Gobble, gobble!
This set of eight red turkey plates came my way about fifteen years ago, from a junky little store in Toronto. I was out grocery shopping, and the plates were sitting in the window, surrounded with all manner of detritus. A jewel among junk. A little caught off guard, I hesitated over them, and almost gave them a miss.
I didn’t want red, you see. I was in the early stages of collecting and had visions of blue, brown, or even green turkey plates, but red?
Well, it turns out that red is rather a good idea!
Williams Sonoma seemed to think so when they issued this red glass turkey compote about ten years ago. I could see it was just the thing for my red gobbler plates, so picked it up.
A little later, I acquired the antique red Venetian goblets and the small modern tea lights and it all began to come together.
The red patchwork quilt is from Bed, Bath and Beyond, this year, deeply discounted. I originally bought it to use as a snuggle blanket in our basement for when little girls want to curl up and watch TV, or build a tent. Quilts make lovely tents. 🙂 The other side of the quilt is solid, in one of the small prints used in the patches. It will also be very attractive as a background for table settings and will likely get a lot of use.
I’ve had these napkins for years, as well. We picked them up in Bermuda, of all places, when on vacation one year. There is a matching tablecloth for those more formal occasions.
I went with plain white, ruffled edge open salts as there was a lot of colour going on everywhere else.
Limelight hydrangeas from the garden carried on the plain white theme. The touch of pale green is a lovely counterpoint to the deep reds.
The base of the compote has a cute little dolphin, very typical of Venetian glass.
The flatware is part of a bakelite handled canteen set I bought many years ago from Country Dining Room Antiques.
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- Red Version
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- Blue Polychrome Version
The blue polychrome version is also by Enoch Woods. The pattern looks very similar, doesn’t it? I believe they’re both from the early 1900s.
If anyone is interested, Replacements has put together a compilation of vintage and modern turkey plates currently on offer. Among others, there is a brown polychrome version of the Enoch Woods plates, and some interesting choices I’ve never seen before. Check it out!
Sadly, porch weather is pretty much over, for this year, I think. I’m glad we have pictures to remember the warmer days until we meet again for meals on the porch.
Speaking of which, I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.
Wouldn’t think of red and more red but, I have to say, it’s the way you do it! The glassware is so rich looking and we hope it doesn’t clash with Glen’s red wine. Maybe he should switch to rose? Cheers.
I think the chances of Himself drinking rose are roughly the same as a snowball’s chance in the hot place… I’m glad you like the red on red look. It doesn’t always work, but in this case it seems to. Hope your travels are going well. Xo
What a great table. My favorite parts of your tables are usually the open salts and these white ones are so cute. I just bought my first red. They are glasses that I found at Goodwill. Funny story, my sister and I were looking at these glasses trying to decide if they were vintage or modern when this gentleman walked by and mentioned that he remembered drinking from the same glasses when he was growing up. Said that they were probably 50 years old. I like both vintage and modern and would have bought them anyway. When I got them home I searched and searched the internet without luck. I finally searched “red glasses” on replacements and started scrolling through page by page and low and behold, there they were. Replacements had only one shorter glass and a picture of a taller one. Mine are tumblers. They were listed as Pier 1. So, I am thinking that he had a good time BS’ing us. My sister thinks he just liked to hear himself talk.
Oh, that is too funny. Well, perhaps he did drink from something similar when he was younger. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt! LOL
Red glasses will be great for the Christmas season. And if they’re modern, they can go in the dishwasher – bonus!
Glad you liked the table Lorri. Thanks for visiting!
Hi Helen,
My Christmas dishes are a white background with a decorated tree in the center so lots of green. I think that the red glasses will add some nice contrast to all of that green and white. If you are interested in seeing what they look like Replacements.com has them listed as P1C50 on the very last page of their Pier 1 section.
Oh, I like the swirl design. It adds a little something! Subtle, but distinctive. Nice! They’ll look great on a Christmas table, and because they’re fairly simple, you can use them all year round. Tumblers are terrric that way, and Pier 1 does get some good ones in.
While we are styling your table, a tartan napkin and /or runner would pull the red and green together. HomeGoods has some nice paisleys and abstracts in those colourways, too.
That is a great idea. I will check it out. I don’t get to HomeGoods. I checked and the nearest is across the state but perhaps a website or something along similar lines might be available closer by. Thanks for the great suggestion.
Waterford crystal has a clear chicken box/ dish but wow, a red turkey?!!
Never ever saw 9ne before!! Never never.
Williams Sonoma! One thing about them, their seasonal stuff goes for a song at season’s end!
Lorri,
I to am often intrigued by Ms. Kain’s open salts. She has quite the collection. I’m wondering if the left in the last picture is holding whole peppercorns, I’m not sure I would know how to deal with those at the table.
Elizabeth Speicher
Hi Elizabeth,
The container most likely does contain whole peppercorns. When I’m snapping pictures, it makes things much easier to use whole or half cracked peppercorns. I used to use semi-ground, like out of a grinder on the coarse setting, but it made mess, getting them back into the jar. When I’m setting a table for a real dinner party, I do use ground pepper. And pass the pepper mill.
Thanks again for your interest 🙂
Best,
Helen
Hi Elizabeth,
I agree, quite the collection. I have been picking them up as I see them but have only found crystal ones and one set that looks like tiny china plates. Not nearly as fun. The couple of times that I have actually used them I put one at each place setting and only salt. I will have to start adding the pepper.
Lorri
Ms. Kain,
I think this table is really smashing, cozy and elegant at the same time. The quilt as tablecloth is a great idea. The ruby turkey is delightful, What do you serve in him? I have a set of 12 of the clear version, also from WS and have found 3 more in various thrift shops. 6 of them always appear on the Thanksgiving table filled with homemade versions of watermelon rind pickle, bread and butter pickle, 3 different homemade cranberry relishes (everyone must have their favorite) and kimchi (don’t ask.) They reappear at the annual boxing day dinner as bowls for Peanut Soup which I serve with our traditional make your own leftovers sandwiches, you know – sliced turkey and ham.
I think I shall have to look for a ruby one, The color could serve as a warning to others about the kimchi.
Regards,
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth.,
Ruby turkey holds cranberry chutney! Very similar to your cranberry relishes, I would assume. The container is adequate size this, but not generous, so often requires a backup bowl of chutney! It sounds like you have a huge variety of different relishes and pickles, which must make for a lovely selection. Holiday meals are so very personal, aren’t they?
Thanks for visiting,
Helen.
Ooohhh, I just love the red turkey plates! Wished I could find me some like that! While I do love my grandmother’s brown transfer ware turkey plates, I would have bought these also! Brown and red together on a table, hmmm!!!
Oh yes- brown and red can be a beautiful combination! Keep your eye out, Melin. These sometimes come up on eBay! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thanks for stopping by.