tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35058410517559488622012-02-01T20:50:49.056-08:00Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.comBlogger1461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-67322198286712969212011-12-28T00:17:00.000-08:002011-12-28T18:21:11.186-08:00

Hi Everyone,Thank you for your visits and, to so many of my favorite blogging friends, for the thoughtful comments you left for me last week.As promised, here's a look at the table I set for a holiday dinner party. I used Lenox Holiday salad plates. The dinner plates are Lenox Hayworth. The glass chargers are a Goodwill find.I starched and ironed the hemstitched linen napkins and added a simple,

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-34851554706316891922011-12-23T21:09:00.000-08:002011-12-24T04:20:32.698-08:00

'Tis the night before Christmas Eve! And it's been a long time since I've done a new post. I thought of putting the blog to bed and saying it's been a good run, but I think I'd miss blogging. I know I'd miss the sweet friends I've made in Blogland. I appreciate all of you more than you know.After a busy day of cooking, wrapping gifts, and dropping off food and flowers for neighbors and friends, I

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-69258331863172059682011-11-15T05:05:00.000-08:002011-11-16T18:08:01.464-08:00

I recently learned that Mikasa, a division of Lifetime Brands, Inc., is bringing back "The Great Dinner Party." As many of you know, it's a website where people who love to entertain and set beautiful tables can share photos of their table settings (all dinnerware is welcome), menus, and recipes with their family and friends and gain inspiration for their next entertaining event.I thought it

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-15291358898504220232011-09-27T20:39:00.000-07:002011-10-02T09:43:29.645-07:00

In Celebrating Centerpieces (HERE) I took a look back at the first 50 tables I set for Affordable Accoutrements. Perhaps it's time for an update.I think a centerpiece provides the heart and soul of an eye-pleasing table setting. Naturally it's only one element of an overall design, but decorating the center of the table can require as much energy, imagination, and creativity as the rest of the

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-302550672540431372011-09-14T11:48:00.000-07:002011-09-14T18:08:33.726-07:00

I was hesitant to set a table and label it a tribute to the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. There have been countless beautiful and moving observances, memorials, and commemerations over the past few days, and I wasn't sure I should take on such a formidable challenge. But how could I not?As I set the table and took photographs on September 11, 2011, I was ever mindful of what had

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-56573224842580125992011-08-31T13:21:00.000-07:002011-08-31T18:08:07.766-07:00

The dishes were a gift from a neighbor who was downsizing and moving to Florida. They've been wrapped in newsprint and packed away in a tote for months. I've struggled to decide how I could use them in a tablescape post. Mid-century modern isn't my favorite design period. There, I've said it, and I know it makes me hopelessly uncool. But it was more than that; the pattern's design says one thing,

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-32482662103539963522011-08-22T13:45:00.000-07:002011-08-24T18:06:53.775-07:00

Often readers will ask if the tables they see on Affordable Accoutrements are used for "real world" entertaining. Sometimes the answer is yes. On those occasions, the table settings are often scaled back considerably by the time guests arrive. The table below was set quickly, using dishes, glassware, and flatware that are all automatic dishwasher-friendly. I was serving a simple lunch for

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-38329569117850289532011-08-16T14:00:00.000-07:002011-08-17T18:06:49.053-07:00

When the table seats eight, and it's dinner for seven, how does one avoid creating a visual void? One solution might be to let the centerpiece become an "end piece." That's what I've done today. Well, naturally, I continued the design down the center of the table, but the emphasis is on the tall floral arrangement at the end. I wanted to create a relaxed, tropical mood in the sunroom. I tend

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-78907254716448330192011-08-10T11:48:00.000-07:002011-08-10T19:27:54.433-07:00

If you've visited Affordable Accoutrements before, you're aware that I enjoy setting tables that incorporate (mostly vintage) items I've purchased at local estate sales. There was a particularly interesting one last Saturday. It was advertised on estatesales.net as a "majestic palatial gated old world stone, stucco, and brick English Tudor located in the countryside of historic Brownsville,

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-63538021570058575012011-07-19T14:29:00.000-07:002011-07-19T14:38:28.382-07:00

Today's table began with a vintage champagne glass, one that might also have been used as a tall sherbet dish. The pattern is Laurel Wreath, manufactured by Duncan & Miller sometime between 1943 and 1955. I purchased 7 of them at a local antiques mall recently. I started to buy them last year, when they were priced at $24 for the set. I was drawn to them from a distance by the way they sparkled

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-83060205932270292052011-07-06T10:16:00.000-07:002011-07-06T10:20:15.967-07:00

I first posted this table in November, 2009. It was Thanksgiving, and I'd decided to host a (virtual) appreciation dinner ... along with a "coronation." In honor of this being the 150th week of Tablescape Thursdays, hosted by the inimitable Susan of Between Naps on the Porch!), I thought I'd share it again.If the tablescaping community has a queen (Susan of course!), perhaps we should also have a

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-15923677162787911852011-06-28T12:54:00.000-07:002011-06-29T20:22:04.694-07:00

So, what does "informal formality" mean, and how does it relate to setting the table for a dinner party? While I can't claim to be an expert on the topic, I can certainly share my personal approach.For me, it's a concept that allows us to use our "Sunday best" china and silver in an unpretentious way, one that both makes our guests feel special and puts them at absolute ease. Setting a beautiful

