Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The Last Days of Summer...

I am not ready for Fall yet, so I decided to go outside for a summery green and yellow table! I told you that you would be seeing the Mikasa "Brava Yellow" a few more times, and I meant it! It really is versatile, and I love showing you how to use fewer things in more ways.



My friend Maria at Calm Energy commented that it would be fun to set this table in January (inside) to remember the summer, so I had to show you what it will look like out here in January...





Exactly! Now you see why I would need to remember summer! And what a great idea from Maria. It's cold out here. let's go back! 

It was a beautiful, clear day here in the North Carolina mountains, and just perfect for being outside on the deck! I'm using a bamboo runner my husband bought several years ago at Pier One. Notice the same tall candlesticks I have used many times before inside.





I started out with the square rattan chargers from overstock.com, added the Mikasa dinner plate, then layered a green depression glass salad plate. I then used the "Brava Yellow" bowl. This is a big bowl that could be used for a variety of soups, salads, fruit, etc. 


The inspiration for this table was the "Vera" napkin with sunflowers and daisies. I added the April Cornell daisy napkin rings. 


The yellow Franciscan "Madeira cornsilk" glasses were birthday gifts from my mom. She actually had gotten me the green to go with the Franciscan "Ivy" then also found the yellow. I borrowed from her the  LE Smith "Daisy and Button" in green. Are they just perfect? I was so excited to find those while shopping at her house!  


Again, I used vintage Bakelite flatware and Mikasa "Italian Countryside" flatware. 



On to the centerpiece...I grew the sunflowers!! My mom has grown acres of vegetables, I grew three sunflowers, some herbs, and five jalapeƱo peppers:-) So I am very proud of this guy! I borrowed the vase from my mom. I did not know she had it, but I sure do LOVE it and would love to keep it:-)





I just love the sunlight through the trees, and this time of year, it is just gorgeous here. I wish I could capture that in a photo. 











I *finally* got a "Blue Hour" photo, although blurry, it was much better than my other attempts!


Back to the afternoon...I think this is a much different feel from last week's table with the same dinnerware. I say it a lot because it's true that a few little changes can make a huge difference, and give you so many options for beautiful tables. 


Enjoy what you have, and be thankful always:-) 

I'll be participating in Tablescape Thursday over at "Between Naps on the Porch" so be sure to go by and say hello to Susan!

Anita




46 comments:

  1. Blondie's JournalSeptember 1, 2010 at 7:38 AM

    Another beautiful tablescape, Anita!! I love the lighting in your photos, it makes all the colors shimmer and stand out. Your centerpiece is gorgeous with the sunflowers. Now you have to convince your mom to give you that pretty vase!!

    xoxo
    Janie

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  2. It is just beautiful. I absolutely agree about all the different options. That vase is just incredible. Everything works so well. I'm still hanging on to summer myself. All those wonderful little details on this setting make it just perfect.

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  3. So nice to see all of the creative ways you're using the Brava Yellow dishes. I see why the napkins were your inspiration...very cute and summery. Your centerpiece is just beautiful. I think sunflowers just scream summer. I always enjoy your tablescapes.

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  4. Anita I love that "blue hour" pic! One of my favorite things to do is to sit on our deck in the dark with all of the candles lit and a glass of wine and good company! Your tablescape is gorgeous as always!
    Vanessa
    http://southerninmyheart.blogspot.com

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  5. Linda @ A La CarteSeptember 1, 2010 at 8:08 AM

    Love it! The yellow is so warm and yet summery with the greens and bamboo runners. I am still holding onto summer for a few more weeks myself.

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  6. beautiful dishes! Excellent photography.

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  7. Tricia@The Dull and the DutifulSeptember 1, 2010 at 8:36 AM

    Really gorgeous! Adding the green Depression plates between the yellow ones looks wonderful, as does using both green and yellow glassware! I'll bet Mikasa features this one ASAP!

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  8. Always love your tablescapes, Anita! I'm TRYING to be thankful...

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  9. Oh, if you knew me in real life, you would believe me what I say that I love it so much I want to squeal. It's so "me". (At least I like to think it's "me") I love the way those colors look on that deck. It's just perfect and festive.

    And yet again, I'm envious of that bakelite flatward you have.

