3 Degrees Of Decoration

Welcome to my tablescapes for Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan of Between Naps On The Porch.

Below are 3 tablescapes I created over the weekend. Yes, I had way too much time on my hands this past weekend. However, I had a great time. All the florals, with the exception of the blue Hydrangeas, are artificial.


Tablescape #1 Tableau Rouge
Dinnerware-Noritake
Stemware-Waterford, Murano & Mikasa
Flatware-Gorham

Notes: I really love the pair of cobalt porcelain horses and how well they compliment the Noritake dinnerware. The Noritake pattern is Valhalla. I also like the dramatic blend of red,white and blue colors complimented with gold. For me, the deep rich colors evoke a masculine and regal setting.

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Tablescape #2 Tableau Vert
Dinnerware-Lenox & T. Sevres Bavaria
Stemware-Waterford,Faberge & Arte Italica
Flatware-Gorham

Notes: I love the vintage dinner plates. The plates were manufactured by Lenox and decorated by the W.H. Tatler Company, the company that decorated the Lenox tableware before Lenox began developing their own in-house decorating department. This particular design was created in the early 1930s exclusively for a wealthy jeweler named Millard F. Davis who lived in Wilmington, Delaware. I also like the Thomas Sevres Bavaria(1908-1939) bread plates that I purchased from a good friend's lot at a local antique store. They compliment the dinner plates beautifully.

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Tablescape #3 Tableau Bleu
Dinnerware-China Export Canton Blue
Stemware-Mikasa,William Sonoma (blue glasses)
Flatware-Oneida

Notes: I love everything about this setting. My initial intention was to create a "shabby chic" display. However, once I began setting the table, it evolved and took on a more formal note than I anticipated. It turned out to be my favorite of the three that is why I have additional photos of this tablescape. I couldn't decide if I like the plates better with or without the silver plated chargers. Also, the setting was like a natural born supermodel...almost every picture I captured came out beautifully making hard to decide which ones to post. Simply put, Blue,White and Silver with hints of green is just a spectacular color team that could never go wrong. It is a timeless combination.

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Thank you for visiting my tablescapes. For more creative and unique table settings, visit Between Naps On The Porch.

The Secret Of Self Control

In case you do not subscribe to The New Yorker magazine, the May 18th issue has a very informative article that I think parents should read. It's entitled "Don't" by Jonah Lehrer(left photo). The story is founded on a experiment involving young children in the late 1960s, a room, a bell and marshmallows, cookies and pretzel sticks. The children were left in the room with the treats and told that if they waited until the researcher returned to the room they could have two treats, but if they could not wait they were instructed to ring the bell and the researcher would return and the child would get one treat.
Now, more than 30 years later, those same test subjects have been re-visited and those who rang the bell quickly have more behavior problems, difficulty paying attention and maintaining relationships. Researchers continue to study what contributes to an individual's ability to delay gratification. According, to Lehrer, scientist have found a genetic link as well as an environmental link. To me, the good news is that if you believe your child has a propensity to be impatient, there are tactics you can teach him in order to improve his self control.

The Month Of August...Over The Rainbow!!!

The last time my partner Dan and I took a trip outside the country was in the summer of 2007. It was a trip to Europe with Dan's parents. It was our gift to his mom for her 75th birthday. We had a fantastic time. Traveling with his parents is a lot of fun and educational. They are both history buffs who also love to travel. In November that same year, baby Daniel joined our family. He was born August 6 and spent the first three months of his life in a temporary Foster home pending placement with a Foster Adopt home. Good fortune matched Daniel with us and we became his Foster Adopt parents. He is a beautiful child with an infectious charm. We love him and our families,friends and neighbors love him.
Since he joined us, the furthest trip we've taken has been by car to nearby San Francisco to visit my family or Lake Tahoe to visit Dan's family. We have also gone on an occasional weekend to Napa Valley or Stinson Beach. Our travels have been restricted because we are forbidden to leave the country until the adoption process is final. Although it's been over a year and a half since the little guy has been with us, we only recently received great news that the day to finalize the adoption is near. By his 2nd birthday in August, our adoption will be complete. From there, we await the birth certificate with Daniel's new adopted name. Once we are in receipt of the birth certificate, we're off to our local Passport office for baby boy's first passport. Yes, I'm already researching and planning for our long awaited trip abroad! I just want to get on the first plane out. Stay tuned.

Souleiado....An Inspiration To French Country

While shopping online for Souleiado fabrics, I came across a very good article written by Roger Moss of Get French. For the complete story, click on the link below.

Capturing The Sun...

By: Roger Moss/GetFrench.Com

Hidden away in the narrow streets at the heart of Tarascon, on the banks of the Rhône between Arles and Avignon, is a world-renowned symbol of Provençal tradition. We celebrate the world of Souleiado.

There can be few decorative items so instantly recognisable and so powerfully evocative of the region in which they are produced as the printed cotton fabrics of Provence. Style, as they say, never goes out of fashion. And if you know what you're looking for among the countless products inspired by the genre, just one name stands out from all others: Souleiado.

Click here for [Full Story]

Souleiado Museum

Museu de les Arts Decoratives

Ciao Blogworld!
Sorry I've been MIA for so long...I never realized life with a toddler would absorb so much of what was yesterday's down time. I hope to pick up the pace this summer.

Meanwhile, I found some photos I took while visiting the Decorative Arts Museum in Barcelona (before baby). It was designed by Gaudí for one of his major patrons, Eusebi Güell.

This Italianate-style palace was officially opened by King Alfonso XIII in 1926. It now belongs to Barcelona's Town Hall and is a museum and is rented out for special social or business functions.

The beautifully landscaped formal gardens with the two museums take up one wing of the palace and are open to the public.

Those museums are called the Museu de les Arts Decoratives (Museum of Decorative Arts) and Museu de Ceràmica (Ceramics Museum). They display a fine collection of period furniture, stained-glass, gold and silver, porcelain and antique clocks. You'll see some outstanding original ceramics by Miró and Picasso as well.

The photos captured inside the museum were taken before I was stopped by a docent alerting me to the forbidden photography policy.

Unfortunately, I cannot find my notes regarding what objects are in these photos.

However, I thought the few pieces I captured would help inspire anyone that has an interest in Decorative arts to make this a destination if they get the chance to visit Barcelona, Spain.

The palace is definitely worth visiting, however, it was sparsely furnished in comparison to other european palaces I have visited. And, its scale was small relative to other royal homes that have been turned into museums.

Nevertheless, if you are in Barcelona, it is worth the trip. I specifically remember the relief I felt in the shaded forested gardens on the hot summer day I visited. ThePalace sits high above the city and was a great escape.

Much of what I recall seeing resembled the Moorish influence on the Spanish colonial era.