Subtle Grey and Sunny Yellow for a Dull January Day

by Helen Kain | Jan 21, 2023 | Black, Grey and Pewter, Recent, Winter Tablescapes, Yellow

The jumping-off point for this table was a runner I picked up from Williams Sonoma at the end of the season a few years ago. Apparently, the matching napkins had been more popular than the runner because they were all gone, and the runner was in the “get it out...

Watercolour Botanicals

by Helen Kain | Feb 20, 2022 | Blue, Green, Grey and Pewter, Recent, Spring Tablescapes

Snow, snow, snow. Every time we get it cleared away, more arrives. The dogs love it; the grandchildren love it, Us oldies? Not so much. Longing for warm weather, when I could clip fresh herbs from the garden, I picked up some pots of herbs from the grocery store and...

Canadian Thanksgiving in Rust and Pewter Grey

by Helen Kain | Oct 10, 2021 | Amber, Fall Tablescapes, Grey and Pewter, Terracotta, Thanksgiving

We had a perfect autumn day to host our family Thanksgiving dinner last weekend. If I hadn’t set the table the previous day, I would have been tempted to move it outdoors. This table began with the napkins. I’ve had them for a few years and can’t...

Paris by American Atelier

by Helen Kain | Aug 30, 2021 | Amber, Brown, Green, Grey and Pewter, Summer Tablescapes, Terracotta

Labour Day weekend is upon us, officially the end of summer. So let’s sneak in one more summer tablescape and make it inspirational.  Pack your bags and join me in Paris. American Atelier produced Paris dinnerware from 2002 to 2005, with scenes of four...

An Army of Feathered Combatants

by Helen Kain | Jan 27, 2021 | Grey and Pewter, Pink and Red, Spring Tablescapes, Vintage china, Winter Tablescapes

You can’t beat antique French Faience for weird and whimsical tableware, and this colourful collection is one of my very favourites.  At the head of this feathered army, we have Le Roi or The King. Rather haughty, isn’t he? These plates seem to have...

The Answer is Tea

by Helen Kain | Nov 23, 2020 | Brown, Fall Tablescapes, Green, Grey and Pewter, Tea, Vintage china

Have a cuppa? It’s the British cure for whatever ails you and seems particularly apropos in this hustle-bustle week. Whether navigating Thanksgiving preparations, Christmas arrangements, Zooming or Google meeting, it seems everyone is a bit … ahem, testy....