17 January 2011

Pomegranate Morning



MaryT/TheTeach over at Work of the Poet started a photo meme for people who have photographed something red. For some months now I haven't been able to participate in Ruby Tuesday, but am very happy to be getting back on board this week. I am also, for the first time, joining Marty at A Stroll Through Life for her blog party, TableTop Tuesday. Check out both of these wonderful blogs to see who else is playing along.

Today I am featuring red on our breakfast room table.

Vintage tablecloths make dishes sparkle. And you all know how much I love my dishes! I have picked up vintage tablecloths off and on for some 30 years, but only in the last ten or so have begun to actively collect them. Collect, as in buy the books, learn the makers, know the designs, etc., etc., etc. One of the best vintage tablecloth manufacturers is California Hand Prints. They made lovely cloths on high quality fabric. Several of their patterns rank among my favourites. And Pomegranates has to be near the top, if not the apex.



For several years now I have been looking for the Pomegranates tablecloth. I've known about two colourways, but just learned that it is also known to come in at least one more: the one I'm featuring here today, a darker version where the leaves are black, and one that is yellow and green. The yellow/green version can be seen on my friend Candy's blog: Pomegranates on The Little Round Table. And she is lucky enough to have real pomegranates growing in her garden! Just before Christmas I found this Pomegranates tablecloth for sale on eBay and was lucky enough to win it.

I set the table using celadon, pearl grey and scarlet Fiesta dinnerware, along with some pieces from my collection of art deco chrome. The chrome pieces I chose for this table are all accented with red bakelite or red enamel. The flatware is the original Fiesta stainless steel that was authorized by Homer Laughlin China sometime in the early 1990s. Napkin rings are some silver ones I have had for many years and the napkins were a Christmas gift from my Tablecloth Secret Santa. Most of the chrome pieces are American, but the tall vase was made in England. It came to me by way of a Canadian friend and can be seen in the book, Art Deco Scapes. (Actually, several of the pieces in that book are from my collection so check it out if you get a chance.)



But back to my pomegranate table:




Official Fiesta stainless flatware:


Deco chrome and red bakelite handled dome on a pearl grey Fiesta plate:


Art deco chrome cup with bakelite handle and glass liner:


Scarlet and Pearl Grey Fiesta, silver napkin ring and contemporary napkin:


Deco chrome cocktail shaker/pourer:

(We must be having mimosas on this pomegranate morning. )

Art deco domed server with red bakelite handles:


Vintage Fiesta celadon juice pitcher:


British deco chrome vase with some enamelled metal mushrooms that go with the Ruby Tuesday theme:

Other pieces came in this base design. I also have a candy dish with the same foot and some picture frames trimmed in just the red. That coloured finish is not smooth. It almost has an orange peel effect. And the vase is rather large. It measures 15" high.

Depression glass butter dish with deco chrome lid and red bakelite handle, Fiesta pyramid candleholder, set off by the inside border of the tablecloth:




Real pomegranates - the jewels of winter:


Fiesta pyramid candleholder, hostess bowl and pomegranates:

The candleholder is my favourite vintage Fiesta shape and the hostess bowl is one of my two favourite Post-86 shapes. Both of them epitomize art deco design.

Art deco toast rack and tray:


I love the way the rings in the toast tray echo the iconic Fiesta rings:


And I love the way the chrome brings some sparkle and shine to the table:


You may notice I have different candleholders between the first photo and the last. I originally thought the bulb candleholders would echo the round of the pomegranates, but after trying both on the table I felt like the pyramids looked better in this setting.

If all of this has made you hungry for something with pomegranates (it has me!!!), I highly recommend Nigella Lawson's No Churn Pomegranate Ice Cream. I have made it a number of times and also blogged about it before.

Click here for recipe.

namasté,
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34 comments:

Daphne said...

Your table looks wonderful, Becky! The best TC's are the ones that unite your collections on the tabletop, and this one gets an A+ in that category. Enjoy your breakfast!

Kramer said...

What a nice way to pick up the red, have it scattered about. Rather fun photo collection.

Lola said...

Love that pomegranate icecream!

XOXO Lola:)

PS What a lovely blog you have!

Vrinda said...

awesome awesome awesome....thats all i can say.

Wonderful blog.

Thanks for visiting mine, keep visiting.

Robin said...

You set such a beautiful table, and you're right, that pomegranate cloth really does make the dishes pop. Suddenly I'm craving pomegranates, too, but they're terribly out of season here.

-----------------------------------
My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

maryt/theteach said...

Becky, You pomegranate tablecloth is beautiful and so are all the additional art deco pieces! Thank you for sharing! :)

Maria @ LSS said...

What a lovely table setting. Happy Ruby Tuesday!

Mine's here.

Carletta said...

