Posted on by lulu · 12 Comments

Thinking Ahead

OK, I know we haven’t even gotten through Christmas, but it doesn’t hurt to be thinking ahead to next year knowing that holiday goodies will soon be on sale.  I always like to have a little something new and there’s no better time to buy it than when it is marked down.

Luckily Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma are in the area where I was doing some last minute buying, and here’re some of the things that caught my eye.

Believe me when I tell you I don’t need any more dishes, but it doesn’t hurt to look and, perhaps, get an idea for a table setting as well.  Williams Sonoma has several patterns that are sure to tempt some of you.  Plaid is very in and if these settings are any indication, it is very versatile as well as timeless.

Pottery Barn is always a great source for cute accessories like these napkin rings.

3111914_14Each one has that little touch of whimsey that so many of us are drawn to.

berry-place-card-holder-set-of-4-oThe same is true of these adorable place card holders also at Williams Sonoma.

holly-embroidered-table-runner

I’m a sucker for table runners, and I have my eye on this one at Crate & Barrel as it would go well with both sets of my Christmas dishes.  I’m envisioning the table already!

For the younger set, Target has the perfect melamine plates.  No danger of these getting broken!

Well, there you have it, a little something for everyone.  By the way, I stopped at Michael’s on the way home and found their chargers  in red, green and plaid marked down 70%.  None were more than $1.35, a very good deal for sure.

Happy shopping!

i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind

Posted on by lulu · 15 Comments

Just Looking!

This week I braved the maddening crowds to do some last Christmas shopping.  It so happens that the places I had to go are close to some of my favorite stores–Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, Pier One, Williams Sonoma–and I couldn’t resist going in to see what fun things were there for holiday tables.

2606684_1At Pier One,  wooden chargers in an off green immediately caught my eye as they would work with most any Christmas dishes.

tablescapeI’m always attracted to things a little different, so when I saw this pottery (Fa La La) at Crate & Barrel my mind started racing thinking about what a fun Christmas table could be created with them.  Not only are they perfect for the wooden chargers, they are dishes that could be used any season.

tablescapeBack to thinking Christmas, who could resist these adorable stockings for flatware?

tablescapeHolly berry linens are perfect for the season,

tablescapebut the Santa napkins are a little more playful.

tablescapeFor a more subtle look, these would be OK, too.

tablescapeI’m crazy for touches that add a bit of whimsy, and these salad plates would do just that.  What dog lover wouldn’t get a kick out of them?

tablescapeThinking about creating a table with various pieces from Pier One and Crate & Barrel should have been enough, but there was more to see at Williams Sonoma where a lovely collection of pieces were combined for a sophisticated yet simple look.

tablescapePier One’s tartan plates would also be a nice complement for the transferware.

tablescapeLast but not least I spied side plates at Anthropologie.  It would be a stretch for them to work with the Crate & Barrel dishes, but they would be great fun with white, maybe some red bowls and the painted Santa napkins.  Oh, the spoon plate holder is pretty cute, too!

zinc-reindeerHey, they would do well with a few zinc reindeer, too.

Well, none of these things came home with me, but it sure was fun thinking about how to mix and match from here and there.  You can bet I’ll be watching the after Christmas sales  just in case some are looking for a home!

i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind

Joining

Tablescape Thursday

Posted on by lulu · 13 Comments

Keeping it Simple

Entertaining is not about perfection, it is about connection.

With a view as wonderful as this, a tablescape can be pretty simple.  This one was just that and in perfect keeping with the clean lines and minimalism of the home.

A bit of color on the salad plates from Williams Sonoma, white plates on natural linen placemats,

hurricane lamps to add a soft glow,

warm wood tones of a beautifully crafted table from Windsor Chairmakers.

All combine to create an atmosphere of simple comfort and a pleasant evening in a friend’s home.

i love your comments, so jump right in and share your thoughts