Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Tablescape Thursday - May Flowers and Blue Hour

It's time to join all the other dishaholics in blogland and play with the dishes for Tablescape Thursday - brought to us week after glorious week by the Queen of Dishland herself, Susan of "Between Naps on the Porch"! I missed last week because I was on vacation -- but believe me, I was enjoying all the dishes in Sanibel, FL -- dishes of shrimp, dishes of blackened fish and dishes of key lime pie! But all good things come to an end and we're home again (good for my waistline).



Welcome to the table. This week's tablescape is all about May flowers the April showers brought.




And you know that I always set a special place just for you!




An overview of my pink and green tablescape - a favorite color combination of mine. My last tablescape was bright pink and green -- today's is a much softer more subtle shade of pink and green.



An overview of my centerpiece -- a basket of pink azaleas -- these are my last blooms of the season (and actually past their prime).





A basket of flowers all tied up with a green checked bow.





A closer look at my fading blossoms -- I love the pink azaleas!




I've enjoyed using this basket for several tablescapes -- it's actually a nice height for dining. I believe I got it at Marshall's last Spring.




Sitting on an antique depression glass dessert plate.



These are the pink goblets I found on eBay right around Valentine's day -- they didn't make it in time for that tablescape, but I've used them several times this spring.





Let's look at the place setting layer by layer. First we have my pink glass bowl. I also purchased these from eBay for a luncheon three years ago.




From the side, you can see the design -- it goes well with the goblets.





The pink plates (also an eBay purchase from a couple of years ago) are not as clear as the bowls and goblets. In the center is a rose design -- (pink roses are also my favorites - bet you wouldn't have guessed that!)





The vintage placemats came from a local antique store. I've had these a couple of years and never used them. They sort of remind me of the Franciscan Rose china pattern that so many of you have.





A couple of closer looks at the beautiful handwork on these placemats.




I found these napkins at an antique store a couple of weeks ago and thought they would go nicely with the placemats, even though they're not an exact match -- I liked the unexpected blue trim.




Now I'm going to show you my newest vintage find. This silverplated flatware. Sometimes I want to set the table with nicer than stainless, but not my antique silver. I decided that I also wanted to mix up the patterns. So two weeks ago, I went to eBay again and for less than $50 was able to get silverplate settings for six. I thought that was a good price and it's all in quite good shape. I doubt I would have been able to find a complete set of matching silverplate for that amount....




....but, I sort of like the mismatched look. How about you? So for the price of a set of stainless...I got silverplate! These are all patterns from the 1920's to 1940's. Here they are piece by piece....




... First we have the salad fork monogrammed with a B -- my maiden name starts with a B -- perfect! But honestly, I wouldn't have cared.





Next we have the dinner forks.




Dinner knife.....




....last, but not least, the teaspoon. What do you think? Do you think my mis-matched silver blends well? I'm thinking I just might look for some soup spoons and iced tea spoons and a few serving pieces to add to this collection as well.




A tabletop view of the tablescape.





Two more photos of our May flowers tablesetting.




And as the sun sets....





....the tea lights are lit. Can you see the beginning of the "blue hour" sky?




Good night from my May tablescape.




I decided to take a few photos of the evolving "blue hour". Here's the sky just as the sun is setting.




....and a bit of blue sets in...





....and oh so slowly.....






....the progression of the "blue hour". I'm going to have to keep working on this - but it is quite amazing!


Be sure to stop by Susan's porch to see lots of amazing tablescapes this week.

See ya!

33 comments:

  1. I just love those beautiful placemats!

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  2. What a lovely table setting Martha! I love all the pretty details. Thanks so much for sharing with us! xxoo

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  3. This is a really pretty table! I love those placemats, your pink depression ware and the beautiful silver plated flatware! Great Job, the azleas look fabulous!
    Cindy

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  4. A beautiful table as usual. I love the placemats and that silver is wonderful. I think I have a couple pieces with the same pattern. For years I collected any silver pieces I could , matching or not, I just love old silver. Thanks for sharing and for stopping by for a visit.
    Sandy

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  5. The table looks beautiful. The first picture made me wonder if the flowers were real. :) Then as I read on, discovered they are your own azaleas. They just match your table perfectly.

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  6. Dearest Martha,
    LUV the pink! So sweet. I really like what you did with the glass basket, flowers and bow for the lovely centerpiece. Sooooooo lovely.
    Have a blessed week,
    d from homehaven

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  7. Hi Martha,

    So cute with the pink touch. Love all details. It seem you choose the perfect mismatch that make you setting JUST PERFECT...
    No more words I can say...

    Have a nice TT Day.

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  8. LOVE the pink glassware with those stunning placemats! The pink azaleas are the perfect accent for your table. Just lovely!

