Autumn's First Tablescape and Random Ramblings From A Cluttered Desk

This time last year I was gearing up for Etsy to fly a crew out to Tulsa and film in my home.   It was such a wonderful experience and the results are still playing out as I often hear from people from around the globe who have been inspired by how I began my business, have asked to come and see my garage in person (which I  further added to and filled with even more English transferware), and who have taken time to write and share their own personal stories with me.  

(this picture was intentionally placed here as I wanted a pretty one to lead my post because some of the ones to follow are hideous...but hang in there and more pretties will emerge)

Business is going well, despite the recent dog days of Summer.  September just barely fell short of being my best month ever and October is off to an even better start!  I have gotten so many great pieces of transferware in and been so busy (even taking on an altogether new business) that I seldom am taking time to create and write..not to mention clean my house....a seemingly perpetual cluster of piles of transferware that I need to research, photograph and list to my shop. 

LOOK AT MY DESK!

AND UNDERNEATH MY DESK

AND BEHIND MY DESK

I can't believe I just posted these pictures.  But now you get the drift. 

 Even the kids with their busy schedules have fallen behind on household chores.  We have always assigned KP duty and rotate weekly by age.  Michael and Ethan don't live at home anymore so the younger four (of which two are gone half the time) rotate the kitchen duty.  We always know when it's Ashton's week because she covers the sinks by laying a big cookie sheet or cutting board over them with a hand written sign reading "LOAD", as in load your own dishes mate!  Sometimes, usually always, someone embellishes her reminder or changes it altogether by adding a few words of their own:

All of the kids are doing great though.  Michael began a promising new job last night.   Ethan has been promoted to a supervisor position at his job and even offered another bump up in the company,  which he's considering.  Jonah has been working for six months at his current job and has also been moving right along with several promotions in such a short amount of time.  Kalyn is working for one of my blog readers / transferware customers and it seems they just love her and are already training her for a management position.

 Trevor and Ashton, our two left in school, are making almost straight A's.  We give Trevor a hard time because his B is in his elective class, you know the blow off don't have to do a thing class.    His elective class is sculpture and he has found it to be much more difficult than he had ever anticipated.  He almost dropped the class within the first week but after a confrontation between another student and the teacher, in which Trevor came to the teachers defense (I am so proud of him), he decided to stick it out.   So it goes....

There is lots to do (and clean, and organize) around here but I have some killer Transferware pieces to show and tell you all about.  I'm really excited, in fact, to do that.  Those posts will be forthcoming but tonight I thought I'd share the first Autumn table I put together, using that pretty plate you saw in the first picture.  

I was only able to find four of these plates and I must say that I think they are some of the most beautiful I've come across.  They are circa 1930's, Spode Copeland.  Each plate depicts a different game bird and is exquisitely hand painted under glaze in a plethora of vivid colors. 

Woodcock

Plover

California Quail

Downed Grouse or Turkey

I started this table by laying a pretty Pashmina paisley scarf on the table as a runner, allowing the fringed ends to hang over the tables edge.

Handled Rattan trays from World Market rather than traditional placemats add a rustic touch and are topped with green Majolica cabbage leaf chargers.

The majolica is a perfect backdrop for the Game Birds plates.

I don't think there could be a better choice for this setting than flatware in Spode's Woodland pattern mixed with antler handled steak knives.

White dinner napkins allow the oak leaf and acorn pattern of the napkin rings to really stand out.

I put the centerpiece together in minutes...a vintage metal urn lined with pinecones,  filled with a few faux wildflowers and a handful of pheasant feathers in the center for height. 

Light a couple of candles...

and wallah...an Autumn table for four.

Joining:

Between Naps on the Porch 

The Tablescaper

No Minimalist Here
Stone Gable
My Romantic Home
French Country Cottage 
 At the Picket Fence 
 Common Ground
 Funky Junk Interiors 
Savvy Southern Style

Home and Garden Thursday