Boussac Sets The Stage for Dining With Old Friends: A Tablescape

Good Morning, I thought I'd start today's post with a tablescape...



And one of my favorite things to do is to use fabric remnants to set the tone...



This tablescape begins with a French pattern called Odalys by Boussac, a pattern characterized by all sorts of exotic flowers...



Mixed with insects like this waspy creature here...



Butterflies there...



And veining/texture on the leaves that just so happens to echo the texture on some plates in the Mazarin pattern by Sasaki...



About twenty years ago, I found this pattern on clearance for a song at Marshall's, and there were just enough dishes to serve my book club...



I was initially attracted to the salad plates because they reminded me of sunflowers...



I think they are an interesting compliment to the gold found in the Boussac flowers...



And insects...



I had fun playing with goblets like these seeded ones in gold...



And these French ones I've had for twenty years combined with some smaller French goblets I found more recently at Marshall's...



I also played with some tortoise shell glasses that have been around for a bit and can still be found in catalogs and stores like Marshall's, TJ Maxx, and Home Goods...



As I recall, one of the Boussac patterns used to have a shell motif as part of a similar floral pattern to this one...



Now, let's return to the dishes...



And add these green floral bowls...



I like how these work with the exotic flower at the top of the photo...



And also how the seeds in the center of the bowl reflect the seed pod on the cloth...



I love the reddish color...



And the shape of the pod on the cloth...



As well as how the seeds also match the black in the black and white line on the accent plates...



Now, in addition to playing with the Mazarin plates, I also found these faux bois plates at Beall's Outlet...



These were a lot of fun to play with as they reflect the light in interesting ways...



This looks a little like oil floating on water...



And this reminds me of bird's eye maple...



Each shot is just a tad different from the next...



It keeps you guessing, and these even remind me a bit of the patterns found in certain rocks...



Making for an interesting place setting...



With layers of texture...



Which is also reflected in the jute ball used in this shot as a centerpiece on this table for two...



And there's that pesky wasp again...



Do you think that flower just swallowed him??? We can only hope!



One last shot with these plates, along with a napkin ring that was around when the dinosaurs roamed the earth and I roamed the hallowed halls of FSU's graduate school...



Now, here's Sasaki again for the main course...



I used a faux coral napkin ring to pick up the pops of orange in the cloth...







And if you are wondering about the baskets on the tole bamboo plate stand...



The baskets are made of coconut hulls and have also been around for about twenty years (I told you these accoutrements were old friends!)...



Ready for dessert?



The small dishes are from Pier One and are the perfect size for whipped cream, a dab of ice cream, or a raspberry sauce to serve on the side of some rich, sinful chocolate dessert...






The cups and saucers were the real pieces that sold me on this pattern initially, even though I saw the accent plates first...




I kept swapping out centerpieces with things I had on hand. This is some wooden spool thingy...



And can you tell I had fun climbing around and shooting this...



From different directions?



Yes, tablescaping can be a dangerous business...



But living dangerously is my motto!



Just don't impale yourself on the edges of that bamboo. It's tole, and it's sharp. I would know. Don't ask! ;-)



Just concentrate on the dessert...



And coffee, instead...



And don't forget to light the candles...



We've somehow managed to go from lunch to dinner! ;-)



I hope you enjoyed this fallish (literally) tablescape, and I hope you will join me over at Susan's blog HERE for Tablescape Thursday. She's a wonderful hostess, and we always have fun!



As always, I look forward to visiting you and seeing what's up in your world (just as soon as I run the workmen out of here). Here's wishing you a wonderful week filled with all that's best! Here comes the sun! :-)



Warmly,


Mrs. Magpie (Sheila)


TABLESCAPING ACCOUTREMENTS:



Tablecloth: Boussac's Odalys (France)

Napkins: Pier One

Coral Napkin Rings: Pier One (several years ago)

Wooden Napkin Rings: Vintage

Set of China: Sasaki's Mazarin

Faux Bois Plates: Beall's Outlet

White Sauce Dishes: Pier One (I believe they still carry these)

Clear Goblets: France (the newer ones are from Marshall's and TJ Maxx)

Gold Seeded Goblets: Marshall's

Tortoise Glasses: Pier One. You can find similar ones online and at discount stores such as Marshall's, Home Goods, and TJ Maxx.

Coconut Hull Baskets: Dockside Imports (sadly, no longer in business)

Bamboo Flatware: Beall's of Florida

Tole Bamboo Plate Rack: Marhall's (years ago)

Tole Palm Frond Candle Holders: The Plantation Shop, Amelia Island (years ago)