"Day into Evening" Table, with April Cornell Giveaway!

At the end of last week's tablescape post, I mentioned that I'd be back with something vintage, borrowed, and possibly blue. That's evolved into something old, something new, something borrowed, and (naturally) something blue. No, it's not a wedding, but it's almost time for the 73rd Annual West Tennessee Strawberry Festival! Visit the Festival's official site, HERE for further information.

The berries below weren't grown in Tennessee. We'll have to wait a few more weeks for those.

The "something new" is a beautiful tablecloth that just arrived from April Cornell online, home of beautiful clothes, linens & home decor.

I'd planned to set a table for you on the deck ... but the weather didn't cooperate.

Instead, I dried off a glass-topped square table (with rounded corners) from the lower deck and brought it into the solarium. I've set tables for you in this room before, but on the table for 8 at the other end of the long, narrow space. This end is normally a seating/reading area, but it was easily converted for a cozy brunch.

April Cornell's strawberry theme is my favorite of her current tabletop collections. I love the vintage look and the softness of the colors.

The edges have a weighted feel, and the cloth drapes beautifully.

I thought the space called for a tall, airy centerpiece. What could be more perfect that forsythia? Yes, I went out in the rain to cut it for you! Dedication to duty, or poor judgement? A little of both perhaps. It seemed to have started blooming overnight. Now it seems certain that spring has arrived!

The "borrowed" items include the strawberry glasses and napkin rings. They belong to a lady I know whose kitchen and breakfast room are decorated entirely in strawberry-themed items. Her home has been featured on both American and Japanese television.

A closer view of the forsythia ...

There had to be fresh berries of course! They're being served on "something old," a vintage etched glass compote.

It's a recent estate sale purchase. It was marked "Rose Point." Rose Point was a popular etched design produced by the Cambridge glass company, beginning in 1935. I need to do further research, because I don't recognize the shape of stem (do you know Kat?). I suppose what matters is that I find it beautiful and couldn't resist going ahead and using it on today's table.

The dishes are a mixture of similar vintage patterns by Johnson Brothers and Meakin (from Goodwill).

I set the table with vintage mis-matched silverplated flatware. Some have bakelite handles that echo colors in the strawberry fabric.

A closer view of the glasses. The ones with diamond ball stems are "Claudia" by Bohemia Crystal. The charming small liqueur glasses were a gift from my Canadian friend, Lori of Family Trees May Contain Nuts. If you haven't met Lori, you should. She's possibly the funniest person on the planet, and definitely one of the very nicest!

It's such a gloomy day that I had to light the candles early ... just to add a feeling of warmth to the table.

In trying to decide what to serve, I consulted an official Strawberry Festival cookbook (all strawberry recipes, of course!).

Below is a vintage strawberry cookbook (illustrated by the author) ... from several decades ago. It's sitting atop one of my favorite home decor magazines. If you don't read/subscribe to Veranda ... well, I think you should!

Now for the "day into evening" transformation. The tablecloth is reversible! How affordable is that? Two looks for the price of one!


While I'm reversing the tablecloth, I thought I might as well show you the table's "undergarments!" I covered it with an old sheet and pinned on a skirt made from a new white sheet. It works for round, square, oval, rectangular, octagonal ... well ... any shaped table. If it's a taller table, the skirt can be pinned to the sheet a few inches below the edge of the table.


The drawstring's the secret that allows the fullness to be adjusted and evenly distributed. For larger tables, two or more can be used (overlapping slightly where they meet).

The table below would be suitable for an intimate, informal dinner for four.

The strawberry patterned fabric reverses to a natural linen look. I've used the same plates, flatware, napkins, and Claudia stemware.

These delightful beaded daisy napkin rings are by April Cornell. The coral color adds a bright accent to the "evening" version of this table.

The strawberry iced tea glasses have been replaced with oversized wine glasses in the Marquis pattern by Towle.

The table viewed from the next room ...

I couldn't resist having a silverplated candleabra nearby to add a touch of glamour.

With the additional table, the room can comfortably seat 12 for dinner.

The candleholder was an estate sale find.

A three-light glass candleholder sits between the vintage pink flamingos and a modern glass pitcher. I enjoy mixing old and new, casual and elegant, thrifted treasures with family heirlooms. I think it adds interest, personalizes a space, and helps avoid the boredom that can occur when everything in a room matches too perfectly.

In late afternoon, the candlelight begins to make its presence known ...

The forsythia has opened further in the hours since it was "harvested."

The glassware begins to sparkle ...

Reflections of the late day sky ...

A closer view of a place setting ...

The beaded napkin rings shimmer in the combination of flickering candle flames and the setting sun ...

The set of four Godinger silverplated/glass salt & pepper shakers was only $1.49 at Goodwill. You probably know this, but salt should never be stored in sterling or silverplated shakers. They should be emptied and washed after every use to prevent oxidation.

Another look at the table by candlelight ...

Again, looking out from the den ...

Now it's what Michael Lee West of Designs by Gollum calls "the blue time, those precious, fleeting moments before dusk takes hold." Can you tell from that evocative description that our Michael Lee's an accomplished novelist?

A last look at the table by candlelight ...

I usually end with candles, but this evening I wanted to see the table with lights on ... until it's time for guests to arrive.

And finally ... the "something blue," a little giveaway. I'm offering this bundle of four beautiful April Cornell blueberry napkins to a reader of Affordable Accoutrements. This is also a poll of sorts. Read on ...

Read carefully:

1. Visit the April Cornell website. Click HERE to view the Spring 2010 Linens Collections page. My favorite collection is (obviously) Strawberries. Take a look and decide which collection you like best.

2. Leave a comment on this post. Please include a mention of your favorite April Cornell collection.

3. Let me know if you're a Follower of Affordable Accoutrements. If you are, your name goes in the drawing twice.

4. If you subscribe via e-mail, mention that and you'll be entered three times.

That's it! The drawing will take place on April 15.

I hope you enjoyed this "day into evening" table as much as I enjoyed creating it for you.

As always, thank you to our gracious hostess of Tablescape Thursdays, the very talented Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. Please visit her HERE to view her beautiful tables and those of her tablescaping participants in this always-fun and inspiring weekly event.