Robin Flies South...

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

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Subtle Sunflowers

"Keep your face to the sunshine
and you cannot see the shadow.
It's what sunflowers do."

-Helen Keller

When I googled "sunflower poems" I certainly didn't expect to find one from Helen Keller.  She never ceases to amaze me with her observations on life.  When my daughter was in 3rd grade she did an oral report on Helen Keller.  As she did with most things when she young, she immersed herself in the life of this remarkable woman.  And it turns out, my daughter's favorite flower is the sunflower.  Maybe this was a seed planted long ago!

Last week I decorated my front porch with lots of sunflowers, all bold and showy, but for my tablescape today I'm using just a hint of them here and there. 


What better color to compliment the golden yellow than black?


I bought these sunflower salad plates (or are they dessert?) last year at Ross.


I didn't think they looked right with my yellow dishes so I went with my gold ones.  Some days your camera just doesn't capture true colors and today was one of those days.  They are much deeper color than they look in most of my pictures.  If I tried to deepen the color with photo editing, the whole table got too dark. 


I used the matching bowls and placed them on my Goodwill chargers that I spray painted ivory.  The plate stack sits on a felt placemat from Marshalls.


I would have rather set a table for six but I could only find 5 of these pretty scrolly (spellcheck doesn't think this is a word) things!  So frustrating!


The silverware is Cambridge pearl (Ross) and the floral napkins are from Old Time Pottery.  The golden yellow wood napkin ring is from Goodwill.   Goodwill is like the napkin ring graveyard.  They are just waiting there to be resurrected onto someone's table.  I don't think I've ever left a GW store without a set of napkin rings!


The glasses are from Dollar Tree and Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I just bought 2 more of the goblets at Dollar Tree if anyone is looking for them.


I made this little desert stand using a candle stand, another of the salad plates and a glass cloche from Goodwill. 


The quilted table runner matches the napkins and they are all reversible.


I think most of us tablescapers have discovered the secret of black and white (or ivory) and a pop of color.  This combination usually photographs well too (minus my gold plates that look washed out!)


Instead of going with the obvious sunflower centerpiece I topped a small wreath with a lantern (Home Goods).  The wreath is from the Rustic Rose (a gift shop in my town).


I'm using a picmonkey effect to show off my Dollar Tree bird. 


A few more candles (if you look closely the candlesticks are not exactly the same) and that's it. 







Be sure to visit my sister's blog, Creating Wonderful Spaces!

My "Subtle Sunflowers" will be making an appearance at the following parties...

Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Open House Party at No Mininalist Here
Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters




















21 comments:

Betty@SouthernGrace said...

Very pretty. I love sunflowers (and Helen Keller) and have a pretty dish I bought from Ross last year. I love the silverware too. Napkin rings--something I do not own but want. I've never looked at Goodwill for them. Thanks for the tip!
~betty

Kathe said...

I counted at least 4 maybe 5 ideas I want to stea...er...borrow from this table Robin! I too did a report on Helen Keller when I was young. Such an inspiration for living and for your table!

Tricia said...

I really do think that black is the perfect color for a sunflower-themed table! It really makes the gold pop and adds some wonderful drama. I think I need to add some black table linens to my collection!

Tammy at Tammy Loves Dishes said...

I am a huge sunflower fan. I love the accents of the black and white with the gold/yellow dishes. The candlesticks and lantern with wreath make a great table decoration. So pretty!

Monica @ Happily Playing with Dishes said...

Very nice. Everything goes so well together. Happy 4Th

Olive said...

I heart yellow and sunflowers. All lovely on your table. Visiting from Let's Dish. Olive

Entertaining Women said...

Such a wonderful tablescape...perfect for a summer evening. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

allisamazing said...

I love your table. The sunflowers plates are wonderful as are the candles :)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I really enjoyed this tablescape. I love sunflowers and your subtle approach is gorgeous. Of course black and white is always a great combo! I especially like the centerpiece...I need some items to use when I don't have flowers (which is a lot of the time). Thanks for sharing! Linda

Elaine said...

Maybe it's an overload of red, white, and blue, but I love the softness of this table. Good call on using the gold plates! LOVE the centerpiece, and your black and yellow bird is adorable! I saw those plates at Ross, and I thought they were beautiful, too!

Diann said...

What a pretty tablescape! Everything looks wonderful. I love your little scrolly thing placemats too! I hope you and your family had a wonderful 4th of July. visiting from Let's Dish!

ellen b. said...

Oh this is lovely! I really like the yellow with the black. Wonderful...

Alycia Nichols said...

Isn't it amazing how childhood memories can make lasting marks in our lives? The sunflower kisses on your table are beautiful! It's a really great summer table! Isn't it funny how Dollar Tree runs out of certain things and then brings them back full force? Same thing happened with the blue and the green stemware from last year. It turned up again this year!!! I was hoping they'd bring back the same shape but in different colors like pink and purple! I hope you guys had a good 4th!

The Style Sisters said...

I love black white and yellow!! This is great! Your table runner is so pretty and I love your stemware from the dollar store! What a score! Great job and thanks for linking up today!
Karin

Sarah said...

Lovely table setting! Love blue and yellow combo and sunflowers. Thanks for sharing!

Mary said...

I love the pop of color the yellow provides the black and white! Sunflowers always say summer to me. I love your little dessert cloche~ so clever :)

Cristina Garay said...

What a great color combination on your pretty tablescape!! I love those sunflower plates!! I hardly can find something nice at my closest Good Will and the prices are not that low!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, I'm now following.

Anonymous said...

Sunflowers are a favorite of mine, too.
A lovely table... thanks for sharing on Let's Dish.

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

It a beautiful looking tablescape. I love the sunflowers plates.

Dee

Kathleen said...

Very pretty! The yellow does add a great pop. I wish I had a napkin grave yard nearby, lol. I have a Savers about 45 min away, but they don't seem to have many napkin rings.
Thanks so much for linking to Let's Dish!

Kathy Bradshaw said...

Hi! I just wanted you to know I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. I really enjoy reading your blog! Come on by and "pick up" you award. http://www.southernmadeintheshade.blogspot.com Kathy B.