Robin Flies South...

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

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Pottery Barn Inspired

If Pottery Barn were a girl in high school (I have a strange imagination) she would be the coolest girl at school.  She would come up with all the great ideas that everyone would copy all the time.  I'm sure I would try hard to sit at her lunch table so I wouldn't miss anything this amazing, yet down to earth, girl might say or do.  And of course I would copy her every chance I get!  That's what I did this week for my tablescape.  It has that coastal vibe I love and gives me a chance to show off my new dishes.  It's my third set of white dishes.  Not that there's anything wrong with that, right?  I think if there was such a thing as White Dishes Anonymous, the meetings would be pretty crowded!  My table is inspired by this table from Pottery Barn a few years back. 



As you view my table see if you can find the things I copied. and I will give you the answers at the end of the post.  C'mon in and take a look.


My first goal was to use nothing but neutrals. 


Tans, creams, silvers and just a touch of brown aren't boring when you have such a variety of textures.


These are my new dishes from Beall's.  The manufacturer is Thomson Pottery.  I bought two sets so that I have a service for eight.  Not only were they on sale but I used a coupon too.  As irritating as it may be at times to get emails from your favorite stores, I have saved a ton of money with coupons or sale notices delivered to my in box. 


The shell design on the border is on the modern side and the dishes work well with my GW spray painted chargers.


You will be seeing a lot of these straw placemats (IKEA or Walmart) this summer.  I placed my teak handled flatware in the bowl (now where did I get that idea?)


I tried a few different napkins but decided on these brown plaid.  I've never used them before because I kept thinking I only had 4 (I really need to inventory my things!)  The napkin rings are one of two things on the table that came from my inspiring place (PB). 


The other PB part is the champagne glasses (they look just fine sitting next to my Dollar Tree water goblets). 


The centerpiece is a dough bowl (Kohl's) filled with sand, shells and candles.  Here's a tip for you...did you know you can use grits instead of real sand?  That's what I did here.  Are you surprised that a Jersey (originally) girl has grits in her pantry?  They were left over from the Shrimp and Grits I made.  I make fried green tomatoes too.  I love the recipes from Southern Living.  My mother would be shocked!


The table runner is a recent purchase from Home Goods.


I placed candleholders (Marshall's) on either side of the bowl and added a few votives too.










Sorry, my candlelight pictures are so bad.  I almost didn't include this one but I wanted to show how inviting the table looks with the soft light of candles. 

So did you pick out which things I copied (blatantly stole!)?  Here's my list...
-Neutral colors (although PB went for more white)
-Simple linen table runner
-Matching white dishes
-Placing the silverware in the bowl
-Natural chargers(or placemats in my case)
-Lots of candles, sand, starfish and sea shells
-Clear glassware

Pottery Barn went with more glass as a centerpiece but I liked the way the wooden bowl looked with the plaid napkins.  I think I made it my own.  So, if Pottery Barn were a girl in high school do you think she would mind that I copied her?  I like to think she would be flattered.

Be sure to visit my sister's blog Creating Wonderful Spaces to see her beautiful outdoor table!

I am joining the following parties...
Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage
Thursday's Favorite Things at Katherine's Corner
Your Cozy Home Party at Cozy Home Scenes
Thrifty Things Friday at Thrifty Groove
Inspiration Friday at At The Picket Fence
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Sunday Blog Live at Cherished Treasures
Creative Blogger's Party at Homemaker on a Dime
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll thru Life
Blog Lovin' Blog Hop at It's Overflowing



















31 comments:

Kathe said...

I think she would be very flattered! You didn't do a direct copy, which may be creepy to her in that Single White Female kind of way :) I actually like yours better, although we won't tell her that, as yours is warmer. I LOVE the dinnerware from this strange place you call Beall's. We don't have them here. I have photos in my IPhone that I took the last time I was at PB to use for inspiration too! Happy almost summer to you ♥

Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside said...

It looks so Good! I love Pottery Barn too! I picked some chairs from Goodwill and my husband said there were "ugly old chairs from the 60's." I kept thinking to myself, I've seen them somewhere. Well, I was looking though the PB catalog for like the 1000th time and there they were! They look almost just like them! What to do men know anyway!

Susan Freeman said...

Everything looks great! Love your flatware too. Is it Dansk? Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

PAT said...

Beautiful PB inspired table! I love it all!

A Cottage in the Clouds said...

Well, maybe PB should hire you because you sure did a great job at this! Very very nice!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Great PB inspired table!!! I'm sure yours is prettier. Way to go!!

Barbara said...

