Tablescape Thursday - Sweet Southern Magnolia

Welcome to another TABLESCAPE THURSDAY! A big thanks to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting this lovely party each week. Be sure to visit for more tablescape inspiration. This week my table is SWEET SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA inspired by my front yard magnolia tree which is in full bloom! The air around the front of the house smells so sweet and delicious. I just had to bring that indoors. Playing off of the creamy white blossoms, I am using a soft white and creamy yellow color scheme. Let's take a closer look:I started with the centerpiece - Mr. Panache clipped several magnolia blooms and leaves from our tree. I used two matching Milk Glass vases from my Grandmother's collection to hold the blooms then I tucked stems of leaves around the base. I completed the look with crystal and golden candleholders in a baroque pattern and elegan ivory soy candles from my Celebrating HOME decor line.
Since I sat the breakfast table, I have few table cloths that will fit this square (seats 8) table, so I bunched up a smaller round cloth and layered a hand crocheted table runner on top. The table runner was a gift from my dear Mother-in-Law who makes me the most wonderful items! For a soft accent color I chose creamy yellow in the linen placemats. The china is Bernadotte Ivory edged in gold by Formalities, Irish cut crystal rimmed in 24k gold, flatware is gold plate.

To add a little more panache to the centerpiece I used three gold orbs and tucked them among the magnolia leaves. I adore white, cream, off-white and soft yellow as a summer-time color palette. It seems so refreshing yet warm and inviting.

I use Soy Candles from Celebrating HOME exclusively. These ivory candles are scented like Creme Brulee! Yummy! The perfect, soft scent for the dinning room or kitchen. For more varieties and colors click here.

Isn't this bloom perfect? So white and perfectly formed. There's just something so elegant about the creamy blossoms of a Southern Magnolia with its shiny, green leaves that this Southern Girl can't resist! I hope you've enjoyed the tour. Don't forget to visit Susan and all the gals featuring lovely tables this week. Until I see you again,

Happy Decorating!

~Alisa

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY - French Country Flair

Hey, it's TABLESCAPE THURSDAY again! Don't you just love this weekly get-together? I do! Thanks to Susan at Between Naps On The Porch. To see more lovely and inspired tables pop over for a visit. This week I'm showing a little French Country Flair. I brought out some Roosters, Toile and Red, Black and Cream! They are the perfect elements for this French Country breakfast table. Cream placemats, Toile napkins, Ivory plates and Toile bread or fruit plates from Williams Sonoma set the table with French flair. Clear and Ruby crystal goblets and juice glasses add the sparkle. Flatware with Bamboo handles completes my placesettings.

Love this distressed white Rooster. I've had him for many years. Usually he sits on my counter but for today he's made his way to my breakfast table.

This spotted Rooster was a gift from my SIL, Teresa. Thanks, T!

Red, Black and Cream are so FRENCH to me. Red roses were the obvious choice for my centerpiece.

These bamboo handles are rugged yet refined. I've used them with my best china and I've used them with paper plates! These Toile napkins also came from Williams Sonoma. They are luncheon size but they work just fine for breakfast.

My clear juice glasses came from Dollar Tree. I've had the Ruby Crystal Goblet for several years. I have 8 in all and usually they only make their way out of the cabinet at Valentine's Day and Christmas. But I liked the way they added glamour to this table.

This salad / bread / dessert Toile patterned plate came from Williams Sonoma. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pattern and colors! See the little Rooster?

I think I will serve Eggs Benedict, Crisp Bacon and warm, flaky Croissants with fresh squeezed Orange Juice and fresh Melon. Hmmm!

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I hope you've enjoyed this week's French Country Flair. Until I see you again,

Happy Table Setting!

~Alisa

Ebony and Ivory: A black and white color story

Hello there! Welcome to my Black and White color story! You can probably tell from my blog design that I have a thing for Black and White. To me B and W go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly or French Fries and Ketchup. For me there is just no better combination. I have threatened more often than once to completely redecorate my entire home using nothing but this fabulous duo. Perhaps once the boys are a little older (or neater)! I am even contemplating giving away my entire wardrobe and replacing it with things from WHITE HOUSE Black Market. How delightfully easy would it be to add punches of color for seasonal flair if your pallet started with Black and White? So let's go for a tour of 12 stylish rooms that don't whisper but SHOUT panache! Love, love, love this living room. Can't get enough of that big B and W checked chair! The lantern is just up my alley. I actually have a table-top version. Look at that little sheep on the coffee table. Too cute!
What family wouldn't love to come down for breakfast in this cheery kitchen. The way toile, checks and stripes are combined is very charming.

What a gorgeous bed! I've never thought of painting walls gray but in this room they look fabulous!

This charming vintage bath is brought up a notch by the black and white checker board pattern painted on the outside of the slipper tub. Here, again multiple patterns of checks, polka dots and florals add charm and whimsy.

This bold black and white harlequin design wallpaper is the bomb! Lots of folks are afraid to use bold or large scale patterns in small spaces. I think the key is to keep the color pallet simple and the accessories elegant and refined. I love the little crystal "chandy" and the white lilies.

For some reason I think of Audra Hepburn when I look at this bedroom! I immediately think of her little black dress in "Breakfast at Tiffany's". The graceful curving lines of the headboard just scream Hollywood starlet to me!

This modern bath has a touch of retro glam! Love the round lighted mirror.

I think that a good dose of texture is always needed when working with a strictly edited color scheme. The rug, baskets and tri-pod lamp add just the right amount to this mostly white room.

Usually, I am not a "white cabinets" kind of girl but I can't deny that this kitchen has all the right stuff! The punches of yellow and red against the black and white just send my heart into palpitations! The window treatments are divine!

You don't have to go with black furniture to create a wonderful design using black and white. This lovely bedroom incorporates black and ivory in the bedding in a most complimentary way to these warm wood tones.

In this dining room, the focal point is the solid black draped table sitting beneath an elegant silver and crystal chandelier.

Another wonderful example of a vintage bath that outshines many modern counterparts. Dressed in ivory and black, the baseboards and crown molding just define this elegant space. I love the heavy framed mirror and the sisal rug bordered with a band of black.

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Well, I hope you have enjoyed my Black and White color story. Who knows, maybe one day you will see a totally redecorated house on CP that features rooms bedecked in this classic combo.

Until then,

Happy Decorating!

Alisa