Tablescape Thursday and "Brume de Rose"...

Bonjour mes amis et bienvenue à Tablescape jeudi ! Oh cher, excusez svp mon français! Oh dear, please excuse my french...Hello my friends and welcome to Tablescape Thursday! This fabulous fun-filled Thursday event is hosted by Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch! Susan' la maison de s est fabuleuse et elle met toujours la table la plus belle! Oh yes, as I was saying, Susan's home is fabulous and she always sets a beautiful table! You must go and see what she has going today and while you're there, you can check out all of the other beautiful and inspiring tablescapes! Here's à faire une belle table...here's to making a beautiful table!!!

"Brume de Rose"

Today I present to you, "Brume de Rose" or Rose Mist. I decided to "break out the china" as they say...in my Ode to Spring! Ahhh...Spring! Un moment pour les promenades romanes et longues, et les nuits de diner d'amende et vin… et un rose simple a monté! Ohhh yes, Spring's ode to romance, long walks, and nights of fine dining and wine...and a single pink rose!!!

"Brume de Rose" Tablescape in My French Country Dining Room

An evening of intimate dining for four. Not to formal but comfortable and cozy! Candlelight, a vase of beautiful flowers, and a dinner shared with good friends. A glass of wine and interesting conversation...

"Vivez bien, riez souvent, et aimez beaucoup!"

"Live well, laugh often, and love much!!!"

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"Les bases grandes au bonheur dans cette vie sont quelque chose faire, quelque chose aimer, et quelque chose espérer pour."

"The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."

by Joseph Addison

"J'aime cet endroit, et volontairement pourrais perdre mon temps dans lui."

"I like this place, and willingly could waste my time in it."

William Shakespeare

Les Toiles...The Linens

For the "Brume de Rose" tablescape I used a white lace tablecloth. If you look closely, you can see pink roses on the tablecloth. This beautiful lace tablecloth was a wedding gift from my Mother and Father! I just love it and it's perfect for the "Brume de Rose" china.

The dinner napkins are a very pale lt.green damask...they belonged to my husband's mother, Mary Alice.

Ambiance and Lighting

"Ahhh… dans la lueur douce de la lueur de chandelle, toutes les choses sont beau!"

Ahhh...in the soft glow of candlelight, all things are beautiful!

Mood lighting for a special ambiance is essential for an evening "Brume de Rose" tablescape! With candles aglow in crystal and silver candleholders, a softly dimmed chandelier overhead and the soft glow of light from the buffet lamps...the lighting is perfect!

The Stemware

I used beautiful pink stemware...a goblet for a beverage and a matching wine glass. I really know very little about this stemware. I have had them for many years, they were a gift from a friend! What I do know...is that they go perfectly with the beautiful pink colored rose on the china.

The Place Setting..."Brume de Rose"...Rose Mist

The place setting consists of a white lace charger plate from JC Penneys called Classic Lace. They were on sale after Christmas for just $27 for four...not bad and they make the perfect backdrop for the Rose Mist china.

The "Brume de Rose" or Rose Mist china is made by Sakura and was a part of the Hallmark Home Collection. I purchased them in the 90's. They seem to be "one-of-a-kind", I have never seen this pattern offered again. I'm just thrilled to have them, they really are beautiful...the lovely shades of pink in the rose (with just a hint of pale yellow) and the soft greens of the leaves against the white are just breathtaking...so very soft and very romantic!!!

Le bol de potage...The soup bowl

Le plat de dessert/salade...The dessert/salad plate

The dessert/salad plate is done in a coordinating pattern...a soft, pale green and pink plaid with a small single rose in the center. As if the beautiful rose wasn't enough to sell me on this set of china...the pretty coordinating green and pink plaid dessert/salad plate was the "glaçage sur le gâteau" or icing on the cake so to speak! I just love this pretty little plate and how it looks with the soup bowl and dinner plate!!!

Ahhh… les nuances molles du rose et du vert me rappellent le ressort!

Ahhh...the soft shades of pink and green remind me of Spring!

Le plat de dîner...The dinner plate

The "Brume de Rose" dinner plate. Just look at the colors...have you ever seen a prettier rose?

The "Brume de Rose" in all of it's glory!

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"La rose parle de l'amour silencieusement, dans une langue connue seulement au coeur."

“The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart.”

Just a peek of the back label...



