A Wild Game Birds Tablescape

After a day spent antiquing last Saturday in the wine country, BFF Maureen and I created a tablescape with our finds of the day. I found two Johnson Brothers Wild Turkey and two Quail plates in the Game Birds pattern, which was the inspiration for our table. How perfect, especially since our property has so many wild turkeys and quail calling it their home!

The Quail plate.

The Wild Turkey plate.

I couldn't pass up these feather placemats at the local antique store either. Aren't they a wonderful companion to the Game Birds plates?

We knew that the stenciled burlap runner I gave Maureen for her birthday would be the base. We created a fireside table in the living room on the coffee table, starting with the runner, then "shopped" the house for accessories.

The cake stand with chicken wire dome became the centerpiece. We put pine cones around a candle to gussie it up.

By now, we had a rip roaring fire going while the men prepared dinner.

We intended to eat here, so had to speed up the whole design process and photo shoot!

Oh, but we were having so much fun pulling it all together!

Cement pillar candlesticks and found turkey feathers were added to the runner. Simple white linen napkins and stemware finished our fireside table.

I remembered the straw cushions stashed behind the sofa, under the table and brought them out.

Afterwards, we toasted each other for creating this wild game birds, winter day tablescape with our new found treasures.

Johnson Brothers Wild Game plates also available at Replacements Ltd.

Feather placemats from Two's Company found at the antique mall.

Burlap runner from Laurie at Bella Inspirations

Ralph Lauren glasses from TJ Maxx

Cake stand and dome from Uniquely Chic, Healdsburg.

All other items, my own collection.

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

See....the turkeys think they live here!

And so do these guys!

Tuesday Inspiration: Patina

Campagne Decoration

"Patina is everything that happens to an object over the course of time...

The nick in the leg of a table, a scratch on a tabletop,

the loss of moisture in the paint,

the crackling of a finish or the glaze in ceramics,

the gentle wear patterns on the edge of a plate.

All these things add up to create a softer look, subtle color changes, a character.

Patina is built from all the effects, natural and man-made that create a true antique."

~Israel Sack

The home above, a barn actually in France, defines the word patina. With it's worn finishes, vintage linens and tapestries, and charm of the homeowner's collected objects d'art, it is my pick for "Tuesday Inspiration," something new I'm trying out as part of a weekly series.

So embrace those nicks, covet those scratches and appreciate those worn vintage fabrics. Realize that nothing stays new forever.

Realize that no one stays young forever either. Another reason why I chose "patina" for today's inspiration. As with furniture that has been properly cared for over time, we also acquire a gentle patina as we age. And there is nothing like another birthday to make me realize that!

Sunset in Asti

Saturday evening, after a day of antiquing, shopping, lunching and wine tasting, we hurried back to catch the sunset.

The sky was on fire!

It was a record setting warm day in February. No sweaters needed, even after dark!

After we watched the wild turkeys leave the vineyard and settle in for the night in their trees, Maureen and I went inside to set up the tablescape that we had been forming in our minds all day!

Wild turkeys and wild quail is the theme for our tablescape, so be sure to check back later....

A Wine Country Birthday

I remember hearing a few months ago that "57 is the new 57!"

That's a lot of candles!

My BFF Maureen and I are celebrating "the new 57" this weekend up in Asti. We were nice enough to include Mr. A and Mr. H too!

The weather is supposed to be lovely, so hopefully we can sit out here for lunch.

We plan on doing a little antiquing...

...and tour a few wineries.

Maybe even do a little wine tasting!

Later, we will come back here...

...and have a nice dinner that the guys will cook. Thank goodness!

After that, we will all sit in here by the fire...

...and sip some wine...

and later, go outside and "howl" at the moon!

Sunday, we'll have an early morning breakfast so we can head back to the Bay Area for the Alameda Antiques Faire!

Sounds like a perfect plan, don't you think?

Thank you Kelley!

Kelley from The Polished Pebble nominated me for the Stylish Blogger Award!

Uhhh, I'm not so sure about the stylish part, but thank you Kelley for the mention.

Normally, I don't participate in tags or awards, but coming from Kelley, I couldn't say no!

