Sunday, March 8, 2015

St. Patrick's Day Table - Remembering the Famine

Pat created a St. Patrick's Day table this week that is truly unique. It is a commemorative table to all the people who lost their lives or emigrated during the horrific Irish potato famine in the mid-1800's. It is believed that Ireland lost twenty five percent of its population during those years forever changing it socially, politically and economically.
The table

Close up of the place setting. Pat used a very rustic Terracotta tile as the placemat/charger on top of a burlap (potato sack-like) tablecloth

Hammered stainless steel flatware is by Godinger

The accent plate is actually a very soft yellow

I love this very versatile plate - "Spice Route" Clove from Pier 1

I dragged Pat to the Building Supply store last week. I wanted to get Terracotta tiles to use "eventually." She instantly saw a use for at least one of them for this table.


You can see how Pat layered the burlap tablecloth over a white one

Yes - that is Irish beer (chosen because of the rust colored label.......everything has to "match")

Although these are Russets - the Irish Lumper was the potato grown during the Irish Famine. It was planted because it thrived in very poor soils with enormous yield. Now it is making a comeback as an heirloom variety.

Rustic looking small pebbles in a mason jar hold inexpensive flowers and greenery


One last look


Where it came from:
Burlap tablecloth - Mail order from Linentablecloth.com
Terra Cotta Tile Charger/Placemat - from our local Building Supply store
Flatware - "Hammered" Stainless by Godinger Silver from Costco
Dinner Plate - "Spice Route" Clove from Pier 1
Accent Plate - from the Pottery Barn purchased on eBay
Bread/Butter Plate - "Paprika" Fiesta by Homer Laughlin from Replacements
Glassware - "Lawrence" from Pier 1 years ago
Rust Hemstitch Napkin - from Pier 1 years ago
Brown Salt/Pepper Shakers - from JoAnn's Fabrics years ago


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


We will also be joining Cuisine Kathleen's 7th annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Party this Wednesday:  http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/


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

9 comments:

  1. What a great twist on the typical concept of St. Patrick's Day. Your table is definitely a unique creation - love it.
    Rita C at Panoply

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  2. I like the idea of the commemorative table. I didn't realize how many lives were lost to the famine. I am intrigued by the Irish Lumper. I hope they will make a comeback in a big way. Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  3. What a clever tablescape and a wonderful tribute as well. I love all your elements and how well they signify the time period you were showing. The colors and textures are perfect. Well done, and so unique. Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

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  4. I think this is a wonderful tribute. Love the theme of this table and your details are spot on. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. The message here is just great as is the jar filled with stones and flowers. Well done!

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  6. Nice! I love the whole Table for One blog concept and I'm enjoying your tablescapes. I recently found Tablescape Thursdays, and have just started trying to put together my own. I enjoyed the theme you put together this week, and liked the bit of history about the potato famine. I have started to back track through your older posts too and am looking forward to seeing the creative tables you've done!

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  7. What a clever way to showcase Ireland...love it all. I really like the terra cotta tile and, as always, your plate stack.

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  8. It is good to remember the famine, it was a terrible time for our ancestors. Your table is very creative! Thanks for joining in the Crawl, and Happy SPD. I will post April's theme soon!

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  9. Forgot to say that brand of beer is the favorite of my Irish family! Not cheap, either! I don't drink at all, so I don't fit the Irish stereotype!

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