Monday, April 7, 2014

Layering My Nest. . .

In The Land of Blog. . .
challenges use to cause an uneasiness within me.

In the beginning, I felt constrained.
Forced to "fit" into a specific mold.
I prefer to be allowed carte blanc within my designs.
Having accepted a few, I now embrace the challenge.






Kathleen @ Cuisine Kathleen 
has given us the April Let's Dish Challenge of Birds, Eggs or Nests.

The requirement states that our entry of 
a table or vignette has to include at least one of these elements to qualify.




Accepting Kathleen's April Challenge,
I knew exactly which dinnerware I would use.

I was sure of the color scheme. . .or so I thought.
That is, until I lost my heart to this bird statute 
during the Spring Open House at Memories of Home.







You're heard said, "That one design element can change the whole scheme."
That's exactly what happened when I made this purchase.





This amazingly crafted bird statue changed the whole tablescape.

As is the scenario for any of my tablescape designs,
I begin by layering the linens atop the table.


Two freshly starched square white linen heirloom tablecloths
were placed atop my circular Dining Room table.
Angling the cut work grape patterned linen cloth on top
gives movement and visual appeal to the linen cloth below.





Natural ecru hued linen place mats 
give a neutral background 
for my Home Laughlin Turquoise China 
and Pottery Barn Bird stoneware plates.

I adore how the Turquoise hued rim is 
again, present within the wing of the bird.








I chose my everyday dishwasher safe stemware.
Simply accompanied by a vintage juice tumbler 
rimmed in the same hue as the grass 
now beginning to awaken outside the patio door.






The other design element that remained the same 
are my linen aqua napkins and shabby chic wrought iron napkin rings.









Each place setting has a miniature crystal salt and pepper
atop a petite silver tray.





I borrowed two cups and saucers from the built~in china cabinet.
Not a match to the stoneware bird plates, 
they are a whimsical complimentary accent.





As if the bird on the handle wasn't sweet enough,
I was quite smitten with the saucers.








Directly behind the bird statue 
sits a creamy ivory porcelain urn filled with a birds nest on twig branches.








It would appear that this protective pair is  carefully 
keeping watch over their dappled eggs within the nest.






Keeping a simplistic design is a must, 
for this week was filled with the finalizing 
for our Spring Booth at Unique Antique Market.





All too quickly,
the hours from breakfast~to~dinner will slip away.








Instead of using just one of the requirements,
I was able to blend all three harmoniously throughout my tablescape
by simply layering my nest. 






Until next time. . .



On Crooked Creektt will be joining



Be sure to visit for viewing 
all  of the amazingly creative tablescaping

17 comments:

Martha said...

It's an adorable table! And I love your centerpiece. And those dishes are precious! Especially the cups and saucers!


Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Pretty. Love the plate and the birds!

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

beautiful place settings make it so inviting. Love the look.

Dianne said...

Pat,
Such a beautiful table! Every element works. I love the cups and saucers! Dianne

Tea in Texas said...

Your bird plate were so special. They really make your table stand out.

Marigene said...

Pat , this is beautiful...love the subtle hints of aqua peeking through the white. Your bird statue reminds me of robins, looks very detailed.
Hope you are enjoying the nice weather we are getting...finally!

ellen b. said...

You put together a lovely table with such beautiful elements. So inviting...

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Pat you are an artist! I can feel it in your designs :-) I can see why you were smitten with that bird statue. What a great start to this pretty table. Those dishes are the coolest- love that cup saucer- too tweet!! I really like the centerpice with the tipped birds nest and the capture of the sun on it- see your artistry shows throughout!! Hugs, Liz

Unknown said...

Oh, my! I'm drooling over your bird plates - especially paired with the blue-rimmed plates beneath. And, I'm with you on the saucers. Wonderful!
Blessings,
Kim @ Curtain Queen Creates

Betty Marie's said...

You must be a poet or designer to create such a beautiful post! Loved it.

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Hi Pat, I can see why you were smitten with the saucer--so clever! I always feel that the individual salt and peppers make a guest feel extra special, as if something was placed especially for them. The bird statue is so pretty and a wonderful conversation piece on the table, too. Linda

Anonymous said...

Wonderful table! Your bird plates and napkin rings are lovely!

Bonnie said...

Love how you layered your nest and took us along as you set your table. Neat to have a theme and challenge. I love how you used your taller porcelain urn with a bird's nest then used your bird sculpture. I am smitten with your bird plates, bird cups and bird napkin rings. The aqua napkin and plate make your dishes pop.

Alycia Nichols said...

I'm with you, Pat, on the uneasiness associated with "themes on demand." I STILL have a hard time with it. It's not because I'm a rebel or anything. I think it's just having to "go" in a cup at the doctor's office. I usually have to go 12-15 times a day. But when I get to the doctor's office and am told to produce a sample...FROZEN!!! (Sorry about the PG analogy, but it was all I could come up with!)

It's obvious you have overcome your uneasiness with this rockin' table. You even worked birds into the saucers!!! (That saucer reminds me of the bird on "The Partridge Family" opening credits!)

I think it's great that you were able to switch gears and head in a different direction. That is one of the true hallmarks of artistry. You just go with the flow!

Have a great weekend, and thanks for sharing your pretty table!

Lulu said...

Not only did you accept the challenge, you made it work beautifully. There are lots of things to like here, among them the bird plates. Good job.

Candy S said...

The birds, the nest, and the eggs in your tablescape completed Kathleen's challenge beautifully. The charm of the Pottery Barn stoneware plate, the lovely bird statue and all of the other lovely elements made it a tribute to Spring. Beautifully done!

Rosie M. said...

So well done! I love your plates, accent pieces and napkin rings...lovely...... Rosie @ The Magic Hutch