I am a firm believer that you absolutely do not need to spend a gob of money to set a pretty table. You do have to spend some time and collect a few key pieces of dinnerware, linens and vessels to hold flowers/ greenery. If I had had a brain in my little blonde head I would have started out with white dinnerware and serving pieces instead of the latest thing (PINK. I’m crapping y’all negative here), I would be a force to be reckoned with today. Well, in my crazy little world any way. It is super easy to be wooed by the latest thing. We’ve all been there. My first two kitchens were pink for God’s sake. Tile, countertops , all of it.
And I LOOOOOOVED it!
So about 15 years ago I finally decided to pack up my 400 pieces of pink and blue Pfaltzgraff and Big Daddy brought in a set of solid white bistro dinnerware. First of all it was absolutely amazing how good food looked on those plates. Second, It went with every thing, every occasion and holiday with minimal additions. It opened up a whole slew of possibilities. Just the little 8 place setting to very simple plates, cups, bowls and mugs.
That was it…….I was hooked.
So I’ve told you that to tell you this.
I started with the very basics. And that is exactly what I have set my dining room table with today.
The key elements here:
White dinner plates
Cloth napkins
Classic stemware
Tureen
Fabric runner
Pears
Things that can be found in every Walmart, Goodwill, thrift store, yard sale, henhouse and outhouse in the world. You just need to be selective about your choices.
I picked up my very first ironstone tureen about five years ago. I was looking for something to hold a long, low arrangement of evergreens for a Christmas dinner party. They are perfect for this. There are also readily available at thrift stores for cheap.
Oh, and you can also use them for soup.
The black and white checked table runner I actually made out of a length of leftover fabric.
Lord, the possibilities are endless on that one.
Most of the time the arrangements I make for our dining table came straight out of our yard. Or out of our neighbor’s. I have acquired cutting rights in yards all over Asheville.
Comes I handy 🙂
So I have another Fall table up my sleeve. It is not so subtle though. It’s more color that I use on a regular basis and contains no orange or pumpkins.
I will be back in a day or two to share that one with y’all :)))
Paige
Blogs I love!
http://www.stonegableblog.com
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/?m=1
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net
http://theessenceofhome.blogspot.com
http://seekinglavenderlane.co
http://funkyjunkinteriors.net
I love your white dishes and love, love, love the black and white checked table runner. Anything made from black and white checks is wonderful. I like your magnolia leaves too!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
You are lucky to have magnolia leaves growing right in your yard. They don’t grow up in the north. I have never seen them in real life. Or if i did, when I was in the south, I just didn’t notice. Love it all!
I wish I had a magnolia in our yard. These are from a friend of ours yard. They live about 5 minutes from us. They have a BIG chow mix named Pete that I have to brave every time I go there to get the cuttings. Pete hates my guts! I have learned to take a pocket full of cat food I wanna live :)))
Simple, elegant, classy.
Having magnolia leaves readily on hand would be so nice. Buffalo checks and plaids are two patterns that I absolutely love and your table is very pretty.
Thank you Sandra:))