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!

Joyous Garden!

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, Jacobaea maritima (common name, dusty miller), and variegated vinca reminded me of my new set of "Joyus Garden" dishes (pattern J5946) by Emerald Collection. No, the flowers aren't the same, but they seemed to me to share a colorful exuberance.

I think there's a risk of creating a chaotic effect, a sort of visual overload, when combining bold, busy china patterns with mixed floral/"English Garden" style centerpieces. To create a simple background, I covered the table with layers of white cotton battenburg cloths.












I decided against adding formal silver or crystal candelabra. The pair of single candleholders I used have a stylized, tropical look. They're metal with a dark patina. Small stainless sherbet dishes hold floating, faux-flower candles. Again, to offset the busy patterns of the dishes and centerpiece, I opted to leave what would be considered "white space" if this table setting were the layout of a printed page.



The stemware could be used for wine or water. The pattern is Marquis by Towle. The simple cotton napkins are casually presented in the glasses. I'll admit that I've never actually offered guests their napkins in drinking glasses. I've certainly seen it done in restaurants, and I don't dislike the effect; I just don't do it. It seemed appropriate today, because I wanted the dishes and the tablecloth to remain as uncluttered as possible.

For people who like things more structured, there are beautiful napkin folds for tucking neatly into glasses. I wanted these to look spontaneous (the same approach I used while arranging the flowers).







































The vintage, silverplated flatware is by Wm. Rogers, "Triumph" (1941).
























Another affordable table setting:

Emerald "Joyus Garden" china - 80 pcs., new in box at local thrift store - $12
Garden flowers - free
Towle "Marquis" stemware - gift (but I think they were around $4 ea. at an antiques mall)
Wm. Rogers "Triumph" flatware - local antiques mall - reg. $69.95, but 1/2 price
Candlesticks, sherbets, candles - Goodwill - total under $5
Ceramic centerpiece container - local thrift shop - $1
Tablecloths - gift from a friend who planned to throw them away
Napkins - local estate sale - $2 for set of 8

Please join Susan of Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursdays! It's a great place to enjoy friendly fun, wonderful cameraderie, and divine inspiration!