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-86187134202997896212011-06-01T13:29:00.000-07:002011-06-01T19:46:00.293-07:00

Afternoon temperatures have soared into the 90s in Tennessee this week. How have I coped with the heat? Air conditioning helps, of course, but so does setting a table with Mikasa's fresh, energetic Daylight dishes. For me, this table creates the feeling of a cool, soothing oasis. I was so pleased when I won the Daylight giveaway hosted by the very talented Marlis of Creative Journeys! See the

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-10934183495253018592011-05-24T20:39:00.000-07:002011-05-25T20:51:15.132-07:00

Inspiration for table settings can come from a variety of sources. I didn't decide which dishes to use today until after I'd taken a stroll through the garden with secateurs in hand. I returned with a bucket filled with colorful cut flowers. The loosely-structured arrangement of oak leaf hydrangeas, roses, Anthony Waterer spirea (pink bridal wreath), Stella d'Oro daylilies, Japanese painted fern,

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-89002076268623140172011-04-20T12:25:00.000-07:002011-04-20T20:47:08.613-07:00

It seems to me that appealing table settings often include vintage treasures, thrifty finds, garden flowers, new acquisitions, and ... something else -- elements that are unexpected, even whimsical. Little surprises can take a table from pretty (but generic) to fresh, modern, unique, and interesting! I hope some of these adjectives can be applied to the table I've set for you today. You decide ..

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-34849154635692503672011-04-11T22:02:00.000-07:002011-04-13T19:53:59.185-07:00

I wasn't in the market for (yet) another set of dishes when I stopped by my favorite local thrift store on Saturday morning. I saw the box in the picture below. I quickly moved the dozen or so items piled on top of it and peered inside. I expected to see something other than pristine white dishes. I assumed there'd be clothing, toys, kitchen items, VHS tapes ... anyone's guess! It's a shop that

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-60521520207566440642011-04-04T04:49:00.000-07:002011-04-05T11:19:26.211-07:00

It's all your fault, Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! Well, I could also blame Anita of Far Above Rubies and, more recently, Alycia of Tablescapes at Table Twenty-One. All three lovely and talented ladies have set beautiful tables with Mikasa china and hosted giveaways that led me (like a moth to a seductively shiny flame) to Mikasa's Facebook fan page. From there, to the Mikasa website to

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-35577516115450112002011-03-30T08:37:00.000-07:002011-03-30T08:40:34.359-07:00

Listen my children and you shall hearOf the midnight ride of Paul Revere ...What does "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow have to do with setting a festive table? In addition to being the man who sounded the alarm "to every Middlesex village and farm," Mr. Revere was a skilled silversmith. Paul Revere is seen below in a 1768 portrait by John Singleton Copley.He

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-50496261706991883222011-03-07T13:41:00.000-08:002011-03-09T18:05:24.664-08:00

One commonly accepted derivation of the word "carnival" (or carnivale) is the Latin "carne vale" or "farewell to meat." Carnival was the final hurrah as winter headed towards spring, and the long Lenten season of fasting and abstinence. It was, perhaps, not only a last chance to indulge the passions of the flesh, but an opportunity to consume any meat which had been put up for winter that might

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-54445346080318705162011-03-01T04:15:00.000-08:002011-03-02T17:42:34.898-08:00

I set a simple table for you today, using mostly vintage items. My goal was to keep the overall look clean, functional, and uncluttered. No fine china, no candelabra, no place mats/tablecloth, no chargers, no place cards, no delicate crystal -- although I very much like ALL those things!The centerpiece is elevated. This serves a twofold purpose, preserving precious space on the tabletop and

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-17863363936884977622011-02-23T06:12:00.000-08:002011-02-24T20:13:37.449-08:00

What makes a dinner party memorable? The menu of course; that goes without saying. A carefully crafted guest list can provide sparkling dialogue. Do you want the sweet, soothing sounds of companionable, sympatico spirits or the lively banter of good-natured, but wildly opposing, viewpoints?If you've visited Affordable Accoutrements before, you won't be surprised to learn that setting a visually

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-58857386681524043342011-02-14T14:21:00.000-08:002011-02-14T21:05:56.419-08:00

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! This week, I’m sharing a romantic table for eight. Yes, I know it’s traditional to set a table à deux for this particular holiday. I’m speaking here in terms of romance that evokes a mood that’s fanciful and extravagant, one that offers pleasures for all the senses.The “table linens” I used were inspired by Joni of Cote de Texas. She did a post HERE that began

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-20597773709193306292011-02-07T11:35:00.000-08:002011-02-07T11:42:51.446-08:00

It was time to set the table, and I thought, "It's not Valentine's Day yet. This isn't a table for two, and I'm not using anything red or lacy."Then I remembered "unbirthdays" and a wonderful Lewis Carroll quote from Through the Looking Glass, "There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents ... and only one for birthday presents, you know."From a quick online

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com91tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-79814698155138583922011-02-01T13:44:00.001-08:002011-02-02T16:37:16.442-08:00

Dear Readers,Thank you for the kind, generous comments and e-mails I've received from so many of you during my hiatus from blogging. It was nice to have a break, but even nicer to be back this week with a post for Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! I honestly thought my "Taking a Break" post might receive a half dozen comments at most. I assumed I'd lose followers and

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-43671365061598574322011-01-09T07:49:00.000-08:002011-01-09T07:50:14.774-08:00

