Wednesday

Heirloom Tablescape

I had planned to do this tablescape for the Mother's Day Tribute, but it is a tribute to my grandmother. At the last minute I came up with the tablescape last week for my mother using some of her treasures.

This tablescape is a tribute to my grandmother using some of the antiques she passed along to me. I've had these antique dessert plates for 30 years or more, and they were antiques when I received them from my grandmother. I'm sure they are over a 100 years old.
I've never used them in a tablescape because I didn't have anything that goes with them. I found these pink doilies at Michael's recently in what used to be their dollar bins. The bins are now $1.50, but still a bargain!
I had been on the lookout for a pink tablecloth and finally found one a few months ago at Home Goods.

For the centerpiece I used more antiques gifted to me by my grandmother:

This art nouveau clock has always been one of my favorite items in our house. Something I would grab and run with in case of emergency!!
Don't you love it too?
I added two framed pictures of my grandmother:
Her baby picture and the little oval frame holds a tiny picture of her at about age 16.
Next I added one of two candlesticks that match the clock:
The faux flowers look a little like the wild roses on the little dessert plates
I also tucked some into the napkin rings.

I didn't have napkin rings so I made some. I've had these candy roses from Dollar Tree since Valentine's Day:
I tied the plastic stem into a loop and voila! a napkin ring!

I used sheer white napkins since I didn't have pink to match. Actually I prefer using something different, and not matching, with linens!

Since I have the gold in the centerpiece I used my gold leaf ceramic chargers
The white dinner plates are from Dollar Tree several years ago. The gold rimmed crystal from Ross, and the flatware is Oneida Chippendale, (we use it everyday.)

I'm please with how it all came together, to think I've been trying for years to do this one, but just couldn't get it right. Almost everything was right here under my nose too!

Today was a rainy, cloudy day here in FL, I waited late for the sun to shine before I took the pictures, but it never happened. I also tried some shots with the flash:
A little too bright, but you can see details a little more:
No flash:


No flash, a little dull:

My beloved grandmother's name was Lena Olive, she was born on Christmas Day before the turn of the century.
She worked hard on their farm, milked cows, killed chickens, plucked the feathers, fried them up for Sunday dinners! She should have been a nurse as she loved taking care of people. She lived to be 91 years old.

My cousin and I would spend summers on our grandparents farm, and sleep on their feather bed!

My grandmother was plain and simple, but did have lots of antiques that she inherited. When they bought their house back in the 40s, it had lots of boxes full of antiques left by the owners, they didn't want them!!

This wonderful clock was among the treasures!

Here's a place of honor in my grandmother's memory!
Thank you, Mama, not just for the antiques, but for your love and care!
Yes, I called her "Mama!" My mother was "Mother!"

To see my tribute to my mother, using her purse, gloves, etc., click here

I'm linking to Kathleen's Let's Dish and
Susan's Tablescape Thursday.
Click on their names for lots of inspiration.
Thanks for hosting, ladies!


Katherine

18 comments:

Glenda said...

What a beautiful table you've set using family heirlooms! What a treasure to have these pieces.

Susan Freeman said...

Lovely tablescape!

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

LTD said...

Oh Katherine, this is so stunning. I adore the plates, they are so precious and also look very delicate. How wonderful that you have the photos of your Grandmother. The clock is gorgeous and what an amazing keep sake. Love everything about your table scape. Awesome as always.

Janet

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Katherine, this table is stunning. I love the china and using the beautiful crochet is so lovely. Your centerpiece of the clock and photos is not only clever but absolutely stunning. Beautifully done. Hugs, Marty

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Your clock is phenomenal! I love it!

xinex said...

What a sweet tribute to your mom and grandma, Katherine. You have lots of treasures there. The pink color is so sweet and feninine, perfect for the sweet women in your life. The plates are gorgeous!..Christine

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Katherine...such a beautiful table and a lovely tribute to your grandmother. What a hard working woman. She must have stayed very fit being so active...wonderful that she lived to be 91! Can you just imagine someone leaving behind antiques like that. Wow! Great stories! Enjoyed hearing about your grandmother and her life.
XO

Aledia said...

Oh my goodness!
This is a beautiful tribute and tablescape you have put together.

I love your saucers and placing the doilies under them was brilliant!

The clock is beautiful as well, thank you for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Aledia @ Plum Perfect

Marigene said...

Beautiful and elegant, Katherine. I love your grandmother's little dessert plates, the doilies are a wonderful addition to your table. Thanks for sharing some of your heirlooms with us.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a lovely tribut to your grandmother. Those plates are soooooo pretty and look so nice with the pink doily beneath them. You showcased everything so artfully.

The Tablescaper said...

Beautiful tribute! Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

Alycia Nichols said...

Hi, Katherine! I am SO slow getting to everyone's posts this week. My husband and I were traveling Thursday - Sunday, and I didn't have even one minute to get on my computer. It was sheer torture! :-) I didn't know the $1 bins had been increased to $1.50 at Michael's! Rats!!! I haven't been in there in awhile, so I had no idea. Everything is going up...except salaries! You got a great bargain still on those doilies because they are the perfect companion to your beautiful antique dishes. Absolutely perfect! It's so great that you have all these beautiful items to cherish the memory of your Grandmother. I like what you did with the napkins, and I agree...a napkin in a contrasting color is very pretty! It stands out more when it's laid on the tablecloth. Very nice!!! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog earlier this evening. I really appreciate it. Have a wonderful week!

Marlis said...

horribly slow getting around this week.. I am so glad I got to visit you, it was such an immense treasure. I think the pink doilies are a perfect backdrop for the gorgeous antique plates. Wow they are treasures, as is the clock and the candleholders.. What a blessing to be the caretaker of these fine things, being able to reminisce when you see them. Have a blessed week, xo marlis

Creations By Cindy said...

Beautiful! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Debbie said...

I'm late to the party, but I still love it! I've been adventuring...

I'm just like you in that I generally like a contrasting napkin on the tablecloth. It just looks pretty to me. Loved your choice of white against the pink.

I am really crazy about the doilies you found to showcase the dessert plates. That's the perfect solution because it makes them take center stage. I need something exactly like that for my china. Next time I'm in Michaels, I'm going to look for some.

Loved the clock, too. I would definitely save it in a fire!

Kathleen said...

I am very late, but here! Pretty table, love how you did thr napkin rings!
Thanks so much for linking to Let's Dish.
Praying for your sister.

Marilyn Miller said...

Love the pretty antique dishes with the pink doilies. I have white doilies just like those, but the pink ones would be fun to have too. The color difference just changes the look.

Sandra said...

Dear Katherine, I enjoyed your Cell Phone vs. Bible story. And thank you so much for all the lovely pics of your family and beautiful home! I LOVE pictures, and I LOVE you too :) Sandra H. Phillips