You did a great job! "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." right? I love neutrals like this, especially this time of year when it starts to get hot. White dishes and neutrals are just so easy on the eyes. I am glad to hear your confession about the sets of white plates you have. I have the same problem and I am sorry to say, there are more that I am looking at. It is probably just as well that we don't have Bealls here but I wish we did. Love those plaid napkins too. I have been looking at teak flatware this week. The prices sure vary! They may be something I need to actually look at instead of ordering on line. Lovely table!

Scribbler said...

Great table -- I saw those dishes somewhere not long ago. we don't have Beall's either. I already have some seashell stuff I like, so I had to pass (regretfully!)

Marlis said...

PB would be the most fashionable and everybody's best friend. I too love her style. And you copied it perfect. PB whispered to me that she is flattered, as we are having a nice chat right now. Love your new dishes and the plaid napkins with the shell rings. love love the table.. have a blessed week and weekend.. xo marlis

Martha said...

A very pretty table but a very pretty dining room, too.

Aledia said...

I love your imagination!! Your table is just perfect, I love all the neutrals and textures you have used. Those dishes are so very pretty. Thank You for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful night!

Aledia @ Plum Perfect

Sarah said...

Kudos, Robin! You did a fantastic job following the inspiration table. I actually posted a PB table for my tablescape last week. I can't take credit for anything but the photos. LOL
Thanks for sharing this beautiful table setting.

Elaine said...

The PB inspiration table looks too sterile to me--I much prefer yours! I like that your neutrals are different shades, and you have added some pattern, not just texture! The dishes are SO pretty! I think the PB girl would benefit from hanging out with you!

Unknown said...

I have to agree with everyone, yours is better. Thanks for the inspiration.

Sherry said...

Your flatware & table is beautiful! I'm visiting from No Minimalist Here and I'm now following you. I would appreciate it if you could follow back. Thanks

Okio B Designs said...

Beautifully done! And I think it looks better than PB. ;)

Jeanine

Marigene said...

Such a pretty table, Robin. Love your new dishes...great textured rims.

megan said...

Lovely!! I have just received a set of those dishes from Bealls. I ordered them by mail.

Sheila said...

Love it. Great job of copycatting. I like the idea of using grits as sand. I've never used grits but I have used brown sugar. Of course, brown sugar can't be kept out long as decor purposes as it might draw some unexpected guests to the table. LOL. Love your new dishes too.

Anonymous said...

If you were in high school together, we'd get to see a good girl fight as Pottery Barn would be jealous you out did her! Your table is very beautiful, and I love the serene colors and textures of your table. Thanks for sharing with us at Your Cozy Home Party!

Unknown said...

Wow this is amazing! I am in love with PB and have posted some things as well you should check it out! I'm a new GFC follower from a blog hop and would love if you followed me at http://iheartpears.blogspot.com

Susan said...

Your pottery barn copy cat is so pretty!

Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee) said...

I love that PB inspired table, everything is so beautiful here. The table runner and napkins are to die for!
Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)

Kathleen said...

Love it, and your new dishes are so pretty! My friend has them, she has a cute little house right on the water.
Love the runner too!
I was in PB outlet Wed., I have never seen a table there that wowed me. Yours is much warmer!
Thanks for linking to Let's Dish!

Ann @ Corner of Plaid and Paisley said...

Your story made me smile! I like your thinking! Love your table too! Nice job using your inspiration. Gotta love those PB tables.

Katherines Corner said...

you set a beautiful table from a lovely inspiration. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop Big Hugs xo

Unknown said...

Love the neutrals and mix of textures. I think your table looks much warmer and more inviting than PB...Tanya :)

Jocelyn said...

I love your table! The shell theme is lovely and inspiring. Your beautiful wood table is a great accent.

Jocelyn @
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Amy said...

I am with everyone else on this. I love Pottery Barn too, but yours seems more interesting and cozy. I am a new follower. I would love for you to stop by my blog I am hosting a give away of an awesome digital scrapbooking software. http://californiahomedreaming.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-memories-suite-giveaway.html

Babs said...

Oh, I'm loving all the neutrals and texture of your PB inspired tablescape! Shells are one of my all time favorite thing. LOVE the napkin and shell napkin rings...and the place mats.
I'm loving your decorating style so I'm your newest follower.
Now, I'm headed back to look at your pineapple post..another of my favorite things. :)
I had to giggle about your being from Jersey and making shrimp and grits.

Fonda @Southern Scraps said...

This is beautiful! I working on my own version of a sea/ beach theme tablescape right now. Hope to share it soon. I love your tip about the grits too.