Hi Everyone,I hope your new year's off to a really good start. Some of you might have noticed that I've been quiet the past couple of weeks. I was out of town for Christmas, came home, headed out to visit antique shops in a neighboring state (fun!), and have been sick (not fun!) with a particularly nasty cold/flu-like bug since returning. Between the holidays and being sick, I've found myself

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-25662289348447972192010-12-22T10:14:00.000-08:002010-12-22T17:42:38.161-08:00

Hello Everyone,It's difficult to believe that Christmas is almost here! After all the planning, preparation, and (of course) shopping, it's time to begin cooking, baking, and (naturally!) setting what most of us hope will be our most beautiful tables of the year!Snow flurries are predicted on Christmas Day in West Tennessee. I hope there's no accumulation on highways to impact travelers, but I do

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-53817661608592017042010-12-15T13:58:00.000-08:002010-12-16T13:59:21.970-08:00

I finally managed to get some holiday decorating done over the weekend. Yes, I realize it won't be long until it's time to take it all down again ... I've decided I'd rather be sorry to see it go than to say, "Thank goodness I don't have to look at that any longer!" Besides, I like to use cut evergreens throughout the house, and I didn't want to bother with wet floral foam and water pics to keep

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-80342379485447506272010-11-30T12:37:00.000-08:002010-12-01T17:59:28.376-08:00

The china I'm using today is English, a vintage pattern by Myott/Staffordshire. The name of the pattern -- Medici -- conjures up visions of a very different culture and thoughts of turbulent romance, powerful influence, and notorious intrigue.Italy’s House of Medici (or de' Medici), patrons of Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Galileo, was a dynasty said to have had more wealth, passion, and power

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-75949660340564585062010-11-23T08:16:00.000-08:002010-11-23T08:19:39.110-08:00

An exciting tablescaping competition has just been announced on the April Cornell website!Here's the basic information:Whether simple or opulent we want to see your tablescapes! Set a table with your favorite April Cornell linens for a chance to win $100 April Cornell Dollars!!Winners & select entries will be showcasedonline and in stores!Parameters- Table must prominently feature April Cornell

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-34711923778259760902010-11-22T21:13:00.000-08:002010-11-24T18:39:19.270-08:00

Hi Everyone,It's almost Thanksgiving. It's a time when I love setting beautiful, traditional holiday tables with delicate etched stemware, silver candelabra, fine china, and vintage lace or damask table linens!But ... that's not what THIS table is about. I decided to try something a little more contemporary. While I did use vintage Haviland china and Gorham flatware, I've incorporated potted

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-68839168431280512032010-11-16T13:00:00.000-08:002010-11-17T18:25:52.419-08:00

If you assemble it yourself, a centerpiece for a dinner party can definitely fall into the category of affordable accoutrements (accoutrements = outward forms of recognition; trappings). Arrangements created by professional floral designers can be relatively costly. If you want something very specific, you don't mind paying the price, and/or you're pressed for time, leaving it to the pros is

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-16623736522897565112010-11-09T05:36:00.000-08:002010-11-10T17:06:12.205-08:00

"India weaves a spell that inspires the imagination and enriches the perceptions..."-Golden Days in Asia ToursSerendipity - a propensity for making fortunate discoveries while looking for something unrelated.We are indebted to the English author Horace Walpole for the word serendipity, which he coined in one of the 3,000 or more letters on which his literary reputation primarily rests. In a

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-69949929928134105882010-11-05T22:03:00.001-07:002010-11-08T08:19:42.202-08:00

As most of you probably know by now, blogger Valorie Hart (the Visual Vamp ), and her husband, Alberto, are stranded far from home. Alberto suffered a heart attack in the Calgary airport, while on their way to teach a tango workshop. Alberto very much wants to be treated by his own doctor back home in New Orleans. Valorie wrote that Medivac had been mentioned, but the cost is prohibitive.Laura

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-88527451740420957072010-11-04T19:45:00.000-07:002010-11-04T20:31:28.353-07:00

Several of you asked in comments and e-mails about the menu from the gathering I described in my Tablescape Thursday post. I suppose I should confess that much of the meal was catered. I made the cupcakes and a spinach/feta cheese appetizer. The rest came from a local restaurant/caterer. Since there were people here from as far away as Boston and Martha's Vineyard, it seemed appropriate to offer

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-42560390797256737082010-11-01T22:08:00.000-07:002010-11-03T17:10:08.341-07:00

It seemed that I wouldn't have a tablescape post for you this week. The irony would have been that the tables were set. For a dinner party. A real one -- with food and drink, as opposed to the virtual ones I often set for Affordable Accoutrements with colored water for "wine" and photographs taken throughout the day in a variety of lighting conditions.An hour before guests were due to arrive --

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-51366134472869089812010-10-26T13:57:00.000-07:002010-11-01T22:20:27.609-07:00

Let's open a table setting time capsule! These dishes, glassware, and flatware might have been oh-so-carefully included in an historic cache circa mid-1950s. I've displayed them for you on the table below:Vintage ads promoting the companies that originally distributed the products:Betty Crocker (General Mills), Oneida silverplated flatware: Blue Ridge dinnerware (Southern Potteries, Erwin,

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-56992084351461705752010-10-19T13:10:00.000-07:002010-11-01T22:27:06.269-07:00