La pièce maîtresse...The centerpiece

I used a large leaded glass vase filled with white Spring flowers for the centerpiece. The pretty flowers were perfect...with subtle hints of pink and light green! The glass vase was a special "treasure find" from an Antique Market...it was only $6 and ohhhh soooo beautiful! It called to me as I walked by it...Chari, mon amour… vous avez besoin de moi! (Chari, my love...you need me! And believe me, I heard it in French...how could I resist?) Hehe!!! It stands a stately 11" in height and is made from a very heavy glass!

To each side of the vase of flowers...I added candles to silver and crystal candleholders and my newest "treasure find" from Hobby Lobby, mercury glass goblets. They were marked down to just $4 ea...again, they whispered my name as I walked by...Mon chéri, here je suis...I' le VE attendant juste vous! (My darling, here I am...I've been waiting just for you!) Seriously!!! Hey, did you notice that my name is french for darling? It's no wonder that I love everything French! It's destiny...I think! Hehe!!!

Well my dearest friends...have you wondered who is invited to this "Ode to Spring - Brume de Rose"...intimate dinner for four?

Well it's YOU of course!!! I just can't think of anyone that I would rather sit down and spend a leisurely evening...wining and dining with!!! I do hope that you enjoyed your visit...enjoyed the beauty of a sweet, Spring evening...enjoyed the conversation...

and...

that you can say, " Vécu bien, ri souvent et aimé beaucoup!"

That you lived well, laughed often, and loved much!!!

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Au revoir jusqu'à ce que nous nous réunissions encore…

Good bye...until we meet again!

It's a Party...It's a Toile Party!!!
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Hello my friends! Ohhhh boy...it's time for a party...and it's not just any ol' party but it's a TOILE PARTY!!!
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Yes...you heard me right...Pretty Organized Palace is hosting a March 24th Toile Party! I must admit, I had never been over to the Pretty Organized Palace blog before, but when I heard that she was hosting a Toile Party...it didn't take me long to find my way!
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If you haven't ever been to this wonderful blog...you've got to go! You will also find a list of Toile Party-goers...you won't want to miss out on all of the fabulous frenchy toile!!! I know a short cut....just click HERE and I'll show you the way
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I Love Toile!!!

I love toile...I just adore it! I don't know what it is about it...is it the pretty pattern? Is it the fact that it's sooooo French? Hmmm...maybe it's a little of both!

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The History of Toile or Toile de Jouy

Toile...pronounced "twahl"...is a type of decorating pattern consisting of a usually white or off-white background on which a repeated pattern depicting a fairly complex scene, generally of a pastoral theme such as (for example) a couple having a picnic by a lake. Toiles also often consist of an arrangement of flowers. The pattern portion consists of a single colour, most often black, dark red, or blue. Greens, browns and magenta toile patterns are less common but not unheard of. Toile is most associated with fabrics (curtains and upholstery in particular), though toile wallpaper is also popular.

Toile or Toile de Jouy originated in France in the late 1700s. In the French language, the phrase literally means "cloth from Jouy-en-Josas", a town of north-central France.

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Without further ado...Oh, and did I mention that I LOVE TOILE? Hehe!!! For those of you dear, sweet, faithful followers of my blog...I do apologize, for these are all photos that you've seen before! Please forgive my excitement but I just had to participate in this March 24ths Toile Party!

I have always just adored toile but just didn't have any at my place...well, until recently! A couple of months ago, I reclaimed my step-son's bedroom and made myself my very own studio/office! It was the perfect opportunity to redecorate...and you guessed it...using toile! My new little Frenchy toile studio/office is still a work in progress but I have enjoyed planning each and every little detail!!!
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My Frenchy Studio/Office in Toile

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I just adore my new Waverly toile drapes!!! They are a beigey-olive green and black! The toile pattern is called La Ferme...with country scenery and chickens...but not just any ol' chickens...these are French chickens! hehe!!!

I found these beautiful drapes on sale in the JC Penneys close-out online. They were originally $270.00...marked down to just a mere $77.00! WOW...I just couldn't believe my good fortune!!! I also purchased a new frenchy decorator drapery rod and hung these drapes as close to the ceiling as I possibly could. The panels measure 95" in length. This is a "Juliet" style valance...I just love how it hangs on the rod...and look at all of the pretty black tasseled fringe!

