Saturday, June 28, 2014

4th of July Table for One

I tried like crazy to get Pat to use a single dish pattern that we haven't used before for the table this week - but to no avail. Maybe next week......maybe not.....Anyway, Pat designed the table this week with the 4th of July holiday in mind. (I have to admit that I really like the table even if it uses two patterns of dishware.)
Over view of the table

The place setting

Flatware is "Colonial" to match the dishware


The "odd man out" salad plate - "Stars & Stripes" by Pfaltzgraff. Pat wanted to break up the stripes on the dinner plate and charger


Pat used a serving plate as the charger










One last look
Where it came from:
Dishware, Flatware, and Glassware - all are in the Warren Kimble pattern "Colonial" by Sakura from our Mother's collection (which she purchased years ago at Gottschalk's - a local Department store out of business now. I've said it before - we come by our mega dish addiction naturally - our Mother had the "problem" first.)
Salad Plate - "Stars & Stripes" by Pfaltzgraff
Napkin - Handmade by Pat
Napkin Ring - also from our Mother
Candle Holders - by Dansk (a gift from Pat)
Candles, Tea Lights, Votives, and Silk Flowers - from Michael's
Red Votive Holders - Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Blue Glass Bowl - by Bormioli from Ross
White Ceramic Salt/Pepper Shaker - from Target

We will be joining Christine's "Table It" at Rustic & Refined on Monday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/

We will also be joining Susan's "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch this Thursday:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Sunday, June 22, 2014

The Lombardy Table for One

As you know, I want to use sets of dishes that we have not used before to set the Table for One. And Pat is right - it doesn't take much creativity to set a table with matching dinnerware: candles, flowers, salt and pepper shakers and you have a tablescape. OK - so, if we can sneak in a table or two once in a while, I will be happy.

This week's table uses Johnson Brothers "The Lombardy" - an old, classic, scalloped shaped pattern with a gold rope trim. It has a sweet, colorful combination of tiny blue, orange, yellow, and pink flowers on a soft yellow rim. And I love it.
Over view of the table - "The Lombardy" by Johnson Brothers

The place setting (with the addition of a luncheon plate). It sits on an ecru colored lace placemat.

Flatware is vintage "April" silverplate by Wm Rogers & Son

The ever popular Princess House glassware (in all honesty, Pat did not want to use these glasses, but we do not own a smaller size glass set that would compliment the dishware - so, Princess House it is....)




Johnson Brothers used this crown for identification purposes starting in 1913
The orange color was hand applied during manufacturing - it is slightly raised

Pat used a small vintage luncheon napkin




Pat made an assorted silk flowers arrangement in a unique vase that matches the candle holders





One last look
Where it came from:
Ecru Lace Placemat - from Lentz Department Store in Ferndale, Ca
Dishware - "The Lombardy" by Johnson Brothers from Pat's collection
Flatware - "April" Silverplate by Wm Rogers & Son from Pat
Glassware - from Princess House years ago
Creamer and Sugar on Tray Set - by Fostoria (pattern unknown)
Blue Candle Holders and Matching Vase Set - by Abingdon Potteries from our collection
Silk Roses - Michael's
Off White Candles - Bed, Bath, and Beyond

We will be joining Christine's "Table It!" at Rustic & Refined this Monday: http://www.rustic-refined.com/

We will also be joining Susan for "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/


Nothing of general interest - just for dish nerds:

According to Kovels' New Dictionary of Marks, the plate identification mark was used beginning in 1913 onward. I can't find an actual date of production.

Johnson Brothers: Classic English Dinnerware, a guide by Bob Page and Dale Frederiksen, says that the pottery company was sold to the Wedgwood Group in 1968 (which eventually morphed into the Waterford-Wedgwood Company in 1986. By 2004, the Johnson Brothers ware was being "outsourced" around the world.) Today, there is a more modern and definitely inferior "The Lombardy" being sold by outlets like Sears.....oh dear.

"Pareek" ware is Johnson Brothers' name for off-white colored patterns produced after sales slowed during and after World War I.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Summertime Whimsy Challenge

We decided to take a week off from our attempt to use sets of dishes that we haven't used before so that we could participate in Cuisine Kathleen's Summer Whimsy Challenge this Wednesday (http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/.) Summer in our County means no formal dishes - just fun and sun and lots of barbecues. Hopefully our table reflects this......
Over view of the table

The place setting

Made in Japan, the flatware is inexpensive hand-me-downs from our Mother who used this jumbo set when large amounts of company stayed for dinner






For the napkin ring, Pat used this tiny beer mug (actually a shot glass) tied with raffia 


Another figurine - actually a doll - from our Mother's collection
For the flower arrangement and to continue the theme, Pat used plastic Dollar Store catsup and mustard bottles as vases

This cute condiment holder was a gift from a friend at work years ago

Pat found these chef's hat salt and pepper shakers at Pier 1 on sale recently

Where it all came from:
White Dinner Plate -  White "Food Network" from Kohl's
Red and White Checked Luncheon Plate - Pattern unknown by "At Home with Marieke" from Amazon.com
Black Bowl - "Fun Factory" by Waechtersbach from Replacements
Flatware - Inexpensive flatware from our Mother who used it for "overflow guest" (our house was always busy with family and friends)
Glassware - from the Dollar Store
Checked Napkin - Handmade by Pat
Red Napkin - from Pier 1
Tiny Napkin Ring Beer Stein - Shot glass by Home Essentials from Tuesday Morning
Barbecue Condiment Serving Set - by Boston Warehouse gifted
Chef's Hat Salt and Pepper Set - from Pier 1
Mustard and Catsup Squeeze Bottle Vases - from the Dollar Store
Figurine - Richard Simmonds' "Annie Wahl Grandma's Family" Collection from our Mother

We will be joining:
Christine's "Table It" at Rustic & Refined this Monday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/
Cuisine Kathleen's "Let's Dish" this Wednesday:  http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/
Susan at "Between Naps on the Porch" this Thursday:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/