Guest Picks: Set Your Table Dutch-Master Style
Make your Thanksgiving feast pop against moody black and rich gold pieces inspired by still-life paintings
my blog will rock your face maybe.
http://www.myfavoriteandmybest.com
my blog will rock your face maybe.
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Not sure what direction to go with your Thanksgiving table this year? Leave the fall foliage, pumpkin tureens, chestnuts and iron squirrel candle holders alone, and turn instead to the distinctive, light, rich saturation and still-life ephemera of a Dutch Master painting. That way when drunk Nana spills her fourth glass of Pinot Noir, it will look like part of the tablescape. Awesome!
All you need to make this happen to your real life table are a few essentials. Stick to a rich palette where each component pops off the other: black, white, gray, cream, silver, pewter, gold and green. Then throw a few found objects in there like seashells, feathers, some well-placed fruit and blammo: instant still life! — Jenny from My Favorite and My Best
All you need to make this happen to your real life table are a few essentials. Stick to a rich palette where each component pops off the other: black, white, gray, cream, silver, pewter, gold and green. Then throw a few found objects in there like seashells, feathers, some well-placed fruit and blammo: instant still life! — Jenny from My Favorite and My Best
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| These first two gorgeous prints are available for purchase. How awesome would a big one be in a modern frame in a really modern, simple dining space? Really awesome! |
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| Use these prints as inspiration for your still-life tablescape. They are complete with all of the elements you'll need to make it perfect: shiny white tablecloth, green goblets, plenty of abundance and richness. |
by Jayson Home
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Pewter is an obvious choice for your plate situation. Or you could just grab a few and use them as platters to hold a perfectly crumpled white napkin, some globe grapes or cheese chunks.
by Jayson Home
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This gold nautilus shell adds the right amount of shine and pretty to the table. Remember, you are creating something beautiful and paint-worthy. Don't judge its uselessness.
by Jayson Home
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These ebony horn–handled serving utensils add a traveled richness to the table.
by Jayson Home
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Vintage wooden cutting boards are a great way to serve bread and other nibbles. You could also use them as hot plates for your stuffing and mashed potatoes.
by Anthropologie
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The blacker and shinier, the better, I say. This serving platter from Anthropologie is a great starting point for the rest of the table. The Dutch Masters often used black in the background so that all of the table ephemera popped off the canvas.
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| Flowers are super important here, but which kind? The folks at Little Flower School say, "moody, lush and abundant arrangements that celebrate the bounty of the season." Little Flower School, located in Brooklyn, N.Y., actually gives classes on how to arrange a Dutch Master–style flower arrangement. How cool is that? |
This gorgeous print is available for purchase. It's a spectacular example of the type of floral arrangement you'll need to complete the perfect Dutch Master–inspired table setting.
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| These vintage brass candelabras from High Street Market are number one on my wish list. They would add such great character to any table. |
by Anthropologie
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I am pretty sure every Dutch Master still life has a green goblet present. I would use these for water.
Throw around a few leopard cone shells for good measure. These were a popular choice for painters because of their detail.
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| These charcoal porcelain plates from ABC Home are so luxurious and would be beautiful on a white tablecloth. |
by Gracious Home
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Speaking of white tablecloths, this linen one from Gracious Home is a classic.
by Anthropologie
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Many still-life paintings are all about the food — again, it showed your skill level. However, if throwing a few raw savoy cabbages on the table doesn't sound appealing to you, then use this cute little eggplant jar from Anthropologie instead. You could put anything in it: softened butter, salt, your favorite nuts, some Xanax, etc.
Gold, gold, gold, gold and gold. At this point I'd like to move these to the number one spot on my tablescape wishlist.
by Jayson Home
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If a tablecloth isn't your thing, these pheasant feather placemats would be a seriously cool replacement. They're so beautiful.
by Jayson Home
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Vintage demijohns are great if you have a big table to dress and want to keep it simple. Place a few down the center in addition to your simple black plates, gold flatware and crisp, white tablecloth. They are perfect for a still life–inspired table setting, as they were used a great deal in real still life paintings.
These napkins from West Elm are a great affordable option, and they come in such great colors. My money's on that plummy purple or the olive green.
by One Kings Lane
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These little shell salt cellars are the cat's balls! (Is that a saying? Well, they are.) My husband would say these are a "smart purchase" as they are cute and functional. Whatever it takes to get him to agree with any purchase I make is a win-win situation.
Next: More of Jenny's Guest Picks on Houzz
Next: More of Jenny's Guest Picks on Houzz
Ideabook updated on Nov. 20, 2011.
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perhaps you too could rethink "hoan"...when what you really meant was "hone".
come on! this is basic english!
Just a quick update - I contacted Jaysone Home and it turned out they recently did a system upgrade for the website so my profile info was lost there. But they did help me restore it. They were very responsive, and today I got the order shipped to my door, and unwrapping was a real pleasure! They made you feel like VIP, with a beautiful brochure and a nice card with some personal greeting message! I'm sold and I'll go back to purchase more from Jayson Home! Thx houzz for the recommendations!
I really really LOVE the feather placemat and I may get creative with two of those that I got - may post picture later!
Jenny, THANKS A LOT for your recommendations, and I'll go back to Jayson Home to purchase more for sure!
i'm glad everything worked out for you!