Thursday, October 14, 2010

Paisley and Goldenrods

From 1927 until 1959, the Goldenrod was the official state flower in Alabama.  During the fall, they grow wild and have the most vibrant displays of color.  You’ll find them growing along the sides of roads, in the woods and sometimes even find entire fields covered with Goldenrods.   To many people, they are just weeds…but to me, they’re like glorious little golden sunbeams that signal Autumn is finally here.   

This is just one small group of Goldenrods that are growing at the edge of the woods behind my house.  They have always been one of my favorite flowers.

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I wanted to make a table setting with sprays of Goldenrods as my centerpiece and used a white iridescent vase to hold the arrangement.  Since I wanted the flowers to be the focal point of the table, I decided the setting needed to be very simple. 

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I kept the gold damask tablecloth from last week’s table and layered a red paisley runner over the cloth.  This runner is one of my favorites to use in the fall as it has so many different colors in it…blue, green, gold, red, and white.

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For each place setting, I began with gold baroque chargers.  Then I layered white dinner plates with a gold rim and amber Depression salad plates on the chargers.  I added antique soup bowls and topped them with “Fairfield” glasses in honey gold to use for dessert.

Oops, I  had moved the spoon to take a photo and realized looking at this photo that I forgot to move it back.

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I used crystal votive candleholders around the vase and I love the shadowy swirls you can see on the table!

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Gold and crystal hurricane candleholders were placed at each end of the table.

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Now I have a confession to make…I am a place card-aholic.  Even if it’s simply the four of us at home, I love putting place cards on the table.  My sweet husband says after all these years we should know where we sit!  Can’t help it though…I just adore adding them to the table.

I thought this Victorian lady would be perfect for the table.  She’s wearing a beautiful yellow gown and has a bouquet of flowers in her lap.  Hmmm…might even be some goldenrods in that bouquet!

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Dinner is ready and the candles are burning…

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One last view of the Goldenrods by candlelight.

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I’m joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for another Tablescape Thursday.  We would love for you to come join in the fun!

In the Days of the Golden Rod by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Across the meadow in brooding shadow
I walk to drink of the autumn's wine­
The charm of story, the artist's glory,
To-day on these silvering hills is mine;
On height, in hollow, where'er I follow,
By mellow hillside and searing sod,
Its plumes uplifting, in light winds drifting,
I see the glimmer of golden-rod.
In this latest comer the vanished summer
Has left its sunshine the world to cheer,
And bids us remember in late September
What beauty mates with the passing year.
The days that are fleetest are still the sweetest,
And life is near to the heart of God,
And the peace of heaven to earth is given
In this wonderful time of the golden-rod.

Thank you for visiting and please come back soon!

DG

22 comments:

A Perfect Setting said...

Your place settings are gorgeous! I love goldenrods--the whole table is so beautiful, thanks so much for sharing!

Tricia said...

Great idea, to let the beautiful goldenrod take center stage! I love how you've layered both table linens and dishes for a warm, elegant look. Perfect for fall!

The Style Sisters said...

Wow your dishes are so elegant and pretty. Just beautiful.
Karin

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

You have created a beautiful tablescape. The Goldenrod is wonderful and earthy....perfection addition. I agree with you, name place cards are so nice. You shows how much Love you have put into your tablescape. Thanks for sharing! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your wonderful tablescapes. I'm your newest follower. Come on over to my blog and say hello. Linda

Jaybird said...

I still think this is the most beautiful table ever!! You did a wonderful job and it looks warm and inviting!
Thanks,
J

Marlis said...

I love the goldenrods.. your tablescape is amazing. I drank in every detail as if it were fine wine. Stunning.

Anita Diaz said...

Beautiful, beautiful!! I love your table! I also love golden rod and have been using it pretty much every week. I love the golden glow of your table!

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

What a beautiful table! I love the goldenrod!

Alycia Nichols said...

Those chargers are super, super, super!!! Very pretty! WE get a lot of goldenrod here in Missouri, too, and I love it! It works as a wonderful filler for floral arrangements or, as you have so beautifully displayed it, all by itself. Wonderful!

Carrie said...

Wow, your table setting is gorgeous...I enjoyed the use of the wildflowers and the overall color scheme!

Mary said...

Lovely runner layered with your tablecloth! Fun idea to use Goldenrod for a centerpiece :-)

Terry @ La Bella Vie said...

Oh this is just so beautiful! I know how you feel about the flowers, I feel the same way about Queen Anne's Lace which I love and had in my wedding bouquet.
Thanks for coming by and your sweet comments about the table. It was a blast to do!
Terry

allisamazing said...

Absolutely beautiful! ~Alana~

Sandi (Meme) said...

What a pretty table! It's so glittery! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment about my Halloween table. Loved having you over. I'm joining as your newest follower, so hope you come back and see me again sometime! Have a wonderful weekend! Sandi

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello...

Ooohh...your table is gorgeous, my friend! Of course, I just adore all the red and gold...my favorite colors! Your place settings are sooo beautiful! I love the gold Baroque chargers and that china is exquisite! Beautiful table linens...so rich! And...I love the large arrangement of Goldenrod! Beautiful, my friend! Thank you for sharing it with us! I also really enjoyed the sweet Goldenrod poem!

I also wanted to thank you for stopping by and taking a peek at my Autumn Enchantment table and mantel! I really enjoyed your visit and your sweet note! Thank you!!!

Warmest autumn wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

Anonymous said...

I love the paisley runner. The goldenrod is great!

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hi DG,
thank you so much for your visit and your sweet comment. I didn't ge along to visit every of this nice tables but now I came to have a look at your. And it is wonderful. I like Goldenro, we have it here in germany also. nd I have lots of memories in my childhood when I picked it for my mother in the meadows. And you mad a phantastic tablescape with it. It looks very golden and precious. Your glass and china and all is very adorable.
Greetings, Johanna

Anonymous said...

I agree goldenrod and those blackeyed susies say,"fall has fell".
Love this tablescape it is so pretty.
Thanks for visiting LAZYONLOBLOLLY,your comment was so sweet.Please drop back by for a visit anytime.
-Jo
-LazyonLoblolly

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh your fall goldeness is just lovely and your cake looks delicious! Thanks for your sweet visit to my table this week as well.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh your tablescape is beautiful! That Goldenrod looks so pretty arching out of the vase over the center of the table, and your place settings are gorgeous with them. laurie

very merry vintage style said...

What a pretty setting!

Entertaining Women said...

Now this is my kind of table! Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing your lovely design. Cherry Kay