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  10. Happier Than a Pig in MudSeptember 1, 2010 at 9:38 AM

    What a colorful, happy table! I just love it-enjoy!

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  11. A visual treat as always. Your photographs and tablescape are FABULOUS! Great work, girl!

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  12. Hi, Anita thank you for the comment on my blog, you are a special person, God bless you.
    Your tablescape and the centerpice is beautiful
    the sunflowers on the plate no comment !LOVED!
    so beautiful.
    XOX

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  13. What a pretty table. Hope you have a wonderful week! Sandi

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  14. OMG!! sooooooo beautiful

    sue

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  15. Anita, Incredible....fabulous....astonishing.Love sunflowers,your homegrown,is a beauty.

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  16. HELLO ANITA....

    OH MY!! I THINK THIS IS MY FAVORITE TABLESCAPE!! ITS STUNNING LOVE YOUR PILLARS AND VASE JUST STUNNING SWEETIE PIE :) WISH I WAS THERE TO SIT AND ENJOY IT ALL :) CAN'T WAIT TILL YOU DO THE PINK TABLESCAPE....LOL

    HUGLETS~XOX~MARI

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  17. DesigningLadyJaneSeptember 1, 2010 at 2:11 PM

    That is a beautiful tablescape, and such lovely photos. I'm seriously admiring that lush green wood around your deck, it gives the impression you are dining deep in a forest. I so love seeing you mix around your lovely pieces, it's very inspirational to see you do so many new looks with many of the same elements.

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  18. Just beautiful! I have the round Brava rooster place settings for 8 now and enjoying them and bought green salad plates. The yellow and red are tempting too. We grow sunflowers when the creatures leave them alone I love your porch setting and tall candlesticks and vase. Green is my favorite.I am from SC and miss the southern settings. This is such a happy table setting and makes it easier since we moved in my second into college. Hard to do when going against all popular culture, and values that anything is ok....Thank you for this gorgeous stable ....my parents so far away in Charleston SC. I know you enjoy your mom.

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  19. Pam @ diy Design FanaticSeptember 1, 2010 at 2:48 PM

    Beautiful Anita! I love the green plates & glasses!

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  20. Anita, as soon as I saw the first picture my heart beat a little faster! This is GORGEOUS!!!! I LOVE that vase, it caught my eye immediately, and the sunflowers are beautiful! Just a beautiful post! Our back yard is just like yours with the sun coming through the trees!!!!!!!!!! XO, Pinky

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  21. Red Couch RecipesSeptember 1, 2010 at 4:36 PM

    Anita, what a pretty green and yellow table. I do love the Vera napkin and the napkin ring! Also am crushing on the green glasses. Joni

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  22. What a beautiful view and I have to say...this yellow and green can lean a little toward
    fall :-)

    Very pretty table!!!

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  23. I think this is one of my favorite tables! Love the colors all together with the trees all around. So lovely!

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  24. Anita this is soooo pretty!
    What a lovely 'end of summer' celebration table!
    The sunflower centerpiece really "shines!"

    The yellow and green color scheme just makes me want to keep smiling!
    It would be fun to set the table like this in January... just to remember the summer sunshine!
    Blessings to you always ~ Maria

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  25. Anita, this is yet another gorgeous table. What a fabulous setting outside on your deck. Great shots ~ both gleaming sunshine and blue hour. I read so many posts lately from you North Carolina gals that it makes me want to look for property in NC. You live in a beautiful part of the country. ~ Sarah

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  26. Sue@Uniquely ChicSeptember 2, 2010 at 5:33 AM

    Love the table setting...the greens and yellows and those tall candle holders. It looks so pretty against the back drop of your treed property.

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  27. Carol at SerendipitySeptember 2, 2010 at 6:19 AM

    Anita,

    Beautiful table. Gorgeous pictures. Thanks for sharing.

    Have a great weekend.

    Carol

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  28. I love the freshness you achieved with these colors. Your Bakelite flatware is just great with this combo.

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  29. Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorienSeptember 2, 2010 at 7:10 AM

    Another gorgeous tablescape! I'm not quite ready for fall either so I'm happy to see such a summery looking table. I love the bright citrusy colors of green and yellow. And the other elements have a very organic feel; just perfect for dining al fresco in the woods!