If you’ve visited Affordable Accoutrements before, you know I like setting tables with elegant vintage china, sparkling glassware, cloth napkins, and flowers from the garden. This week I’ve decided to do a slight variation on that familiar theme. I’m using sturdy restaurant china, recently purchased at an antiques shop in southern Illinois. I always enjoy the challenge of juxtaposing everyday

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-2536671959303446142010-10-13T08:54:00.000-07:002010-10-13T17:37:42.430-07:00

It happens sometimes. The number of guests you've invited to a dinner party exceeds the total number of place settings displayed in your china cabinet. Perhaps you'll have to set a second table for the event. You want the overall effect to be beautiful and harmonious. Particularly when all the invited guests are adults, it seems inappropriate for one of the tables to have the look of the kids'

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-30205349820174844872010-09-23T19:25:00.001-07:002010-09-26T20:20:44.747-07:00

The KitchenAid K5-A sold for $109 when it was introduced in 1941. At the time, the federal minimum wage was only 40 cents per hour! That information comes from KitchenAid Conversations, a forum for KitchenAid owners, potential owners, and afficianados. It's at http://forum.kitchenaid.com/forums/ Below is the mixer I found at a local estate sale over the weekend. I wasn't interested at the asking

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-22778464904062653912010-09-20T14:51:00.000-07:002010-09-22T17:21:05.640-07:00

Hi Everyone,It's almost time for another Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! We're back in the sunroom this week, but the table's rather more formal than last time -- no pink flamingos today, no Tropicana canna leaves, no thrifted milk glass bud vases, no bright blue salad plates. If you missed that colorful table, it's HERE.Even though I'm using vintage Limoges china,

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-74826495641931012252010-09-15T05:02:00.000-07:002010-09-15T21:06:34.474-07:00

When it’s time to set tables for Tablescape Thursdays with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch, I tend to go with something safe and familiar. Most of the china, crystal, silver, and table linens I’ve shown you so far fall into the elegant category. Pieces I’ve used are almost invariably vintage, purchased at thrift stores and estate sales. Some are eBay finds (usually to complete/supplement

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-68422759011886281222010-09-14T08:37:00.000-07:002010-09-15T21:00:09.049-07:00

Tennessee Williams' tragic heroine, Blanche DuBois, famously said: "I don't want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic. I try to give that to people. I do misrepresent things. I don't tell truths. I tell what ought to be truth."A Streetcar Named Desire 1951Thank you to the enormously talented Julio of Beaux Mondes Designs for helping me put together this short video. If you're a regular reader

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-54287884904567270742010-09-08T18:04:00.001-07:002010-09-09T21:10:49.525-07:00

Hi Everyone,It's time for another Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! I was NOT ready for the party this week, but I wanted to participate. So ... here's what happens when I get home from work on Wednesday after 5 and start the process of creating a table post from scratch. Well, I actually set two tables ... you'll see.Partly because I was in a hurry and partly because

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-48815246859303154332010-09-05T18:40:00.000-07:002010-09-05T20:25:06.006-07:00

It's been a long time (too long!) since I've participated in Metamorphosis Monday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. Today I thought I'd share my Labor Day weekend project. It's a basic one, but one that I think has a lot of impact. You've seen this room before if you're a follower of Affordable Accoutrements. The first three images are from my Sitting Room Table post I did a while back.

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-63744638373887499552010-09-01T14:24:00.001-07:002010-09-02T10:30:19.491-07:00

In a recent comment, Gloria of The Little Red House with the White Porch jokingly (I think!) asked me to adopt her, so she'd be "in the will" to inherit some of my dishes. I replied (jokingly -- I think) that it could be the theme of a post -- "If Bill gets hit by the proverbial bus, which china would you want?" Gloria assured me that I won't be hit by a bus (hope not, but you never know). I did

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com99tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-81167925675341093112010-08-24T14:19:00.000-07:002010-08-25T16:12:14.411-07:00

I've set a table for you before (HERE) that featured vintage Cape Cod glassware by Imperial Glass Company of Bellaire, Ohio. That post, "A Subtle Shine," featured vintage aluminum serving pieces and restaurant dinnerware. Today I thought I'd make Cape Cod crystal the primary focus of the table setting.There's a wonderful book on the subject, "Imperial Cape Cod Glass" by Myrna and Bob Garrison,

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-22511055128614250022010-08-16T15:11:00.000-07:002010-08-16T15:13:43.879-07:00

As I told you HERE, Valorie, the Visual Vamp, and I had brunch in New Orleans at the home of Julia Reed, frequent contributor to CNN, Newsweek, and Vogue; author of Queen of the Turtle Derby and Other Southern Phenomena and The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story; and chair of the board of The Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Julia Reed has done fundraising for arts and culture with New

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-5093266943916667552010-08-13T12:39:00.000-07:002011-04-08T14:18:37.042-07:00

I was immediately drawn to the first room on the left in the house made famous by Julia Reed in The House On First Street: My New Orleans Story. It's somehow both cozy and spacious, with bright, fresh colors that speak to me of what I'd imagined New Orleans to be. These vibrant prints from the 1920s are wonderful! Julia and John have a stack of insect prints from the same series, ready to be

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-68335045783855345732010-08-11T17:27:00.000-07:002010-08-12T11:18:02.720-07:00

Hi Everyone,I've just returned home from a wonderful visit to New Orleans. I was there for the opening of The Art of Tennessee and The Art of Country Music: The Marty Stuart Collection at The Ogden Museum of Southern Art. You can read all about the exhibitions HERE.It's a great museum, located right next door to the Civil War Museum and near the World War II Museum. They're all in the warehouse

