A huge thank you to Mandy from A La Parisienne, who designed a fabulous new look for Beaux Mondes. Isn't she amazing? I first learned about Mandy through my good blogger friend Judith of the Paris Atlier blog. Mandy also designed Judith's page and it looks great. The new look she gave me reflects my love of Baroque design. The image Mandy selected from among those I sent her from my most recent table scape was a perfect choice. I feel as thought she read my mind.
This image was one of my top 3 contenders. I like how the image came out in the sepia tone. Another top favorite in the sepia tone. I also like the edge blur feature. This was my very top favorite. However, because the image contained more colors than the others, I thought it would not blend in with the old world look as well as the others. But, Mandy showed me it was the perfect image with the perfect color palette. Thank you Mandy. Visit A la Parisienne'sEtsy shop.
Welcome to my table setting for Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan with Between Naps On The Porch.
The inspiration for this table theme was the Rothschild Bird china by Herend. The beautiful pattern is perfect for an elegant brunch in a garden setting.
The weather couldn't be more perfect. A setting for 6 underneath a heritage Pepper tree.
Flatware by Yamazaki. Gold rimmed stemware by Rosenthal. Water goblet by Cristal d'Arques Paris.
The chairs used for the setting were a great Craigs list find. I couldn't resist painting six of the eight chairs gold for this setting. Originally, I was going to give them a Gustavian style finish. However, because they will only be used as spares for entertaining, I think I will leave them gold. I often rent gold chiavari chairs for special events. I can just bring these out instead.
The location for this setting is at the home of Tom & Spencer. I will be taking you on an exclusive tour inside this fabulous Spanish colonial revival in the coming weeks so please stay tuned.
The home is also listed with the National Registry because of it's historical significance to the City of Sacramento.
I created 5 floral centerpieces, 2 large arrangements for the 36" tall candelabras, 2 small arrangements for the side table and 1 centerpiece for the main table. I used mainly peonies,hydrangeas and snap dragons.
Blini,Sour Cream and Caviar anyone?
I get lots of compliments on this chaffing dish which I purchased from a local restaurant supply store several years ago.
A final toast to great company!
I tried my hardest not to share too many photos as I recently discovered photographer and artist Dougie Pieper who also shot my table scape and I hope to share those images with you soon(hurry Mr. Rockstar). Please check back soon to see Doug's amazing eye in capturing this setting and turning it into art.
This is a video clip I created highlighting some of the pictures I took of the table setting.
Included in the clip are a few film trailer footages I pieced together that were also the inspiration behind my table setting. I included some fun facts (may be hard to read... I am still working on it my video skills) The background music is a classic by Bach but with a high energy remix beat added to give the clip a modern and hip appeal.
For more creative and unique tablescapes, please visit Between Naps On The Porch.
Just wanted to wish everyone a safe Memorial day weekend and share these colorful photos I took this morning at our local floral wholesaler. Dan is making one of my favorite entree tonight, Crab imperial with asparagus tips. This was too special of a dish to serve without fresh flowers on the table.
Last week Daddy and I stopped into Old Navy to purchase a new pair of swim trunks for me. We were impressed with the store's summer collection. Of course, Daddy couldn't resist this shopping opportunity. He thought I looked like a boy super model in this brown linen shirt with white stitching so I gave him my Zoolander pose. However, we disagreed about the hat. It was a too much for my taste, but to please Daddy, I donned the itchy bonnet for photos. I do love the coordinating faux leatherl sandals but am a bit toe-shy. But, I wore them to rave reviews and several parents asked where I purchased them; the accolades made me appreciate them even more. My new seer sucker slacks with brown pin stripes are extremely comfortable and are the perfect trousers to complete my summer resort look. Ahhh, much better without the hat. Here I am taking a five minute thumb sucking break after the photo shoot. Daddy can be stressful to work with at times. I wonder if Daddy remembered he put me in pull ups for this photo shoot? Here I am in the same style linen shirt in light blue. I hope you enjoyed my domestic fashion show. I may not be in Paris...but with Old Navy, I'm feeling fashionably stylish at home in America.
Today's setting for 2 is set at our neighborhood park conveniently located across from our home.
Beginning next month, our neighborhood association sponsors our annual music in the park concert series.
The event attracts many neighbors and people from all over town. They bring picnic baskets and wine and have a good time. We usually stroll over the park early to stake out our traditional spot under this tree, open a bottle of wine with other delicious bites and enjoy the music with friends and neighbors.
