Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Summer Swan Tablescape

It's time to join all the other tablescapers across blogland and set the table. Until I met Susan at "Between Naps on the Porch", I never knew how many of us loved playing with our dishes!



This week I've set a table that I've been building in my mind ever since I found my centerpiece swan a few weeks ago. I couple of years ago I set a romantic swan table for two...but this is more casual....sort of "tavern" style.



Won't you join me?




Is there anything more elegant than swans drifting along on a pond? Perhaps that's why you find them depicted in ballet. Grace....elegance....beauty. (Of course you may not feel that way if you've seen "Black Swan").



I found this table topper on ebay a couple of years ago. I fell in love the pairs of swans. They mate for life and are often considered a symbol of eternal love.



I found both my set of etched wine glasses and etched water/iced tea glasses at our local Goodwill. In fact, I've found quite a few sets of nice crystal glasses there.



A closer view of the wine stems etched with grapes. About a month after I found these I saw the same exact glasses pictured in Victoria Magazine.



When I found this at the antique shop the tag said it was a duck. When I went to the counter to pay for this, we had quite a discussion about whether it was a duck or a swan. All the women said swan. The only guy there said he thought it was a duck. What do you see?



Let's break down the layers. I have a white battenburg napkin layered over black and white checked ones. The bow napkin rings were found at a local antique store several years ago. I use them often.



My ruffled salad plates were from Tuesday Morning about 5 years ago.



I found my black pleated dinner plates at Kmart a couple of years back ....I've mostly used them at Halloween.



I was finally able to find these chargers in stock at Pier One last week. I think these are some of the prettiest ones I've seen and I knew that if they ever had some....they would come home with me. I'm sure I'll be using these a lot! I've been drooling over these ever since the first time I saw them on a Tablescape Thursday posting. Over the past few months I've seen them on more and more tables. Isn't it funny how so many of us are attracted to the same things....remember the "Gollum" dishes and the Target birdies?



Overview of the table. I found the checked tablecloth on ebay....another tablecloth I believe you'll be seeing a lot.




Simple swan centerpiece.



The way the two layers of napkins fluffed up sort of reminded me of birds wings.




I enjoyed setting this table, it sort of reminded me of.....





....watching swans glide ever so beautifully across the water.

I hope you'll visit the tables prepared for you at "Between Naps on the Porch" this week. There's always something to inspire us to set a beautiful table.

See ya!

29 comments:

  1. The chargers are BEAUTIFUL!!
    And, the swan, so graceful.

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  2. So pretty! Love that beautiful table cloth!

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  3. Hello:
    A beautifully presented and themed table over which you have obviously taken a great deal of time and to which you have given very careful thought.

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  4. Beautiful table Martha! The swan cloth is wonderful. I love it all!

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  5. These swans are FAB! I just love the colors! Those chargers are so beautiful, I want some bad!!!! Your choices were spot on in creating this wonderful table!

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  6. I am soo happy you finally got your chargers. These are the most versatile ones ever!!! Love your swan theme. Every gal knows that swans are white! Love your black and white, large and small. This is a fabulous table, all started with the topper.. so pretty. xo marlis

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  7. It's a swan, I agree! And it does make a wonderful centerpiece and inspiration. I love the way you coupled the black and white with that blue, and like you I really want a set of those chargers. I've been trying not to covet them for a while. Yours are perfect, especially against those black plates.

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  8. I love the black and white setting. I have a nice collection of swans. I did do a tablescape with them.Fun table.

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  9. Awesome !! You sold me on the Chargers .. LOVE THEM !! I have to order them ..

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  10. The swan seems to be swimming on the water blue cloth...perfection! Your chargers are going to be one of your favorites for years to come. I'm going to go take a look at them at Pier One! Thank you for sharing your darling design. Cherry Kay

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  11. Love that SWAN! I've always wanted one of those! I also LOVE the chargers! I've been on the look out for some unique white chargers like these!

    Nice job!

    Katherine

    P.S. - Yes, I saw Black Swan (enough said!)

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  12. Your swan centerpiece is delightful! Stately but calm... Great "stretch" to combine the strong black/white with the pale blue. Nicely done.

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  13. I love your chargers, they're so great with everything...you can dress them down, or up! The layers of the plates are so pretty too and the tablecloth is lovely. Happy TT at, BNOTP. Hugs,
    FABBY

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  14. I see swan. Love the blue swan table topper and the ruffly white plates. Whole swan tavern theme is pretty.

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  15. How pretty, Martha! Love the black and white but that swan topper is just so elegant! Your swan centerpiece is so pretty! You did good, as always.
    Yay! You'll be coming to my party!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  16. For me, it's definitely a swan! I love your table...the tabletopper/centerpiece...the new chargers, etc.

    When I get home to the US in Sept. I hope they still have those chargers!!! :)

    Your glasses are fab....I've found some of my favorite table elements at my church's thrift store!!!!

    Hugs/blessings,
    Lana In Italy

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  17. What a lovely table. It is so pretty. I love swans....they are so graceful and as simple as the table looks it has such a grace about it.

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  18. Hi, Martha!!! I am a huge fan of black & white checks, and I love the way you've prepared this table with the swans. Of course it's a swan...the guy in the store was just being a typical guy! :-) Thanks for stopping by my blog last night. I've been taking my time browsing through all of this week's posts. They are all so good, and yours is no exception! Have a great weekend!

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  19. Lovely table, the swans look so beautiful.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Love,
    Karin Şen Cankan
    karinsfairytale.blogspot.com

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  20. I love the black and white tablecloth and then the checked napkins peeking out from under the white. I am also in love with those chargers. I'm not sure if I can hold out much longer...I see a trip to Pier1 in my future.
    Your tablescape is really lovely. And I'd have to agree with the ladies, swan.

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  21. Love the swan ... and your glassware was a great find! Thanks for visiting me .. haven't been on your site lately and I've probably missed some pretty posts. Thanksfor sharing.

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  22. Simple wins for me every time. It makes people comfortable. As simple as your table is, you've added elements which make it special. Lucky you to have found the glasses at GoodWill.

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  23. oops...I just commented but...where is it?

    I love your beautiful dishes..the swan is perfect for your table setting. Love black and white.
    xo bj

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  24. I love your lovely swan (not duck) and table. Black and white is my favorite combo. I think I'll have to run down to Pier One, I love those chargers and have been wanting some for a long time.

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  25. He must have been "quackers"! It's a swan!

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  26. ---Those White Plates are "out of this world!" I loooooooove them. Love the table setting :)

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  27. The pop of color is p-e-r-f-e-c-t!
    Thank you for popping by my place- teachers unite!
    Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com

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  28. I love that checkered tablecloth! What an unusual combination of linens. I would never have thought to put those together but I LOVE the look!

    You are so clever!

    Hope you're staying cool!

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