Decorating with Dog Figurines and Red Transferware

In my living room, I display some of my red transfer ware collection.  Here's a small arrangement of plates over my Mom's painting.  

I like arranging plates around paintings, mirrors or in this case around some a trio of dog figurines on a swagged wall corbel.

One of my favorite plates is displayed here.  The name of the pattern on this plate is commonly called Millennium and sometimes titled  Peace On Earth.

You can read more about this early transfer ware plate HERE

The house we're living in is a little contemporary.  There is no mantle over the fireplace in the living room I wanted to at least create a sense of one.   Trailing greenery was added as an inexpensive way to soften the harsh lines where the tile meets the wall.

I have a collection of English Staffordshire style dog figurines and have some displayed on shelves in this arrangement.

One dog faces left, and the other faces right.  Behind each is a small red transfer ware plate that hangs on the wall.

I have more of the dog figurines around the room and will show more of the living room later,

because today we are decorating for Halloween!

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Fall Tablescape ~ Mason's Fruit Basket

This is the table I had set for my Mother in Laws birthday dinner a couple of nights ago.  The plates are called Fruit Basket, by Masons.  This pattern comes in several polychrome color ways: blue, green, brown and red as well as plain green.  Each one is beautiful but this one just screams Fall to me.  The transfer is a very dark brown and as you can see it is hand painted with greens, golds and sienna.

This pattern makes for a festive Fall table!
I have 8 of the plates for sale in my Etsy shop, English Transferware.

A green, chunky chenille blanket is scrunched up lengthwise in the middle of the table to set the centerpiece on.  The bright, lime green accents in the throw really bring out the green in the plates.  Additionally the throw adds a ton of texture and the color really brightens and lightens up the table.

The centerpiece itself is a brown and amber cracked glass candle holder on a raised stand placed in the center of an Autumn wreath of leaves, pinecones, berries and gourds.

Don't forget to shop your house when creating centerpieces.  I always look around my house for things to add to my tables.   Sometimes you'll find that your house can be your best source for pulling together items to make a centerpiece.  Everything here was already on hand.

Small wood slices were scattered around the base of the candle stand to help cover it up and blend with the natural elements of the wreath.

The wine glasses are some of my favorites.  I bought these about year ago because they perfectly match my Spode Byron dishes, but as you can see they look good here also.

Warm and inviting.  

Autumn

When the trees their summer splendor
Change to raiment red and gold,
When the summer moon turns mellow,

And the nights are getting cold;

When the squirrels hide their acorns,

And the woodchucks disappear;

Then we know that it is autumn,

Loveliest season of the year. 

Charlotte Riser

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Title to Follow

I love you deeply with all of my being

Your love rescued my heart, which lay bleeding

You are the compassion my eyes are seeing

You are everything I am always needing

I love you with all of my hearts passion

Your love rescued my spirit, which was crying

You are the man I didn't need to fashion

You are everything that kept my from dying

I love you with all of my innermost thoughts

Your strength rescued my body, which was weary

You are the one who leaves my stomach in knots

You are everything I have never been fearing

I love you enormously with all that I can size

Your love rescued my confidence, which was lost

You are true love before me with no disguise

You are everything I will buy at any cost

I love you happily with all of my smiles

Your love rescued my laughter, which was gone

You are the friend I never knew just awhile

You are everything to me of which I am fond

I love you like crazy with all of my pride

Your love rescued my zest, which was bored

You are the teammate I wanted on my side

You are the man I would've never ignored

I love you deeply with all of which is in my mind

Your insight rescued my life, which was lonely

You are the man I always dreamed I would find

But when all is said and done you are only

My Hero.

Happy 25th Anniversary Shawn!

That's Shawn and me.  Survivors of the big hair 80's:  Our engagement photo, 1986.

Last night Shawn and I were led to believe we were hosting a birthday dinner celebrate his Mom's birthday, which was on the 23rd.   As it turned out,  my sneaky Mother-in-law and sister-in-law schemed up a surprise Anniversary dinner for us. 

Shawn's Mom made this pretty cake to celebrate.  She is such a selfless person...this was supposed to be her birthday dinner and she completely turned it into something different.  The wedding couple figurine on the top of the cake was from her wedding, 51 years ago.  

She also handed down this hand made bedspread / tablecloth that her Great Grandmother made.  Isn't it gorgeous?  I bet you can guess where it will show up soon!  This is such a special heirloom, one that will be passed along, someday, to one of my children.  These are the most special things.

She brought her Great Grandmother's wedding dress.  We all sat in our living room as she told us about and showed us this exquisite gown.   Every bit of it was hand stitched.  I wish my photos had come out better because it was simply stunning!

My kids are not the only goofballs in the family...it runs in our genes.  That's my nephew, Jack, there on the right.  Hilarious.

Michael left us a little x rated note:

Roses from Noah and Monica

Our 10th anniversary photo

Thank you to our family for making this such a special evening.  We love you all so much!