Snowdrifts on a Plaid Table

We've had several beautiful winter days this week. Gorgeous blue skies, brisk winds and (relatively) cold temps. Absolutely heavenly! All that I'm missing is a sparkling blanket of snow! While there's only a slim chance of that, I can dream. 

And I can build a tablescape featuring drifts of snow down the center.

  

I started with a table runner in a clear red plaid. I love to use plaids in winter, because they tend to be in a heavier weight fabric that signals warm and cozy. Just what I need on a cold winter's day!

The 'snow' is piled in thick drifts, just like the ones that surrounded my house in Ohio. The snow doesn't completely cover the ground, letting branches decked in berries peek out.

 

Repeating the woodland feel, I used rattan chargers underneath plates featuring birds of winter. The plate rims are decorated with holly leaves, pine needles, mistletoe and berries laced with red ribbons. While the newest collection features cardinals, I have the luncheon plates which showcase different birds.

Downy Woodpecker

White-breasted Nuthatch

Two hurricanes holding greenery, frosted pine cones and silvery snow crystals instead of candles bring height to the table. 

In size, the luncheon plates fall between salad plates and dinner plates, perfect for sandwiches and a hearty salad. Or decadent desserts!

House Finch

 

 I love the detail in each of the center bird portraits. Each bird is readily identifiable.

Eastern Bluebird

Although there will only be three or perhaps four of us, I've set the table for six because I liked using the runner as a stand-in for placemats at either end of the table. I have simply folded the napkins to better display their beautiful pattern.

Small berry picks were tucked under the plates to continue the pretty red of the berry sprays in the snowdrifts. 

 

The crystal stemware feels substantial in the hand and I like the bold, modern cut pattern. I was lucky to find a set of five in an antique mall, then searched successfully for three more on eBay.

Plaids are not meant just for the holidays — they're perfect for brightening any winter get-together. 

I couldn't resist adding these cheeky little birds to the snow. Made of sisal or something similar, they suggest the texture of feathers. The faux berries remind me of those found on the hollies and nandinas in my garden.

This one shows the bird happily harvesting berries!

Cedar Waxwing

This way I get to enjoy the look of snow without having to shovel any!

I don't know whether this was meant to be a Black-capped Chickadee or a Carolina Chickadee. They have slight differences in size and markings, but primarily differ by geographic range, generally northern vs. southern. Since the table is set in Georgia, I've decided this must be a Carolina Chickadee!

Chickadee

I like the blend of ice and snow on top of the warmth of the red plaid. It's bright, cheery and cozy! 

Fingers crossed that I'll see some real snow yet!

Table resources

Plates | Lenox 'Winter Greetings'

Crystal stemware | Towle 'Tiara'

Linens | Sur la Table