Thursday, April 26, 2018

How Do You Pick a Favorite?

I have always loved creating tablescapes. Growing up I would volunteer to set the table for special occasions, knowing I would get to use all the pretty plates and silverware and other things my mother kept for "good". Greg enjoys entertaining as much as I do (probably more!), and encourages my finding the perfect things to style our table.

So I was excited to stumble upon Susan's Between Naps on the Porch. Here was a blog all about tablescapes! She hosts weekly parties that share all sorts of inspiration and ideas for tables and home decor. Reading her posts have provided me some of the most delightful moments in the week. Susan is holding a very special 'Tablescape Thursday' party this week – her 500th! What an achievement! She has invited us to join her celebration by featuring our favorite tablescapes.

How do you pick a favorite? I've liked all the tables I've designed. Some expressed a mood or theme. Others tried out new ideas or tweaked old habits. Some tables struck a special chord with you. That's it! You and I will pick our favorites!   

(Click on the titles to see more pictures from each post and information about the table items.)

Christmas Eve Dinner has had the most views of all the tables I've posted. Holiday tables seem to always be at the top of our lists!



Closely following it in the number of views received was A Winter's Song.



There was a tie between two tables in the number of lovely comments you left me. The first, Lunch with Violets and Irises, celebrated the coming of spring and featured flowers from my garden.



The second, Year of the Dog, featured another type of winter holiday and is among Greg's favorites. (Hint: dragons have something to do with it!)



I asked my biggest fans what their favorites were. Greg and Miss J selected A Merry Plaid Christmas, I think because Christmas is their favorite holiday, hands down.



Miss J added Thanksgiving in Blue and Gold to our list.



I've always loved the allure of France, so I picked la FĂȘte nationale with its celebration of what I imagine France to be like.



To round out the top favorites, I wanted to include a table done just for fun – September Transitions, Italian Style.



My, that was hard! Did we pick your favorites? I'd love to hear which tablescape you would have included!

Congratulations to Susan and Between Naps on the Porch on an awesome milestone!

    

  

  

  

 

24 comments:

  1. Wow you have so many great tablescapes. My all time favorite is the Year of the Dog but I truly like them all! Those poinsettia dishes from the Christmas Eve Dinner are gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks, Liz! Our two labs were underfoot the whole time I was putting that table together, lol! I have been enjoying seeing all the other posts celebrating her anniversary.

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  2. It's always nice when we find our birds of a feather. Thanksgiving in Blue and Gold made me pretty happy. Miss J and I might make a good collaboration team. Thanks for the memories and for inviting us for a peek. Cherry Kay

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    1. Thanks, Cherry Kay! I think you and Miss J would make a great team! I haven't been blogging long, and I'm in awe of those who have.

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  3. You’re tablescapes are stunning, it’s difficult to chose a favorite! “Violets and Irises” has captured my heart, though, but maybe because I’m so ready for Spring this year. I’m glad I’ve found your blog, I’m a new follower!

    Zenda

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    1. Thanks, Zenda! My irises have begun to bloom and I'm so excited. This year nature has been good to my garden.

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  4. Hasn't this been a fun challenge, it's so great seeing what everyone's favorites are! I can't pick a favorite from the roundups, I just enjoy seeing them all! You have so many beautiful and elegant things, Cheers to tablescape love!
    Jenna

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    1. Thanks, Jenna! I spent yesterday reveling in all the favorites, and looking at everybody's archives to discover more gems. So much creativity! So many dishes to fall in love with!

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  5. Oh my!Those tables are stunning!That with violets dishes is my favorite!Hugs!

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    1. Thanks! I was smitten when I came across the china in the consignment store. They were unlike any others I had and they were the perfect shade of purple.

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  6. Sandra, what a beautiful line-up of stunning tables. I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite because they are all gorgeous! I enjoyed this challenge to choose my 10 favorites. Susan is so generous to allow us the opportunity to share our love for Tablescaping!

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    1. Thanks so much, Pam! My favorites seem to change by the day, which made selecting just a few a bit difficult. And I didn't have loads to choose from, unlike you and others who have been doing this longer than I. I was dumbfounded that Susan reached 500! And it was fun to share the celebration with her.

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  7. They are all so pretty!! It is hard to pick a favorite - but it is fun to go back and see so many tables! It is nice that Susan is there to enable all of us who so love to set pretty tables!!!

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    1. Thank you, Ann! I thought it was fun to look back at not only my own tables, but all the ones that have been created by such talented folks. Susan introduced me to tablescape blogs and I've found endless inspiration each Thursday. I was glad she invited us to join her.

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  8. I like the way in which you made your selections. That was a good way to go about it! I just about ripped every hair from my big, round head out trying to narrow it down to 10. Narrowing it to just even 20 was a chore!!! I can see why the tablescape with a nod to the Orient made your list with those incredibly FABULOUS dishes!!! Surprisingly, I had ZERO holiday tablescapes make my top 10, even though I loved so many of them! Maybe Susan will host a Top Ten Holiday Tablescapes blog party at the end of the year. Susan...are you listening? 😉

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    1. Thanks, Alycia! I don't know why I found it initially so hard - I haven't had my blog very long. Holiday tablescapes do tend to be memorable, perhaps because we put more emphasis on making them extra special. Glad you came to visit!

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  9. You've done some marvelous tablescapes. Very pretty!

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    1. Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed your visit.

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  10. Thanksgiving in Blue and Gold is spectacular! I am absolutely wild about that centerpiece. Wow! What a vibrant and elegant table.

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    1. Thanks, Pattie! Fitz & Floyd pieces are beautiful!

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  11. I couldn't pick a favorite! They are all just lovely.

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    1. Thank you, Jeanie! So glad you liked them!

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  12. Beautiful tablescapes. I love the chickadees in the Winter Song tablescape. That's my favorite. Thanks for linking to Keep In Touch.

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    1. Thanks, Katie! I really enjoy plates with bird designs too!

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