by Helen Kain | Jan 4, 2017 | Antiques, Ballgown, Green, Spring Tablescapes
Yes, it is the beginning of January. No, it is not yet spring. But it doesn’t mean I can’t start thinking about it. Last January, we set out to find a drop leaf table on which to assemble jigsaw puzzles. Living with our mad cat Moxie, who...
by Helen Kain | Dec 17, 2016 | Antiques, Christmas, Family & Friends, Green, Winter Tablescapes
I hosted a dinner for work colleagues earlier this week. I knew I was going to be short on time, as my business partner, Gordon and I were doing an afternoon presentation and would be getting back to the house late in the day. So I needed a menu that could be...
by Helen Kain | Nov 11, 2016 | Antiques, Blue, Fall Tablescapes, Green, Thanksgiving
Antique Ashworth Ironstone’s vibrant colours and robust stature make it suitable for formal dining and casual meals. The soup plates are perfectly pasta-sized, though they were probably intended for hearty stews and thick soups. The set is huge, comprising dinner,...
by Helen Kain | Nov 6, 2016 | Antiques, Fall Tablescapes, Green, White
We are now past Halloween, and inside the house I’m busily engaged in changing over the kitchen to Christmas mode. This involves hauling containers of Christmas china up from the basement and switching out the autumn themed tableware. Yes, I know. Insane. But I...
by Helen Kain | Nov 3, 2016 | Antiques, Fall Tablescapes, Green, Purple
I’m enjoying a bit of a purple-phase. Vintage purple transfer ware is relatively rare, and Romantic England by J & G Meakin won my heart (and not just because of the name). In planning this tablescape, I let the purple transferware speak for itself, keeping...
by Helen Kain | Oct 25, 2016 | Amber, Antiques, Fall Tablescapes, Green, Summer Tablescapes, White, Yellow
Sunflowers are a perennial favourite of mine. They’re a forgiving flower for arrangements – just find a vase that’s heavy enough to cope with their thick stems, trim and drop into the vase. Voila. Arrangement done. I’ve had this cast-iron vase...