Now that all the holiday clobber has been stored away, the bones of the house are once again revealed, and a quiet calm prevails. I kind of like the starkness. It reflects the bare trees and muted tones of the landscape outside and provides a chance to appreciate the details of what remains.
A very simple table, in a muted but cheerful colour scheme, fits right in, starting with the luscious curves and whorls of white parrot tulips. Still tightly closed, they will burst into a peony-like exuberance over the next few days. But for now, they’re silent and closed. Waiting quietly.
I always think they look best massed together in a big bunch. They’re very top heavy, so need quite a lot of support and/or shortened stems. I tie them together in groups of about five and then chop the stems to the appropriate length for whatever container I’ve chosen, a moss-topped fibrous planter in this case. Then I place the bunches to completely fill the container.
The green transferware plate is by IKEA! Whodda thunk? It’s one of only two such pieces they offer in this pattern, ARV, and it’s styled here with their plain white ARV dinner plate. I love the gently curving scalloped edge with several layers of ridging. I discovered it one day before Christmas when I ran into IKEA to pick up some of their marvellous stuffed toys to donate to the toy drive in our neighbourhood. Ikea’s golden retriever is the favoured stuffy toy of our granddaughter, Maddie, and given how much she treasures Kalamazoo, as he’s called, I figured other kids would love him just as much. So several Kalamazoos, a Bernese Mountain Dog, an elephant, a panda and a few teddies made their way home with me to start their journey into some kid’s arms, perhaps to gain favour as the treasured stuffy. Who can resist that face? Such a lovely squishy body, too, perfect for napping on.
But back to the table…
The green is an unusual shade, with a restful grey undertone.
It sidled up nicely beside the green Reina lanterns from Pier 1 (new this year, now heavily discounted).
Small “paper bag” style bowls pitched in as open salts.
And crisp white linen napkins added just a touch of formality for some contrast.
It all just clicked for me. Clean lines, simple colours, with lots of visual texture.
The goblets are antique wheel cut glass. The one on the left is by Webb and the one on the right is by an unknown manufacturer. Despite best efforts by Elise Abrams, we couldn’t lay our hands on the “middle” size of the Webb goblet. We have the port glasses and the big glasses (which we use for wine), but the in-between size proved elusive. I think Mr Unknown holds up his end nicely, though.
Speaking of holding up his end, Someone was lying down on the job. Isn’t he getting big? Not quite as big as his attitude, however! Dundee is one confident cat.
Always sure of his welcome, he inserts himself at every opportunity. His purr is as big as his heart; it announces his entrance into the room, and often we hear him snuggled down with the dogs before we realize he’s joined the crowd on the dog beds. Here, he just jumped up on the plate box to watch me set the table, purring his head off. Melts my heart.
A fresh start for a New Year.
A couple of bunches of white parrot tulips and my whole outlook changes for the better.
They just exude cheerfulness. Add in some simple transferware plates and I’m grinning from ear to ear.
Enjoy the weekend, everyone!
I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.
Helen, thank you for the tulips tip. I will definitely be doing this. I too like a lot of tulips together and I never get them just so.
Off to IKEA today to buy Greenland shrimp for next weeks get together, and I’m tempted to look at the ARV plates. It always scares me. Looking usually means buying and I no longer have space for another set of china anything. Crossing my fingers each time I walk into a spare bedroom for fear of having plates, glasses and assorted table stuff fall down around my ears. ARV means inheritance in Swedish. The plates remind me of my grandfathers china. As a child I always thought they looked “old” and never really liked to eat off them. Now I think ARV looks beautiful. Growing up will do that. Change everything, and grandfather’s china looks beautiful.
It’s astonishing how the stuff we thought was sooooo ugly when we were younger now looks completely different!
I figured out the tulip thing through trial and error. I also didn’t realize the darn things keep growing after you arrange them. They’re one of the very few cut flowers that do that, so expect that the arrangement will look shaggier in a couple of days. If you’ve cut them too short, it kind of looks after itself, which is a bonus!
Good luck at Ikea today! I know the temptation and cascading tableware thing all too well. Right now it’s my laundry room that’s threatening to revolt. Ugh…
Such a beautiful tablescape! You certainly have a gift for coming up with the best. I’ve been anxiously awaiting an update on Dundee.. Can’t get enough of him! Thanks!
You are too kind, Bev! Dundee is flourishing like a green bay tree. He’s such a happy boy.
hi Helen. I’m new to your blog (found you at bnotp tablescape thurs.), but I loved your post. all of it. from the table to those tulips (oh my- I’ll be on the search for those) to your prose. I love the way you write. I’ll be back for sure. have a wonderful day. xo- maryjo
Welcome, Maryjo! Thank you for joining in the fun. š It’s a really weird hobby of mine, but I love sharing it with others.
Lol, are you a “The Cat Who … ” fan? I ask because of Dundee
How did you know? I’ve read them all. I’m a cozy mystery fan, particularly about animals. Have you found the Paws and Claws mystery series by Krista Davis? https://www.kristadavis.com/index.html. I like all her series, especially the Domestic Diva. Then there is the Miranda James Cat in the Stacks series. Southern living at its best, books and Diesel the Cat. What could be better? http://catinthestacks.com
Hello Dundee! Glad to see you are getting used to being our tablescape mascot! I would have enjoyed the table on its own, but he really put the smile on it today. Thanks, Helen, for sharing with us so beautifully once again.
Thanks, Cheryl. He’s a special boy. We are loving every minute of his kittenhood, and it’s rapidly disappearing. š He and Clementine are an absolute hoot together. She’s got the weight advantage these days, though he is an excellent escape artist. So much fun.
Thatās a lovely pattern from Ikea. I had no idea they sell dishes too! The only Ikea in Michigan is 350 miles from me so I havenāt visited it yet. Iām envious of those lovely parrot tulips. I planted some a couple of years ago but something devoured the bulbs and I only had 2 bloom. Perhaps I should plant more and find a way to protect them. I love the stemware- truly beautiful!
Iām betting your devourers are squirrels. They loooove tulips. IKEA will deliver!