Every now and again, there is magic in a November afternoon that no other month on the calendar can muster. These are the days when the world is ablaze with autumn’s finest colors and the sun’s low, hazy glow provides just enough warmth to soften the crisp chill in the air. It’s the perfect time to gather a few essentials, share a simple meal beneath the trees and bask in nature’s beauty. As the leaves gracefully float to the ground, one by one; blanketing earth with the finest carpet, time falls into the same sweet rhythm, passing slowly, giving pause for gratitude.
And we are grateful.
Set of 4 Vintage Ball Stem Water / Wine Glasses
Set of 6 Vintage Rogers Bros Tipped Dinner Forks
Vintage 3 Arm Silver Candelabra
A reason to celebrate should not end up being a cause of stress and frustration. That totally defeats the purpose! But sometimes entertaining becomes just that ~ stressful. Pulling simple elements together to create big impact is key. Having a few go ~ to entertaining pieces on hand will make it all the more effortless.
No one needs cabinets that are cluttered with unused stuff. Thinking first about your habits will help determine your needs and help you build a collection of items that won’t be dust catchers. Here are a few Feast Vintage favorites:
Do you often find yourself popping a bottle of bubbly? Investing in a set of pretty champagne flutes might be worth it. Flutes are also perfect for serving mimosas at brunch or a holiday breakfast. Or how about for Bellini’s? The long, lean shape feels less obtrusive in hand and let’s face it: they’re kind of sexy.
A high sided punch bowl can do double duty as an ice bucket or a vessel for a floral centerpiece (like that magnificent one you just saw on Pinterest) and more than earn its CPUs (cost per use). Serving a yummy punch at a party is more cost effective than a self serve bar or playing bartender. It’s an easier way to serve up the good stuff and enjoy the party alongside your guests.
I buy vintage jam jars every time I find them because they are perfect vessels for flowers, candles, storing flatware and having on hand when it’s time to put up some jam or jelly.
From mantle to table to party, you can never go wrong having a small collection of classic candleholders on hand. A mix and match grouping brings visual interest and eclectic style.
It doesn’t matter what you are serving for dessert, you need a small size plate to serve it on. Dessert plates that measure around 7″ are perfect for serving salad and keeping the dinner plate clean for the main course. A dessert plate is also the perfect excuse to add fun pattern and color to the table and they don’t need to break the bank. There are so many affordable vintage options that will make your tabletop truly unique.
A small size tray, whether silver, brass or any other fabrication elevates your presentation when entertaining and can also be used for displaying a small grouping of flowers or candles on a coffee table. Perhaps as a catchall for keys and mail in the foyer or entryway. Or for serving small bites or sweets. There are so many ways you can utilize a pretty tray around the house.
The sweet Florentine plaque with its soft pink and cream floral on a faded black backdrop and distressed gilt edge was the inspiration for these European inspired kitchen shelves. Rattan wrapped vintage wine bottles, engraved brass wine glasses and a dramatic brass candelabra add texture and depth. Clear French juice glasses bring neutrality and some old white porcelain dishes stacked on top of a few favorite cookbooks creates balance.
Shop the shelves:
Trio of vintage rattan wrapped wine bottles
Opaque glass double handle urn
Pair of Harkerware bread & butter plates
Alfred Meakin semi porcelain bone dishes
Set of 4 engraved brass wine glasses
This fall I am loving a combination of navy blue and marigold. The navy brings a dark, moody vibe and the marigold is a fresh pop of color in a season otherwise dominated by shades of brown and orange. I recently found a set of vintage Japanese Otagiri stoneware dinner plates with a bold navy and chocolate brown rim that provide a modern contrast to an antique brown and blue transferware platter. Rattan wrapped glassware is a perfect neutral element to tie it all together.
These linen napkins flipped to the backside keep the vintage feel.
Mix match antique and vintage flatware feels more fun and less formal and fussy.
You can bring this look home to your table ~ shop the setting with the links below:
Vintage Set of 4 Otagiri Dinner Plates – sold
Set of 4 Vintage Embroidered Napkins
Rattan Carafe and Tumblers – sold
Floral transferware platter is no longer available but this one makes a great substitute
A few small kitchen essentials artfully arranged creates big impact on open shelving in the kitchen. A mix of textures and keeping a synonymous color palette are key to making it work.
I like to pull items that I think will look good together first to “mock up” what I had in mind. Then it is only a matter of moving a few things around here and there to achieve the look I am going for.
I wanted to highlight these beautiful vintage juice glasses because those shades of pink and that floral design are everything that sets my heart aflutter lately. I love the sculptural shape of that little stoneware creamer that is serendipitously in the same color tone and the size proportion is perfect alongside the juice glasses.
