Vivid Hue Home Shares Personal Tablescapes

Earlier this week I shared My Quest for unique Table Wares so that I can set a "proper" table at a dinner party.   I want to start to curate finer china but I feel super uneducated when it comes to names to hunt for and styles that would be considered a "great find" if I'm ever in an antique shop and come across them.

Despite my lack of a fine china collection, I've managed to set my tables in the past using unique plates that were collected through thrift shops, antique stores, and...Home Goods (ha).
I was the bride that didn't register for fine china because I knew my finicky tastes would change over time and I literally like to use different plates every time I host an event.  Setting a themed table is sort of my "thing."

Today, I decided to share some of my tables from the past.  

Vivid Hue Home Dinner Party with Vintage Country theme

This setting was for a dinner party I hosted at my house and I wanted an vintage country type feel.  I wanted to use a mix of place settings as if I'd used my grandmother's china (when in fact, these plates are from Anthropologie and Home Goods).  The tablecloth was April Cornell from Home Goods.  

Vivid Hue Home Country Vintage Dinner Party

Vivid Hue Home Dinner Party

Flowers are key for any table I set.  I generally select one solid hue to decorate with because I think it gives more of a professional look; however, for this event, I mixed and matched wildflowers because it went with the farm/ country style I was seeking.

Vivid Hue Home

And, of course, in true Vivid Hue Home style, there is never lack of color on my tables.  

The next tablescape was used at a Bon Voyage party for our family friends who were moving from Connecticut to Syracuse, New York.  I wanted to incorporate the Blue and Orange Syracuse colors without being too cheesy or over the top....and of course I had to implement a pop of pink!

Vivid Hue Home Bon Voyage Syracuse Dinner Party

 Would you believe I scored these Johnson and Brother plates from (where else), Home Goods?  The bottom placemat is Caspari (sold at my shop).   The orange and white check runner is simply a fabric swatch.

Vivid Hue Home

 I tend to collect fish planters and pots and then incorporate them into my table settings for fresh flowers or water.

Vivid Hue Home

Vivid Hue Home

And last, here is my Christmas table from last year.  We host ten family members (plus 4 kids) for this holidays every year and I look forward to curating a different table every year.  Last year, I used burlap as our table cloth with fresh greens, antlers, red ornaments and plaid napkins.

Vivid Hue Home Christmas Table 

 You'll notice that I use my elephants as centerpieces quite often.  They make a sure statement.  

To see a few more Vivid Hue Home tablescapes, visit the links below:

Valentine's Themed Table    |  Napa November  | Dining Room

 5 Easy Tips for a Stylish Holiday Table by Vivid Hue Home 

Please excuse some of the editing in some of the photos....there was a time period where I overly saturated my photos in the editing process!

I'm digging this more frequent posting thing....Promise I'll try to be more active on this blog.  It's been awhile and I miss sharing my projects and ideas.  In the meantime, if you ever want an up to the minute snapshot of what Vivid Hue is up to, visit our Instagram Page, Vivid Hue Home 

My Quest for Table Wares

 I have always loved setting unique tablescapes during the holidays and for entertaining.   During Christmas, I host ten family members over the course of four days and I try to change up the dining room table decor with each dinner.  (I'm much more of a decorator over a chef, so I only commit to cooking one of the meals during this time and I parse the rest of them out to different family members).  That way,  I can focus on the tablescape!

I choose to mix and match plate patterns and, full disclosure, most of my plates have been purchased from Home Goods.  This allows me to buy larger quantities without breaking the bank.  Also, Home Goods has gotten so good at carrying higher end designers so if I've got my eyes peeled, I can score some pretty good finds. When you know what to search for, you can discover Kate Spade NY, Jonathan Adler, Johnson Brothers and more.  All of the plates in my tablescape above were curated on a budget and all $14.99 or less.  

Below is my Thanksgiving table from last year (I later pulled the contents from that table to use during an NBC story about tablescapes).  Read my post "5 Easy Tips for a Stylish Holiday Table" that resulted from that appearance.

Vivid Hue Home's Thanksgiving Table as appeared on NBC Connecticut

Table setting isn't a new fascination of mine, but it's one that is continuing to grow.  Particularly with all of the beautiful tablescapes and wares that can be found on Instagram and other social media, I am finding that I am even more obsessed with designing my next table.  

Photo courtesy of LB Originals 

And, while I've always used place settings found on a budget, (and will continue to do so), I am now curious to start learning more about vintage china collections.

Photo Courtesy of LB Originals 

Some of the pieces are complete eye candy and works of art.  I'd like to start learning more about what to search for when antiquing.  I want to know when I've found a "score" in a thrift shop.  Lately, I've been discovering some incredible table ware by searching "Minton China" and"Staffordshire."

I'm obsessed with this Minton rose gold garland luncheon plate & fruit dish.  I'm finding that these patterns are often sold as "one offs" or in smaller sets and range in price from about $30-$80 a plate (or up in many cases).  Yes, pricier than Home Goods.  But also more valuable and I can envision an entire table decked out in varying patterns of fine vintage china.   Add a beautiful printed fabric tablecloth and this table will be over the top fabulous.  

Photo Courtesy of Tableware Treasurebox

Photo Courtesy of LB Originals

I am constantly on the hunt for individual "statement" pieces that don't necessarily match but together make the perfect blend.   I try to stock many of these types of things in our brick and mortar shop in Connecticut.  If you follow Vivid Hue Home on instagram, you can keep track of what we're carrying in the store.  And, I've started to ship anything you see on instagram....just send me a direct message and I will provide you with pricing and invoicing.  It's such an easy process until I'm able to launch an actual online ecommerce website.  

Artichoke Tulipierre's at Vivid Hue Home make terrific bud vases and great centerpieces

The Vivid Hue Home artichoke tulipierre in white

Vivid Hue Home's tablescape at The Hillstead Museum

For now, I'll continue my search for unique table ware settings.  Stay tuned for photos of my fall and holiday tables so you can see if I managed to make any fabulous finds.  

Happy Setting.  

Also, if you'd like to visit some of Vivid Hue's past personal table settings, check out these posts: 

Valentine's Themed Table    |  Napa November  | Dining Room

Cheers, 

Heather 

Valentine's Tablescape #2: Elegant

 

Yesterday I shared with you the first (whimsical) Valentine's Day Tablescape that I made during the winter  storm.   (Recall here).  Today, here is the second tablescape, a bit more elegant!  I used the same tablecloth as the base (this is really a swatch of fabric from Calico Corners that I had planned to use in Vivi's playroom).    I used two more swatches of fabric as runners across the table. 

 

Sources:  
Tablecloth: Remnant fabric from Calico Corners (I believe it's Mill Creek Raymond Waites). I ironed all four corners down for a straight "seam" around the edges.
Runners:   Remnant fabrics that I found from Jo Ann fabrics that I've used for table centerpieces for years.  I folded the edges of the fabric underneath to simulate a "runner" on the table. 
Plates: Home Goods Napkins:  White linen tied with twine with felt heart stickers adhered to the ends for decoration.  Wishbone:  Z Gallerie  Cake stand and Pitcher:  Home Goods  **** garland
I had fun and made some Valentine's Day garland above the table.  I used baker's twin and heart felt stickers.  I stuck the stickers to the twine (and put two stickers back to back so they stuck to each other).  Easy as pie and no glue needed). 


Which tablescape do you prefer?  #1 Whimsical or #2 Elegant? 

#1 Whimsical

 


#2 Elegant




Tomorrow check back for the Masculine Valentine's Day Tablescape!

xoxo
Heather | Vivid Hue Home