I love the folding wagon to your left in this picture. It allowed me to carry everything here you see on a single trip. There was even room left for 2 more folding chairs and additional small table if the occassion called for 4 people. I purchased the wagon at Costco for $60.00 which was worth every cent. The cart folds conveniently and compactly for easy storage. I keep it in the back of our Jeep at all times. Great for shopping and hauling the beach gear.
The chocolate brown luncheon and paisley floral salad plates from Bed,Bath & Beyond. Linen napkin from Target. Stainless flatware by Mikasa.
The stemware are 2 of a set of 8 Murano glasses that were purchased by Dan's parents in Venice on a trip in the late 60's. The crystal glasses by Waterford.
The neighborhood park is a one mile oval shaped park ringed with trees framed by a decomposed granite walking/running path.
The park also includes, 2 tennis and basket ball courts, a playground,baseball diamond and several open spaces for festivals and sporting events.
Our Chow Chow Cocco and son Daniel love to chase each other in wide open areas of the park. The picnic baskets were purchased from one of my favorite stores, William Glen. I love to bring the faux mink throw purchased from Target to add a bit of "luxe". Friends and neighbors laugh and call it my signature over the top presentation.
Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you enjoyed my contribution to this weeks Tablsecape Thursday hosted by Susan with Between Naps On The Porch. Click on the image to visit more creative table settings.
Luke Song, the milliner credited for Aretha Franklin's hat worn at President Obama's inauguration filed a federal lawsuit against competitors in the fashion industry for creating knockoffs of his original design. Mr. Song even went so far as to publicly state that his "lavish and ornate" creation "gained instantaneous fame and notoriety, attracting much more media attention than even Aretha Franklin's performance itself" as quoted in a smoking gun article which broke the news to the New York Times. I can only imagine the diva of soul reading the quote and then getting in the desinger's face singing "you better, think, think,think about what you're trying to do to me". Speaking of divas, if you haven't already seen this, it's a clever commercial featuring the queen of soul. It's a good thing she wasn't wearing one of Song's attention grabber or we would have never recognized Ms. Franklin in the back seat.
Photos taken of the little American doing his share of cleaning at his very close friend Mimi's home. The adorable little apron was handmade by Mimi's mother for her when she was a child. I'm already searching the world wide web for one for the little American. The best news of yesterday is that he went to the potty several times all by himself successfully. Yay! Coincidentally, one of my favorite bloggers, Visual Vamp posted a similar image with a great message earlier today here. Happy Mothers Day!
There's a site called Spokeo.com that's a new online phone book w/personal information: everything from pics you've posted on FB or web, your approx credit score, home value, income, age, etc. You can remove yourself by searching for yourself on their site to find the URL of your page, then finding the Privacy button at the bottom of page for instructions on removing yourself. please copy & repost.
A couple of weeks ago I was very fortunate to come across a local Craigslist ad for 8 traditional style dining chairs at $10.00 each. The chairs are actually a reproduction of the Adam shield back chair. They were in very bad condition because, as the previous owner indicated, they were used by a her 4 large sons who all played football through high school. Despite their condition, I purchased the set since we have Remarkable Refinishing in town that can pretty much fix anything. Mark, at Remarkable Refinishing, has worked on several furniture repairs and refinishing for me throughout the years and does outstanding work. The 2 in this photo are the only 2 that were usable. I first sanded the original mahogany finish then painted them with a flat gray to resemble the oxidized weathered look you see in teak wood which I love. My next step is to embellish some of the details such as the urn and laurel leaves with gold leafing. The ivory cotton fabric was from a bolt of remnant that I applied to the chairs for now until I can afford a nicer fabric. I really like the color of the fabric but think a tone on tone pattern would look nicer.
In 1754 he left for Rome, spending nearly five years on the continent studying architecture under Charles-Louis Clérisseau and Giovanni Battista Piranesi. On his return to Britain he established a practice in London, where he was joined by his younger brother James. Here he developed the "Adam Style", and his theory of "movement" in architecture, based on his studies of antiquity and became one of the most successful and fashionable architects in the country. Adam held the post of Architect of the Kings Works from 1761 to 1769.
Robert Adam was leader of the first phase of the classical revival in England and Scotland from around 1760 until his death.[2] He influenced the development of Western architecture, both in Europe and in North America. Adam was not content with providing houses for his clients but very ready to design the fittings and accessories as well.