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  30. The sunlight shining through your glassaware is beautiful. What a summery celebration! You have such a lovely spot to enjoy the end of the summer season and your table is amazing.

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  31. So beautiful. I do love the look of mixing items and then mixing them new again with other pieces. It's very pretty.

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  32. Now, that is one gorgeous table! I love the yellows and greens together. I recognize the yellow footed I wish I had thought to use a green depression glass plate instead of the Waechtersbach...I keep forgetting I have them! I always smile when you use those candle holders as part of your centerpiece, I think they are the nicest ones I have seen...beautiful flowers and vase. Thanks for sharing...have a great weekend.

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  33. Mid-Atlantic MarthaSeptember 2, 2010 at 6:31 PM

    Beautiful Anita! I love your color combination and what an amazing sunflower! I love sunflowers -- they make tablescapes so cheerful. Thanks for your visit to my table this week as well.

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  34. Oh that was so pretty Anita...green and yellow flickering in the sun could not be better. Love the napkins too. I am sorry but after this heat, I am ready for FALL...just wish it would stay Fall.

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  35. Entertaining WomenSeptember 2, 2010 at 8:48 PM

    Anything would look beautiful on your magnificent deck, and your tablescape takes it to an artform. The mix of shape, color, and texture is perfection. I took a photo of one of my back porch tables after a snow storm last year, too. I regretted not braving the cold to go out and set a tablescape with the snow as my table cover...I won't miss the opportunity again...I'd love to see your interpretation, too. It could be a fun assignment for the coming winter. Thanks for sharing your lovely design. Cherry Kay

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  36. A beautiful summer tablescape, Anita, well done :o) With a setting like that, I'm not thinking of falling leaves, not yet anyway, lol.
    Hugs

    God bless you

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  37. what a lovely backdrop for such a pretty table setting .the yellows and greens just look so nice together Iam sure your mom will be giveing you that lovely vase it is pretty .and she knows you will do it proud thanks for another wonderful table:)

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  38. Lovely! So very lovely!
    I am simply wild about everything in your presentation!

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  39. Once again, Anita, you've created a beautiful table for us, with so many special pieces and your usual thoughtful attention to every detail.
    I always like it when you talk about gifts from your mother and pieces you've borrowed from her collections (she must be quite a collector!). My favorite part of this week's post might just be what you wrote at the end: "Enjoy what you have, and be thankful always."

    Such good advice, and so easy to forget to do sometimes.

    I hope you and yours have a wonderful weekend.

    Kindest regards,
    Bill

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  40. All The Pretty DishesSeptember 4, 2010 at 5:42 PM

    Very pretty. I love the shade of green. You did a great job of tablescaping!

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  41. Gorgeous setting! I love the green and yellow together. Your centerpiece is wonderful too! I love how sparkly this setting looks in the sun there. I'm ready for cooler temps but not like those frosty photos you shared. LOL!

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  42. This is another delicious post. There is some fantastic inspiration on here. Thanks for sharing!
    -Builders

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  43. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog yesterday - and it really means something to me - if that scripture that i was praying for my own war was also meant to bring someone else some peace.

    Now - girl. That table. You're so talented. I strive to do this table setting thing with ease and instead i have to work at it and it.never.comes.out.right. But this, this is gorgeous and perfect for the end of summer. I grew some gorgeous sunflowers this year and you bet i cut and carried those beauties into the house to enjoy them as long as i possibly could.

    I'm off to wander thru your blog with my coffee. Such great inspiration.

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  44. ok - if this shows up twice, i'm sorry - it looks like blogger ate my post.

    Thank you so much for stopping by my blog yesterday, and it means a great deal if the words i prayed over also spoke to someone else, and you are right - God does work that way!

    Now, on to this table. oh.my.word. I strive to have this kind of talent in homemaking, but it doesn't come easy to me. I so love this - it's the perfect end of summer table setting. i grew a patch of sunflowers this year and yes, i used them all - those babies didn't escape my shears - they ended up on my table every chance i had to cut some down.

    Now i'm off to visit your site some more with my coffee. What great inspiration.

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  45. very nice and colorful tablescape!

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  46. Catherine Mary ColemanSeptember 12, 2013 at 8:13 AM

    I love the table setting! Do you know the brand name of the plates or where I can get them? Thank you.

    Catherine at mcoleman531@gmail.com

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