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-43808371138486641102010-07-27T20:39:00.000-07:002010-07-28T20:55:26.973-07:00

It's time again for Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch!This week's table is neither bold nor colorful. There are six place settings on a table that's literally scaled back (I removed the leaf). I was in a quietly reflective mood as I selected a vintage, soft, cream-colored Quaker Lace tablecloth. I was thinking of long-ago meals. Of tables set by ladies using their "

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-29111476515637893592010-07-20T00:46:00.000-07:002010-07-20T13:24:20.261-07:00

Today's post is dedicated to Anita of Far Above Rubies. The multi-talented Anita sets beautiful tables! I particularly enjoy it when she uses her Franciscan "Ivy" dishes, the pattern used on "I Love Lucy" throughout the entire run of the ever-popular 1950s show. I thought of Anita, because I'm using ivy patterned dishes today (not the same ones though). Anita often refers to living next door to

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com75tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-39548751910782046042010-07-12T21:43:00.000-07:002010-07-14T17:56:47.163-07:00

Will there be light? That's a challenge we face whenever we take photographs. So much of what we see and, particularly, what we feel about what we see, is dependent on lighting conditions. Last week, I shared images of table settings I'd photographed by candlelight. Thank you so very much to all of you who left such kind, generous comments. Thank you again to Susan of Between Naps on the Porch

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-6396791441959813982010-07-07T13:53:00.000-07:002010-07-07T19:00:27.671-07:00

The title of this post comes from a plaintive cry by Blanche DuBois, Tennessee Williams' tragic heroine of his landmark 1947 play "A Streetcar Named Desire." You probably recall that she famously depended "on the kindness of strangers." She also said:"I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action.I don't want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic. I try

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-34483920474693621592010-06-28T20:19:00.000-07:002010-06-30T20:22:52.908-07:00

It's Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! I'm joining Diane of A Picture Is Worth a 1,000 Words for 2nd Time Around Tuesdays (almost everything in this post has had a previous incarnation!). Since my table isn't really a traditional one for dining, I'm also participating in Marty's Tabletop Tuesday meme at A Stroll Thru Life. The 4th of July is almost here. I considered

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-30393862764249035872010-06-23T10:05:00.000-07:002010-06-23T10:10:07.213-07:00

First of all, I'm celebrating my one-year anniversary in Blogland this week! I'm hosting a fun giveaway. Actually, I've accepted a generous offer from Stan Williams, The Elegant Thrifter. He's providing your gift: a copy of his book, The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating With Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details.To enter, leave a comment on Stan's June 16th

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-1183356534571462232010-06-22T11:03:00.000-07:002010-06-22T11:06:14.385-07:00

When I used the white flowers below in the centerpiece for my last week's Tablescape Thursday post HERE, I asked readers for help identifying the plant. Mimi of In the Middle of Nowhere was the first to respond with the correct answer.I won't try to name everyone who offered a response, but I truly appreciate their input and their expertise. Mimi said it's Gooseneck Loosestrife, adding "it can be

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-54400748436827230202010-06-16T16:32:00.000-07:002010-06-17T10:03:30.659-07:00

Before we get started, I wanted to remind you to follow instructions at the end of this post to enter the giveaway I'm hosting to celebrate the 1st anniversary of Affordable Accoutrements. Thank you all for supporting me through a wonderful year in Blogland!If you're a blogger who enjoys setting tables and participating in Tablescape Thursdays, hosted by the inimitable Susan of Between Naps on

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-66899023655965956722010-06-16T09:22:00.000-07:002010-06-16T22:54:29.300-07:00

It's difficult to believe that I've been blogging for almost a year. My first post went up on June 24, 2009. I've met wonderful people during this busy year, learned a great deal, shared ideas, and enjoyed a creative outlet like no other!To celebrate my first year of blogging, I'm hosting a giveaway. Actually, I've accepted a generous offer from Stan Williams, The Elegant Thrifter. He's providing

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-18431809949171542752010-06-08T10:45:00.000-07:002010-06-09T20:54:27.304-07:00

I was in a blue mood when I set today's table. Fortunately, these are the blues that make people happy! I've included shades of azure, cobalt, cerulean, and indigo.A variation of this could be used for a simple mid-day meal -- soup and/or salad, along with a nice sandwich, quiche, or casserole. The glassware is simple, a footed glass for water and a tumbler for iced tea. Coffee, hot tea, or a

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-34749928580229666062010-06-06T12:57:00.000-07:002010-06-06T16:08:42.526-07:00

It's time for another Metamorphosis Monday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! Please visit Susah HERE and check out all the wonderful transformations she and her talented guests have created this week.Speaking of talent, one of the most creative and accomplished ladies in Blogland is Johanna of Silber+Rosen. She recently celebrated reaching the 50 Followers mark for her blog in a very

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-30575931806559353062010-06-02T11:34:00.000-07:002010-06-02T19:04:23.969-07:00

I set this table and photographed it for you on Memorial Day. Yes, I thought of using the colors of the American flag. I do love those colors and everything they represent. For me, however, Memorial Day brings back a flood of memories that are only partly connected to the courageous men and women who gave their lives in service of home and country.Growing up in the rural South, it seemed to me

