Spring, Are You There???

After Valentine’s Day I was ready to move to blue and white.  Last week’s post was of the old/new china cabinet, filled with blue and white and very few contrasting touches (HERE).  It’s not spring here in central Ohio—in fact, we’re expecting up to SIX INCHES of snow tonight!  So to add splashes of yellows, or oranges, or purple would wreak havoc with my senses!

It took me several days and a few hours of bliss on Pinterest and in blogland to figure out what to do with the dining room table.  No bare tables around here!!  It had to be CALM…preferably blue and white…interesting (not just one thing on it)…. Besides spending happy hours admiring others’ creativity on Pinterest or blogs, those visits help me to remember things I have that I could use.  Do you do that?  Do you forget you have something until you see something similar out there?  That’s a great plus for me!

So, following my home-shopping list I’d made from my virtual trips I settled on a vintage linen runner and a vintage silver tray as the foundation ~

I love how decorating develops and evolves!  I remembered this blue and white tureen that usually sits in the secretary, and the blue and white embroidered bun cozy that I had just put in a “to sell” stack…I think I’ll keep it!  It’s more versatile than I’d thought.  Rather than set the tureen directly on the cozy, I layered the look with a cobalt blue dish and added a sprig of dried blue hydrangea.  It was coming together!

Peaceful.

If you’ve been visiting Chickadee Home Nest for any time at all you know of my weakness for vintage linens.  This piece is actually an oval doily that I added for softness and romance.  And did you notice the rope/nautical detail on the tureen handles?  I love that juxtaposition on it—soft, dainty blue and white, with light orange “rope”!  I bought it at a garage sale years and years ago, with a chip on the edge of the lid, but that’s okay with me—it’s vintage!  Of course it’s going to show some evidence of having been used!

I have the full tea service of this blue and white Bombay Company pattern, but I always forget about it.  The sugar bowl, because of the silver trim on the lid, seemed just right, and rather than pair it with its matching creamer, I used this darling, long-handled silver “server” for the cream.  Dried hydrangeas the color of the pears on the china cabinet continue to coordinate the look between the china cabinet and the table.

Do you know what this “server” is/what it would’ve been used for?  I’m nuts about it, but have never seen one before.  I keep thinking drawn butter, and that it probably had its own heating stand.  What do you think it is?

Notice how worn the finish on the handle is…this sweet thing was actually used in a home!  I thought about “fixing” it for about 15 seconds.

Blue and white candlesticks, to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the vignette beyond the silver tray, coupled with…

…tea bag holders from Bombay.

This precious hydrangea bloom just happened to fall and grace my vignette.  It’s still there!

And then, before my post was up (I’ve had a few problems with Google 2-step verification and Live Writer not liking each other)…spring began its annual tease – a warm, sunny day and Whole Foods’ fabulous Friday sale of 30 tulips for $10!!! 

Tell me, who could resist that?!  I’ve never had 30 tulips around the house at one time!

Tulips and a sunny day in early March gives us hope that SPRING will come.

Hope SPRINGs Eternal. 

(My Lenox Eternal coffee server.)

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I read every single one of them! And if you like what you see a lot, maybe you’d like to +1 this post or pin it on Pinterest too! Thank you!

I invite you to follow me. If you’ll let me know that you’re following, I’ll be sure to follow you back.

I’m joining these fun parties this week:

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Wednesdays at Let’s Dish: http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wednesdays at Wow Us: http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Thursdays at Tabletop Thursday: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Thursdays at No Minimalist Here: http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Be Inspired Friday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Inspiration Friday at http://www.atthepicketfence.com

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Purple Passion for Valentines

