TableScape Thursday "Playing In The Dishes"

September 23, 2009-ATTENTION FELLOW TABLESCAPERS, Sorry, I entered last week's tablescape. Please visit click here Book & Supper Club Dinner for this week's Tablescape Thursday.
Happy Tablescape Thursday! For more colorful and creative table settings, please visit Between Naps On The Porch blog hosted by the lovely and talented Susan.

Last week's Tablescape Thursdays, host Susan decided to "play in the dishes" which simply meant more eye candy for her readers. I thoroughly enjoyed every setting. So much so that this past weekend I made some time to also "play in the dishes".

Unfortunately, for me, I made the mistake of deciding to play outside in over 90 something degree weather with humidity:-(
So, naturally, to avoid dehydration (Terrified at the thought of passing out from a heatstroke and a dispatched emergency rescue team hurries to resuscitate me only to find out this was brought on because I was "playing in the dishes" outside.) I was only able to set one table for 4 using Spode.

This is simply a mocked tablesetting thus the faux florals.

However, this was also sort of a dress rehearsal for Christmas dinner.

We will be celebrating this year's Christmas at home with Dan's twin sister and her husband as our guests.

We live in Northern California where it almost never snows and quite often, it also does not rain.

If so, then all we'll need is 2 outdoor heaters and our 10'X10' pavilion which is also water-proof(so it says).

My 2 year old table assistant pointing out a flaw in the way I arranged the dinner fork.










I started out with this compote which I liked, but was just too tall making it difficult to get good photos of the table from all angles.



Chargeplate-Noritake
Dinnerware-Spode (Stafford Flowers)
Stemware: Ajka (cobalt stems) etched crystal(vintage, unknown but mother in-law believes its Libbey)
Flatware-Godinger(Cassetti)

The next photos in Sepia tone included dinnerware by Bernardaud from the Elysee collection. I originally thought about mixing two patterns, the Bernardaud & Spode. However, after taking the photos, I decided to change out the Elysee pattern and just use all Spode. I think these images came out better in Sepia.







Thank you very much for stopping by and visiting my tablescape. Again, for more beautiful and unique table settings, please visit Between Naps On The Porch.

All-American, The Exuberant Style of William Diamond & Anthony Baratta

The latest issue of Traditional Home magazine covers the very talented design team, William Diamond & Anthony Baratta of Diamond Baratta Designs and their latest book, All-American.
I just ordered the book and am looking forward to adding it to my collection of inspiration books. I love their ability to inject modern elements into classic design so beautifully that it is difficult to imagine the pairing without one another. The following are photos of Diamond Baratta Designs fabulous works which I could move into without changing a thing.

I love the rich colors of the traditional gentlemen's quarters blended with the bright and light ambiance found mostly in a coastal or cape cod design.


This room is flawless. The colors,textures and marriage of different period pieces is perfect.

A spectacular use of blue and white. The lush blue chairs juxtaposed with the patterned sofa,teal colored chair and ottoman is superbly soothing.






In the words of Chef Emeril Lagasse..."BAM" The carpet pattern is phenomenal.

Who Is Tom Arma?

He's a journalist,photographer,costume designer and entrepreneur. But what most impressed me about Arma is that he is clearly an all around nice guy. He adamantly advocates on behalf of animals and the environment. It has been an inspiration behind his success.




The New York Times reported him as "the most published baby photographer in the world." All the costumes in this post are creations of Tom Arma Costumes, Inc.



The heirloom quality costumes come with a packet insert with "critter facts" by the National Wildlife Federation, promoting conservation awareness. 100% of the electricity used to make the costumes is offset with Certified Renewable Energy Certificates.



Arma's career began as a teenager working for the New York Daily News where he was the youngest staff photographer.



After several years of covering news and entertainment assignments, Arma decided to open his own freelance studio focusing on advertising work.



In 1972, he began photographing babies. His work was featured in many popular periodicals. That became the impetus to the success that followed.
In the 1980's his work with costumed children made the cover of magazines such as Ladies Home Journal.



During this same time, he began to express his ecological passion and created his Please Save The Animals campaign with a series of posters and greeting cards of babies dressed in the animal costumes which he designed.


It became a huge international success. Today, Arma has authored 47 original photography books worldwide. Some of those includes the popular Dress Up Time and Animal Time.

This is the snowman costume we just ordered for our 2 year old. I cannot wait to see him in it. If you're interested in purchasing one of Arma's creations, visit Halloween Express, the official retailer for Tom Arma costumes.

Savoury Waverly

The new side panel pattern for this blog is actually a fabric by Waverly called Felicite. The color is Mineral. I hope you like it as much as I do. It has become the inspiration as well as the actual fabric I chose for our Master bedroom redecorating project. (I've sent a courtesy email to Waverly with a heads up to avoid any copyright infringement. Hopefully, I don't have to remove it.)
After numerous months(practically a year) of putting off this project, I finally got the green light to redo the bedroom exactly the way I envisioned. Yay!!
The paisley pattern above was my original choice for the lining. However,my partner Dan convinced me it would be too busy and competitive with the primary fabric so I compromised and scratched the paisley.
In January, I shared my plans for the Master bedroom. I want to add pattern to the room since the walls and most of the fabric are just a solid color. I am a "Mario Buatta" kind of a guy so my vision of the ideal bedroom is one that has to be layered.
And, those layers have to include pattern. After much searching, I finally found beautiful fabric without the designer price tag! The deal is too good to refuse. Here are the contenders:

I love the vibrant "persimmons" color in this pattern but also know that it would be a color that I would tire of sooner than most. I also know it would limit my ability to throw in another color.

Now, this is actually my personal favorite of all the choices, but I just couldn't bring myself to step outside of the box. The colors are very bold which I usually like but in this case, the fabric is going everywhere. Drapes,Canopy,Bedding and a bench. We'd probably would have a hard time sleeping.

Another fabric I love and contemplated. I just love it. However, again, my fears of going too over the top kicked in and right back in the box I went.

Finally, I found this beautiful fabric that makes a bold statement with the pattern but toned it down with a subtle palette. The colors are so soothing. The best part of our decision to go with this fabric? The steal of a deal getting the fabric for $9.48 a yard. Unfortunately, the yardage requirement is staggering.
I found a local custom interiors shop, Custom Home Interiors that gave me the following labor quote:

1 – King size Duvet Cover, approx. 108” wide x 95” long, same fabric on both sides, no trim at edge.

$240 labor

1 – King Tailored bedskirt with approx. 14” drop, unlined.

$180 labor

2 – King shams 20” x 36”, no welt or flange specified.

$70 labor each

18 – Rod Pocket Panels 52” wide x 84” long, with lining.

$28 labor each

1 – King Empire valance canopy, lining in center, 14” long sides, no decorative trim or accents, lined.

$180 labor

The nice part about this is that I can do each project separately when the budget allows. My goal is to complete the bedroom before the end of the year. Stay tuned.