the towels pulled together and the red birds are perfect accent.

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  32. Well Martha...you did it again!! Such a beautiful table! I love coming into your home and learning so many little bits and pieces here and there. Before you know it, I'll be able to set a table like a pro! Thanks so much for sharing your lovely talents!

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  33. I just love this table as I am a huge fan of gray and red together. I love the way you took pictures at different times of the day too-the candle-light looks very romantic for Valentine's day.

    Best wishes, Natasha.

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  34. Martha love your table. Cardinals in the pine...how pretty. I have a think for glasses and stemware too. I think I need a bigger house. :) Thanks for sharing!

    Cindy

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  35. This so pretty, Ms. Queen of Glasses! These red ones are so pretty. I think you made the right decision painting the candle holder black. It looks great. How clever to fold the tablecloth that way! Can't wait to see all of your new glasses. (Loved your remark about us coming out of the china closet.) Your little dog is so pretty. laurie

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  36. Martha, Your table is so pretty! I love red in my kitchen. I wish I had a GW that had things like yours!
    Oh and I love your little assistant.
    Blessings,
    Donna

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  37. What a great table! I love how the towels compliment the tablecloth and I really love the unusual colors. I never would think of red and grey for a tablescaper, but it looks so dramatic.

    How did I miss that Target sale???

    - The Tablescaper

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  38. Oh, and I forgot to say how much I love your assistant!!!!

    I have two four legged assistants. I often wonder what goes through their heads when I'm setting a table and photographing it. I know at least part of the time they're saying, there she goes again.

    - The Tablescaper

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  39. What a cozy tablescape - perfect for a snow day! :)

    Thank you for sharing.

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  40. Oh Martha,

    I just love your tablescape..I'm partial to any table that has red on it! Your goblets are fantastic...I love the stems. I saw that tablecloth at Target (I love Target) and thought it would be a great winter look..now I think I shoulda got one! LOL oh well I enjoyed your table! Thanks for visiting! Happy Valentines
    Miss Bloomers

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  41. Martha...great tablescape! I love the cardinal...you have the best state bird. Ours is the Brown Thrasher, I think. He's a pretty good size bird. :-) Love your sweet tablescaping assistant. They get real interested when we start getting the dishes out don't they? Those are the cutest napkins with the white edging. A wonderful wintery tablescape! Hope you are staying warm, sweet friend. It's been cold down here in GA but I bet you have us beat with all the snow!
    Hugs,
    Susan

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  42. I really like this! Red birds in the snow, very appropriate title! Love the doggie under the table as well!

    How is your father after his catheterization?

    Katherine

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  43. What a delightful winter table setting!

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  44. Oh, I love this one! Love the plates and those red goblets are stunning--I WANT THEM! That is the cutest tablecloth and I love the theme.

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  45. I love red and grey together! And really love cardinals, especially in winter. Amazing at the difference in weather from last year isn't it?

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  46. Hi Martha, you have put in much work and love into your winter tablescape. (much more than I did!) It makes for a gorgeous table. I love it when bloggers (YOU) disect the table and tells us where everything came from. BTW, did I ever tell you I grew up in Va? BEAUTIFUL state!

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  47. I liked it the first time around...and still do! Perfect winter table.

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  48. Thanks for the repost of such a charming winter table. You got some great deals here. I'm with you on the colored glasses but I will tell you a secret-I only like to acutally use clear glass!

    Robin
    Robin Flies South

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  49. Love the red birds in the snow. I really like the tablecloth and napkins, all of them. Of course my favorite is the little sweetie under the table. Lovely table. Hugs, Ginger

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  50. oh Martha, the red in winter is so very attractive. Love this!
    Your camera shy assistant is a doll!

    Always a treat to hear from you.
    God bless,
    d

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  51. Love your pretty pretty table. great idea on folding the tablecloth under. What a darling assistant, can you send him my way, he could teach REgan a thing or two!xo marlis

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  52. Everytime it snows around here - I simply must run outside to take a picture of a cardinal in the snow...nothing prettier!

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  53. Seriously, Martha...do you really WANT snow to come?!??!?!!!! I know your "assistant" would probably go for a good romp in the white stuff, but do you REALLY want snow??!?!?! It's been raining cats & dogs (no disrespect meant to your assistant!) here all day today, and there's no sign of it letting up anytime soon. It sure is a big change from the last few days when we enjoyed sunshine and highs in or near the 60s! I remember this tablescape. It's STILL so pretty with that "touch of gray just around the temples." :-) Have a good weekend!!!

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  54. Beautiful, Martha, love the colors. I am loving the NO snow!

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  55. Hi Martha!

    How funny! I just recently went through a colored glass phase, too! I finally stopped after I found teal ones!

    I just love the colors of your table. That soft gray looks so pretty with the red and white. You really scored on those white JCP dishes! I'm sure they are very versatile. I love the fullness of the napkins and those little white bow napkin rings are so cute! I love (and miss) cardinals, and they look great perched in your centerpiece!

    Cute assistant, too!

    Elaine
    Creating Wonderful Spaces

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  56. Wow...what a beautiful table! Lucky you to have cardinals as your state bird. I love them too. They look so cute in your centerpiece! And your table with all of the red is great...very versatile too!

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  57. Martha, you have a lovely blog. I am a new follower.

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  58. Martha, thanks I really enjoyed your post. Guess we are all about ready for Valentine's Day. I am your newest follower.

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