Mikasa Daylight - Freshness of Spring!

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 magic Marlis created HERE. I had first admired the pattern when Alycia of Tablescapes at Table Twenty-one set a gorgeous table for her readers HERE. Actually, Alycia created multiple tables to demonstrate the versatility of the pattern. I'd also suggest that you check out the lovely "Daylight & Butterflies" table at Home is Where the Boat Is -- HERE. If you know of other examples, please let me know, and I'll update this post.

My first impulse was to set a casual table for you in the sunroom. Then I decided it might be more interesting to play up the elegant side of Daylight's nature with a semi-formal table setting in the dining room.

The table covering is neither tablecloth nor runner; it was definitely affordable. When I saw the rolled-up Roman shade in a local charity thrift shop, I thought, "Tablescape!" One tag said "silk." The original price tag was still attached (Pottery Barn, $99). I asked how much, and the nice lady replied, "Oh that's silk, I guess you can have it for a dollar."

I like the color and texture it provides, as well as the contrast with the dark wood of the furniture.



I did quite a bit of repurposing for the centerpiece. The "vase" in the middle is a hurricane candle holder (from Goodwill). I lined it with a canna leaf and filled it with Queen Anne's Lace (from a vacant lot downtown), oak leaf hydrangeas, and classic orange lilies. While some people detest them and call them "ditch lilies," I rather like them. They easy to grow (harder to eliminate) and remind me childhood and country roads.

The other "vases" are assorted decanters I've collected over time from estate sales and thrift shops. Instead of silver candleabra with crystal tealight holders at each place setting (a look I very much like), I used a a variety of vintage glass candleholders. To add even more sparkle, I displayed a few of the glass stoppers from the decanters in shot glasses/toothpick holders.















The stemware is Athelone by Tiffin (1945-67). I'm using the water goblets as wine glasses. The smaller ones, originally called "liquor/cocktails" could be used for an after-dinner cordial with coffee and dessert. I found these recently at the estate sale of a local doctor. I have a similar Tiffin pattern, also called Athelone, that was made only in 1966 (which could also be "AMC8" from a company called American Cut). Click HERE to see a table I set in an historic home using the similar stemware.






The silverplated flatware is Oneida's South Seas (1955-65). I think its clean lines work nicely with Daylight's design (and help offset the relative formality of the candleholders).



I like the simplicity of Queen Anne's Lace used alone in vases (or decanters).































Naturally the candles must be lit!



























Here's a great short video from Mikasa called "Making Life Memorable:"




Please be sure to join Susan of Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursdays! You'll be very glad you did!