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-45464890902602979902010-05-25T04:36:00.000-07:002010-05-28T19:47:46.893-07:00

Hi Everyone,I'm joining Beverly of How Sweet the Sound this week. This marks the second anniversary of her very popular weekly event. Visit her HERE and check out all Beverly's pink-loving participants!---------------------------------------It was such a beautiful, sunny day that I decided to set a table for two on the deck. I was in the mood to keep it simple. I quickly assembled an unstructured

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-454258657419237162010-05-18T06:22:00.000-07:002010-05-19T17:25:21.905-07:00

If you're a regular reader of Affordable Accoutrements, you're accustomed to seeing me setting tables with vintage items I've collected from estate sales, antique shops, and thrift stores. A quick glance at the picture below, however, will tell you something's different this week. We're definitely in a different room this time. In fact, today's table is set in a completely different house, a

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-6392338245657520892010-05-11T13:37:00.000-07:002010-05-12T18:20:35.556-07:00

Hello Everyone,I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post. Several blogging friends have been kind enough to write and ask if I've been affected by the flooding that's caused so much damage in Tennessee. Recent reports have begun calling it a "1000 year flood." I don't have a great deal to report. During the heaviest of the rains, a storm drain stopped up from the debris. It created what

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com88tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-44512495263691993752010-04-21T12:52:00.000-07:002010-04-21T12:54:11.981-07:00

It's time for another Tablescape Thursday with our hostess, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch!Thank you to those of you who have left such generous and thoughtful comments for me during the past few weeks. I haven't had time to visit nearly as many of you as I'd like to lately. I hope you'll be patient and know I'll stop by when I can. First of all, I'd like to congratulate Maria of Chica Bella

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-3868904333944189982010-04-14T16:56:00.000-07:002010-04-14T20:50:16.196-07:00

Today we're in the coziest of the guest bedrooms. It's called the Blue Room (original, no?). I've set a table for two next to the windows and temporarily repurposed a circa 1950 Grundig entertainment center as a sideboard.My neighbor gave it to me several years ago when she went into assisted living. She and her husband had brought it back from Germany in the 50s and, after numerous moves, she

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-67305924737994582452010-04-13T22:26:00.000-07:002010-04-13T22:28:25.500-07:00

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dixie Virginia Carter (May 25, 1939 – April 10, 2010), American film, television, and stage actress, best-known for her role in the sitcom Designing Women (1986–1993). What a treasure the world has lost.I had the good fortune of meeting her ten years ago when she delivered the keynote address at the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival’s Governor’s luncheon.

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-64774815685325025322010-04-06T13:57:00.000-07:002010-04-07T18:36:57.755-07:00

It's time for another Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! Check out all the wonderful tablescapes HERE!I thought it might be fun to set a table for six, limiting myself to items that cost a total of around $100. That total would include china, crystal, flatware, table linens, fresh flowers, candles, and candle holders. The courses to be served would include soup, salad,

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com82tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-87576477716369565262010-03-28T06:58:00.000-07:002010-03-28T07:00:41.691-07:00

Eloise had assumed Mrs. Rivard would be gone by mid-year. She seemed so frail … so quiet. The only time she’d perk up a little would be when that sweet nephew of hers would come by for a visit. Unfortunately, Nephew’s wife frequently tagged along.Mrs. R and Eloise would exchange knowing glances as Missy prattled on about parties and dresses and (her favorite topic) decorating. Missy would usually

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com85tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-13384018356142727062010-03-22T22:48:00.000-07:002010-03-22T22:51:09.881-07:00

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

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com142tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-16175726707389570752010-03-16T14:07:00.001-07:002010-03-18T01:43:46.423-07:00

What a difference a week makes! A few short days ago, I was delighted to find four daffodils blooming in the garden. I shared them in last week's Tablescape Thursday post HERE. Now daffodil season is well underway in West Tennessee, and I love bringing them inside as a reminder that spring is just around the corner.When I was a child, my mother made it a point to have fresh flowers on the

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com81tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-80545086525119612002010-03-09T11:25:00.000-08:002010-03-12T19:45:15.089-08:00

"Daffodils" (1804)By William Wordsworth (1770-1850)I wander'd lonely as a cloudThat floats on high o'er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd,A host, of golden daffodils;Beside the lake, beneath the trees,Fluttering and dancing in the breeze ....So far, there's not a host of golden daffodils. There were only four; I happily picked them to include in this week's Tablescape Thursday post.

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com91tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-19393854040004497662010-03-08T18:59:00.001-08:002010-03-08T19:00:53.382-08:00

I'm joining Marty at A Stroll thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday. It's my first time to participate. My contribution is a preview of the table I set for this week's Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. It's a table for two set in the entry hall on an occasional table that normally resides in the den. The china, silver, and glassware are all vintage.The daffodils are finally

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-55164116644515659432010-03-02T15:25:00.000-08:002010-03-08T05:12:55.286-08:00

It's time for another Tablescape Thursday with our charming hostess, Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! I'm also participating in Mosaic Monday for the first time. Stop by Mary’s dear little red house to see other mosaics.I've set a table for you on this chilly afternoon. I hope you don't mind that we're not in the dining room. It just seemed more cosy and casual to use the den (yes, the den ...

