Friday, December 3, 2010

Mad About Tartan Plaid


Country Living
Have I mentioned how much I love tartan plaid?
My love for plaid intensifies this time of year!

Country Living
In fact, I'm a sucker for anything tartan all year 'round!

I even dress my dog in tartan! I know, weird.....

It's just that Dexter and tartan look great together, don't you think?
Wool throw from Ralph Lauren.

Tartan is starting to appear in our living room for the holidays.
Plaid toleware from TJ Maxx, years ago.
The book is vintage.

In Florence, I noticed tartan everywhere.

This display of tartan plaid at the Rinascente department store had my heart beating fast.
I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I only bought two potholders though.

They will go great with these towels that I found at Homegoods. They came with a matching tartan apron.

Pendleton Woolen Mills is a great source for plaid. They even have a Tartan Gift Shop here.

This lambswool throw is on sale right now for $39!

Some throws even have matching pillows.

If you are looking for tartan plaid plates for your Christmas table, Pendleton has this set of dessert plates for $48, all four with different plaid patterns.
Target also has plaid dishes right now too. They are inexpensive and selling out fast. Hurry!

Fabulous plaid napkins from Pendleton.

Fabulous tablecloth too!

Of course Pendleton is more famous for their wool clothing.
I'm thinking this is my Christmas Day outfit!

I found this amazing blazer from Orvis. I don't think Mr. A would wear this though, even if I think it is wonderful!

But he might wear this vest from Orvis. I think it would be perfect with a tuxedo as well as jeans. From decorating the tree during the day, then to the Christmas party at night!

There's even a store in San Francisco that sells tartan. Wm Glen & Son sells everything tartan from ties to kilts. I love men in kilts!

I'm quite positive Mr. A would never wear a kilt though....

There is someone though who would wear that blazer, and the vest, and probably even the kilt!
Scot Meacham Wood from The Adventures of Tartanscot.
He is an amazing interior designer in San Francisco who just happens to love tartan plaid more than I do!
Above is his living room all decked out for Christmas. He is the king of tartan!


Rue Magazine featured an article on Scot Meacham Wood in their latest issue on page 238.
Here is the accompanying video. Check it out--you will love it!


And just for laughs and giggles, check out this 5 minute video from BBC's The Graham Norton Show.
It will answer your ever nagging question of what DO men wear under their kilts!

I'm joining Laurie at Bargain Hunting With Laurie for Favorite Things Saturday!
On Sunday, I'm joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays. Be sure to check them both out for lots of seasonal inspiration.

Gentlemen--The Tartan

Here's to it!
The fighting sheen of it,
The yellow, the green of it,
The white, the blue of it,
The swing, the hue of it,
The dark, the red of it,
Every thread of it!

The fair have sighed for it,
The brave have died for it,
Foemen sought for it,
Heroes fought for it.
Honour the name of it,
Drink to the fame of it-
The TARTAN!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Christmas Tablescapes From The Past


Come take a walk with me down memory lane to see Christmas tablescapes from last year and beyond.

Christmas 2009.
I mixed and matched the red and green transferware, red and green goblets, red and green toile napkins, tying it all together with red tartan placemats.

Mason's "Fruit Basket" plates.

Mason's "Vista" plates.

The table was set for 14!

One of the first tablescapes I did when I first started blogging was this one. I couldn't wait to link up to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday!

The table is set for a casual Christmas eve supper at the kitchen table.

Johnson Brothers "Friendly Village" plates.
These plates are vintage, collected over the years from flea markets, estate sales and antique stores.

I called this tablescape from Christmas, 2009 "Joyeux Noel" because the plates have a French Provençal pattern.
Narcissus and french angels from Pierre Deux make the centerpiece. I'm noticing the same vintage Anchor Hocking glasses in every tablescape so far....! Ooooops.

As you can see, I had no idea how to use my camera yet!
Still using a flash....

I read that it's a no-no to use a flash, so here is my attempt without one. Not good!

A few weeks later, another tablescape.
These photos are a definite improvement!


The plates are from Target, designed by Christopher Radko. They are still being produced, however the colors aren't as vivid.
I think they look great with the tartan plaid placemats. I can never get enough of tartan!

Christmas, 2008.
Johnson Brothers "Old Britain Castles" plates.
Same old chargers, same old stemware, same old napkin rings.
New Ralph Lauren needlepoint placemat and Pottery Barn burlap runner!

The centerpiece was rustic with the birch candles, birch vase and live cedar garland.

The dining room has changed a lot since 2008. The wallpaper is now green and the rug has been replaced with seagrass.

Christmas, 2007.
Pretty much the same as 2008, except the centerpiece was quite simple with white hydrangeas in red anduze pots, pine cone garland and no runner.

This year, we are expecting 20 for dinner! So, I'll set a table in the entry like I did here for a party last year.

For Christmas 2010, I'm envisioning tartan plaid! For a whole year, I've hunted for tartan dinner plates. I've managed to find 12. Not sure yet what to combine them with, but here are a few ideas I'm working on:






Oh, the possibilities are endless!

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.
On Friday, I'm joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.
Thank for taking a walk with me down memory lane!

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