Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Tablescape Thursday - Beach Elegance

It's time to set the table for Tablescape Thursday and I wanted to be sure to work a beach tablescape in this summer. I know that I usually think of the beach as being laid back with flip flops, suntan lotion scent wafting on the breeze and a plastic bucket in hand. But this week, I decided to set the table with a bit of beach elegance.




Welcome to my beachy table today. You know that there's always a plate set just for you.



I've made a collection on a silver tray for the centerpiece this week.


Now here's your place!



White lacy antique cloth napkins I love found last summer at a local antique store. I love vintage linens.



My husband and I both love the ocean, so picking a china pattern with shells seemed like a very logical choice. This is Stanford Court by Noritake -- now discontinued.



We didn't pick a silver pattern when we got married in 1975 -- some of you may remeber that at that time silver was terribly high priced and we were in need of the basics. I could not have picked a more lovely pattern than this that belonged to my husbands family. I love things with a history to them, these belonged to my mother-in-laws great aunt. She had a beautiful victorian home that was a real showcase. My MIL got this set from her aunt's estate and I was thrilled when she gave them to us .... place settings for 12 with serving pieces! I love that they are monogrammed (not our initial but that's ok with me). Susan just asked us about monogrammed silver a couple of weeks ago ...love mine!



Love my clear gold rimmed chargers too. These were an eBay find about 4-5 years ago.



I found these tissue linen placemats at the same antique store I found the lace napkins. I often ponder how and when they were used in the past.



Pink water/iced tea goblets were found on eBay last year the etched wine glasses I found at GoodWill last week. They still had stickers on the bottoms that said "hand made" and they were only 85 cents a piece -- I had a coupon for 20% off so I picked up a set of 8 and spare. I even left 6 for someone else to treasure. I only have space for 8 in my wine rack and I'm running out of storage space now.



I tried putting a dark green napkin in the glass to see if you could get a better look at the etched grape pattern --- but I'm not sure it really helped much.



Maybe that's better. Don't you wonder why things like this end up at GoodWill? Was it a wedding present that someone didn't care for? Who knows, but I'm happy with these very pretty delicate glasses!



Love these soft pink goblets. They sort of pick up the color from the china as well.



I've had this crystal candlestick for a bit -- I found four at GW last year, but the bobache I found at an antique store earlier this year. Don't you love that word "bobache"! I got two of them for a really good price and there was one prism missing -- I was able to find a pretty good match on eBay, it's just a tad longer than the rest, but I think they're soooooo pretty! I was very pleased.



This footed silver tray (also a GW treasure from last year) seemed perfect to hold treasures from the sea. Shells and pearls, a crystal candlestick and an antique figurine of a pair of flamingos.


This was found in a different antique store a couple of months ago -- the bottom has a marking from Japan. No idea of the age -- it does have a small chip on the base, but that's an easy repair with some matching nail polish -- not even noticed in this setting.



Love the tiny "feet" on this pretty silver etched and scalloped edged tray.



An overview of the centerpiece.



Close shot of the starfish and pearls. Treasures of the sea!



Tabletop.



Centerpiece top.



These photos were taken in the late afternoon, but it's been a cloudy overcast day today.



A view from the ledge.



I'm so glad that you joined me today -- be sure to visit all the tablescapes this week hosted by Susan of "Between Naps on the Porch" where you'll find lots of beautifully set tables just for you!

Now this has me thinking of some really good seafood -- what's your favorite?

See ya!

P.S. -- if you're a Starbucks coffee lover be sure to check back at my last post and make a guess on my new car! I am no longer a van-nana! You just might win my little gift card give-a-way! Great for some iced coffee after a day at the beach.

30 comments:

  1. Beautiful table, I love the pink glasses and you antique napkins. As always everything looks perfect! What time is dinner? I'll be right over.
    Sandy

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  2. Love your elegant beachy table...that flamingo in the centerpiece is something else! What beautiful pink glasses and silver too! Joni

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  3. Oh my gosh, Martha...your treasures are priceless! I adore those white lacy antique cloth napkins & the placemats from the same place! I would ♥ to find something similar around here. Just beautiful!!!

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  4. Just great! Lovin' your flamingo, and aren't bobache's just the neatest thing! Very pretty table-enjoy!