The table setting is lovely!
And, you have photographed it all beautifully!
Love those mushrooms. :)

Debbiedoos said...

Becky that is fun! I felt like I was in Europe for a moment, it had that flair to me. Love all the reds.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh my, this is just fabulous. I love it all. You have such lovely accessories and you've tied everything together beautifully. Fantastic tablescape. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Mary said...

What a fantastic collection of Deco items! Your shaker/pourer is fabulous!

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Your table looks fabulous! Why is it that pomegranates have become so popular lately. I remember eating pomegranates as a kid. They were just too much work for me.

Miss Char said...

What a cheery table for January, I love the red. Thanks for sharing.

Jocelyn said...

Oh wow I love this table scape! The pomegranate color is gorgeous.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

Craig Miyamoto said...

Red is such a lovely, vibrant color. Great pictures, Becky.

xoxox Craig

Rubie Lee said...

i love it,they are so beautiful

Hootin Anni said...

Be still my heart...how I love pomegranates. I even went as far as buying a tree...this first year, I picked three off...hoping to have many many more.

Your table setting is fabulous. I think I like the long stemmed mushrooms [toadstools] best.



My Ruby Tuesday Link

http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-post.html

nuts said...

wow! you amazed me with your table setting and the stainless fiesta! wonderful!

anne said...

Nice entry for Ruby Tuesday and welcome back thanks for dropping by too

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Becky! I adore your table! Where do I start?

First, I loved the history lesson on the tablecloth and all of the pieces. Those chrome pieces with the red knobs are so neat! They remind me of my aunt's breakfast room table from years ago, and that really makes me smile. She had one of those chrome tables with the matching chairs in chrome and vinyl (I think they were grey), and this just took me back years. I love it!

And your Fiestaw sets just the right note with its pop of red to match the pomegrantes in the cloth. I enjoyed all the attention to detail in your tablescape. Are you hooked up for Tablescape Thursday? If not, you should be!

I'm so glad you dropped by today and thank you for your visit. I certainly enjoyed mine here.

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Sorry about my typo!

Southerncook said...

Becky,

I absolutely LOVED this post. The vintage tablecloth is gorgeous and it looks so pretty with your Fiesta dishes. Those mushrooms are adorable and I am crazy about the darling retro cocktail shaker. Simply beautiful.

Carolyn

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Becky...

I'm coming over from Marty's Table Top party. This is my very first visit to your delightful blog...it's so very nice to meet you, my friend! I sooo enjoyed your beautiful "Pomegranite" table. The vintage table cloths always intrique me...they have so many beautiful designs and great colors...your pomegranite cloth is a great example of that! Love the color coordinating dishes...so pretty! But I must tell you that seeing all of your deco chrome pieces was such a treat! You have a beautiful collection, my friend! Such a lovely table...thank you so much for sharing it with us today!

Warmest winter wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

Candace said...

You set the most beautiful table! I.love.everything! Thanks so much for stopping by to see me and introducing your blog. I'm going to follow you in my reader. Have a great Tuesday, Candace

Kristen said...

Becky! I LOVE your table! So wish I could pull up a chair and share some of that ice cream with you (or have you shake something up in that gorgeous shaker *grin*)

La said...

Love your vintage tablecloth. Your entire tablescape is lovely. Pomegranate Ice Cream? That sounds interesting.

Stop by and enter my giveaway. Based on your tablescape, I think you'd like what is in the mystery package.

Have a great day! La

Erica (Irene) said...

Becky...everything is so beautiful, great photo's..... hope all is well. :-)

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Oh, your table is so lovely. I'm a FiestaWare lover, but I only have the new things. I had never heard of the pearl grey. It is just beautiful.
CAS

Martha said...

Becky -- it's a great table -- you put me to shame!!!! I love the tablecloth and all of the dishes on top -- you put it together very very well!!!

Savannah Granny said...

This is one sweet scape. It is so elegant but not stuffy. I love the color scheme. I never realized how many different colors were made by Fiesta. I am in love with the pyramid pieces. They are so awesome.
I have never met anyone who owned items published in a reference book. Boy, you are a serious collector. I look forward to reading your posts.
Thanks for following and I am following as well. Thanks sincerely, Ginger

bj said...

I do love all your beautiful reds...
and thanks so very much for following. I am following you right back...maybe we'll met in the middle. :)))

Patricia said...

Wow, Becky! This is such a fun table...I wish I was joining you for breakfast!

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

Hi Becky !
finally found a way to contact you about the teacup trade :) your comments are a no-reply, so email of the questionnaire came back to me...
please email me with yours so that i can resend & have you join us. i'm doing the matchup today :)
many thx!

Monica @ Happily Playing with Dishes said...

Love everything! Fabulous. I can't wait to see more of your tablescapes. The cloth is awesome.