I like a good chicken tableware pattern, don’t you?
There is something very homey and satisfying about the cluckers.
My radar had been up for this Jacques Pepin pattern offered by Sur la Table for some time, and then it went on a very deep discount. Some reviewers found it wasn’t as sturdy as they would like, and Sur la Table put it on clearance. I’ve had no trouble with it; it’s been an everyday kitchen staple for a couple of years now and no issues.
The pattern came in both a red and blue edge; I went with the red. The salad plate has an Orpington rooster and a hen.
And the appetizer plates feature a variety of other breeds; I am guessing that the blue feathered one in the bottom right is an Andalusian Blue, though somewhat romanticized. Poetic sketching license, shall we say?
I had a lot of fun deciding how to style this table and plotted out a few options. It was mostly a question of balancing the red with the other dominant colours on the plates.
The first step was to choose linens. I keep a single of each napkin in a container so I can try out different options without digging through drawers.
I also pulled out my farm and chicken-themed centrepiece options and a couple of glasses.
I tried inserting a salad plate in navy blue to get some contrast, but the appetizer plates are a hefty size. It just didn’t work, so I discarded that option.
I narrowed it down to three combinations. Jacques Pepin’s Chickens are a very versatile pattern.
In the end, I set two tables, and today we’ll focus on the last option. The navy napkin allowed me to use a navy runner, red lanterns and glasses—all intense colours, which threw the pale background of the plates into sharp relief. And the mottled rooster was happy.
So was the light coloured one—much happy clucking.
The napkin ring came from April Cornell, in her Attic sale.
It was a great day for photography – a bit overcast, without a lot of glare.
This white figurine with cut-outs was from Pier 1. I’m kicking myself I didn’t buy the shorter, nesting companion bird while I was at it, but they do take up a lot of storage room.
Besides, I already had the brown specked sitting hen who had flown in from Home Goods. How many chickens does one need?
I will post the other table combination sometime down the road. It has more of a fall theme.
And that’s a wrap!
I hope everyone is enjoying the dog days of summer. Goodness, it’s been hot and humid. We have been walking the dogs very early in the morning because the heat really gets to them, especially woolly old Taylor. She is such a trouper. Puffs like a freight train, but has her walk around the block every morning and gallops in from the back yard when she senses it’s feeding time. She’s well over 14 now and is still quite a ham. She’s the one in the foreground of the shot below.
There she is over on the right, below. (Churchill is on the left and Clementine in the middle). See what I mean about the coat? I gave her a thorough brushing the other day and ended up with another whole dog. Good grief!
And she’s Dundee’s favourite sleeping companion.
Have a good day, all.
I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.
I really love this picture of Taylor and Dundee and should be cherished amongst many photos of them together. Oh, and enjoyed your chicken walk through the farm of plates. Nice job again, cluck, cluck!
I’m beginning to think I should abandon setting tables and just post pictures of Dundee and the dogs.
Dear Helen,
This pattern is sweet. I love the cobalt setting just below the failed salad plate. I have a general aversion to the red-white-blue summer theme, but I think if one colour dominates, it makes the combination more attractive. I wish I had as many serviettes as you…lol.
We are awaiting our flight on Sat., staying out of trouble in a seaside cottage in the A/C. The heat and humidity are brutal. Wish us luck in getting home…
I’m with you on the red-white-blue themes, Beatrice. Often overdone.
Seaside in summer is the best – I’m glad you got to enjoy some beach time. Good luck with your flight home. Travel is “interesting” these days…
A twofer–a table and a pet update. Yay. The dogs, and cat, look great and the dishes are cute. My mom used to decorate her kitchen with chickens and now her collection is sitting in a box at my house. She wants me to donate them but that seems kind of sad so they are still sitting here. Fun post.
Time to give the chicken collection an airing, Lorri? Maybe for a short season?
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Helen, the chicken plates are too cute. My mom – who has a thing for chicken decor – would also love this tablescape. I’ll have to show it to her. She is 90, so she is allowed to collect whatever she wants lol. The animals, of course, are precious, as always. Take care.
Yes, at 90, your Mom should be allowed to do whatever she wants. Good for her and lucky you!
Dundee sends his regards; he’s always pleased to hear from his fan club. His latest habit is inserting himself under the turned-down sheet after I’ve made the bed. He likes to have it cover his body while he naps. Spoiled????
Love the tablescape! .But the highlight of your post is Taylor and my favorite, Dundee! Priceless!
Taylor is doing astonishingly well. She sleeps very deeply, and it can be tough to wake her up at times to go out, but once she’s up, she’s raring to go. She pelts through the back yard, chasing her siblings with a surprising turn of speed in one so elderly. And Dundee, what can I say? I’ve never had a cat quite so treat-motivated. I cannot even enter the kitchen without him directing me (quite forcefully) to the treat cupboard. He reaches out, grabs my arm, pats my face, bunts into me. There is no end to it!