Wednesday, September 22, 2010

How Grama's Tablecloth Got a Facelift

If you ask me, it's all Walmart's fault.


We weren't going to play with  dishes this week.
We were all busy, after all, and we had too many irons in the fire.
But then the Duchess went to Walmart...
And she saw these green ruffly dishes....
which were the perfect match for her favorite tablecloth.  

A beautiful hand stitched one made for her by her mother,
my grandmother.
I love it too.
Its size and detail remind me of
the hours and hours of love
that went into making it.



She probably would have stopped right there, but then, we started thinking. What it needed, we decided, was a charger to give it a little POP.   We tried a variety of chargers, but they were all too shiney for the muted colors. I suggested a little decoupage,  but apparently no one heard me.
Finally, we found these.

And only a dollar a piece at a local discount store.


In for a penny, in for a pound... 

So we added a salad plate from her everyday ware. Then we added a punch of fall to the tablesetting with leaf plates that my sister had purchased for her fall decorating.


A little flatware, and we're almost done.
We added that soup spoon because we wanted to.
Let's just pretend that we're serving soup out of those little leaf dishes...


pumpkin soup...

For the centerpiece, we decided to use my favorite bowl in the family collection.  It belonged to my grandmother's favorite grandmother. If you're able to follow that, that would mean that it belonged to my great, great grandmother. My own grandmother always kept it on her table, and I always dreamed of owning it one day.

Just thought I'd toss that one out there...


We used fall  mums and some drying green hydrangeas. 
That's a step up from last week's weeds, I think.

Since we were going with that pretend autumn thing, we added some placecard holders
 in the shape of pumpkins.


And we invited the grandchildren to pretend to come.
One pretended to come all the way
from Colorado



My sister and I bought sets of this casual stemware at Waccamaw.


 about 20 years ago...

just about the time we realized those
blue and peach glasses from
The Great Wedding Adventures
weren't all that versatile.

These are.
You'll probably see them again.

So there you have it
How Grama's  tablecloth
 got a fall facelift


And the reason that the Duchess
should stay away from Walmart
when we're busy.
*****
You'll find us hanging out on
Susan's Porch again for

40 comments:

Sharon said...

I'm the first?! YAY - I made it to the top of the "comment" list...oh, sorry, got a little distracted there. These comments are supposed to be about YOU, right?!

Again, just LOVE these tablescapes. Seriously, have you ever thought of doing something professional with this talent? You could have people pay you to decorate their houses for parties, or you could do wedding decorations, or something?

BTW, now I have to be jealous of the invisible grandchildren? The invisible people were bad enough - but I had my "elbowing" skills down really good. Hate to have to resort to that tactic with children, though.

OK, the only thing worse (evidently) than the Duchess in Walmart, might just be the Duchess with a Sawzall in Walmart... I'm just sayin'...

Have a great day!!

Anita Diaz said...

Wow, this is so pretty! Love the green plates, and the tablecloth is fabulous. I went to Walmart this week also! Now, I loved the "weeds" from last week, but I love this too! I used weeds and branches this week, lol!

Denise said...

I think the granddaughters would be delighted to sit at this table. I'm not so sure about our Colorado nephew.

So, do you really love orange (pretty sure you have several previous posts regarding this color) or are you just trying to get grabby for the antique bowl? Just wonderin'...

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love your fall tablescape. It is so pretty. The dishes and all of your accessories are lovely. It is so special to use family treasures. These are all great. Hugs, Marty

FrouFrouBritches said...

DURN Wal-Mart! They get all my $$! I looked at the exact green dishes this morning and almost bought them myself, along with the cream ones just like them. I love it! That tablecloth is soooo pretty!

Tell your invisible grandchildren I said hello. I hope they don't make an invisible mess on your pretty tablecloth. HA!

Anonymous said...

As each photo unfolded to the next - gorgeous. By the time I got to the end of the photos, they were breathtaking. Love this table. It's inviting yet elegant all at the same time.

When's dinner?

Vanessa said...

That Wal-Mart gets ya every time! We went to Lowes this morning which is right next to Wal-Mart and my daughter said "pweeeeze mommy! Pweeeeze can we NOT go dat store 'gain!" pointing at Wal-Mart the whole time! :-)
I think this was the absolute perfect tablescape to share on the first day of Fall! Love it!
Vanessa

Ann said...

Since Hannah and I are trying to focus on things "wedding" these days, we went to a bridal show on Sunday afternoon. We came to the conclusion we may need help with the tables at the military club we will be holding her reception at. The chairs are tacky and she really doesn't want plain white or black tables (our choices).

We did see some beautiful table settings which have us thinking we may use those folk (if not TOO expensive) to set up the tables for us .... but Debbie, I'll tell you what .... What you, your mom and your sister do by far beat the professional settings we saw on Sunday.

I would LOVE to go out and purchase some more dishes. I do love to set a pretty table .... just don't have the $$ to change it up .....

Another WELL DONE table and post!

Cheers!
Ann

Angel said...

Debbie - Your posts always inspire and they always make me chuckle! Thanks for sharing your life and talents with the rest of us in blogland. I love the tablescape and the fall colors are my favorites. I've always wanted some of those leaf dishes too. I think I'm feeling a walmart run comin' on!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

It's divine, especially that hand-stitched tablecloth and that centerpiece bowl. I'm almost green with envy. Almost. At least I would match the tablescape. (hehe)

Lynn said...

Well, Walmart will do that to people! Your mom's tablecloth is beautiful and so special! I love the dishes, and I'm so glad that you have that great bowl from your grandmom! Looks like a very nice distraction from all that business:@)

Renée said...