If I could, I would nominate her!

Apparently, there are rules involved here. I must name 7 things about myself, and also nominate 7 of my favorite "stylish" bloggers. No problem naming 7 bloggers as there are so many that I follow and love. But, 7 things about myself? That will be hard....

Seven Boring Things About Myself:

I love dogs! No, I really love dogs! Especially Tibetan Terriers like the TT's above.

Aren't they beautiful? But I digress.....

I love books, and love to read. But you already knew that, right? I told you this would be boring! I'm trying!

I hate to fly. You do not want to sit next to me on an airplane! My loved ones have permanent damage from me squeezing their hands at take-off! Now, I just take a little "happy pill" and I'm alright.

That's only three? Ok, let me think.....

I love music. Especially live music. Especially good old fashioned rock and roll.

The old stuff, the new stuff and everything in between. I think I was a musician in my previous life, even though I can't play an instrument. Oh, but I love to sing!

Three more?

I don't cook. Which is weird, because my family loves to cook. My daughter is a chef and son is soon to be. My husband cooks every night. Don't get me wrong, I help out in the kitchen along side, but can't seem to figure out the whole preparation, timing and creativity with putting a meal on the table. I guess I don't really have to! Don't hate me please! Hey, I can set a mean table though.....!

I'm not very athletic. In fact, exercise is something I struggle with. I come from a family of athletes. My mother was a very accomplished water skier. My brother was a triathlete and pentathlete. My cousin was a famous long distance runner. Me? I am a walker! I walk the dog! And I just tried my very first yoga class. Can we say New Year's resolution?

Ok, this is really out there, but I love vintage pick ups! Someday I'll own one just like this, all polished up and ready to go to the nursery for plants. I'll have the dog with me, rock and roll blasting on the radio while singing at the top of my lungs!

I'm glad to get that over with! Now on to more important matters.

I nominate these 7 blogs for the Stylish Blogger Award because they all embody for me a true sense of style that is uniquely theirs. Talented and creative, here are The 7 Stylish Bloggers:

Burlap Luxe

l love Dore's style. She is an artist and does white like no one else!

Home

Jackie's blog is gorgeous--and she just celebrated a big birthday!

La Dolfina

Terri has a knack for finding the most wonderful treasures, then finds just the right place for them.

Beaux Mondes Designs

Julio is my inspiration when it comes to tablescapes. They really should be in a magazine or a book.

Good Life of Design

I always learn something new from Kathysue! She makes me think!

My French Country Home

I want Sharon's life. A beautiful country home in Normandy!

Linen and Lavender

A lovely blog. LeAnn combines photos and music together beautifully.

I am always inspired.

Actually, that was also difficult. Because there are so many blogs that I enjoy and get inspiration from. Just look at my blogroll!

Beam Me Up!

While we were in Italy, I noticed a lot of beamed ceilings. Ancient beamed ceilings.

Like the ceiling in the room we stayed at Vignamaggio.

I loved this room! Although the ceiling is a little low and oppressive, I felt like we had stepped back in time to the 15th century.

I think that's what rustic beamed ceilings do. They give the room a sense of history and permanence.

Beamed ceilings can be quite rustic, like the bedroom in this log cabin.

This bedroom is like the western version of Vignamaggio's guest room in Italy!

Lightening up a little, just by adding white linen upholstery. I love the black wall and cowhide rug.

Lately, I've been loving painted beamed ceilings. Still rustic, but lightened up.

A combination of rustic and elegance.

I don't have beamed ceilings in my home, but would love to live in a house that does someday.

Would they be rustic, or would they be painted? That is the question! Perhaps I should add beamed ceilings to my Design Bucket List!

Do you have beams in your life?

$99 - Are You Out of Your Mind?

Look what I found at the local consignment store.

A polished set of silverplate flatware, all for $99!

The serving pieces alone can sell for $25 or more on Ebay!

They were all wrapped up in a towel in a box. I wasn't sure what or how much I was actually getting until I got home. I counted twelve 5-piece place settings, with 18 teaspoons, and the serving pieces. It is called Modern Baroque by Oneida Community.

I'm counting this as an early birthday gift to myself!