Simple Supper to "Selebrate" Birds of ParadiSe

My husband came in the other day with two clippings from our garden: lovely Birds of Paradise.  As soon as I saw them I thought, "I think I have dishes that would complement those flowers perfectly! So, a tablescape was born:

How it was created:

I wanted the highlight of the table to be the flowers, so I opted for a simple setting for two people.  I started with placemats I found at Pier One.

I started my dish stack with a lemongrass-colored Fiesta plate.

Then I added this plate from World Market.  Made in Portugal, I felt its colors and pattern matched the Birds of Paradise well.  In fact, I ended the stack here so the plates wouldn't be covered up.

To complete the individual setting, I added the matching napkins and a butterfly napkin ring from Pier One.  I thought the colors on the napkin ring worked well, and thought the idea of complementing flowers from a garden with butterflies added to the theme of the tablescape.  My "Treble Clef" flatware from the World Market reminds me of the stamen of a flower, and I felt my amber glasses from the Murano glass factory in Venice, Italy coordinated well with the colors on the table.

I kept my centerpiece simple so that the Birds of Paradise could be the "star of the show".  They're held in a Lenox Woodland vase and rest on a placemat from Bed Bath and Beyond.  I searched my salt and pepper collection for a little pop of color, and found these green shell shakers from Portugal, given to me by a dear cousin from her collection.  The lanterns were a favor from a recent birthday party.  They are marked ZGallerie on the bottom.  I like the extra texture, bright color and similar pattern they bring to the table.


Here are some additional views of the table:

After completing this setting, I wondered if all of us tablescapers do the same thing:  something attracts our eye: a flower, or a decoration, a piece of china or a certain fabric, and suddenly we know a table setting is about to be born!  And with a mixing and matching of the treasures we have collected, suddenly (or sometimes after arranging and re-arranging for longer than we first intended!) we can step back and say, "I've created a scene I want to share!"  I've said it before and will probably say it again,
"This is a wonderful hobby!"


I'll be linking up to two gracious hostesses:
Susan at www.betweennapsontheporch.net and Kathleen at www.cuisinekathleen.com



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