The color PURPLE traditionally has been associated with royalty, but I also associate it with PASSION, since it’s such an intense color.  When I researched the meaning of PURPLE I found something interesting:  “It is understandable that purple represents royalty if one thinks how purple is a mix of red and blue, that is a mix of female and male energies. Mixing female and male energies grants the power of creation which is an attribute of god.”  (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_the_color_purple_represent.)    Maybe subconsciously I sensed that meaning the female and male energies, because when I started to plan my Valentine table, I knew I wanted to use PURPLE.  I also found that PURPLE “connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication,”—well, there you have it!  HAVE to use PURPLE!  (Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html#ixzz2Jrt4gOjP)

RED is “the most emotionally intense color…it stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing.  It is also the color of love," so that’s why RED is the traditional color of Valentines.(http://www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html#ixzz2JrtHzzCw/)

PURPLE, shimmery placemats and RED chargers are the foundation for today’s tablescape, which is set for TWO, of course.

Can you feel the passion?  The intense reds, with a touch of shimmery purple, and touches of gold and silver?

The red tassel napkin rings, because of their shimmer, are able to keep up with the shimmer around them.

   If you’ve visited me in the past you know of my PASSION for vintage, hand-embroidered linens.  The napkins are one of several romantic linen touches at this table…  If you love linens too, there’s more coming!

Ahhh, yet another passion—crystal—that adds another element of shimmer and excitement.

And candlelight…  Did you notice that the table is also set for after-dinner coffee, and perhaps CHOCOLATE too?

Roses and china and crystal and chocolate, OH MY!

More vintage napkins.  These came home with me last summer, when I simply could not walk away from them.  And now I see that they are perfect for our romantic Valentine’s Dinner.  The napkin rings are a gift from our youngest son, from years ago.  That bright boy knew to go to Bombay to buy gifts for his Mama.  :)

Vintage sugar bowls and creamers…yet another passion.  And my Table Art leaf spoon, purchased at a lovely little shop, The Morgan House, near our home, years ago.

I needed some height at the table, so I improvised and repurposed my pink Heisey footed server as a pedestal for the coffee service.

This is truly a vintage piece…a square topper that is beginning to show its age, but is soooo loved.  The stitching is exquisite, as is the fabric.  It’s worthy of a table set for royalty, or romantic Valentines.

Nightfall allows for candlelight...the best time to enjoy a Valentine dinner.

More vintage linens—a runner that is pressed into service over and over again—and a vintage silver footed dish adds interest and texture and shimmer to the table.

Hmmmm….I think maybe I’d rather have a scrumptious breakfast with my sweetie at this table!  We can quickly improvise—milk in the water goblets, juice in the wine glasses, move the coffee cups right here next to our plates, and maybe bring on the champagne flutes for mimosas!

The gold flatware that my sweet grandmother gave me years ago, to go with the six sets of Lenox Holiday dessert plates and teacups she gave me.  She was such a sweetheart.  Using this flatware, over and over again as I have over the years, always makes me happy.

Wishing you a happy Valentine’s Day with the one you love.  May you have all the things this table represents, in the way that you most like.

How will you be celebrating Valentine’s Day?  With roses and chocolates and candlelight and crystal and silver?  Or in a different kind of special?  Although I would have loved to have actually eaten at this table, we weren’t able to.  My sweetie has made reservations at a lovely restaurant and shop, The Pine Tree Barn.  It’s a bit of a drive, but one that we love.  We’ll spend a happy day at the shop then I’m sure it’ll be a romantic dinner for two.  That’s the way we like it—dinner for two.

Other details about Purple Passion post:

Goblets: Lismore Tall (water) and Alana (wine)

Candleholders: Waterford

Sugar and creamer: – Pattern and maker unknown.  Haven’t had time to research it, so if you know, please let me know! :)

Under plate used as charger, cups and saucers and coffee server: Lenox Eternal

Dinner plates:  Limoges (according to Replacements.com, the pattern is GueGue 596)

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I read every single one of them! And if you like what you see a lot, maybe you’d like to +1 this post or pin it on Pinterest too! Thank you!

