Wednesday, October 30, 2013

A Book Club Dinner And Tablescape

Last night I hosted our book club for dinner.
Normally our book club meets once a month for hors d'oeuvres and discussion, but not dinner.  However, I was feeling quite ambitious, creative and brave so I decided to actually cook!

But who cares about the dinner, I just wanted to create a book themed tablescape!
My new dough bowl was the inspiration for the centerpiece. 

Which I filled with red books, white pumpkins, green leaves and antlers.

Two new candlesticks, a recent find at Wisteria Antiques in Santa Cruz flanked the dough bowl.
Their red accents gave me the idea to focus on the red books.

 
 Instead of candles, I put white pumpkins on top.

I love their curly stems!

I used white cabbage leaf chargers for the dinner plates, layering transferware salad plates and more white pumpkins.

The numbered linen napkins are from Pottery barn, several years ago.
The crocheted placemats are from World Market.

The jute herringbone runner is also from World Market.


Ruby glasses, silver flatware and antler steak knives are vintage.

Once the table was set, it was time to concentrate on dinner, my least favorite thing to do--cook!
But how can you screw up roasted chicken, wild rice, green beans and salad?
My goal was to prepare a simple, comforting, fall inspired dinner.

Just before everyone arrived, I built a fire, lit all the candles in the house, opened a bottle of red wine and set out hors d'oeuvres.  Everyone arrived hungry and ready to discuss our latest book.
A good time was had by all!

Oh yea, the book!
We read That Woman by Anne Sebba, about the life of Wallis Simpson, the twice divorced American woman who married Prince Edward.
It wasn't the best book we've ever read, but it did provide for some lively discussion!
The next book is The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

What are you reading?
I would love to know!

Partying at Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday.
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays.
No Minimalist Here for Open House Party Thursday.
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday.

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31 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful Delores.

My copy of Mary Carol Garrity's latest book, Nell Hill's Rooms We Love, arrived last night. I'll be digging into it today.

Calypso In The Country said...

What a gorgeous table as always! It's funny how things stick in your mind because I actually still remember a book club table setting you did a while back. It was so pretty and I remember just loving it. I am clicking through your archives to find it again. I always enjoy seeing your beautiful creations!
-Shelley

Susan said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Delores!! I love your new dough bowl and that is one of the things on my wish list. Right now I've shelved my books until after New Years', too much to do. BUT, when I pick up my books again, it will be Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart.

Unknown said...

I love the white pumpkins. We have so many Orange ones in England. I have found an old paperback copy of Mary Poppins that I read in childhood. Bought back fond memories of reading it and the film. The table setting you have created is so imaginative.

The Tablescaper said...

What a beautiful table.I'm sure your guests had a fabulous time. I love the shot of your pooch looking at the table!

- Alma, The Tablescaper

Unknown said...

Just gorgeous!! Love the books in the dough bowl. Everything looks lovely, and the menu sounds delicious!!

Victoria said...

Creative and lovely, Delores.

Rebecca said...

I ♥ your centerpiece!
And as soon as it comes in for me at the library, I'm going to be reading Katharine and E.B. White: An Affectionate Memoir.

Betty said...

What a clever idea. I love the book theme and your table looks wonderful.

Ellen said...

Wondering about your dough bowl...if that's a recent purchase, where's it from?

Sarah said...

Delores, this is perfectly charming! Don't you just love the versatility of a dough bowl? I've got pumpkins and bittersweet in mine. It sits on the wicker table at our side entrance. My husband shakes his head saying no one sees it but us. That's OK with me. It makes me smile each time I walk through that door. ;-)
I'm going to remember adding the books. Makes a nice touch!

Sarah said...

Forgot to mention the cute shot of Oscar in the background. Pretty cute!

Kathysue said...

Absolutely lovely, inviting and warm. You always add just the right elements in your tablescapes. Make me want to go and get a book and sit down and read!
xo Kathysue

Terri~terrileeauthor said...

Those candlesticks are a perfect compliment to the dough bowl centerpiece. Well done.
Currently reading 'The Island' by Elin Hildebrand. I haven't made up my mind about it yet. :)

Unknown said...

Hi, I really like the pumpkins with the books as your centerpiece. Different.
Hugs, Lynnie

Patricia said...

Beautiful table ! What a lovely gesture - I bet the ladies loved it.

The Kitchen House - an excellent book - could not put it down !

Angela said...

Delores,

You never cease to amaze me with the beauty you create! I adore the way you arranged the dough bowl!

Please continue to show us ways to utilize the dough bowls! I have one - it's large and deep and I NEVER know what to put in it! This looks fantastic! I would have never thought of books! You are so very creative and talented!!

I think the candlesticks are perfect and such a lovely choice for your home.

Thanks so much for sharing your talents with us!

Angela

Polly said...

I read 5 or 6 blogs consistently, but yours is my fave. I love your style and creativity and all the inspiration you provide. Beautiful table. Thank you so much.

carolyn bradford said...

Oh my word! You always provide the best inspirations for anything but especially tablescapes! Sure wish you could come to Birmingham and help us re-do our shop! This is truly beautiful! Love everything you used in your decor! We have all of that…just not the creativity behind it like you do! I've been wanting to read that book…not sure it would keep my attention but would love to know more about her! I'm in the middle of two different authors…they are both wonderful! One is Kristen Heiztman and the novel was Indellible. The other is Denise Hunter….any of her books are fabulous! Right now I'm on the Nantucket Series! Easy to read…especially when you are just wanting to read before going to sleep!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Delores, Your table is beautiful and I love the centerpiece. Thank you for sharing at the Open House party.
xx,
Sherry

zooperson said...

Table is lovely, bet everyone had a great time. May I suggest Kate Atkinson's book "Life after Life"--the best book I've read in years. It will knock your sock off. Another excellent book by Atkinson is "Started Early, Took My Dog." Hi there little Oscar!

Phyllis @Around the House said...

I love the tablescape with the book club intigrated, it is so cool with the red and then the pumpkins with the white and the rustic look...just love it all..such talent

The enchanted home said...

That is so stunning. I love what you did with the dough bowl centerpiece...spectacular!!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Love love love that whole setting!!

cindy hattersley design said...

Love the dough bowl filled with books! Very creative!!

All The Pretty Dishes said...


I love, love, your centerpiece!!

Melanie said...

Your tablescape is gorgeous! I love the creativity of the books used in the centerpiece. I am currently reading an Elizabeth Berg book (one of her newest...I can't even remember the name of it right now!) and it's just "OK".

Anonymous said...

Lovely! Perfect centerpiece for book lovers.

Kathy said...

Delores,
Your table setting is beautiful and looks so inviting. I love your decorating -very inspiring. Your dishes are very pretty and look so good for Fall along with the red stemmed glasses. I can't wait to see Thanksgiving post !! :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous tablescape. I just bought The Goldfinch ....

Anonymous said...

I have one question! You said; "what if it is new?"

I don't get that! Please explain!

I adore, as you know, your blog!!!

Penelope

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