So Far

It's time for another Tablescape Thursday with our charming hostess, Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. Susan's the reason I created Affordable Accoutrements and did my first post on June 24, 2009. I'd been collecting vintage tabletop items for about three years and decided to do an online search for ideas to use in creative tablesettings. I was both captivated and inspired by Susan's beautiful blog and all her fantastic table settings. I was elated to have discovered the fun of Tablescape Thursdays.

Thank you to all of you who have followed Affordable Accoutrements from the beginning (you know who you are!). Welcome to all the visitors and new followers who found me through Blogs of Note. Thank you to the Blogger Team for this unexpected and generous recognition of my humble efforts. I deeply appreciate all the nice comments and e-mails I've received. Even when I don't find time to write and thank you personally, I read them all and take inspiration from your kind words.

For the new followers (and, OK, because I've been out of town attending a conference and didn't have time to set a new table), I decided to post a look back at the tablescapes I've posted so far. The first is not exactly a table setting ... more of a drink recipe with photograph. It was a warm summer's day, and I decided to mix a cooling mojoto.

HERE's the post for the picture below.
The first full-fledged table setting I did for Affordable Accoutrements was "A Sentimental Setting." Sentimental because it included my late mother's china and flatware. See it HERE.


Next came an outdoor setting, "Appetite for Romance?" You can see the other photographs and read about it HERE. I was honored that Fifi Flowers of Fifi Flowers Design was inspired by the image below to create a painting. You can see it HERE. Fifi also has an Etsy store filled with fun, colorful, and affordable artwork. Among the items for sale is a set of notecards, Tablescape Collection II. I was excited to see my table among the designs she's included. Check it out HERE.

Next came "Christmas? In July???" See it HERE.

"Morning Coffee for Two on the Terrace" HERE ...



"My FIRST Pink Post!" is HERE. Pink Saturdays are hosted every week by Beverly of How Sweet the Sound. If you haven't visited and/or participated, you really should. Always great fun!

Here's a "table" for two I set on the bar. See it HERE.

HERE is "Mrs. Rivard's Christmas." It includes a (very) short work of fiction inspired by this table for one.

In August, I posted "Beige! The New Black?" HERE.

"Family Dinner Table" is HERE. It featured photographs of my ancestors, the family Bible, and iron candleholders made by my brother using our grandfather's old blacksmithing tools. As I mention in the post, the Bible only remained on the table long enough to take photographs. I would never actually put it as risk by having it where food and drink were being served. And the photographs weren't originals. I printed them on cardstock (and didn't use glass, so I wouldn't have to deal with reflections).

I used items from my vintage aluminum collection for "A Subtle Shine" HERE.

For "Party of 14? Right This Way!" I set three tables (what was I thinking?) using Lenox Essex Maroon china and vintage Holly crystal by Fostoria. The post is HERE. I bought a large set of Essex online. It wasn't exactly a smooth transaction. Well, there were casualties ... in shipping. Read about it HERE. Carol of Serendipity had four extra cups from the Essex china she selected as a bride. She was kind enough to send them to me as a gift. Thank you, Carol. It was a lovely and generous gesture of friendship.

If you've ever wondered how Lenox makes bone china, click HERE to watch a short video at howstuffworks.com.

HERE is "To Match or Not to Match?" The table features mismatched gold-rimmed crystal I've collected over time.

HERE's a table featuring a bird cage (and no dishes), "Bird in an Un-Gilded Cage." The post was included in a fun event, a cloche party hosted by my friend, Marty of A Stroll Through Life.

The table below is from "1930's Dinner Party." See it HERE. I included items that might have been wedding gifts for a happy young couple in the '30s.

Next came "Dinner Party, circa 1961!" HERE, featuring mid-century modern designs. It was inspired by the Mad Men television series.

I took readers to the basement for "A Vision in a Dream. A Fragment" HERE.

And set a shimmering table for "All That Glitters" HERE.

Hang on ... we're almost finished ...

HERE is "Tis the Last Rose of Summer." It featured etched crystal ("Mayfair" by Morgantown), dried roses, and a classic poem.

Last week's table was "Golden Foliage" HERE, featuring Libbey water glasses my mother acquired with trading stamps when I was a child.



I hope you've enjoyed this look back over my first five months of blogging. A few of the table settings were actually used for dinner parties, but most were just for fun. It WAS fun ... and good practice in combining various items from my tabletop collections in different ways. Most of what I've shown you came from estate sales (one of my favorite weekend activities!). Ebay's great for completing partial collections, and you can find fantastic deals in thrift stores and antique malls. Research what you like, shop carefully, and respectfully negotiate for the best deals possible.

Setting attractive tables doesn't have to cost a lot of money. It just takes time, patience, and a dash of creativity.

Happy tablescaping!