I invite you to follow my blog and follow me on Pinterest. If you’ll let me know that you’re following, I’ll be sure to follow you back.

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Wednesdays at Let’s Dish: http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wednesdays at Wow Us: http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Thursdays at Tabletop Thursday: http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Thursdays at No Minimalist Here: http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Inspiration Friday at http://www.atthepicketfence.com

From my nest to yours, ~Zuni

Joyful News -- Mr. Bright Eyes Has Arrived!

Well, Mr. B.E. arrived on April 16th., at 6:39 AM.  A bouncing, beautiful BABY BOY weighing in at 8 lbs, 6 oz.  Healthy and beautiful, we are thankful for the many blessings in our lives, especially healthy, happy babies.

As the time got closer I prepared for his arrival by getting the bassinet my grandmother "dressed" for me when my first baby was born.  I can't begin to imagine creating this--it even has a "petticoat" under it--and she did it without a pattern!

You don't see these anymore--or at least not very often--but I did find some at Ababy.com.  You'll want to check them out...some go for over $2,000!   I also read that brides used to use their wedding gowns, or parts of them, to then have the "dress" for their babies' bassinet made.  I think that's a very sweet idea, don't you?

Our tradition is European, where many of our family's traditions originated.  A few years ago I saw a cover story in a magazine from Spain where the royal baby was "introduced," and there was the lovely, dressed bassinet.

It does kind of look like a wedding dress, doesn't it?
But softer, and sweeter.

Back when my grandmother made this, we didn't know our babies' gender until the doc said,
"It's a BOY!" or  "It's a GIRL!" so yellow, pink, and blue...suitable for either.

     

And if there wasn't enough beautiful handwork in the bassinet itself,

my mother embroidered a sheet and pillow sham (no fears--no pillows used with babies!).
The stitching is masterful.

Now THREE of my grandmother's great-great grandchildren, and my mother's great-grandchildren have slept like royalty, thanks to their lovely needlework and devotion to keep our traditions alive.  Since our family escaped from Cuba in 1961, our family heirlooms are rather new in comparison to others', but I think that makes us treasure them all the more, because we are the ones saving the precious memories to pass on.

I am happy to be the keeper of these beautiful things--my brother and SIL, and my sister and BIL each have their own as well, for their babies' babies. We think this is a beautiful tradition to carry on.  

What have you passed down to your babies?  Do you think they will continue to be passed down?  I'd love to hear about your baby traditions.

Thanks for stopping by.  Please leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I read every single one of them!  They encourage me and inspire me.  And if you like what you see a lot J, maybe you’d like to +1 this post or pin it on Pinterest too!  Thank you!

I hope you will follow me.  If you’ll let me know that you’re following, I’ll be sure to follow you back.

These are the parties I’m joining this week; I hope you’ll stop by!

Sunday’s Simply Klassics at http://www.simplyklassichome.com/

Sunday Blog Hop at http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sundae Scoop at http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

Show Off Your Cottage Monday at http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Monday’s Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/2007/09/blue-monday-all-you-need-to-know.html

Masterpiece Monday athttp://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Market Yourself Monday at http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

Monday Just Something I Whipped Up at http://www.thegirlcreative.com/

CraftOManiac Monday at http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/

Too Cute Tuesday at http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/

Sew Cute Tuesday at http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Wednesday at Tea Rose Home at http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/

We Did It Wednesday at http://www.sew-much-ado.com/

Wednesday’s Hoo’s Got Talent at http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Inspiration Friday at http://www.atthepicketfence.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Feathered Nest Fridays at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Friday Favs at http://www.naptimecrafters.com/2012/04/friday-favs-party-60.html#more

Show and Tell Saturday at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2012/04/show-and-tell-saturday-042812.html

Spotlight Saturday at http://www.classyclutter.blogspot.com/

From my nest to yours~

    Zuni

Little Boy Blue Spring Table

{Please follow me on my Linky Followers (at right), as Blogger Friends is going, going, gone!}

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Do you ever get an idea for a tablescape that keeps floating around in your head, waiting {IMPATIENTLY} to be created?  The idea came to me around Grandbaby Boy’s birthday in late January—a table in his honor, if you will:  Little Boy Blue.  It can be a SPRING TABLE too—beckoning with the less-traditional, barely there icy blue and white.

