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Thursday, August 6, 2009

IT'S A MIXED BOUQUET!



Today, I'm linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch, hosted by Susan.










You have now that you have come to my blog. I've never figured out which came first. Did I always like a mismatched look, or did I always have things that didn't match, and therefore decided I'd better like it that way? Either way, since everything in my house comes from a junk store, estate sale, or garage sale, it's a good thing I'm okay with a hodge podge of things that don't match. The way I shop, I'm seldom going to find a set of ANYTHING!



Yes, I know that none of this china matches. I also know that my flatware doesn't match, and neither do my place mats. All of my napkins are the same though! The only thing these items have in common is that they are all floral. Hopefully that will be enough to make my table look okay.

I'm serving salad dressing in the little bowls (are these Sachi bowls?). The salad plates under the bowls are by Johnson Brothers, and they were a "find" when I went shopping with Lauralu and Susan at our bloggers day out (see previous post).

The dinner plates came from an estate sale some time ago. They are Mulberry by Home Co. My blue and white flatware did not come with salad forks, so I've thrown in a green salad fork (well, there is green on the salad plates!) The white metal chargers came from a recent estate sale. I had attempted to order some of these, but they were out of stock (fortunately). I paid $5.00 for a set of 8 of them at the estate sale!


The metal flower napkin rings came from an estate sale.

There are eight napkin rings, but there are only two of each kind and color of flower. Hey! Maybe there is someone else who doesn't like for things to match.

The flower vase in the center of the table also came from my shopping trip with Lauralu and Susan. It was not in the same place where I found the salad plates, and it is not the same brand, but I thought I found something that matched something else I had bought! Oh! I just bought that little stand that is holding the flower vase at an estate sale today. I can't wait to tell you all about that sale.


(Lauralu, how do you think I did with my magic marker on his hat?) There were some chipped spots on the boy's hat, but I think I took care of that with my brown magic marker. Can you tell?

I have once again raided my husband's work shop for tiles to use as coasters.

Okay, I said I don't like to match, so I think I've succeeded in my goal of non-matching items, and since almost everything on my table is unmatched floral, I am calling it a mixed bouquet tablescape.


Be sure to go to Between Naps on the Porch to see a lot of wonderful tablescapes that have matching dinnerware, etc.

60 comments:

Martha said...

I liked "mixed bouquets" -- very pretty table and it all seems to work well together. Not everyone can do that -- for most folks it looks like a hodgepodge!

KBeau said...

Very pretty, Laurie. I actually prefer a nice eclectic mix. And I love your new blog header. Your petunias are so pretty, unlike mine which are getting kind of leggy.

A Hint of Home said...

Because they are all floral it blends. I love the flower cloth under your centerpiece.

santamaker said...

Hey Laurie, you never disappoint, my friend. Just love your eclectic look and it's much more difficult to pull it off than a matchy matchy one. You sure were able to do it!! Just love it. I adore your coasters especially!

Unknown said...

Laurie! Another DARLING table! I love your mis matched table. It matches perfectly to me! :)

~Liz

susan said...

They call this "ecclectic" now and it makes it sound much more fashionable, don't you think? :) I love that blue and white flatware! The little boy and girl look like they are happy in their new home! I looked for an email on your blog and did not find one. I love my mini plate (and the thought on it!) Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Laurie! I just love a mixed bouquet! This is so lovely! You do know, don't you, in my book you can do no wrong! Your table is gorgeous! Love the little flower holding boy and girl. I do that do with the magic marker!
I must tell you, OH Queen of Mosaics, so many people have been liking mine and asked how to make them. As I told you, I sent them to your post with your tutorial and now they're showing me their mosaics! You're so wonderful to share this with others! I'm loving mosaics to pieces! :)

Be a sweetie,
Shleia ;)

Joyce said...

Good job with the mix.
Joyce

"Blossom" said...

Mixing it up makes it interesting.
This are very pretty.

bj said...

What a BEAUTIFUL table. It was like taking a stroll thur a beautiful country, wildflower garden. I just love everything. You surely have a talent with tables!!
xo bj

The Muse said...

OOOoooo it is like a Victorian Garden...a plethora of beauty!

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

I adore your mixed table Laurie...it has SUCH charm & character! And you pulled it together so well that you don't even notice that it's mismatched...great job!!!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

I love it, Laurie!! It's absolutely beautiful! Wonderful creativity!

LillyB said...

Lauri! Another pretty tablescape!! You are so talented girl!!
Love ya!
Lilly

Melissa Miller said...

~WOW! Laurie what an incredibly pretty mix of patterns and flowers! I just love it all!
The figurines look beautiful.
You are so talented with your new way of displaying photos. ~Gorgeous

Thanks for the sweet B-day wishes my friend! I had a great day. :)

xinex said...

