Robin Flies South...

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

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Mix It Up!

Years ago you may have felt obligated to have a full set of matching dishes to set a nice table.  Luckily, that rule has been eliminated and now anything goes!  I almost always set a table with dishes that mix and match but today I'm taking it one step further.  I am mixing some newer dishes and glasses with older items that were my mother's.  And I'm mixing it up with my table covers too! 


Another beautiful day here in Florida so I set a table for two by the pool. 


My color inspiration came from an Easter card I bought to send to my father back in NJ.  I wish he were here to join me for this Easter breakfast!


My mother had a collection of Milk Glass as far back as I can remember (didn't every one's mother?).  We never ate off it but my mother always displayed it in her Dining Room either on a hutch or a shelf.  The solid white color popped nicely against stained wood.  I can't remember how, but I wound up with several pieces of it and up until today guess what I did with it?  Yup, displayed it in my Dining Rooms in all of our houses because it popped nicely....well , you get the picture!


So today it's being used on a table for possibly the first time ever.  I think it makes for an interesting place setting combined with my more modern plates.


I'm only using 2 of the place settings today but I have pieces to service 4.  After some quick research on the Internet I found that the dishes and cups and saucers are  Colony Pattern Harvest Milk Glass.  I also found that I will never get rich selling Milk Glass on Ebay.  It's VERY affordable!



The cruets are Fenton Hobnail and I have a few more pieces of this pattern including a pitcher that I love to put flowers in.


Everything else is new.  The table cover is a drop cloth from Home Depot topped with a pillow sham from Goodwill.


The place mats are from The Christmas Tree Shop (don't get excited fellow Floridians-I got them when I was in NJ in the Fall-we still don't have that store here!)


The green dishes are from Ross and the polka dot plates are from Marshall's. 



My father always enjoyed the "crack the egg" game every Easter so I included one on each place setting.   I haven't colored eggs yet so please excuse the white!  The cute baskets came in a 6 pack at Dollar Tree.


Space is tight so I placed the napkins (Target) in the glasses (Marshalls).



The flatware is from BJ's Wholesale Club and contrasts nicely with the vintage dishes.


My centerpiece (Ross) looked a little low next to the glasses so I raised it up on a candle stand.




Here are some tips to take away from this table: 

-Even if it's just a table for 2 make it special
-Easter doesn't always have to be purple and yellow
-Think outside the box when it comes to table covers
-Inspiration can come from anywhere including a greeting card
-Think twice before discarding "old" dishes you may have and make them look up to date by mixing them with newer pieces
-Whenever you can, add blue skies, a sunny day and an inviting pool to your tablescapes. They make everything look that much better!


Be sure to see that my sister's been up to this week at Creating Wonderful Spaces!

I will be linking up to the following parties...

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Let's Dish! at Cuisine Kathleen


Centerpiece Wednesday at the Style Sisters
















17 comments:

Sarah said...

I'm all for mixing it up, especially with dishes. Love the combo of turquoise and lime green.

Marigene said...

So cheery...love the lime and aqua!

Elaine said...

Mom would love to see her dishes being used, and they look great! Love the addition of bright colors! Now, I have to put swimming pool on my must-have-for-tablescaping list!

Heather at Farm to Fork said...

Your table is super cute and I loved the colors you chose. I mix my dishes up too, so it's nice to get new ideas. What a lovely setting you have. :-)

Scribbler said...

Your tablescape is so perfect for Florida -- and is in some of my favorite colors.

I really envious of your screened in pool -- you are living my dream!

Mary said...

Love your tablescape. It is so pretty. Thanks for stopping by on my blog. You definitely need to check out a ReStore. You won't be disappointed.

Mary @ At Home on the Bay

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Beautiful tablescape, love that it is in Florida around the pool. Great job putting the turquoise and lime green together. I really like both of those colors. Thanks for sharing.

Alycia Nichols said...

It WOULD be nice if your Dad could be there with you to enjoy that beautifully set table with your Mom's dishes! It's nice that you were inspired by the card you bought for him! I wish Christmas Tree Store would come to the Midwest. I just can't believe they haven't yet!!! I guess they would be in comptetition with Old Time Pottery, though, so they'll probably never come. Oh, well...a gal can wish! That floral table covering is a pillow sham?!!?!? NEVER would have guessed that! Very creative!!!

Entertaining Women said...

I don't think that I'm familiar with the crack the egg game...and I like the white egg, especially with your design. Your color choices are wonderful and refreshing...you found some great items to work with your mom's milk glass. Family treasures are always the best. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

Kathleen said...

Well, I can afford the dishes at CTS and Dollar Tree, but the pool is not in the budget! :)
I love this, the blue and green with the pretty vintage milk glass! My mom did not have any, but since you say it is affordable I will check on Ebay. It is so crisp looking next to bright colors.
Thanks for linking up to Let's Dish! Wish your dad could be with you too!

Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee) said...

Beautiful post!
I love your spring outdoor decor with those fresh colours!
Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)
Have a nice day.

Michele Oliver said...

I love the blue and green used together. I especially love your pool.

Marlis said...

So pretty. love the colors. I love milkglass but we never had any growing up.. your pieces are so pretty.. xo marlis

The Howell Blessings said...

Robin, thanks for stopping by The Howell Blessings so I could find your blog. I absolutely love the color combination you have here! Don't apologize for the un-dyed eggs, the white egg is perfect for this tablescape. I have purchased so many "new" items for tablescaping that I agree, we all need to think outside the box in order to mix it up and not go broke having fun doing what we love. Thank you for sharing your poolside retreat.

Miss Mindy
The Howell Blessings

Diann said...

This is such a fun and happy table! I love it! I host a monthly "Thrifty Tablescape" link party the first Saturday of the month. This month's party is this Saturday, April 7. I would love for you to link up this tablescape! Have a wonderful Easter!

rahul khan said...

I love that table and its color.
What a wonderful outfit ! Great idea.
sell my house

Rettabug said...

Ooooo, some of my very most favorite colors here! I adore that turquoise & the acid green with it is wonderful, Robin!

I LOVE my Mom's milkglass items & have been adding to her collection. It works with everything & I feel is timeless.

We lived in Venice, FL for almost 10 yrs. then moved back home to OH to be near my grandbabies. I miss my pool & lanai!!!!!!!! I loved seeing yours, though.
Thanks for sharing it.

Hugs,
Rett