…it came together by itself. 

First—the beautiful tablecloth, bought well before his birth, but in anticipation of being blessed with a precious baby boy, for his baptism.  (More on the tablecloth below.)

Next, the Heinrich dinner plates with blue and white flowers and gold lattice work.

For the center piece, my vintage blue Caprice candle holders and bowl, accompanied by

Blue Boy and Blue Girl.

 

 

The plates came home with me from an auction—they were in a box lot!  Can you imagine?!

But alas, if you look closely, there were only 3—(I hope the fourth of my imaginary guests is

{GRACIOUS} and doesn’t even mention that her place is missing the lovely plates the others have.)

Replacements, Inc. has none like them…they are now on the “search” list.

I’m so happy they came home with me!  I think they’re lovely.

The Baronial Plate individual salt shaker is the only silver on the table, but they “made the cut” because

their patina is soft enough to not interfere with the gold of the ‘scape.

Blue Boy and Blue Girl are also from an auction—they’ll be available in my Etsy soon, so before

they move to another home I wanted have them grace Little Boy Blue’s table.

The flowers are perfect for a SPRING TABLESCAPE.

The blue Cambridge Caprice candleholders and bowl are gifts—from my mother, and from our DIL’s mother respectively--lovely gifts, yes?

Oh, the light and shadows playing on the table!  That’s one of the many reasons

I LOVE glass/crystal.

And now…for the pièce de résistance….

if I LOVE crystal, I ADORE fine, intricately embroidered ANTIQUE linens.

This tablecloth is an antique—white linen, masterfully hand-embroidered in icy, barely blue floss.

Let’s get a closer look so you’ll understand…

…Richelieu cutwork,

perfectly executed raised satin stitch…

and

…insertions of Point de Venise needle lace.

and a scalloped filet lace edging.

So how do you do justice to such mastery when selecting your napkins?

More mastery:

More of the same stitches of the tablecloth, plus

eyelet stitching and buttonhole-stitched edging.

 

What do you love most? China? Crystal? Linens? Silver?  YES, YES, YES!! All the above, right? :)  That’s why we tablescape!

Thank you for visiting.  I’d love to hear about what you love.
Lenox now-vintage Eternal dinner plates as chargers—wedding china
Gold flatware, a gift from my grandmother 28 years ago
Godinger Sutton Place iced tea stems
Flutes, wedding gift
Linens – my collection
Small white footed dish, Limoges, at auction
Leaf spoon, Table Art, The Morgan House, Powell, OH
Thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I read every single one of them! They encourage me and inspire me. And if you like what you see a lot J, maybe you’d like to +1 this post too! Thank you!
I will be joining these fun parties; please stop by to see all the great things there!

Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com
Sunday Showcase Party at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/
Mop It Up Mondays at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/ (thru Feb.)
Show Off Your Cottage Monday at http://houseinroses.blogspot.com
Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Newbie Party on Monday at http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/
Before and After Monday (1st Monday of the mo.) at http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/
Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com
Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/
Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
Wow Us Wednesdays at http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
Winter Blues Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/
What's It Wednesday at http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/
White Wednesday at http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/
Voila! French Inspiration on Thursdays at http://frenchcupboard.blogspot.com/
Gina at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/ for the Valentine Party
Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Open House Party Thursday http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/
Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/
Inspiration Friday at http://www.atthepicketfence.com
Thrifty Things Friday at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/
Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/
Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home Friday at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Saturday Nite Special at http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
Weekend Wrap-up Party at http://tatertotsandjello.com/
From my Chickadee Nest to yours~
Zuni