Thursday, May 6, 2010

My Super Cheap Thrift/Dollar/Flea Market Table Setting

It’s that time again…another Tablescape Thursday with Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.

I’ve heard many people say “Oh I don’t have the money to buy all that stuff to go on the table”.  Well, I’m going to let you in on a little secret in case you didn’t know it…you can find all sorts of things for table settings and find them cheaply too.   Almost every single item I used on the table below either came from a thrift store, dollar store or flea market…or best of all, it was FREE!  If it didn’t come from one of those store, I bought it at Wal-Mart when it was on sale. 

 

I’m a sucker for curly ribbon…I love it.  There’s just something cute and playful about those little springy curls.  When I found this blue and white ribbon at Dollar General one day, I decided they would be perfect on some napkin rings…so began my super cheap thrift/dollar/flea market table setting, better known as my blue and white table.

curling ribbon

Since then, I have been on the lookout for anything blue and white that I could use in a setting.  The whole table finally came together yesterday when I found this blue and white runner at the thrift store.  $.69 and it was in perfect condition!

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The blue glasses were from Wal-Mart a couple of years ago and they were marked down to $.50 for each one.  You can’t ask for much cheaper on glassware!

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The oil and vinegar cruet set, found at a thrift store, is “Diamond Fire” by Mikasa.  The set still had the stickers on it and I paid a whopping $.99 for it.  The silver was just the slightest bit tarnished when I bought it, but about 2 minutes with some Simichrome and it was sparkling again.  Since my family doesn’t care much for “oil and vinegar”, I’m planning to use the set for salad dressings.

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This relish tray with attached slots for salt and pepper shakers was found at the flea market.   I paid less than $1.00 for it and it was intact with all the pieces.  I think I found a bargain!   Since we’re having pulled pork for dinner tonight, the glass insert will be used to hold barbecue sauce instead of relish.

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This is my most favorite thrift store find that I used on the table and was also the most expensive item.  It’s a silver plate domed butter dish and has a glass insert under the dome to hold the butter.  Underneath the glass insert is space to put crushed ice so your butter stays chilled.  Hey, for $3.00 I couldn’t leave it behind! 

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For the FREE items that I mentioned above, I borrowed a blue and white vase from my aunt to use in my centerpiece.  A trip out to the fence yielded wild honeysuckle for the vase.  I also used another tiny white flower that I found growing at the edge of the woods, but I’m not sure what it is.  Regardless, it was all free!

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When my daughter was a little girl, she thought if you had candles burning on the table, you were having a “fancy dinner”.  Didn’t matter if it was hot dogs and chips, if those candles were lit, it was a fancy dinner.  She is almost a teenager now, but still loves to eat by candlelight.  For dinner tonight, we’re having Mean Chef’s Pulled Pork, baked beans, a garden salad, some type of potatoes, rolls and Peach Cobbler.  Nothing sophisticated, just good down home cooking…but it will be a “fancy dinner”. 

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The placemats, votive cups and candles were found at Dollar Tree.  The dinner and salad plates were bought at Wal-Mart during one of their after-Christmas sales for 75% off.

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It is possible to accessorize your settings with pretty items without spending a fortune!  You’ve just got to keep your eyes and imagination open to the possibilities.  

 

The recipe for Mean Chef’s Pulled Pork can be found at Recipezaar . If you like barbecued pork, I highly recommend trying the recipe.  It is delish!  By the way, while you’re there, please stop by the Table Settings and Decorating Ideas Forum and say “Hi”.  We’d love to have you join us!

DG

16 comments:

Anita Diaz said...

That is a gorgeous table no mater what the cost! Love that runner and the napkin rings. I love how you repurpose things like the relish tray. Love the butter dish too. Funny, I always felt the same way when I came to my grandmother's house and she let me get the candles out. Lovely that your family is enjoying it!! Gorgeous!!

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous table and I just love your thrifty sense! I love making things special for my family...not just company! Your family must feel very special :)

Blessings!
Gail

Scribbler said...

Very gorgeous table!

Scribbler
http://scribbler-unfocused.typepad.com/

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

I don't understand how in all this time I have missed visiting you. Your blog is beautiful as are all your tablescapes. Love the wisteria post. I love fairys too. It's nice to meet you.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Anonymous said...

Really pretty tablescape!

Jan @ BellaCasa

Kathleen said...

That looks just beautiful! I love blue and white!
Happy Mother's Day!!

Joanne Kennedy said...

I think you table looks like a million bucks and wanted to thank you for showing how pretty a table can be without a lot of money being spent. So many people think you have to spend a ton of money to set a nice table and I keep telling them you don't. You just proved me right.

Hugs,
Joanne

Marigene said...

Your table is beautiful and done for so little. I have so much fun scouring the thrift stores for finds like my TT this week. Your butter dome is simply gorgeous. I agree with your daughter, candle light makes for a fancy dinner!
Happy Mother's Day.

Needles Everywhere said...

What a lovely table. Your thrift store pieces are great. Especially that butter holder - and the oil and vinegar things, oh, and that relish dish with the spoon -- love it. The settings are perfect with all your special touches and the napkins rings are so clever.

Allison Shops said...

What a lovely table. I love the blue and white. One of the tables in my post this week features blue and white. Dropping by from BNOTP, link #1.

Allison
Atticmag

Sarah said...

Beautiful table, and that butter dish is fabulous. What a find, and for $3. Good for you. Don't you just love it when you find a treasure for a great price?

Cynthia@ITLLDO said...

Your table is gorgeous, and I love the napkin folding tutorials on the Recipe Zaar site.
Thanks so much!

jninecostumes said...

Thanks for sharing the prices of all the stuff on the table. It is very encouraging to know that it doesn't all have to be expensive. And never full price!

Chubby Chieque said...

You got one of the best setting I seen this day.

Love the colour theme. Love them all...

PRETTY, GORGEOUS, ELEGANT...

Miss Merry said...

Very pretty table. I love the small flowered bowls. You are so right - the money is not important. It is all in the memories!

Beth said...

Beautiful table! Love the blue and white and thanks for sharing how you did it without spending a lot. You have such beautiful tablescapes!
Blessings, Beth