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com82tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-14178653046508519782010-02-22T22:48:00.000-08:002010-02-26T11:15:34.213-08:00

I'm "double dipping" this week. In addition to participating in Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch (and since today's table features a LOT of PINKNESS), Beverly of How Sweet the Sound was kind enough to allow me to be part of her much-beloved Pink Saturday. If you're haven't already visited both Susan and Beverly, I hope you will do so. Lots of fun posts await you!In

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com88tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-46425897865254729652010-02-02T14:35:00.000-08:002010-02-02T14:36:21.498-08:00

Hi Everyone!It's time for another Tablescape Thursday with our charming and always delightful hostess, Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! It snowed in West Tennessee, and road conditions are challenging. I hope you can make it to the dinner party this evening ...I walked up to the main street, and conditions are beginning to improve. I snapped this picture of the front of the house on the way

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-49574339223372178192010-01-27T16:14:00.001-08:002010-01-29T04:35:54.322-08:00

Thank you for all your thoughtful comments on last week's tablescape post. Some of you even sweetly expressed concern for my emotional health. I'm fine ... honestly! It was just an "art project."Anyway, even if I had been feeling slightly blue, I'm definitely melancholy no more!Not since I stopped by the wonderful blog of Valorie, the fabulous Visual Vamp, today! See her latest post HERE. It's

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-41522262079725228752010-01-18T19:11:00.000-08:002010-01-20T09:07:41.275-08:00

Usually I set tables for YOU. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular guest at Affordable Accoutrements, I value your visits tremendously. Some of the tables I set are for actual dinner parties. One was for Mrs. Rivard, a fictional (or is she?) character from a post I did for "Christmas in July" You can read it HERE.Today, I've set a table for one, for myself, in the upstairs sitting

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com86tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-28698383515175240342010-01-13T12:36:00.000-08:002010-02-25T08:20:21.776-08:00

Check out Melody's Vintage Alphabet party. Her "B" post is HERE, and features some great vintage bowls. Check out the other participants HERE. Enjoy!The dishes on the table I've set for you today are marked "Epiag." They feature a bird of paradise pattern and a stylized floral motif. The backstamp indicates that they were made in Czechoslovakia sometime between 1920 and 1945.Epiag was an

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-45902146061990529002010-01-12T13:09:00.000-08:002010-01-12T19:57:10.317-08:00

It's been a while since I've participated in Outdoor Wednesday with Susan of A Southern Daydreamer. I hope you'll visit her at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ and check out all the great outdoor posts. Thank you, Susan, for hosting! I hope you don't mind a re-posting of something I did back in September, but it includes some new information. Thanks again. And now back to historic Bolivar

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-8333498244503991632010-01-05T12:57:00.000-08:002010-01-05T20:13:53.952-08:00

It's time again for Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! For my first table of the new year, I decided to keep it simple.If you've visited Affordable Accoutrements before, you've probably noticed that that the tables I set tend to lean in the direction of formality. It's true; I DO like vintage fine china with rims of gold and gossamer-thin etched crystal stemware. I love

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com78tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-73950071961967786662009-12-31T17:12:00.001-08:002010-01-05T12:13:00.971-08:00

It's time for Foodie Friday with Gollum! Check out all the great foodie posts HERE.I haven't joined in lately (too busy tablescaping, shopping, Christmas-ing, and ... squeezing in a full-time career here and there). If you're interested in tablescapes, you can see my latest "And a Hummel New Year" HERE.Today I thought I'd share a great (I think) way to use leftover turkey from holiday meals. I

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-78409424276196392992009-12-28T09:16:00.000-08:002010-01-05T12:14:17.950-08:00

Depending on where you live and what/how you celebrate, I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, St. Lucia's, and Yuletide! And now it's time for New Year's Eve Dinner!We're in the solarium again, and the table is set on a beautiful, sunny (but COLD) afternoon. I'm still in Christmas mode, so I selected a warm shade of gold for the tablecloth. It has a woven

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-43275186016743770382009-12-22T11:12:00.000-08:002010-01-05T12:17:54.354-08:00

'Twas the weekend before Christmas, and I hadn't done ANY holiday decorating. Unless you count last week's Tablescape Thursday post, "Fire & Ice, a Holiday Table" (HERE). That table setting had been disassembled, of course, and its various components had been put away. On short notice, I agreed to co-host a holiday dinner party for ten people on Sunday night and provide the setting (as in venue).

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-80867578178853592512009-12-15T19:37:00.000-08:002010-01-05T12:22:59.257-08:00

Congratulations to Nannykim of Spindle Cottage! She's the winner of the Johann Haviland Royal Lace china from my very first giveaway. Thank you to all of you who visited, commented, and are following/subscribing to Affordable Accoutrements. I appreciate all of you more than you'll ever know!It's time for another Tablescape Thursday with our charming and gracious hostess, Susan of Between Naps on

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com87tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-65033693712767566052009-11-30T08:14:00.000-08:002010-01-05T12:23:56.101-08:00

An online dictionary offers "trappings" as a synonym for accoutrements and gives the following examples: cathedral ceilings, heated swimming pools, and other accoutrements signaling great wealth. Items I've shared through posts to Affordable Accoutrements definitely don't relate to "great wealth," but I hope readers have found them interesting and helpful in some way. Estate sales have been the

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com93tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-20805780111988370202009-11-24T09:08:00.000-08:002010-01-05T12:26:32.897-08:00