Am I cross eyed, Laurie? I have looked and looked at your plates and they look like they match to me. I love the boy and girl figures, in fact I bought a similar pair from Vanna's ebay store but they are not colored. I also bought the lace chargers but I paid about 10 x times more than you. You win! You are the bargain hunter and I would love to shop with you!...Christine

ellen b. said...

Girl! I love your tables and your style. It would be a hoot to go thrift shopping with you. I'm a pretty good enabler myself :0)

xashee's corner said...

you do such LOVELY tablescapes! i LOVE this one, as i do with ALL your settings! :D Thank you for sharing such WONDERFUL inspirations!! Have a TERRIFIC day!! :D

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Oh Laurie...what a delight!!! Your table is so sweet!!! I love the little boy and girl. I think they would have had to come home with me too!!!

Beautiful!!!

Enjoy!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 said...

You need to take me to your estate sales!!! Not for me to enable you but the other way around! I love, love your table! I was so eager to see how you would use your "treasures". I can't even tell his hat was missing some paint! Laurie, no matter what you say, you're one talented lady! I agree that it takes a very good eye to put together mismatched items and make them look as good as you do! I've been busy making jewelry. Glenda inspired me to get going again. I think I'm going to try a mosaic next week with my jewelry! Love Ya Girlfriend! Lauralu :)

Anonymous said...

Ok Laurie friend when are you going to give out your secrets as to how you can pull it all together to make such a great setting each time!!??

Mine always look like miss matched things when I try to do something like this!

Those boy and girl statues that Lauralu found for you are so sweet! And they look perfect with all the other pretties on the table!

blessings
mary

Slice of Pie said...

I love to mix it up! Your table is fantastic ... love it.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Laurie, I love all of the pretty flower dishes and I love that they don't match. They are all so pretty and just wonderful together. I havn't ever seen the blue and white silverware, but I LOVE it. Your new little girl and boy are so charming and so pretty. Great finds too. You always do such a pretty table and this one is gorgeous. Hugs, Marty

Kim said...

Okay Laurie - I'm totally sick with envy over here! Not just at the beauty of your table, but with your talent to put it all together! Oh, and I just adore Lauralu! Isn't she the sweetest??? Take care! Kim

Fifi Flowers said...

FUN napkin rings!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi laurie,
I love your mixed bouquet table in fact mismatched is my favorite kind! That little girl and boy you found while thrifting are so wonderful, they add a frenchy floral garden appeal and those blue and white plates, yes, yes, they are pretty! The blue and white flatware is wonderful! I would love to be a little mouse in your house and get to check out all the goodies! Hugs, Cindy

Anonymous said...

Your table is lovely! I always love mix and match and the way a table can be pulled together with creative mixing of things. You did a GREAT job! Toni

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Laurie...I always love your tables...so full of whimsy and beautiful...all at the same time. I am always so amazed at all the wonderful goodies you find at estate sales. Glad you found your chargers so reasonably and didn't order them...what a deal you got on those! That LauraLu is a good enabler. :-) Hope she keeps enabling you 'cause I love your tablescape!
Susan

Brenda Pruitt said...

This is so cute, and you are so much fun! You must be a hoot in person! I always bought things in sets. Now in the past year I'm wondering why on earth I did that. No place to store everything, and I don't want it all to match anymore!
Brenda

Jewel Sauls said...

Such a beautiful mixed bouquet Laurie! I love it all especially the wonderful way you have blended it all together! :D Jewel

Bill said...

Hi Laurie,
I think you mis-matched everything beautifully! Those white metal chargers were a fantastic find ... congratulations! Don't you LOVE going to a good estate sale???

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Laurie, Your table is incredible. I happen to love the mixed match look over matchy stuff.
Much more interesting and unique.
You sure are a talented girl.
Have a great weekend,
Hugs, Celestina Marie

Designs on 47th Street said...

HOT DOG!! I actually got through this time to leave you a comment. I "swaney" I don't know why I can't, most of the time. I even have a link to your blog on one of my recent post and couldn't leave a comment to tell you. :(

Anyway, you certainly know how to pull off the mixture of dishes. It looks as if it was planned from the beginning when you bought each piece. This is good for me to think about, because I'm always spotting dishes at stores but don't want to buy 12 or even 8 of everything. I should think more about what I can mix together. Great post, as always!! Donna

Envoy-ette said...

Looks great to me! Laurie, I'm having a give away! (1000 posts)Please swing by and enter...and GOOD LUCK! "It Could Be Worse!"

Kathleen said...

There could never be a match for you, Laurie, you are one of a kind! Queen of mosaics and making mismatched flow!
Such an interesting table!
Permanent marker, duct tape and spray paint, what we would do without them! :)

Carol said...

Laurie,
Your tablescapes are always so fabulous! This mixed bouquet table is so different & inviting! Love how you used all the elements to make a great table.

Hugs,
Carol

Sue said...

