Wednesday, September 29, 2010

A Quirky Brown Table

Do you see the cabinet in the corner of that picture?

That’s a china cabinet, and it’s just one of the places where I store my dishes. The sister has several as well, and the Duchess has four or five of them. I’ve lost count.

Oh, we have china
And crystal
And silver

Why we feel the oddball need to create tablescapes
 using old bean pots instead
is anyone's guess.
I think we just like to color outside the lines.

In oddball colors.

Well...that’s the way it appears
 because we also have a variety 
of lovely tablecloths.
Irish linen…
Battenburg lace…

Yet, intead, we reach into that old trunk of vintage cotton ones.

 

 In fairness to the other two on the team, that part is usually my fault. I have this strange obsession with vintage cotton in quirky colors, and I’m a bad influence on good taste.

This week’s quirky cloth is
 brown and yellow and  my fault.
We were going to use a whole set of these neat brown dishes...


When I started campaigning for that tablecloth, 
we opted to save the set
 and use the salad plates only. 
We mixed it up with a brown charger and plain yellow plates stacked in between.


We used some Indian corn tied in ribbon for place cards just to be fallish. 
The names are written in invisible ink.


For the center, we collected a variety of old brown stuff.  
I don't know much about this old crock,
but both it and the bean pot
have been around long enough to be classified as vintage.



And this jug qualifies as antique.


 I actually love this old thing. I know it’s been around since 1904 because there’s a family story about it that took place when my great grandparents were courting, and they married in 1905. The Duchess thinks that it was originally a whiskey jug.

I’m not so sure since it’s signed, marked, and in my opinion too beautiful for corn squeezins, but what do I know?

Whatever its pedigree, it ended up hanging out
 in blog land 
with an old crock, 
a vintage bean pot,
and a quirky cotton cloth.


Now actually, it's not that easy to decorate using those quirky colorful tablecloths...


Which is the reason that this centerpiece keeps changing....


And changing...
I couldn't make up my mind.

Which is also the reason
the Duchess made an executive decision
to lock me out of that vintage trunk until further notice.  

Next week, we're going to my sister's house
 for our  Luncheon Club 
 Lucky for me, my only contribution will be
 the shiny red Kodak. 

*****
Sharing this as always on Susans's porch.

49 comments:

Linda W said...

"shine on, shine on harvest moon....". Love it and all the vintage pieces. Especially the corn squeezin' jug!

Ready or not, fall here we come!

Sandi (Meme) said...

I like that tablecloth! Doesn't it make you wonder what some of those designers was smokin' when you see some of them? Ha! I have a bean pot like that - but no lid! Have a great week! Sandi

The Decorative Dreamer said...

I cannot wait to see the luncheon setting, surely you will contribute more then that! LOL! I love this! The corn placecards, too cute! I love old pottery jugs though I do not own any, too pricey for me, but I do so admire them. Yours are gorgeous, excellent centerpiece! You really did a great job choosing this tablecloth too, it is just so fantastic!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Which ever way you decide to leave it, I think it is all stunning. Love it and the beautiful linens. All the crocks and pots are stunning. The corn is a fabulous idea. I just adore it all. Hugs, Marty

Lynn said...

A beautiful and very comfortable setting! I'm lovin' the nice fall colors!

Anonymous said...

Great tablescape. Sounds like lots of fun bringing it all together!

FrouFrouBritches said...

I love that tablecloth! It's gorgeous! I love the crock and bean pot too. This might have to be my second favorite. My favorite is still the one at the niece's barn - with the egg crate.

I can't wait to see what you come up with if you'e not able to get into the trunk! I love all the vintage stuff.

Seriously, Debbie, I just love ya, but if you ever come to Arkansas I'm going to be too embarassed to feed you on my crappy dishes!

Marigene said...

I love this table...it is wonderful for fall. What a fun vintage tablecloth to decorate around. The jug with the ears of corn is gorgeous. Cute idea, using the mini corn for the place cards. Thanks for sharing this wonderful table.

xinex said...

Your tablescape is so beautiful, Debbie. I love your pottery jugs in your centerpiece....Christine

a quiet life said...

fun, i like quirky!

Unknown said...

Beautiful table, loved the bean pot and crocks used for the centerpiece. The brown made for a very unique and unusal table. Thanks for sharing.
Sandy

Miss Merry said...

What a nifty table cloth! And I love the unique salad plates, too. But that jug is absolutely amazing! What a treasure.

Tricia said...

Your posts are always such fun to read! I think y'all did a great job with that vintage tablecloth! Love the layering and the interesting centerpiece elements!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Debbie, I am lovin' this "quirky" table setting. I also love vintage tablecloths, and y'all did a great job of picking up the colors and feel of the tablecloth. OOOOO, you'd better put your name on the bottom of that incredible jug! So unique. Love the corn for place card holders -so clever. Those brown salad plates are so pretty, and look great mixed with the other plates. I seldom use a whole set of china together - it's just too boring for me. I think I could do some really serious damage to your good taste! laurie

Marlis said...

OOh this is amazing. I love the challenge of using lots of pattern as a backdrop and you have mastered it with this tablescape. It's lovely. I love the center piece - all of them. If the jug ever needs a new home.. send it my way. I love your table.. great job.

The Tablescaper said...

That jug with the corn is absolutely gorgeous. I've never seen anything like it.

- The Tablescaper

A Hint of Home said...

I love all the warm browns that you used. Your tablecloth is so pretty. Everything looks great!

elizabeth said...

Oh I love the old pots and jugs...love. So, let me get this straight...the Dutchess is your mom and your sister and you and she get together and tablescape...how cool is that!
Elizabeth
http://www.justfollowingjesus.com

Tess said...