Pretty vintage rice bowls mixed with glass and metals complete the look. I used a silver plated sugar bowl with a very sculptural design and some mini silver trays to add height, dimension and a little “pop” behind the bowls.
Another sugar bowl (this time in white) sits on top of a pair of sweet bread and butter plates and balances the stark white of the rice bowls above.
Let’s be honest ~ open shelving in the kitchen is beautiful but not necessarily ideal for everyday use. Things get dirty and dusty sitting out like this. It’s a fact. Using items you are not reaching for on a daily basis is a great solution to achieving the look without the fuss.
Shop the shelves:
Set of 6 Vintage Blush Pink Floral Juice Glasses
Vintage Taupe Pink Small Pitcher/Creamer
Vintage Pair of Harkerware Taupe Pink Bread & Butter Plates
Vintage Set of 4 Pink Gold Calla Lily Rice Bowls
Vintage Set of 7 Floral / Green Cross / 1980 / Rice Bowls
Small Oval Silver Etched Tray by AMC India
Vintage Johnson Brothers Regency Sugar Bowl
Nothing says I love you more than a home cooked meal and a cozy night in with the ones you love.
Shop the settings:
Set of 6 Sone China Salad/Dessert Plates
Vintage Hand Painted Rose Salad/Dessert Plates
Set of 8 Vintage French Wine Glasses
Set of 4 Vintage Mikasa English Chintz Peach Bloom Square Dinner Plates
Vintage Noritake Imperial Blossom Salad/Dessert Plates
Vintage pieces meld seamlessly in with modern elements.
It’s all in the mix and match.
Vintage Homer Laughlin Dinner Plates
Anthropologie Gilded Botany Side Plates
Fukagawa Arita Bread & Butter Plates
Fukagawa Arita Salad/Dessert Plates
Noritake Stoneware Colorwave Graphite Side Plate
We have officially moved into a full size space at Tag Antiques in Franklin, TN! There are new items arriving weekly, so if you are in the Nashville area make sure to stop by and check it out.
Tag Antiques
1250 Old Hillsboro Rd.
Franklin, TN
Thanksgiving 2017
Thanksgiving 2016
Thanksgiving 2015
The places have changed and even some of the faces too, but the one constant at Thanksgiving are my beloved turkey dishes. I change up the linens, florals and serving pieces around them but they will always remain the focal point of our table.
They weren’t handed down through my family or his; I bought them as a young mother looking to create her own traditions. In the process, they have become a modern heirloom that I will someday pass on with the hopes that they will continue to grace the Thanksgiving tables of my loved ones for many years beyond my own.
Sentimental items like these bring an emotional connection to the past while we gather in the present. It’s funny how a simple plate, drinking glass or serving piece can bring a rush of warm memories and make a special occasion just a little more “special”.
This time of year is all about rich shades of orange, chocolate browns and the ubiquitous white pumpkins that are seemingly everywhere. While the typical autumn color palette is always welcome, there is something about blush tones and beige that feel right at home on the tabletop. These soft, muted tones give off a romantic vibe in a casual setting. No starchy white napkins or formal airs here.
Vintage 70’s and early 80’s stoneware play perfectly into the mix with patterns that are so right now. The best part is that these sturdy work horses don’t require any special TLC. They are always dishwasher safe (most are even oven safe ~ warm plates are always a nice touch) so there is no time wasted or extra care needed. Just pair them with some faded linens, simple glassware and let the pieces speak for themselves.
Vintage tip: look for old fabric remnants while out thrifting. Old plaids and calicos can be used as table throws or runners. Don’t be worried about finding one that “fits” your table the less perfect it is the less formal it feels. Try them horizontally, vertically or even at an angle for a more styled look. And extra points if you layer pattern on pattern.
Shop the settings:
Vintage Set of 8 Sunmarc Endura dinner plates – sold
I’m excited to let y’all know that now through the holidays I am offering a pop up tabletop at Tag Antiques in Franklin, TN. There are many beautiful things to help fill all your fall entertaining needs and after Thanksgiving the tabletop will transition to really amazing gift giving items just in time for the holidays.
The merchandise at Tag is for retail purchase only and is not currently available online. Tag offers a well edited selection of goods and it is rare for me to ever leave there empty handed. It is well worth a visit if you are in the Nashville/ Franklin area.
Tag Antiques
1250 Old Hillsboro Rd.
Franklin, TN
37069
The calendar says October but it is definitely Indian Summer here in the South. There’s still plenty of time to indulge in all the fall flavors so let’s take advantage and use it as the perfect excuse to keep serving up those crisp, refreshing cocktails. Vodka tonics on the porch are a personal favorite in this neck of the woods. I think we can all agree that they taste much better than pumpkin spice anything on an 80 degree day.
Set of 4 silver double old fashioned glasses
