There is a particular kind of light that arrives in early spring — bright and insistent, as though the world has been freshly washed and is eager to be seen again.

The Caskata Bunnies Verde Small plates, each with its own detailed figure, seemed made for it.  Each one feels like a small observation — a rabbit paused mid-movement, alert, as though the season has just turned and something new is beginning.

They each sit atop an Aerin scalloped salad plate, perched on a Caskata Freya dinner plate featuring a soft, leafy green border.

The bunny plates have an old-world charm about them, don’t you think? The rabbits look wise and contemplative, as thought engaged in quiet conversation.

I kept the rest of the table simple and natural. Woven chargers add warmth and a bit of structure, grounding the lighter elements. Clear pressed Trestle glasses catch and reflect the light, while white napkins keep everything feeling crisp and uncluttered.  And then, of course, the daffodils. Nothing quite captures early spring like daffodils. Their yellow feels almost luminous in this kind of light, each pot of bulbs dropped into a bark covered container, bringing just enough height and movement to the table without overwhelming it.

The cabbage bunnies dish and tureen were a fun addition, inspired by this gorgeous hand-painted majolica tureen by Au Bain Marie, (and priced accordingly…enough said!). It was love at first sight—the detailing is exquisite. Look at the delicacy of the carrot top and the edging on the leaves. Good quality majolica is a wonder to behold.

Well, that photo sent me down the proverbial (and actual) rabbit-hole in search of a more modestly priced substitute. It is amazing what Google Lens will find for you. That led me to Antique Farmhouse, who stock a huge assortment of decorative items, including the two pieces I ended up buying. There is no comparison in quality, of course, but at 1/10 of the price, I was prepared to live with the difference. Forgive the terrible picture. These photos were shot a couple of years ago when we were in the throes of getting reorganized after our Cape Kitchen renovation. I clearly was completely scattered, but eager to take advantage of a burst of spring weather.

There’s something about these greens — the freshness, the slight whimsy — that calls to mind the long tradition of nature at the table. From 18th-century Worcester to the more playful interpretations that followed, these pieces have always brought a sense of the garden indoors.

While we are on the topic of cabbage tureens, this 19th-century grouping from Bunny Mellon’s collection fetched $7,500 at Sotheby’s auction in 2015, according to a Wall Street Journal article.  When she died in March of 2014 at 103, she left behind one of the world’s great collections of art, jewelry, books and antiques. The collection was sold at auction at Sotheby’s New York in November raising more than $200 million.

All right – back to the real world and our table, set in bright, spring sunlight.

That brightness — the almost startling clarity of early spring — is not imagined. As the season turns, the sun rises higher in the sky each day, bringing stronger, more direct light. At the same time, the landscape has not yet softened it. Trees are still bare, leaves have not yet filtered the light, and the air often holds less humidity and haze than it will later in the season.

The result is light that feels sharper and cleaner — one that finds edges, heightens contrast, and makes colours appear just a little more vivid.

Later, as spring deepens, that same light becomes gentler — filtered through leaves, softened by warmth, and diffused by the fullness of the season.

Bring it on!

Sources:

• Bunnies Verde small plates and Freya dinner plates (discontinued): Caskata
• Green Scalloped Edge Salad Plates: Aerin by Williams Sonoma (discontinued)
• Clear Glass Tumblers: Trestle by Fitz & Floyd
• Bunny Tureen and Candy Dish: Antique Farmhouse