What a great table!!! The colors and textures are amazing and perfect for this time of year!

Alycia Nichols said...

What a pretty color combination!!! I like the maize...very autumn-like touch!

Diann said...

Well, since I am a big fan of quirky, I love this table. It's feels so retro! Which I also love. Very nice table!!

Mevely317 said...

Color me "hooked" on that Brander Bros. jug! Honest, I don't know the first thing about good taste and tablescapes .... but this, instinctively, invites my senses!

Anita Diaz said...

As usual, I'm laughing. You must have a daily column somewhere in a big newspaper, right? I enjoy reading as much as looking at the table. And I love that table. LOVE the fabric. I would love to dig through that trunk too! I love brown, and I love the bean pot. The jug is amazing. I love it all. Can't wait to see next week...

Kelli said...

That tablecloth is so you! Interesting, fun and it just pops !! The brown yellow combo is fabulous! The other pieces bring the look all together! LOVE IT! Makes my "toes curl!"

Amy Kinser said...

I love that tablecloth. The colors are great. Your tablescape is wonderful. I vote for vintage cloths from the trunk!

Toni said...

This was a very fun table, a great mixture of old meets new! I loved the corn favors! Great idea.

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

This is great!! Love the brown and yellow color scheme! I had one of those bean pots, wish I still had it!

Very pretty! Nice job!

Katherine

Red Couch Recipes said...

I love your quirky brown table as well as your quirky running commentary! The tablecoth is so stunning really as well as the jug. Joni

Jacqueline said...

I love the textured brown plates. A restaurant in CAbo used to serve their desserts on ones exactly like these but they went cheap when they remodeled and only use white. These bring back great memories.

Melissa Miller said...

Debbie it all looks pretty and perfect for fall. I really like the adorable acorn napkin holders.

Happy Fall! ~Melissa :)

Sharon said...

As always, I loved your tablescape. You're my kind of girl - you gravitate toward vintage items - must be why you like me!!!

Also, I really liked the old crock. (Not referring to the dialogue that took place while doing the tablescape...) I have a collection of miniature salt-glaze pottery, so my "little guys" say a big hello to their granddaddy crock in Georgia!!

Thanks for sharing your artistic eye -

P.S. I think it's a whiskey jug...I'm just sayin'... :)

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
It is a lovely tablescape that you and yours have come up with! I like the fall colors goin' on and browns highlight the yellows in the flowers. Beautiful, I say!


~Jean

Vanessa said...

Hey Debbie! I TOTALLY want that tablecloth! I love this setting because it looks so unique and kinda different from what I've been seeing lately. Different=Beautiful! :-) I wanted to let you know too that if you decide you want to link up this week (no pressure), that absolutely ANYTHING you would share would be perfect for the party! You inspire with your designs and your words and I would love to have you apart of it...no pressure! :-)
Vanessa

Renée said...

Warm and wonderful...thanks for writing my name on the Fall-ish place card. I find myself looking forward to your weekly fabulously funky parties. They are so creative!

Unknown said...

Ha!!! I'm not the only one who would love to have a different set of dishes for every day of the week. Just tell me one thing. WHERE does one put so many china cabinets?????
xo
lynn

Entertaining Women said...

Quirky...okay. Wonderful...definitely! I think that the deep maroon napkin? on the table ended up being a really important color element. The centerpiece steals the show! Thank you for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay

Celly B said...

Oh, I love how you mixed up the yellow and brown--a perfect match for your tablecloth. My favorite things are the place cards attached to the indian corn with those beautiful ribbons, and the lovely acorn napkin rings!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Quirky? I love Quirky! Especially when it looks as welcoming as this table! So fun to have playmates with your dish parties!

Chubby Chieque said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! As simple as that!

Job well done, Missy?

Happy TS Day!

Greetings from a chilly Stockholmer,
/chie

Sweetladyelaine said...

You are too funny..love reading your post. All that brown turned out to be one beautiful tablescape! I love the jugs especially the corn one! Thank you for fighting for the right to use that vintage tablecloth! It did you proud!!!

Denise said...

So, I've been thinking about this tablescape all morning as I prepare for Saturday. I think it turned out great--even ALL the centerpieces were great. (You know I LOVE those jugs!!) My last comment...

So the Duchess is the OLD crock, I'm the VINTAGE one and you're the QUIRKY one? Hmmmm...

Debbie said...

Well, I guess I'll have to own up to quirky. I can't possibly be the vintage one.

I think you have to be 50 to qualify.
And...

Ann said...

While at the market in PA over the weekend I did search through the old linens for sale hoping to find something that "hit" me .... well, I did. I found a table cloth that would look perfect with my kitchen colors. I was thinking of you at the time and all the wonderful decorating you could do on my behalf with that cloth.

Then, I looked at the price.
I don't have any dishes that match it anyway ......

LOVE your little brown bean pot. I vaguely remember one in my mother's pantry eons ago. Must have broken during one of the many moves it made.

Kathleen Ellis said...

Love your warm fall table, Debbie! I love your idea of the Indian corn w/placecards...brilliant!
Have a beautiful weekend~
;-D Kathleen

Holly Lefevre said...

Love all the goodies on the tablescape...and LOVE that tablecloth. Those vintage tablecloths are so fabulous!

saltbox
treasures
said...

Pretty tablescape!!!
~ Julie

Sevenbeads said...

Your table is gorgeous. I can smell fall in the air just looking at your table.

CAL said...

Lovely Debbie, and I love the bean pot. The corn tied with ribbons is a beautiful touch.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Wow... no, it's not easy to do tablescapes using those "quirky" tablecloths -- but you did a great job! This is really cute!

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