Tablescape Thursday - Early Autumn

It's been a very busy week here....so I hope a repeat tablescape is ok.... I love sunflowers during this "one foot in summer...one foot in fall season". Hope everyone's having a great week.



What do you suppose it is that brings us back week after week with anticipation to Tablescape Thursday? Is it the enjoyment of the "creating" or the inspiration of seeing other tablescapes. Whatever keeps bringing us back, I want to thank Susan for hostessing this wonderful spot each week for us to enjoy!




Welcome to my early autumn table this week. We're just beginning to have a little bit of "crispness" to our early mornings around here. (I know because the "boys" get me up every morning at 6 for their pre-breakfast walk). The rest of the day is still warm and up in the 80's ....just a fleeting "hint" of fall for early risers.



I used two matching tablerunners as my placemats this week. These were from an Atlanta thrifting excersion with my DIL over a year ago.


You know I've set a place for you!




Fall plaid napkins found at Yankee Candle Store in Williamsburg last fall.



A layering of Sunflower salad plate (Marshall's Summer 2009) over Cream JCPenney ironstone (Goodwill a couple of years ago) over Nell Hill's woven trays/placemats (on line this summer).



Bamboo flatware (Marshall's 2009)



Sunflowers and fall mums -- Martin's Grocery store



Green water goblets (Goodwill 2009)



Overview of the centerpiece



Overview of the table.




Tabletop view.



Love the fresh flowers -- I don't often use flowers for my centerpieces, because I don't have a pretty cutting garden like many of you do -- mine are usually from the grocery store.



This basket is vintage, it was from my grandmother's house -- she kept it by her phone with pads and pencils and sissors, stamps and stationary in it.



One final look at our "Early Autumn" table. As I look back at last year, when I used these same dishes for a tablescape, I find that my style has changed somewhat over the past year. More mixture of patterns and textures. I enjoy seeing how other's have inspired me to try different things.

Be sure to visit Susan at "Between Naps on the Porch" starting each Wednesday evening around 8 o'clock (Eastern Standard Time) or so for a whole variety of tablescapes. It's a real dish delight!

See ya!

Tablescape Thursday - Sunflower Supper

Ok - I admit it -- I'm a Tablescape Thursday addict! I love the tablescapes at Susan's (Between Naps On the Porch) and the opportunity to visit each of you and your delightful dish creations. I can spend hours just looking and dreaming. Lately, I think I've become somewhat "predictable" with my own tablescapes - lots of pinks and roses, pastels and white tablecloths. I do love them, but it's time to try something different.


Here we are approaching the tablescape where the sunflower is the center of attention. Did you gasp to see no tablecloth there? I do love my tablecloths, but I also adore the pretty grain of wood in this old oak table.


A first look at the sunflower tablescape. I always have thought that sunflowers were one of those flowers that seems to have a "face". And a happy one at that. They just seem to be a cheerful sort of flower to me. Can you see faces in flowers?


My inspiration for this table started with these two matching runners. I found them at a furniture and housegoods consignment shop this past March in Atlanta - called "Finders Keepers". I believe that I got the two of them for $10. I've crossed them over each other on the table.


I loved the late afternoon shadows on the dishes.


A tall vase of flowers. The sunflowers were from Kroger's - a "managers special" for $3.50 (they still look good after 3 days) - also some $1 green mum stems and the last of the Black Eyed Susans from my yard.



Some little sparrows playing around the base of my flower vase - think they're looking for sunflower seeds.


A close up of a place setting. Sea grass mats, clear dinner plates, sunflower salad plates, bamboo flatware, Libby water glasses, dark green cloth napkins.


These salad plates were purchased at Marshall's for $2.99 each. My house is dangerously close to a Marshall's (I could walk).


You can see that the plates are not perfectly round - they have an interesting shape to each plate. I enjoy the imperfection of them.


A really close view of the handpainting and the look of layering.


Overview shot.



As it gets darker the candles are placed on the table and lit.


A look by complete candle light.



Sunflowers by candle glow.

For more tablescapes - be sure to check out all the fun at Susan's - you'll find plenty of dishes to inspire you.

See ya!