What an inspired table. No wonder that is your favorite cloth...it's a work of art! I have leaf plates like Diane's, (though not as pretty) and saw those same plates at Walmart yesterday and swooned a little. Now I'm thinking I need to head back for some ruffled goodness! Happy Autumn to you.

Jane said...

Wow, I love it! You guys did a great job on your finds at Walmart, and then putting it all together over that gorgeous table cloth. Tell, is there a placecard with the name Jane on it??

Jane

Gayle said...

Pass the pumpkin soup, please.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Such a pretty fall table. Love the tablecloth and those ruffly dishes are great.

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

So pretty! The centerpiece and your tablecloth are beautiful!

Marigene said...

Very pretty fall table...the tablecloth truly is beautiful...so many loving hours put into all those stitches.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Well this fall table is so pretty -- I'll pretend to come for some pumpkin soup in little leaf bowls too. Yummmm!

Just a dreamer said...

You might not think so, but I think that tablescape should be in a book! Lovely, Lovely, Lovely. JAD

Barbara said...

This is so pretty! Very fall-ish and that tablecloth is quite a treasure. You do a great job even when there is lots of other things going on.

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Your grandma's tablecloth is beautiful! Love the tablescape, and those ruffled green plates! It all came together very nicely! Great job!

Katherine

Miss Merry said...

Gorgeous fall table! So elegant and such rich colors. Darn that Walmart. We have a joke that everything there costs $40 because if you go in for one thing - you will spend $40. The plates match so perfectly and what a lovely, lovely tablecloth. Your table really honors it.

A Toile Tale said...

I love it when a blogger tells the story of inspiration and how the table comes together. I know I get an item in my mind and then just fill in the blanks for the entire table. You started with a beauty! That special tablecloth is a treasure.
Linda

A Perfect Setting said...

That tablecloth is just beautiful! So special and inviting! Gorgeous!

xinex said...

Those dishes are perfect on that beautiful tablecloth. I saw the dishes at Walmart and was almost tempted to buy them too but I am out of storage space, lol. Beautifully put together tablescape!..Christine

The Whispering Creek House said...

hello there! i found your sweet comment on the preformance trap post i did and wanted to stop by and say hello and thank you for your comment..your blog is lovely and your tablescapes are so beautiful..it must feel so good to sit at one of these stunning arrangemnts! well done!

Karena said...

A beautiful tibute to your grandmother and table design...and it all came together perfectly!!

I have a Giveaway by the French Basketeer that I think you will love!

Karena
Art by Karena

Entertaining Women said...

The Duchess, your sister, and you make a great tablescaping tag team. The Duchess' tablescape is a true treasure. Thank you for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay

Entertaining Women said...

I meant the Duchess' tablecloth is a true treasure. Cherry Kay

Tricia said...

Oh, where to start?? You girls set a wonderful table together, and I know you had fun! What a treasure that tablecloth is, and I'm glad you included that photo showing the overhang -- such a pretty design! Now *I* want some green ruffly plates. And your centerpiece is truly gorgeous. I always enjoy my visits to your table!

Custom Comforts said...

I'm new at blogging and it's the first time I've been at your blogsite. Love it! Who would have thought such lovely things could come from Walmart? I never feel like I can justify getting more dishes than my daily ones, but I'll have to check out Walmart and see if I can squeeze it into my budget. You have a delightful sense of humror which brightens my day. Thanks.
Cindy

Celly B said...

What a wonderful heirloom that tablecloth is! The ruffled dishes are perfect. Oh, how I miss Waccamaw! Every time we went to the beach we would make at least one trip. My favorite part, even when I was a child, was the china part! I remember, too, where there was a department that would etch glasses with your monogram while you waited.

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Yes! I saw those pretty ruffly plates myself at Walmart and wanted the white ones. They didn't have any green, sold out I assume! I held off since I am getting something else in white. I really love them though! They are more Better Homes and Gardens beauties. Your setting is just gorgeous! Love the chargers underneath too. All the fruit and leaf bowls are icing on the cake. It'all so pretty!

Susan said...

Oh, such a very pretty Fall table! I love your new ruffly dishes and the flowers. I have the same crystal, Claudia, and bought it about 20-25 years ago, also. Bill at Affordable Accoutrements has it, too. I love your story!! Thanks for sharing.
Susan

Requi Tablescaping Escapades said...

Fabulous face lift for such a beautiful tablecloth. Your fav bowl is a gorgeous centerpiece. I really like the layers in your place setting.

I have five goblets that I inherited from my Mommy. I think she bought them at an estate sale. I call them my prism ball stemware. They look like yours from Waccamaw. Too bad, Waccamaw closed in my area b/c I would consider getting three more of them.

All the Best,

Requi

Scribbler said...

My WalMart never has these neato things -- but I do have a tablecloth from my mother on the order of yours! -- That's even better. Now I might have to see what I can do with it.

lettie said...

Just lovely!

Sandi (Meme) said...

What a pretty table, and you are so right! The dishes match the table cloth very well. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment on my tablescape. I love having you over! Sandi

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

It's gorgeous! I love all the layers and the little place card holders! Everything goes together beautifully! Cute story too- found your blog at bnotp- I'm having my first link up party for decorating inspirations- I would love for you to consider stopping by to share this. :)

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

That tablecloth is gorgeous! I wouldn't eat anything except a pretend meal on it for fear of something be spilled. What pretty green plates. Love that ruffled edge. Your centerpiece bowl is stunning. Such a wonderful tablescape. laurie

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