Thursday, July 15, 2010

Tablescape Thursday - Back to Earth

As you probably have already read, this past Saturday was our 3rd annual Garden Walk. The weather was fabulous: hot, sunny, and with a slight breeze perfect for a late morning, or early afternoon stroll. Our garden was on the walk - of course - but this year we had an addition that was truly a hit with the garden "walkers": our pergola. Now, when we designed the patio and the pergola space next to the garage, I knew that I wanted it to be a transitional space. Somewhere we could use for both casual lounge space with our outdoor settees and such, but also a place where we could entertain friends with dinner, as we tend to do. With the pergola in place, the space really feels complete, and "room-like" so I knew for the walk I wanted to give all of the people who came through the yard a little look into what you could do with a sweet little space like ours:

I decided on a "dining room" and used our Smith & Hawken's elmwood set to stage a dinner for 4 with a colorful flare. I found the striped fabric at Joann Fabric's for a mere $4.50/yard, and topped it with the gingham/ikat to bring in a little of the blue and white that I spread around in my Asian pottery pieces.

My blue and white Spode plates topped white ironstone over brass chargers, and elegant vintage brass eggcups held sphagnum moss balls to give the idea of a topiary on the plate. I wanted to go one step further, making these place card holders but time didn't allow for that.

I brought out an indoor table to stage as a petite buffet of sorts, and hung the mirror you might remember from the fireplace Christmas-scape with jute from the pergola supports. The entire back wall, and entrance corners were draped in my SUPER CHEAP outdoor curtain solution: FLAT TWIN SIZED SHEETS! A bargain at a mere $3/each, sheets give you length, and finished edges without the disgust of a ruined curtain that cost much much more at the end of the season. The wire urn was a loaner from my good friend Melisa. I filled it with more moss and a fern to bring some green to the table, and height and presence to the display. She liked it so much, I didn't take it apart when I gave it back to her - and it now looks great in her living room!

The entrance to the pergola was flanked by these two hibiscus trees, my blue and white garden stools and pottery barn lanterns. The crystal pendant was a thrift store score just a couple of weeks ago, and adds the perfect amount of sparkle to the space, don't you think?

Add in our crystal stemware, and hurricanes for the brass candlesticks, and the light was literally bouncing from one end of the table to the other. Usually we don't get to enjoy these lovely tables, but that night we had a great party, and people gathered around for gourmet pizza and watermelon mojito's to laugh about all of the build up and tension broken after the event was over. It was the most perfect way to end the day, and the most perfect setting to come back to earth, and let a bit of that creativity that was stored for safety out to play. Yes, Artie is back - and the future is looking bright!

Thanks to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for allowing me to post this on her Tablescape Thursday post. Take a spin back over now, and check out all of the other fantastic tablescapes from this week!

See you soon, with a giveaway, and more!

29 comments:

  1. Gorgeous, gorgeous outdoor room!! And you have accessorized it so perfectly! Love all the blue and white, and your crystal! I share one of those patterns with you. Beautiful!!

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  2. that is just wonderful! i was instantly thinking where can i have that too... no level land means no fun place like you :-(

    love all your touches, great looking~

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  3. This should be in a magazine Artie! I love what you did with the twin sheets! Perfect outdoor curtains. You thought of every detail. Love the hanging mirror. Your fabrics and dishes are so elegant. Wondering how magical it must be at night and if the chandelier is wired. Glad you are BACK!

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  4. Artie, this is amazing I can only imagine what it looks like at night all in candlelight all glowy, what a great place to entertain. You really did an amazing job, Kathysue

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  5. your patio is just the best cozy, comfortable, pretty and inviting, what more could any quest ask for, love it...

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  6. Your pergola is beautiful, just the perfect outdoor room.

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  7. What a great space! I love all that you did our there -- the sheets are perfect (and so cheap). Your table is magnificent!

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  8. Artie, This is absolutely gorgeous! You have really out done yourself on this one. Love the chandy and that you hung the mirror, the curtains are perfect and the blue and white is wonderful! What a great job you did.
    xo, Sherry

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  9. What a great idea! I'm headed to my linen closet right now to ferret out all the white twin sheets. Your table is lovely and welcoming. Great job! Cherry Kay

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  10. Fabulous table! I know all the guests on the garden walk were amazed and impressed! So elegant!

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  11. What a lovely setting! I am sure you will enjoy many, many events there. So many lovely things you had on your table.

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  12. Lovely outdoor space and a beautiful tablescape. You did a great job, Arite!..Christine

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  13. Lovely outdoor setting, every things is perfect!

    Hugs
    Charo

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  14. Hey Artie!

    man, this looks like a Restoration Hardware or Pottery barn ad. I want those blue & white garden stools. I love love the twin sheets idea. Great job. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  15. I've been away at my dad's going through my mother's things. It is good to be back and see what you've been up to. This turned out beautifully. Weren't you afraid to have such breakable and beautiful things out during a garden walk? Makes me a bit nervous to think about it.

    It really does look like an inviting space to spend time with friends.

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  16. Artie, your outdoor room uis fabulous!!!!!!!! I wish I had a space to do that! I know everyone who came through was just happy as can be! I love the blue and white porcelains: I collect them too! I am right besdie you on TT, so please stop over to see my table!!!! XO, Pinky

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  17. Absolutely stunning! Makes you just want to enter, sit, and chat.

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  18. What a beautiful setting for a meal. I love all the sparkling crystal with the blue and white...you did a great table, Artie.

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  19. Simply divine ~ No other words will do.

    I wish I had flat land behind my town home .. my decks aren't large enough for the store display table I have refinished. It's sitting in my garage. You are the inspiration I needed to get me going in the right direction. But at 8'x 3' it's really big.

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  20. Artie, this is AMAZING!! It is going to get good use alllll summer long. I'll be right over, fire up the grill and pass the mojitos, please. bwhahahaha.
    xoxoxoxoxoxo Pisa

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  21. You did a very good job of putting everything together. I really like your dishes. Have a great weekend! Mary

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  22. Lovely....just lovely!! What a perfect spot to enjoy a fabulous meal:)

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  23. Artie, this is a lovely space. It will serve you well all summer long. Your use of SHEETS is so very wise. You and your friends will enjoy many lovely meals in this space...
    Jane (artfully graced)

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  24. This looks like such a comfy place to be for fun.
    I see you have been a little busy lately.
    Don't be a stranger at Dreaming-stop by again soon. It was great to see you.
    Thanks for the lovely comments you left.

    Melinda

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  25. Everything is perfect. You are so good at this, I wish I could come...

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  26. Beautiful in every aspect Artie!

    Hopefully next year my dtr. and myself will be able to attend your Garden Walk. As we have a new Grand Daughter :) it was impossible to do it this year. :(

    You definitely never disappoint. Keep decorating 'n gardening my friend. Hugs -Brenda-

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  27. Oh my goodness, Artie!!! I love the way you dressed your pergola for the Garden Walk. The other houses on the tour probably wondered where everyone was...they were hanging out at your place!!!
    I love the brick floor and the sheet idea for curtains in ingenious! I added grommets to drop cloths on a porch and they will not dry quickly after a rain, so they were prone to mildew. I finally just threw them away after 3 washings! Sheets will surely dry faster. I am definitely going to try it! Thanks.
    The mirror and chandelier just add to the romantic charm of your outdoor room.
    Bravo...well done!
    Rhonda

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  28. it's wonderful. I love the combinations and the colors and the setting you created. It's intimate and very congenial.

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