Tablescape Thursday!

Oh What a Dream...Black, White and Celadon Green!

When I started pulling out the glasses and other tablescaping accoutrements, Mr Grits automatically said "it's that time again, huh?"

I replied with a giddy grin.

I am pleased to offer another Tablescape for Tablescape Thursday.

This event is graciously hosted by my friend,

Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch.

If you want a wonderful treat, visit Susan's blog and experience one of her tablescapes...

and while you're there - get a full list and links to all Tablescape Thursday participants.

So here we go....

I have always loved the combination of Black, White (or cream) and Celadon. For a long time I have envisioned my guest room decorated in these colors. Strangely, it is a far different avenue than the rest of my very traditionally decorated home...but maybe that is part of the allure.

So for this week's event...I present to you...

Oh, What a Dream!...Black and White and Celadon Green!

It all started with a set of four dessert-size plates. I recently decided that if my dish obsession, ...um, I mean collecting - was going to continue - I would need to keep things small, i.e salad and dessert plates. (also, smaller dishes are easier to sneak into the home if you carry a really large purse.) :-D

There were two designs...one featuring a "Riesling" design....and another (and one of my fave wines) a "Pinot Grigio" design.

I was immediately drawn to the colors, but knew instantly how wonderful they would look with my recently acquired black and white damask plates. Recently while at Marshall's, I happened upon an almost identical black and white damask tablecloth. My head starting spinning...

I knew the tablecloth and the plates would get lost if placed one on top of the other. A simple placemat would be okay, but then I found some clearance rack polka-dot fabric that just screamed to me.

It said something like..."Giiirrrl, you best get yo'self over here and scoop me up. You know you want me." Giggle! Was that fabric reading my mind? I also scooped up a remnant piece of the coordinating opposite print for napkins.

I added two widths of fabric down on each side of the table....over the black and white tablecloth.

Next, I added a silver charger and the two plates. But it needed something. So, I whipped out my plastic bin of ribbons and found a short length of black and white polka dot ribbon I had used once to tie napkins. I placed a length between the two plates. Perfect!!! Just the little bit of drama that was needed to distinguish the two very separate designs.

(I had planned on going into my dissertation about why these patterns work, but remembered the 4 second blog rule. I am already 6.8 minutes over time. eek!)

My latest find at Marshall's is this darling handmade set of forks, knives and spoons. You also see a close-up of the polka dot fabric.

I love the curly ends. Sooo cute!

Here is a view of the coordinating print I used for napkins.

Next, I needed to work on the centerpiece. Again, I head up to the attic and pulled out my floral bin. (or I should say binS). I found a bushy stem of lilacs, but knew that alone would be too plain. I had three single cala lily's and four gerbera daisies. Yep, that would work. While I was at it...I grabbed two bunches of faux grapes.

(yes, I should use real - but its pouring rain outside and while I do think very highly of all my blogger friends...I ain't heading out there to get you real grapes.)

A plain vase and a french wired bow later...I was in biz. I tucked the bunches of grapes at the edge of the vase so they would cascade down. Next I added one of my favorite touches to a centerpiece...ribbon loops.

Just a few loops was all that was needed, and I loved how it tied in with the ribbon under the plates.

Now, I needed something which stayed within grape and wine "earthy" theme, but something which also melded with the celadon color scheme. I found a box 'o rocks at Marshall's the same day I found my wine plates.

But oh no - not just any ole' box 'o rocks...but moss covered rocks.

Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict once featured rock candles on one of her recent tablescapes. So something clicked in my freaky head...."yes, oh crafty one - you can have your own rock candles." So, I grabbed a Wolfgang Puck paring knife (sorry Wolf) and went to work.

I carved out a circle just large enough for a tealight candle. It worked beautifully. My Cordon Bleu instructor would be impressed with my knife skills.

It was time for the special fillers....the "details."

...such as this $1 clearance bin mini, silver frame used as a namecard holder.

I also added my wonderfully, versatile pair of crystal candleholders on each side of the floral centerpiece. I like to use "fillers" in the bottom of these candleholders. Remember how I used sugar in a recent tablescape?

I looked around the kitchen, and my eye went straight to the perfect filler...can you guess what it is? I'll tell you at the end! :-)

Since this tablescape is set for an intimate two-couple dinner with a wine-themed menu...I couldn't leave out the decanter. I love this piece and use it often when I entertain.

I hope you have enjoyed my "Dreamscape" table in Celadon. It was a pleasure to create this for you. Thanks, Susan, for hosting this event. Please make sure you head over to her site to check out the other Tablescaper's in all their glory.

May All Your Dreams (Celadon or any color) Come True...Barb

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