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Monday, January 18, 2016

Russel Wright Woodland Tablescape

In 1959, my mom chose Russel Wright's Iroquois pattern in ripe apricot.  It was January and we had suffered a house fire.  A complete loss.  Mom told me that the loving people in that little Tennessee community had a shower for our family so we could start over.  Friends told her to go to the local store where she could select needed items and that's where she made her Russel Wright selection of Iroquois in ripe apricot.  

 So, I grew up eating off of what is now 
considered a "mid-century modern" set of dishes. 
At the time my Mom selected this dinnerware, it was already considered modern-- because it had no designs.
  Some of the serving pieces are very interesting-the salt
 stacks on top of the pepper shaker and the
 creamer stacks on top of the sugar bowl.  
And, the large covered casserole dish, I just love it....so pretty and it always, always was used to serve homemade potato salad.  


Several years ago, my Mom decided she liked the white dishes I had--she noticed how versatile they were and liked the idea of getting a set of her own.  When she got those white dishes, she said she didn't know what to do with her old dinnerware, so I told her that I would love to have them (she has stored the serving pieces, so I wasn't able to include any of them in my post).
Today, I'm sharing these lovely, simple
 plates in a Woodland tablescape.  

I've paired the dishes with dark wooden chargers (Better Homes and Garden collection at Wal-Mart-years ago-wish I had bought more), burlap place mats that I made, green napkins with snowflake napkin rings, and green goblets to complete the place setting.  The flatware is Nouveau by Gorham.



Do you like designing centerpieces for your dining table? 
I do. This one was so easy.  A branch of faux greenery (or your could use fresh), a mercury glass tree, a candle, a few pinecones and an interesting container.  You can always use a  second, taller candle in place of the mercury glass tree.  How easy is that???
        So fresh and pretty to start the new year.

It's been chilly here in the south,
 and this little design makes me feel like
 I'm taking a walk in the
 woods behind my home.




Do you remember your childhood dinnerware?
I'd love for you to comment!

11 comments:

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

I love RW dishes - i just passed my green and yellow dishes on to my daughter! But I really love your centerpiece...so simple yet lovely!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Marsha,
So nice of you to join me today. How wonderful you have your mother's dishes. I like the light apricot colour and your centerpiece with the pinecones. I do remember some of the dishes my mother used but my most cherished memories are of the Rose Chintz that my Auntie P used while I was growing up. Most of those she has passed on to me. Thank you for sharing with us and have a lovely week.

Blessings,
Sandi

Sylvia said...

Marsha, Love your dishes and how they were acquired. I'm glad your family recovered from a devastating fire. My dishes are very similar in style but are a true blue color. I love them. I remember green ironstone dishes with country scenes in the center when I grew up but my Mom says we did not have those for long. I managed to find a small plate which serves to remind me of those dishes. Sylvia D.

Art and Sand said...

Yes, I love designing centerpieces for our table settings. I don't cook, so I try to set a pretty table each night in deference to all the work my husband puts into creating a fabulous meal for us.

I love that you are using your mother's dishes. I didn't really like my mother's dishes when we were growing up and now I wonder what my sister did with all of them.

Thanks for Sharing Your Cup!

Curtains in My Tree said...


Hi I seen your comment on another blog and thought I would visit you.

Yes I remember my childhood dishes it was odds and ends and I lived with my grandparents and Grandma didn't have a complete set of dishes or glasses, we used jelly glasses to drink out of.
Sounds real sad but it was just how it was.
I posted about a Tennessee cookbook today

Janice

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Marsha, love your dishes and the table does make me feel as though I have been on a walk in the woods. So happy to have you share it with SYC.
hugs,
Jann

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Oh, I absolutely love your tablescape this time - it's just perfectin its rustic simplicity! I love how your mom thinks she only needs one set, that's so cute. I think I would lose my little mind if I only had one set, haha.

But my hubs would be VERY happy! : - )

Have a safe warm and dry weekend during this blizzard!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

How nice that your mom gifted you with the special dinnerware that had such special memories for you. Your simple centerpiece looks perfect for your rustic table. Pinecones are a favorite of mine for December and January.
It's so nice to meet you, Marsha! Thank you for your visit to my blog!

Kelly said...

I really like that dinnerware. The story behind it is even better! That was so nice of your friends to do a shower for you to start over. What a great idea! It's nice that your mom kept that dinnerware all these years. It looks great on your table. The woodland centerpiece is perfect with it too.

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Love your RW dinnerware and your display is perfect!!!!! What a special, nostalgic set. Thanks so much for sharing over at "Let's Talk Vintage!

Unknown said...

Hi Marsha,
I have to say that I’ve been lost in your posts for hours now. All the beautiful and different table decor and your eye for pairing is amazing and inspiring. I’m renoing a little Century Home(Daddy told me) that my Daddy left me when he passed. It’s in my home sweet home Prattville. I’ll have to downsize, really looking forward to that; but I’d love to decorate and redecorate with themes like you’ve done so masterfully. I have lots and lots of old furniture, and kitchen wares from my thrifting obsession. You’re tables have given me great ideas of mixing different centuries, colors, and even hardware. I’ve more than enjoyed reading and thumbing through your pics. Have a wonderful day. It’s time for me to get off the iPad and start packing and pricing. Wish me luck as I’m terrible at letting stuff go.πŸ˜‚πŸ€£πŸ˜…
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