My granddaughter Juliana is crazy about ducks, which (in her world) include swans, roosters, and when you get right down to it, any feathered creature. I love the broad-mindedness of her approach! So when I saw these Rooster Français pasta bowls on eBay (at a stunningly great price, I might add), I knew they would have a happy home.
The drawings were rendered by French Artist and Photographer Marc Lacaze who died unexpectedly in 2011. He was an inveterate traveller, and loved to incorporate images from his travels in his work. He collaborated with Williams Sonoma on several series including Twelve Days of Christmas, Botanical Birds, La Mer, Grand Tour and Butterflies – all themes involving nature and travel.
Of course, I had to test them for table setting options before I handed them over to Adam & Annie, Juliana’s parents!
With the rich colours of the roosters and flowers, they proved very easy to style. They went with a whole bunch of different napkins, placemats, underplates and I had a hard time settling on my favourite.
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- Provencal Black by Royal Doulton Pattern #1
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- Provencal Black by Royal Doulton Pattern #2
I started with plain black round placemats topped with two of the three Provence Noir dinner plates by Royal Doulton, complementary patterns that really picked up on the style of the pasta bowls.
Farmhouse napkins by Pier 1 provided a vibrant counterpoint.
Plain Bistro glasses from Pottery Barn years ago were the right casual vibe.
I had originally set the table with the gold jacquard Pier 1 napkins you see in the bread basket and they looked great, too. I just liked the more colourful variation provided by the farmhouse check.
I couldn’t resist adding this cheeky rooster from Pier 1. To me, the basket called out to be filled with eggs, although the thing is actually a candle holder, if you can believe it. I bought it a year or so ago figuring it would go with one of the various rooster themes I love so much.
There are four different pasta bowls. A mostly black, somewhat speckled rooster:
A mostly red rooster,
The multi-coloured rooster reminds me of the bantam roosters I had as a child. Our Irish Setter, Sean, used to chase them on occasion and pull out their tail feathers.They would slink away, ashamed, hiding for days at their lack of plumage, and only emerge as they saw their feathers return. We moved heaven and earth to discourage Sean from this activity, but he was dedicated to the pastime!
Lastly, a more speckled, grey rooster.
I love them all! The detail in the drawings is just lovely.
The table wouldn’t be complete without the oversized open salts from Pier 1. The things are gigantic, but very pretty.
I got the large serving bowl to go with the eight pasta bowls. Always useful at big family dinners.
A perfect casual, colourful table to ward off the cold in this unbelievably chilly January we are having.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the fowl yard tour this morning, everyone! Stay warm.
I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.
I came across this post by way of Juliana’s mum, Annie, with whom I work. I just wanted to compliment you on your style of writing, that made me feel like I was not only invited into your family for a moment, but invited to sit at your table!
Rooster dishes are probably not something that would grab my attention normally, but you’ve made a beautiful setting. It’s rich in colours and textures, and very welcoming. And I also agree…the warm harvest colours of the Farmhouse napkins are just right.
I hope you enjoy many dinners with these dishes and your beautiful granddaughters!!
Very pleased to “meet” you, Sheila! Thank you for your very warm and lovely comments. We have a ton of fun in our house with tableware, and do so try to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and welcome; it’s not about the “stuff”, per se, it’s about the experience of family, good food, and happy memories. And we do adore our granddaughters!
Thank you again for taking the time to visit and comment. Happy New Year!
Fun table and beautiful dishes. My mom went thru a “chicken/rooster stage’ that lasted many years and everything on display in her kitchen seemed to be adorned with poultry. My youngest decided one year that she wanted to show chickens at the fair for 4H. She didn’t want to show the white ones that were available in the local farm store. She wanted the pretty ones so we had to order them and have them come in the mail. They were very similar to the ones on your pasta plates, colorful with lots of beautiful plumage. I like how you used two coordinating underplates. Both look great and either would have been pretty but the combination of the two is really nice.
I’m always amused that chickens come in the mail, but they do indeed! There are so many fun varieties and it was one of the things I loved about visiting the farm at Chatsworth in England. The late Duchess of Devonshire kept many different types of chickens, some with “hairy” feet. They were a hoot!
The bowls have been duly received by Adam and Annie, and Juliana is ecstatic :).
I have only four of each type of Provence dinner plate, so the combo was a necessity!
Oh Helen, I love this wonderful breakfast, rooster tablescape. It reminded me of my early morning strolls in Key West with all the roosters/chickens walking around and of gathering eggs on my Grandparents farm. What fun times to remember. Thanks and Happy New Year.
I had chickens as a kid, too! They’re not the brightest of creatures, but they have a certain majesty. The rooster set turned out to be so much better in person, Sandy, than I’d thought when I bought it. It’s got layers of colour and detail. Funny how some patterns are like that… It has a very happy home with the kids, and they use it often.
Thank you so much for visiting, and for the New Year’s wishes! All the best of the New Year to you and yours, too!
The pedestal base of these rooster bowls give a fancy, special look and lift on the table. Love em along with huge serving bowl to match! I enjoy huge serving bowls so much I always buy 2 if available. Plating salads for guests from a huge bowl or bowls of pasta using my hand- crafted pasta server from Replacements makes me a happy hostess. Super generous of you to part with this set. What a kind- hearted Nana you are!
Must be the Provence Noir salad underplate that you’re using to get the fancier look to the rooster bowls. I checked for some online. I am hooked on this look!