It's Thanksgiving and, in considering the things for which I am thankful, I thought of how kind and generous people have been since Affordable Accoutrements began. Rather than a traditional Thanksgiving meal, I decided to host a (virtual) appreciation dinner ... with coronation (more on that later).If the tablescaping community has a queen (and we know that we do ... Susan of Between Naps on the

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-4833148989105859502009-11-18T03:56:00.000-08:002010-01-05T12:27:29.796-08:00

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

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com71tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-18035712268228472182009-11-10T12:37:00.000-08:002010-01-05T12:29:58.615-08:00

It's time for another Tablescape Thursday with our charming hostess, Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. I'm very grateful to Susan for providing this popular creative outlet for those of us who enjoy collecting tabletop items and sharing them through our posts. I'm also extremely appreciative of all the visits and kind comments from so many of you. Visits/comments aren't WHY we blog, but they do

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com98tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-54652191802169478492009-11-04T08:06:00.001-08:002010-01-05T12:32:02.043-08:00

It's time for another Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! Thank you to Susan, our always charming and ever gracious hostess.Several of my favorite blogging friends have mentioned that my new posts (infrequent of late) are not appearing on their reading lists. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it relates to FeedBurner. A few weeks ago, someone asked if they could subscribe to

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com82tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-35954553792562994952009-11-02T14:19:00.000-08:002009-11-02T14:20:59.732-08:00

I do love a good estate sale. I think perhaps I've mentioned that to you before ...Found this today and thought I'd share:Estate Sale by Cheryl WheelerEstate sale today, from 1 o'clock to 4You go and get ready, I'll go start the carBetter to be early, then we'll be the first in lineAnd you know how I love this, it's amazing what you'll find, I'll head for the kitchen you check out upstairs.Old

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-13089536304695874422009-10-28T13:34:00.000-07:002010-01-05T12:34:37.408-08:00

It's time for Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! You probably came here from there but ... if not, make sure to visit Susan and all her talented TT participants. This week's table includes a few pink touches here and there, so I think I'll ask Beverly of How Sweet the Sound to let me join her always-fun Pink Saturday party. Check out the third photograph below if you're

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-49816440963328225512009-10-07T13:03:00.000-07:002010-01-05T12:36:41.141-08:00

It's time for my favorite day of the week, Tablescape Thursday, with our charming hostess, Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. I hope you'll visit Susan and all her talented tablescaping participants. ======================================================The day had been a gloomy one. It was time to set a table in preparation for your visit, but where? There would be no light-filled images in a

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-2902167534333976602009-10-05T09:46:00.000-07:002009-10-06T18:37:29.698-07:00

It's time for another Outdoor Wednesday with our gracious hostess, Susan of A Southern Daydreamer. Please visit Susan and check out all the participants in her always-fascinating event.This is a self-guided tour of my favorite street in Jackson, Tennessee. The first of these well-maintained houses were built in the 1920s. Others were constructed as late as the 50s. Many have signs on the front

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-53070300771544293592009-09-30T14:27:00.000-07:002010-01-05T12:40:40.233-08:00

It's time for Tablescape Thursday, hosted by the inimitable Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! Be certain to visit Susan and all her talented participating guests. The tables are set; let the fun begin!I had already selected the china, crystal, and silver for this week's table. The one I set for you last week included items that might have been chosen by a bride of the 1930s. I decided to move

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com86tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-52402911760598925492009-09-23T09:06:00.000-07:002010-01-05T12:41:41.234-08:00

It's time for Tablescape Thursday, hosted by the inimitable Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! Be certain to visit Susan and all her talented participating guests (and leave a comment!). I'm also joining Michael at Designs by Gollum for her Foodie Friday. Scroll to the bottom for an old-fashioned pie recipe. Stop by and visit Michael to see what everyone else has been cooking up this Friday!I

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com91tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-31801093843562768082009-09-20T18:25:00.000-07:002009-09-20T18:27:11.913-07:00

It's time for Metamorphosis Monday with our gracious hostess, Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! Check out all the great transformations and say hello to the ever gracious and charming Susan!This is a small change, but one that can turn a ruined piece of crystal stemware into one that can be used and enjoyed.Below is an example of a rim chip, or a "flea bite" (or here in the South, a "chigger

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-84744594879913507132009-09-16T17:04:00.000-07:002009-09-16T17:06:35.690-07:00

It's time for another Tablescape Thursday, with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. Alas, I don't have a tablescape for you today! I've been a bit under the weather (probably just seasonal allergies), and I've been busy posting tours for the past four days of historic homes and public buildings in Bolivar, Tennessee.Just so you don't forget me ... or think I forgot about my tablescaping friends,

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-77559104787817279792009-09-16T12:56:00.000-07:002010-01-12T13:56:45.629-08:00

When I first came to West Tennessee, I often heard people speak of someone "going to Bolivar," having "been in Bolivar," needing to be "sent to Bolivar." I soon learned that it was a euphemism for mental illness and hospitalization. I would also hear people say the buildings were beautiful (at least when viewed from a distance).Western Mental Health Institute (formerly Western State) is easy to

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505841051755948862.post-74864805769432310232009-09-15T20:40:00.000-07:002010-01-12T13:38:41.861-08:00

It's time for another Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer. I hope you'll stop by, say hello to Susan, and check out all the other participants. Thank you, Susan, for making this event possibleAs promised, here's the tour of the Court Square area of Bolivar, Tennessee, population 5,802.The third and current courthouse was built in 1868. The first building was moved to its current location

Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15467769804679511645noreply@blogger.com12