It's all been said. Let me just say, DITTO!! hugs Sue

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Laurie! I love your colors and your mix of tableware! Your little boy and girl are so cute! That Lauralu has a good eye! Happy weekend...hugs...Debbie

SmilingSally said...

Even though it doesn't match, it is well coordinated. I especially like the blue setting!

Kat said...

I really like this! As Stacy and Clinton tell people all the time on What Not To Wear - things don't have to match, they just have to go together. And these all go together perfectly! Beautiful table, I think this is much more difficult to pull off than a "matchy matchy" table. Kathy

Judi said...

Hi Laurie
Its so nice to be here to visit you again! I love your tablescape and all your dishes and settings. You have great new finds too. I like the little boy it looks so good on the table.

Well you know Laurie, the more wonderful pieces you find will eventually have to match with each other...and yours do. Your dishes, the plates are so pretty and the colours so nice and bright.

Great shopping and lovely table.
Have a wonderful day
Judi

Dawn Marie said...

Well I like it and I can't tell it mismatches so I must be alot like you!

You remind me to get back into checking for local estate sales.

Sharing with Sherri said...

Hi Laurie,

I love your new blog banner, so colorful and you know I love that waterfall on your pool!!

Your tablesetting is soo cute, it kinda reminds me of folk art and I just love that!!

Sherri:)

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Laurie, your table is so full of fun and whimsy. I love all the mis-matched "co-ordinating" items. I can tell you had a ball putting this together.. Love the little gal and guy.. they are adorable..you always manage to find some of the greatest things... hope all is well with you and yours..hugs ~lynne~

Ginny said...

Once again you have put together an amazing tablescape! I love the colors, and it kind of reminds me of a little of Dutch influence.
By the way, I loooove estate sales! I have not been to one this summer yet, however.
You are so creative, Laurie..such a talent!

Marie said...

Hello sweet Laurie - Love, love your table scape. There's so much to love of course but I think my fave is the fact that nothing matches! It adds so much character and playfulness to the look of the table. From the sweet little boy and girl holding your pretty flowers, to the amazing patterned plates. Really love your hubby's tiles as coasters! Great idea.

Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com

puddin07 said...

Laaurie, I'm late again! I love all of the mismatched pieces, it all looks wonderful together! I don't know how you do it! My faves are the adorable boy and girl, and the vase in the centerpiece. You are so talented! I love the new header, and background! Love Ya! Connie

Myrna said...

Your tablescape is GORGEOUS!! I LOVE how you mix-matched everything and it all just 'goes'!!
Great job..such a fun table!!
Thanks for your sweet comments, too!
Blessings!
Myrna

Elyse said...

hi laurie!

how fun and eclectic! way to go!

xo

Laura said...

OK, first of all, everything looks fabulous. Secondly, it takes real talent to mix things and Miss Laurie- you have it!

I enjoyed visiting,
Laura

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

I like it. Even though it is not all matched, everything complements each other. Very nice.

Christi

Soosie said...

Eve, I sort of picture you hanging
from a little pulley rope from one of your chandeliers and Danny raising and lowering you to get just the right overhead pic of your fabulous tables..

Loved those white metal chargers..
and those French print napkins, in honor of Julia C, I am sure..
Susie

Glenda/MidSouth said...

And a very pretty "mixed bouquet" it is. It would be a pleasure to sit at that table. You did get some nice finds when shopping here! Those markers come in handy. I recently used a black sharpie on a project to touch a spot up.
Thanks for visiting. I had to sit thru the last trial I was picked for. :(
I am looking forward to seeing Lauralu's jewelry. Have a great weekend!
Glenda

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Laurie!

I LOVE your table! It looks fabulous! I think things look even better when they don't match. The variety is what gives it a unique and beautiful look. You find some wonderful things Laurie!

Hugs, Sherry

Mama said...

I love this table setting! Very inviting -- the mismatched look is charming.

Kathleen Ellis said...

Hi Laurie~

Your table is lovely as usual! You know I love the eclectic chic look as well...it's so much more interesting!
Thanks so much for your well wishes for my daughter, she is now back home with her hubby recovering from her surgery!
Have a fabulous week!
<3

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Laurie! I just read your "bloggers day out" post...I don't know how I missed it! Sooooo funny! I know you ladies had a blast! Now, I just wish I had seen some pics of you getting in on the fun, because I am sure you were the ring leader!! Hope you are having a great weekend...hugs...Debbie

Connie said...

Hey Laurie, Thanks for stopping by to say
hi. I just love your mosaics and you are now doing such creative things with them. I like the writing on them, also.
I especially love the Mulberry pattern. Nice price, too.

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

I love the mix...love the colors and think you did an OUTSTANDING job....Your blog just makes me happy.

Miss Janice said...

I love this "mixed tablescape"! I love the flowers and the china and the little boy and girl statue! Very pretty:)