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I found this beautiful old chair at the antique shop. The best part...it already had a pretty black & white toile fabric seat! This little "treasure find" was only $19!
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I even found a pretty black & white toile decorative plat for my frenchy studio/office! I love Hobby Lobby...these pretty plates were marked 50% off...I only paid $5 per plate!!!
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Craft Project using Toile...

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For one of the walls in my Frenchy studio/office, I wanted to do a museum/gallery wall art grouping. I needed just one more small piece to complete the wall grouping so I made this piece using an old family photo. I wrapped black & white toile scrapbooking paper around the picture mat. I love how it turned out!!!

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This was a gift from my honey...isn't he just the sweetest? And he has such good taste!!! I'm not sure how old this hunch-backed trunk is...but it's pretty old! I just love the embossed metal inserts...the pretty black & white pattern remind me of toile!!! This trunk has found a home in my studio/office...I use it to store my "Old World" Santas. Don't forget...you can click on any of these photos to enlarge them to get a better view!
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The museum/gallery wall...

Here it is...all put together! Now you can see the pretty decorative toile plates, the little picture that I crafted using the toile scrapbooking paper, and the antique trunk!

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A close-up view...

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For more photos and history on my Frenchy studio/office you can click HERE.

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French Country Dining Room and Toile...
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I have started collecting red transferware dishes. They go beautifully in my red and olive green dining room. While redecorating this room awhile back, I decided to use some of my red transferware as wall art. I made this grouping using some of my favortie pieces....I think the red transferware looks so pretty on the olive green wall...they have that frenchy toile look!

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A close-up view...you can click on the photos to enlarge them! I just love the pretty toile designs on these pieces!!!

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Toile and Tablescaping...

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I used some of my red & white transferware (dessert plates) in my Valentine's Day tablescape! They added just the right, romantic touch!!!
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A close-up view of the place setting. For more photos of my French Country dining room you can click HERE.

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Toile in the Tea Rose Bedroom...
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I found this darling little rocker at a yard sale for just $5. I reupholstered it using an olive green & beige toile! I found this pretty toile fabric at JoAnn's...it was on sale for just $1.50 per/yd. The total cost to redo this rocker was $8...not bad!
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The newly reupholstered rocker in the Tea Rose bedroom. For more photos of the Tea Rose bedroom you can click HERE.

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Well my friends...it's been quite a party...a toile party that is!!! hehe! I hope that you enjoyed all of the toile! Did I mention that I just LOVE TOILE? hehe! I hope to incorporate more of it into my home in the future...so stay tuned, we may just have to have another Toile Party!!!
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I would just like to thank Pretty Organized Palace for hosting such a lovely Toile Party...don't forget to go by her place and see more of the lovely French Toile de Jouy!!! Thank you so much for coming by...I just love it when you visit, please leave me a comment to let me know you were here!
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Happy Toile!

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It's "Metamorphosis Monday"...

Hello my friends! Yeeeehawwww....it's "Metamorphosis Monday"! This fabulously fun event is hosted by Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch. You really need to go over to Susan's place and see what she is doing for "Metamorphosis Monday". While you're there, you'll see a list of all the other participants...you won't want to miss out on everyone's metamorphosis!!!

My Apothecary Jar

Today for Metamorphosis Monday, I want to show you my latest little "treasure find"! Well...it's actually NOT so little...at least where apothecary jars are concerned. This little beauty is about 20 in. tall! I had been "eyeing" this pretty apothecary jar at Walmart for some time but I just didn't want to pay $30 for it...I know, I'm cheap...I mean, thrifty! hehe!!! Well...last week I made my normal trek back to the craft section at Walmart just to see if my pretty little jar was still there and lo and behold...it was! It was the only one left on the shelf and it was on sale....marked down to $21! Yeeehawwww!!! After doing my little happy dance, right there in the middle of the isle...into my shopping cart this pretty apothecary jar went!

Hmmm...what to do with my apothecary jar? I didn't buy anything special to fill my jar...so I went shopping around the house...hehe! I always have candles on hand...so I decided to use a creamy off-white pillar candle for the main object of focus. I needed a filler...something to set the candle on...how about some mixed nuts. It was looking pretty good but seemed to be lacking something....ahhhh, how about these pretty silver metal molds....oh yea, I like that!

I tied a black ribbon on the lid of the apothecary jar...added a pretty key...and VOILA!!!

My apothecary jar is sitting on our breakfast bar (between the kitchen and dining room)...at least for now. I have a feeling that this pretty little "treasure find" will find many different places to reside in my home! Hehe!!! You can click on the photos to enlarge them!

