Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Kentucky Derby Brunch!

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan from the blog, "Between Naps on the Porch". If you haven't already, be sure to check out all of the beautiful tablescapes. You will not be disappointed!
Since Easter is Sunday, I knew there would be a lot of Easter tablescapes, so I decided to do something a little different. I fell in love with these plates and liked them so much, I decided to purchase them for my everyday dishes. When I put this tablescape together, I thought it had a somewhat regal air to it, so I named it my, "Kentucky Derby Brunch". (I realize I am a bit early for this kind of thing.) While there isn't any one item that may be associated with the Kentucky Derby per se, I thought this would be the type of tablescape that I'd create if I were hosting a brunch for the Kentucky Derby. It is elegant, yet casual, simple, yet regal. Let's take a look around.

A simple color scheme of black and cream is the foundation for this tablescape.

The rustic nature of the chairs add to this tablescape.


The centerpiece is a crystal vase of white roses, a cream textured coffee pot and a crystal clock with a black rim, repeating the black in the tablescape.

I started with black placemats on the glass topped table. A tablecloth would have been too formal and covered up the rustic nature of the chairs. For the napkin, I used the ties that came with the placemats. I simply cut them to size, washed and ironed them. For the napkin ring, I used a pin. I tried to get some close-ups however the glare was too great, even when I turned off the lights.

I used Royal Stafford earthenware china for my place setting. Here is a closer look of the plate. I love the toile look to it. I like the farmhouse in the background, the hayride, the doggie and the fruit around the edges. In the photo above, you'll notice the pattern repeats on the mug.


Here is a photo of the back of the plate.



The inspiration for the table setting was the black sheep. It was a Home Goods find and I fell in love with him. Since no family is without a black sheep, I picked him up. Then I decided to get two and use them to accent the tablesetting. The sheep was difficult to photograph for a close up due to the glare, so you'll have to look closely to see him. I thought the face was charming.
The centerpiece of the tablescape features a beautiful textured coffee pot from Home Goods. I loved the color, the texture and the shape of this piece. It has an elegance to it, despite the fact that is it porcelain. Typically, you'll get a greater level of texture, clarity and crispness to fine bone china, which is why I love that. For many years, I used fine bone china for every day as well. It was only in the past two years, that I switched to a place setting that is dishwasher and microwavable. The main reason was I preferred the crispness of the patterns.

Here is another view of the place setting and centerpiece. I should also note that this tablescape came together so easily. I kept trying to add things to it but soon realized that simple was better. It didn't need anything more.

A view of the entire table.

One last look at the tablescape.

Thank you for coming to my tablescape. I really enjoy all of the lovely comments.

One final note...I have really enjoyed participating in this lovely group. I noticed that many of the tablescape participants are from the South and I really enjoy the femininity and graciousness of your homes. I think that although I am from the midwest, I must really be a southern girl at heart. I have never lived there, but I do enjoy the classic and elegant lines of the southern homes.

Note: I am a Professional Organizer and Home Stager; I run a business called, "Dream Organizers". My motto is, "Keep it simple. Get organized. Make it beautiful."

34 comments:

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

This is just beautiful. The black is just stunning and how you set the table is gorgeous. I love black and don't think I have used it yet but I am certainly going to have to try it. HOpe your Easter weekend is wonderful!
Blessings,
Debbie

ellen b. said...

Oh I really do love black and white scapes! They call to me. Yours is just lovely!!

Chrsiti@A Southern Life said...

This is lovely. I've been looking for ideas for Derby Day but I don't have your gorgeous china. Beautiful. Happy and blessed Easter to you (and good luck on derby day)!

Sue said...

Very elegant...very beautiful.Your tablescapes are always very classy...I love the dishes too!!

KBeau said...

I do love the black and white. So elegant and versatile.

Katy said...

I have these same dishes, thankfully I was able to locate lots of them at different TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores. I adore them, they're the first dishes my husband chose for us. He loved them. Thought they reminded him of his grandparent's home. Thanks for sharing, your tablescape is lovely! ~Katy (Plucky)

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello DM...

So glad that you came by my place for a visit and took a peek at my Easter brunch tablescape...thank you!!!

Ohhh my, I love what you have done here...and you're absolutely right...simple but elegant!!! Timeless and classic are 2 more adjectives that I think perfectly describe your beautiful table! I just love your china...ahhh, black & white toile...one of my favorites! I love your idea of using a pretty pin and ribbon for the napkins...I would like to use that idea in the future...thank you for the inspiration!!!

Your centerpiece really makes the table...and my favorite...that beautiful creamy white tea/coffee pot! I love the diamond shape pattern...ohhh so french! Tres chic!!!

I hope that you and your family have a Happy Easter, my friend!
Chari

Martha said...