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  9. Beautiful table, love those wine goblets. Someone spent many hours embroidering those lovely placemats.

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  10. Love the pink and green!!! The place mats are so adorable! What lovely handiwork on them, too.
    I always like to see those wonderful pink depression glass goblets....I am in love with those!

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  11. Martha-
    Great dishes! Love the vintage placemats! The blue hour is amazing, isn't it? I did a few pics last week too- will have to go back and post them.

    Thanks for visiting me! ~Nana~

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  12. Martha, that's a very pretty tablescape! I enjoyed seeing all of your pinks! I adore pink so that is right up my alley! And your centerpiece and linens were perfect, too. If those go missing, you needn't look far! ;-)

    Happy Tablescape Thursday...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  13. So pretty! I love pink and green too.

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  14. Love your depression glass and it looks great with your dainty place mats!

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  15. That is just beautiful! I love the glasses and the placements are so lovely!
    Our azaleas are just starting..in the 40's here today!
    Sanibel looks wonderful! I haven't been away in 25 yrs! DH says we are a block from the beach..that's good enough! But in winter??too cold!

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  16. Very pretty! I love the azaelas in the glass "basket" as a centerpiece. Those placemats are lovely! Great work, capturing the blue hour!

    DD

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  17. I love pink depression glass and your tablescape with it is just lovely! It goes perfectly with your placemats and napkins.

    Your silverware is great and YES I like mismatched. It makes it more interesting.

    Don't you love the blue hour! Now that I have discovered it I am hooked!

    Hugs,
    Joanne

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  18. Love your May flowers! I haven't had any success with the blue hour, I'll have to try again :-)

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  19. I love the mis matched look also! Each piece is so pretty. Love the floral palcemats and the shape! Such a pretty table!

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  20. Martha, that's a lovely tablescape. The white of the placemats brings the pink color of the depression glass plates to its best. This placemats are really nice needlework. And the azaleas in its basket with the ribbon bow matches great with the colors. Very charming.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  21. Oh, again. Be still my heart all this pink and green. I adore those placemats. They are truly a treasure. Beautiful and simplistic all in one.

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  22. When I saw the first picture in your tablescape I heard someone say OOOOH! That was me! Everything was lovely, I love looking at all of the details. Thanks for visiting me.
    I plan to catch the blue hour one of these times.

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  23. Love the pics. Your tables are awesome. I have a pink pitcher, plate, and glasses that would be so pretty with your stuff.

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  24. Pretty in Pink~~~and the silver flatware is wonderful!!

    Happy Tablescape Thursday:))

    Smiling " half numb"...root canal~~~

    Kay Ellen

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  25. I love your depression glassware and the placemats are gorgeous! I have some of my grandmother's depression glass and I actually have a tea towel like your placemats!
    Blessings,
    Donna

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  26. It's beautiful Martha! Those place mats are so pretty, and the napkins too. I love that pink stemware-such a pretty shape. The green checked bow is the perfect addition to that pretty basket of flowers. I think your mismatched flatware is wonderful! You've made me want to start collecting some of that. laurie

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  27. What beautiful, delicate placemats. The pink depression glass is perfect with these and the basket of azaleas really compliments it all. Love the mix of silver. I've started to pick up pieces when I find it. Don't have much yet, but it's a fun thing to look for.

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  28. Martha, Your depression glass is fabulous!!! I just love it! You are so fortunate to have enough to set a table for four. Your placemats are really pretty and your silver - oh my!!! Fabulous tablescape!

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  29. How BEAUTIFUL...I would have loved to have found those pretty placemats & yes, they DO look like Franciscan Desert Rose pattern china.

    We Sanibel & used to visit freq. We lived only about an hour north of there. Went shelling there many times.

    You already know how much I adore pink depression glass & your antique depression glass dessert plate match my glasses I used this week!!

    Bravo on capturing the "blue hour". I haven't tried yet. I'm usually too tired by then. LOL

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  30. Love the table! This mix/match silver is gorgeous - I have a set in the same pattern as the knife you pictured. I have 4 sets of Solid Silver and silver plated - found 2 on craig's list $25 each and 2 at thrift stores one was $12 and the other was $30. Found one just this past week and it was hard to resist buying it - in wooden case for $29.99 w/serving pieces. Thanks for visiting.

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  31. Lovely! The pink and green are so soft and pretty! Love the pink depression glass!

    Katherine

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  32. Hi Martha, Soooo beautiful and sweet is this tablescape! I love pink and green together...one of my favorite combinations. And it so perfect for spring! Your depression glass is wonderful...and I adore the crystal basket. I got so excited when I saw your blue hour pics! I am totally hooked on taking blue hour pics now. It really is amazing isn't it? :-)

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  33. Beautiful! I like your mismatched silverware and depression glass. It's so much fun to see everyone's "good" stuff each week.

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