Just a couple close-up photos...

I didn't want to use a plain ol' candle so I decorated it. See the pretty music paper? My dear friend Mary Ellen from Mary's Meanderings sent me this pretty paper. The name of the song is, "The Sweetest Thought of All"...how befitting, to get such a THOUGHTful gift from the SWEETEST lady of all!!! Thank you Mary!!! I tore and wrinkled the edges of the paper so it would look old and worn. Wrapped twine around to hold the paper in place and added a little scrapbooking tag with a gold letter initial "L" for my name!

I just love this ornate key...

Apothecary jars have certainly become popular to decorate with. Not only are they pretty but they can be functional as well...storage! You can find them in about any shape or size. After doing a little research, I found out that people have used apothecary jars since the 15th century...WoW...they've been around for a long time! In the beginning, they were used to store potions and powders for medicinal purposes.


Oooh...just look at the beauty of these apothecary jars...tall & slender...filled with bath loofas, decorative soaps, and shells! Wouldn't these be pretty on a bath vanity!








These pretty apothecary jars have been filled with decorative objects like balls, robin eggs, and even a pretty plant! I love the tall slender jars and think they would add the perfect element to any vignette where you needed some height!







This little apothecary jar is one of my favorites...filled with decorative egg shaped soap. What I like about it is the black writing and pretty decorative pattern on the jar. You could do this with any apothecary jar...using a little paint or if you're not so talented...how about a pretty decal! Don't forget to add a pretty black ribbon...it just makes the jar!!!






I love this idea....use your apothecary jar to display your collection! That is if your collection is small enough...hehe!!! This is a collection of decorative match box covers...so pretty!!!

No Vanna, I don't think your chandeliers will fit! Hehe!!!








I love the dominos...what a terrific idea and wouldn't this look great on a game table? I've even seen an apothecary jar with billiard balls...colorful and unique! How about adding colored dice or different kinds of playing cards? The possibilites are endless!!!

Seeing this old sewing machine has given me a great idea...why not fill an apothecary jar with buttons, pretty lace, or sewing supplies!



Potpourri, dried flowers, flower seeds & a flower seed packet, and even fresh flowers! All are great ideas for filling an apothecary jar!!! This would be a great idea to bring some Spring decor into your home!





We have all probably seen apothecary jars filled with bright sunny lemons or fresh green limes...ohhh so pretty! They would offer such a pretty "pop" in color wherever you displayed them!

I love this tall slender jar filled with lavender...it's lovely!

Just look at the shape of these pretty apothecary jars! Fill them with your favorite snack...popcorn for my girlfriend Lynne...or granola mix! These snack jars have pretty labels on them. You could get really creative with decorating the lids...maybe a tassel, scrapbooking tag, or whatever your little heart desires!!!

Maybe the most creative fun with an apothecary jar is to decorate the jar itself....hmmmm....my crafting wheels are turnin'! Hehe!

Well my friends, I'm so glad that you stopped by today! Hope that I've given you a few ideas with how to decorate using apothecary jars! They really are beautiful and wouldn't they make fabulous gifts? You could fill one with baby supplies for a baby shower gift...Oh, I could go on and on....but won't! Hehe! I'll let your "creative mind" wander and dream!!!

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Have a marvelous Monday, my friends!

Leave me a comment and let me know that you visited...I love hearing from each of you!


Love ya'll,
Chari

Sunday Grace...

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Spring...A Time of Renewal!

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Hello my friends! I hope that you're having a super Sunday!!!

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The Bible says, "To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

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Friday was the first day of Spring. Ahhh....Spring!!!

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A time of renewal, rebirth, and new beginnings!

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As a homemaker, the season brings about an urgency to do a little "Spring Cleaning". It's time to open the windows and air everything out...to do some much needed deep, deep cleaning. To me, it's like getting a fresh start! It takes some time and some hard work but when I'm finished...I feel soooo good! It's a great feeling to know that I've gotten rid of the dust and dirt and that my house has been "set straight" once again! There's just not a better feeling then having my house fresh, clean, and all sparkley!

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Well almost...there is just one thing that makes me feel better!

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I think my heart is like a house!

"Create in me a clean heart, O God;

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation,

and uphold me with thy free spirit."

Psalm 51:10-12

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Have a super Sunday, my friends!