My blog dress and header has changed! As a newlywed, I am excited to present a whole new theme.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Tablescape Thursday/ White Claremont Dishes

Welcome to another Tablescape Thursday, a weekly event hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.

I really have fun coming up with tablescapes for this event because it really brings out my creative side. Plus I love having a pretty table. A bonus is that the boys and I don't pile stuff on the table any more either. This week, I am featuring a tablescape using a pastel plaid tablecloth, white dishes, and accents in green and white.

I found the tablecloth at Big Lots for only $7. This was something I bought with my first paycheck after finally finding a job. I had promised myself I would give myself a little reward. I found the placemats there too for a dollar a piece.


I just love these white dishes, also from Big Lots. I'll tell you more about them at the end of the post. Since the tablecloth was so colorful, I decided to keep the dishes monochromatic, and the accessories in whites and soft greens. There is also a bit of a birdhouse and bird theme going on. You have seen most of these accessories before. It's so fun to find new ways to use them!


I layered the dishes using a dinner plate, salad plate, and soup bowl. There are matching cups and saucers, and a smaller bowl perhaps for dessert. The dish set even included napkin rings! The glasses are a Goodwill find from some time ago and were each a dollar.


Here is the vignette at the rear of the table. I have had the birdhouses for some time. I bought the green box last summer half price at a boutique, and a platter from the dish collection sits on top of the box. I have white Battenburg lace curtains covering the wall as I was hoping to hide the ugly plaid wallpaper...with only partial success. You can see the wallpaper in other shots.


Here are closeups of the bird houses. I've had them for a long time.




I was so excited to see these white topiaries at Goodwill for $4 each. You can put candles inside or flowers, but for this tablescape, I thought my Target bird salt and pepper shakers could double as figurines. I clipped off a bit of the bushes from outside for greenery.

Sorry, the second pic is a little blurry.


I took a serving bowl from the dish set and put my faux green apples inside. I elevated the bowl on one of my painted cheesboards. I use these things all the time!


Here is a closeup of the detail on the cups. I think it's so pretty.


Okay, now I'm going to tell you what I liked best about these dishes. They came in a big box from Big Lots and are by Gibson in the Claremont pattern.


There were six pieces in each place setting, plus a serving platter, serving bowl, salt and pepper shakers, and napkin rings. Forty-six pieces total!


Quite a bargain at $35 for the box. But get this...

...I paid only $20 for the whole set! They were on clearance at Big Lots, woohoo!

Hope you had as much fun with your tablescaping this week as I did.

Coming up: Watch for a giveaway coming up very soon. I'll be participating in Pink Saturday this week, and next week will be posting on the Builder's Association of Northeast Indiana's Parade of Homes that I visited this past weekend. So fun!


25 comments:

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Very pretty! I love the birdhouses!

susan said...

Your bird houses are beautiful! The colors go so well with your tablescape!

Martha said...

Pretty table -- love the colors.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I have those wonderful dishes too and I just love them. They are so pretty. I love your birdhouses and you arranged them in such a beautiful vignette. Just a gorgeous tablescape. Love it. Hugs, Marty

Blondie's Journal said...

Kady,

I think what you have done here is what tablescaping is all about (and I am no expert!). Taking what you have and mixing it all up to give a certain style or feeling to the table. I never would have noticed the wallpaper had you not mentioned it. But you did what your creative side said!! Love it!!

I love the tablecloth and all of the linens that set the pretty tones for the birdhouses. Very nice theme!! And I am using Gibson dishes today too, just don't remember the pattern. I got quite a deal on Overstock.com. Mine too, were place settings for 6, which is odd. Usually it is for 4 and you have to get 3 sets to have 12. This way you only need 2 (for a full house).

I love what you did and doesn't it make it all the more special that you had to wait a bit. It's so exciting when you can finally treat yourself!! I LOVE everything!!

xoxo
Jane

Shirley said...

Your colors all blend together so well. Love the birdhouses at one end like that. Your dishes are elegant!

Sarah said...

Wow, great buy on the white dishes! And such a lovely table they make. It was a real treat to visit today.

Happy Tablescape Thursday and hope to see you at my place to toast Susan on her anniversary.

http://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/

food with style said...

very cute, but your header always grabs me!

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Kady!

What a gorgeous table! I love it! Those dishes are so versatile, white is the greatest. They look so wonderful with your birdhouse theme tablescape. The little bird salt & pepper looks so adorable in the birdcages! You have a great creative touch Kady!!

Hugs, Sherry

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

This is so pretty! I've got those dishes too and love them! Everything looks adorable -- so glad to hear that you've found a job! That's wonderful news.

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

What a wonderful table! I have that tablecloth too (and dishes) Great job!

Heather said...

love it! love all the different bird houses too. very sweet!

Beverly said...

Kady, your table looks so pretty. I love the blue and green color combination - so fresh.

And, the birdhouses are fabulous.

Maryrose said...

Hi Kady,
Great table. Your colors are so pretty and soothing and who wouldn't be happy with the bargain shopping you did. That is almost as much fun as the table.
Have a great day ...
Maryrose
PS Love the birdie houses too..

Debbie Pearson said...

Everything looks so lovely on this table. Sounds like you are quite the bargain hunter! I like finding a great bargain too :)

Unknown said...

I love your table. So sweet and the birdhouses are so very cute!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kady. Lovely table. Love your dishes and thrilled you got them at such a great price! So many folks have them, but I never did buy them. The bird houses are darling. You're good at this.
Hope all is well in your Kadyworld! :)
Be a sweetie,
shelia ;)

Gucci Mama said...

Beautiful!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Hi Kady...Aren't we glad Michael told us all about those great dishes. I think everyone in Blogland has a set now. LOL Well, those and the Target birds! Your tablescape is soooo fresh and summery...just beautiful! I hope you guys used it...tooo pretty to not use. I love the part where you said you don't put anything on the table now. I read that on another blog somewhere tonight...a side benefit to tablescaping. :-) Thanks for sharing your wonderful table...you are sooo right about finding new uses for the little treasures we already have. :-)
Susan
P.S. Congrats on the job!

Bill said...

Hi Kady,
You did a wonderful job with your tablescape! I'm glad you treated yourself to the new tablecloth. It pulls all the pretty colors together and shows off your beautiful new white dishes. What a deal! Congratulations!

Hope you have an enjoyable weekend.

Bill

Lori @ Dining Delight said...

Love your tablecoth, such nice colours. Your Gibson dishes are beautiful and such a bargain! I really like the birdhouse vignette you created at one end of the table. I like how that leaves room for food in the center of the table.

DD

SmilingSally said...

I guess your post for Pink Saturday isn't up yet, but I'm glad I got to see this lovely table setting. Those dishes are a great buy!

Sharlotte said...

First of all, congratulation on your new job!

Secondly, I really like your table. It's so fresh and calming...the colors are very relaxing. Great finds at Big Lots! Isn't it fun when you find treasures!

Finally, I love your birdhouses, they compliment your table and add the perfect touch! Enjoy your weekend!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Love the colors, so soft and pretty! Those bird houses are just adorable! Great deal on the dishes!

Good job!

Katherine

Lady Katherine said...

I love the bird houses with your tablecloth and napkins! Yes the white looks wonderful with it!