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  5. Oh Martha....
    The linens...
    Pink goblets...
    shells and pearls...
    My heart is claiming them all...
    xoxo~Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  6. Everything is so pretty and I loved your conversation about each item...I would have to pick those lovely goblets as my very favorite items but the clear chargers and placemats are so lovely also!!!

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  7. This reminds me of going to an elegant restaurant overlooking the ocean! You have it down perfectly, now all you need are some handsome waiters! hehe
    I love the shells and pearls what a great idea!
    Cindy

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  8. This is the most elegant beach table I have ever seen. The pearls really add to it, but that fabulous flamingo is just incredible. I remember that Noritake. It is really pretty. I am jealous of the pink glasses, maybe I had better start scouting e-bay. My mom had some but I didn't end up with them. They are really lovely and everything goes together so well. Fabulous job.

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  9. This is so pretty and elegant! Your linens are beautiful!

    Donna

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  10. What a gorgeous table and I love how you came by your silver! I love vintage linens too and have found some lovely pieces on ebay.

    Your table looks like it was set in a beautiful large oceanfront home...very sophisticated, but still ocean-y!

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  11. Those dishes are beautiful and you know, I love all beachy dishes! My wedding china (1980) was also discontinued! Very annoying, isn't it? And I remember not getting silver for the same reason! Your linens are beautiful too! I need to work on my collection because they add so much to the beauty of the table. Linda

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  12. Beautiful table! Everything is so elegant and I adore the vintage linens! And the silver and china are gorgeous!
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  13. Martha,
    This is beautiful! I love your centerpiece, the china, and the chargers! So elegant and pretty.
    Sherry

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  14. The china pattern is beautiful. Your table came out so elegant, I can just imagine having a lovely dinner watching a storm on the ocean. Thanks for putting such a great table together to share.

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  15. The centerpiece is charming, and I'm sure that it will be a wonderful conversation starter. My Grandmama had those pink flamingos, and I have them now. They are so funky...I love them! Thank you for sharing your lovely seascaped table. Cherry Kay

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  16. This is all really beautiful! So nice to see all the elegant things with a beach theme! Your china is so pretty! Love those pink glasses, and the napkins, etc!!

    Katherine

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  17. Such a pretty and elegant table Martha!! You have such a talent for putting things together!! xxoo

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  18. Oh, Martha
    This tablescape makes me want to go back to Myrtle Beach with my family. This is beautiful and the napkins, stemware it's all so beautiful.

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  19. I love your tablescape. It's beautiful. The combinations and the history are what make it so special. beautiful.

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  20. So delicate and elegant napkins and placemats!!!

    Hugs
    Charo

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  21. This is so pretty! How lucky you are to have that vintage silver. It is lovely. You really did put together an elegant ocean table. It is nice to see the flamingos in the sea of roosters this week. :)

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  22. This is so pretty. I have a beach table for next week, but mine isn't nearly as elegant. I really love the combination of the shells, silver and pearls in the centerpiece. I would love to sit at this table:)

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  23. What a pretty table. Love the pink glassware and that gorgeous set of silver. I'm a sucker for vintage linens, so I am enamored with your placemats and napkins. The elegance of the table would really impress your guests. :-) Sue

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  24. What an elegant table. The linens are beautiful. I really like the pink stemware, very pretty. The centerpiece with all the shells, pearls and flamingos really complements the china.

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  25. This is too pretty with just the right touch of whimsy in the centerpiece. Hey, may I borrow the pink goblets? they would work great with my china.

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  26. I love the pearls running through the shells on the silver for the centerpiece. So very carefully thought out and beautiful!

    Your table is lovely. I love your family silver. You're so blessed! Very sadly, my MIL was robbed few years ago, and they got away with not only her silver but her mother's monogrammed silver and her GRANDMOTHER's set with mother of pearl handles. I want to cry every time I think of it.

    How wonderful it would be to have such lovely silver pieces. They are the "cherry" on top of your table.

    It's taking forever to get through this week's TT, but the tour is worth the effort!

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  27. I love the pristeen elegance of this beach tablescape. It is so clean and refreshing. The pink glasses are so pretty....as are the napkins. Another A+ table in my books. You rock the tablescape world my friend.

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  28. Elegant tablescape Martha! Beautiful! :)

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