Robin Flies South...

A blog about decorating and tablescaping with an emphasis on creativity and smart shopping over cash!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Playing with Plaid!

Just a few more days!  How are you doing with your "To Do" list?  I know mine still has plenty on it but I had to do one more table for Christmas 2011.  So, take a break from your busy day, and join me at Between Naps on the Porch for the final Tablescape Thursday before Christmas. 

Last weekend my daughter and I went to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World (along with an enormous amount of other people!).  It's one of the advantages of living in Florida.  My house is exactly 100 miles from the entrance to Magic Kingdom (according to my GPS app) so it's a very doable day trip for us.  My daughter had been there at Christmastime a few years back but not me.  The weather was picture perfect.  High in the upper 70's and just a little cooler after the sun went down.  We left my house at 10:30 am and came back at 1:15am!  We enjoyed every bit of it!  Two innovations made the experience so much better, Fast Pass and Disney lines app on my phone.  I took lots of pictures of the Holiday decorations.  For those of you who have never seen the decorations before I am posting a few pictures at the end.  Cinderella's castle is breathtaking! 

I stopped into Marshall's yesterday to pick up some last minute gifts and saw a plaid square tablecloth.  I love squares and the way they look layered on top of another tablecloth.  It was only $7.99 so it was Merry Christmas to me!  So for my final Christmas table for this year I paired the plaid with black and used my white dishes. 




I started by layering the plaid over a black tablecloth.  My "chargers" are felt place mats with a cutout design (Marshall's).  My dish stack is a combination of my Federalist Ironstone dinner plate and saucer divided by a floral plate from Target.  On top of the saucer I placed a black sparkled snowflake (Target, 4 for $1 since they are supposed to be gift tags). 





The glasses are from Bed, Bath and Beyond and Dollar Tree.


The flatware is Cambridge and I found it at Ross for a great price.


I just learned that you can focus on just one part of your picture by using one of the effects on Picnik.  Now I want to go back and change half my pictures!

My centerpiece is from Steinmart years ago.  It usually sits on top of my bookcase in my office.  Instead of decorating inside of it, I just added a candle and then concentrated on the outside.


I started with some faux greens, red berry picks and then added real greens from my gardenia and magnolia.






I found these salt and pepper shakers at Ross along with these red candles (I used then last week on my buffet table too).





I liked taking the very traditional table cover and then updating it a bit by using black as my accent color.  I think the floral plate is an unexpected touch against the plaid.  I am always saying how I don't like red but this silverware has me warming up to the color.  I may have to break down and get some red wine goblets.  They would have looked great on this table. 









A little candlelight! 






Here's some pictures of my day at Disney! Enjoy!


Lots of fruit!






All the shops on Main St. were decorated just a little different from each other.



I cropped out the huge mass of people from this picture!


A nice man offered to take our picture after we took one of him with this wife.  Lots of poinsettias!




Perfect weather for December 17th!


This shop was done in pastel colors. 


I had to take a picture of the "tablescape" at the Swiss Family Robinson tree house!


All the storefront windows are decorated.


The castle at night.


And with the beautiful lights!

If you've never been at Christmastime I highly recommend it. They are expanding Fantasyland and that will spread out the park more so it won't feel as crowded during peak times.

Be sure to visit my sister at Creating Wonderful Spaces.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to Everyone!























14 comments:

Janette - The2Seasons said...

I love the black with the plaid. Anything plaid and I am there.

Elaine said...

The black really makes the plaid look elegant! Very pretty dishes! Thanks for sharing the photos of DW at Christmas--I know I will never see it in person!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Love your plaid! This is so pretty with the black and red. What fun your Disney trip looks too -- Always fun to spend special times with our daughters.

Marigene said...

This table is gorgeous...one of my all-time favorites!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Robin.

Marlis said...

So so so pretty. I love your new tablecloth and your dishes are perfect for the holidays.. So amazing.. Merry Christmas, xo marlis

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I am so excited that you included pics of Disney! That is on my "bucket list" to go to Disney World at Christmas time to see the decorations!!!! Your table looks beautiful, I love plaid. Love the flatware and the snowflakes are a great acdent. XO, Pinky

CJ Foss said...

I'm your newest follower! Nice blog! Thank you for weighing in on my Winter White vs. Plaid dilemma. YOUR plaid rocks! I love the white plates on the bold plaid tablecloth, then the hint of paisley black on top of the white. Very nice. I'll come back and visit again. ~CJ

Dianne said...

This table is so striking. It such a change from the traditional, but still has the traditional elements. I kinda like the black glassware and like you I love the red flatware. I find such great bargains at Ross! Well done. Wishing you a joyful holiday! Dianne

Alycia Nichols said...

I've been to Disneyland 2 or 3 times, but never to Disneyworld in Florida. Wow...temps in the 70s in December. I wonder what THAT feels like? :-) We woke up to the freezing mark, 32, this morning and it's not expected to climb much higher than that today. You took some really great pictures in Disneyworld. It IS beautifully decorated!!! I can only imagine the hard work that goes into that! Ha! We think creating a single tablescape is tough! ;-) Your table is really neat with the plaid tablecloth and the black accents. I love to see different, non-traditional settings for the Christmas season. Yours is no exception! Nice job with your centerpiece, too! Merry Christmas to you there in all the warm weather!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the plaid and black...gorgeous table!

Merry Christmas!

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

What a great change of pace the black accents bring to your traditional plaid cloth. Very festive -- just like your DisneyWorld pics! Merry Christmas to you and yours.

xinex said...

Beautiful plaid toablecloth. Your whole tablescape is very pretty and I enjoyed your pictures of Disney. Merry Christmas, Robin and to your family too...Christine

Entertaining Women said...

I really like the way that the plaid shows through the cut outs of your place mats and becomes a part of the stack design. Cool! That Cinderella castle really is something, isn't it! We took our grandsons this past Spring, and we loved every minute of the trip. Thank you for inviting us to your table for a peak. Merry Christmas! Cherry Kay

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

So pretty! Wishing a very merry Christmas and the happiest of holiday seasons to you and yours!...hugs...Debbie