February - Love, Hearts and Valentine

Valentine red, hearts and flowers.

I chose the traditional Valentine theme for February’s table setting. I purchased tulips, red, pink and pale pink roses with an accent of flowering grasses at Michael’s, placed them in a vase with red glass hearts and clear crystal marbles. Heart-shaped candles sit on clear glass holders with a floral heart ring circling the bottom. I used cherry red chargers, red linen napkins, silver and red napkin holders and clear plates, glasses and dishes. Each place setting has a miniature shakers filled with natural salt and fresh ground pepper. As I have mentioned before, I love rich red and silver together.

January's Blue - The Color of Winter





Blues, silver and white add shivery elegance.

Now that Mother Nature has Manti grasped in her frozen fingers, I chose blue as the main color for January’s table setting since that cool color reflects the chilly hues of winter.

On New Year’s Day at about 7:00 AM, I found myself gazing out at a beautiful sunrise bursting forth in all directions with light blues and pinks above a glittery snow-covered landscape and knew blue was the right choice.

The centerpiece is a large brandy snifter filled with several sizes of silver and blue glass bulbs and topped with a silver glittering butterfly. On either side, a blue glass holder flickers with a tea candle. Crystal reminds me of winter’s ice so I chose cut crystal stemware and napkin rings that look like they are made from ice chips and circle dark blue linen napkins. Blue and white English china sit on silver chargers. Serving dishes and bowls are crystal clear or deep blue. I particularly enjoy the crystal gravy bowl and ladle I bought at Linen 'n Things. As the winter sunshine streams in on this table setting placed on a stark white table cloth the decor looks shivery but elegant.

December - A Holiday Setting

Red and silver, one of my favorite combinations.

I wanted to have some added fun when I cook dinner each weekend for friends. I bought some dishes from a friend and decided to be creative in setting a theme for each month. I love chargers because they add such a wonderful touch, especially with this clear and etched glass dinnerware. Here is December's table. I found the angel in the centerpiece and the red napkins at Tuesday Morning. The silver napkin rings are from Bed Bath & Beyond.

Chargers are my friend

November - Thanksgiving Already?

I struggle with my Thanksgiving table setting. I am still looking for a centerpiece I like. The one I purchased is too big and dwarfs the table setting. Hopefully I can find one I am grateful for before November is over.

October's Halloween Funtastic

Halloween is a holiday I have always found to be entertaining and fun. I spent weekends for the last couple of months working on a project making Grim Grinning Ghosts busts for my son who decorates his yard in Southern California with fantastic props that pop up, fly through the air, glow eerily in the windows or stands around adding to the spirit of Halloween. Here is the link to my other blog describing my project to help make his yard a real treat for trick or treaters. http://halloweengrimgrinningghosts.blogspot.com/






Not too spooky to make guests lose their appetites.

 

Fall came too quickly this year. Here is October’s table setting to help set the mood for the holiday. While at Michael’s I found this Halloween centerpiece on sale. The price was right, and I like the color combination of purple, orange tones and black. I added a couple of orange butterflies I had bought several months previously. I purchased two spider-shaped candle holders from Michael’s, purple napkins, black with silver trimmed napkin holders from Bed Bath and Beyond, black chargers and orange candles from Tai Pan Trading. I made a purple table runner and bread basket liner. I found the purple and black tassel for the table runner in the shopping district in Los Angeles. I previously purchased over 100 pieces of Arcoroc dinnerware from a friend. The clear glass with an etched wheat pattern is easy to decorate around, and the numerous pieces add a variety of possibilities.