Just beautiful. So elegant and charming. Love the black and white and those dishes -- wow! I love blue and white but thsoe dishes could ALMOST get me to switch!

a quiet life said...

very cute with the black sheep and toile! love your coffee pot too with the bird, i am such the animal lover...

Kathleen Ellis said...

What a most elegant setting! You've been very creative in the details! Lovely! the black and white is fabulous!
Happy Easter!
;-D

The Raggedy Girl said...

What a really lovely table and I love the black and white dishes.

Have A Great Table Scape Thursday
from Roberta Anne

The Bloom Girls said...

I love the black and white, it is so elegant! The Roses are a wonderful touch! Have a great Easter!

Karyn

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Thank you for your sweet comments. Your tablescape is a favorite of mine..I love black and white. That coffee pot is adorable. Happy Easter!

Unknown said...

Never to early to put great ideas for upcoming events out there! Love your setting, crisp and clean in black and white. I too loved those sheep at HomeGoods and was telling my daughter how great they would look on a tablescape. You made it happen!

Scribbler said...

Really cool dishes! The whole thing is very chic.

Scribbler

Chandy said...

What a great b & w table! I love all the wonderful touches you added!

Happy Thursday!

Candy said...

Elegant and classy, very pretty plates.
Cheers, Candy

Anonymous said...

this is classy.your teapot is darling.your plate is exquisite.it all just yells class and elegance.well done.i love the black and white...ann

Gypsy aka Tam said...

Black and cream are so dramatic. Your table is wonderful. I love your dishes and I NEED that Coffe pot, it's absolutly stunning.
I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Easter weekend,
Tam

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a beautiful table you've set! Love the black and white dishes - they're just lovely!
Black and white is so elegant!
Thanks for popping in so see me!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love black & cream. And I love your plates. I am the black sheep in my family. lol. Very elegant tablescape. Oh, and the teapot is fabulous!!!

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

My favorite part is the teapot with the little bird on top, adorable! I'm from Kentucky, and this would be perfect for any derby party. Well done, and Easter blessings to you!

Joyce said...

Coffee Pot is adorable! Love the black and white.
Joyce

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

This is so elegant. Black and white is always a beautiful classic chic look.

Lori (All That Splatters) said...

I love your black & white tablescape. It's so elegant and classy!! The roses, the dishes, the coffee pot - it's all so beautiful!!

Sue said...

Oh, I love the Kentucky Derby. This would make a perfect brunch tablescape to kick off the race.
Thanks for stopping by and your sweet comments.
I am a midwestern, southern belle wanna be. So nice to meet a kindred spirit.
Hugs,
Sue

Decor To Adore said...

I would love to have a mint julep here!

Kathy said...

What a simply stunning and elegant tablescape, I adore your coffee pot, those sheep and your dishes, perfect for derby day. wishing you a happy easter weekend, Kathy.

Linda in AZ * said...

* Stunning table, and I so like the dishes!!! And your tea/coffee pot is just DIVINE, too!!! You've created a beautiful space for dining, and I'm so glad you shared it here! Warm wishes for a blessed Easter, Linda *

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Your black and white is so elegant together -- always a classic.

Anonymous said...

Dang, you have more china patterns that I had... And I thought I had a lot! Pretty table settings!

Anonymous said...

I was wondering where you store all of the pieces to the tablescapes when not in use?

Dream Mom said...

Deepfriedpickles...Regarding storage for the tablescapes, I do the following:

-I store candles and linens in a three drawer chest in my living room-one for candles and picture frames and one for linens (tablecloths, doilies, table runners). You can see this chest of drawers on the first page of my website (www.dreamorganizers.com).
-Placemats are stored in one drawer of the armoire in my dining room, along with my kitchen towels.
-Dishes are stored in my kitchen cabinets. I have a very tiny kitchen so I am very selective.
-The rest of the "props", candleholders, birds and other accessories are stored on two shelves of a tall bookshelf in my closet.

I need to see most things. I think it looks like I have more stuff than I do. I use a lot of the same things over and over, just with different things. I have white china, used ten different ways, white tablecloth, used in many tablescapes and then mostly white/cream candles. It's kind of like having a white blouse in your closet that you wear ten different ways so it looks like you have more clothes than you do. I don't have room for a lot of stuff so I try to be creative with what I have.

I also purge things as I go so if I am not using something, it goes. I also don't buy anything for a tablescape that I don't love. Tablescaping is my hobby so I do spend some money on it, since no hobby is totally free, but you'd probably be very surprised at what I have. Most of the items in my tablescapes are displayed in my home. If I were to put everything I've every used in my tablescapes in one place (china and crystal included), it would probably fill up a tall 6 foot bookshelf. That's it!

Thanks for asking.

TheJuicyDish said...

I really enjoyed looking at your table setting. To me it is interesting how people come up with such different ideas. If you want to see my Kentucky Derby Table Setting go to http://www.thejuicydish.com/Leonard/Posts/5680

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