Vintage Decor Rental NC Archives - Page 12 of 12

Vintage Feature – A Celebration of Numbers

Like one of my favorite characters on Sesame Street, Count von Count, I love numbers and it seems like we are always counting at Southern Vintage Table – like, how many vintage blue & white china patterns we have, the number of salad forks in our collection or the length of a creamy lace overlay.

Sometimes, however, our counting means even more – they mark an achievement – and we have a few of them we’d like to share. Let’s start the countdown with 10 numbers we are celebrating…

~ 6,065 Views on Our Wordpress Blog ~

This past week we marked our one year anniversary on WordPress and, as of today, our view count is 6,065. We think this is definitely something worth celebrating! To everyone who reads our weekly blog, we extend our sincerest thanks!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

~ 1,242 Pieces of Vintage Silver-Plated Flatware ~

Okay, I didn’t really count each piece but we do have place settings for 200+ guests and many serving pieces as well. This cache of flatware didn’t come so easy – we’ve scoured thrift stores, estate sales, auctions, consignment shops, craigslist, ebay and more to find these glorious vintage patterns. Now, that’s certainly an accomplishment to note!

~ 882 Pinterest Pins ~

After one year we currently have 882 pins on Pinterest. These pins showcase our inventory at Southern Vintage Table. If you want to know what we have to offer, this is a great place to start.

~ 280 Facebook Likes ~

Thank you all for your “likes,” comments and post shares on our Facebook page! We love to share with you our new additions as well as our latest events. And, we love to hear from you!

~ 200 Guests ~

One question often asked is how many guests we can accommodate. With our inventory of china, flatware, linens and glassware, we can now service 200 guests. Now, that’s a festive feat!

~ 71 Blog Posts ~

We love writing and sharing our thoughts about anything vintage and so far we have 71 blog posts to attest to just that. Check in with us each Sunday to find out more about our latest vintage find, see photos from our most recent event or hear about our vintage adventures. We appreciate each and every visit!

Vintage Milk Glass Vase with Dried Flowers

~ 65 Vintage Whitehall Glasses ~

We now have 65 of this fabulous vintage glassware pattern in a rainbow of colors. Our goal is to have 100 in our inventory. Of course, we also have lots of other terrific vintage glassware patterns in these colors as well, definitely enough for your 200 guests.

~ 21 Pinterest Boards ~

Check out our fabulous vintage inventory, organized on our 21 boards. From elegant vintage china to vintage decor, we have so many wonderful items to help make your gathering unique and fun!

~ 18 Events ~

From birthday tea parties to holiday dinners to wedding receptions, Southern Vintage Table took part in 18 events this past year and loved every one of them! Thank you for inviting us to share some vintage with your special occasion.

~ 1 Year Anniversary! ~

Drum roll, please… And, now for smallest number but perhaps the biggest cause for celebration! Southern Vintage Table has been open now for one year! It’s been quite an adventure – collecting, researching, cleaning, repairing, photographing, identifying, writing, posting, washing, archiving, sorting – and we have loved every bit of it. Gosh, how to you thank everyone for their support and kindness? Simply and sincerely – Thank You.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Vintage Feature – Inspiration from P. Allen Smith with Unconventional Planters

My friend, Carrie of Fernrock Farm, shared with me a terrific episode from P. Allen Smith’s Garden show. It featured a farmhouse dinner table set in one of my favorite vintage patterns, Blue Willow. With beautiful bouquets of yellow-green flowers and blueberry springs in a lush green outdoor setting, the dinner party was ready for guests. The second part of the episode was devoted to unconventional planters made from logs and branches. Carrie often has these at her stand at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market. As we were talking about my blog for this week, Carrie suggested I share my own version of unconventional planters in milk glass, porcelain, metal and wood. Brilliant!

I love vintage milk glass and with hens and chicks and other sedums, the milky white color just pops! I supplied the milk glass compotes and Carrie filled them with the greenery for an upcoming wedding next month. She and Gerri made a burlap bowl so the arrangement can easily slip out of the container. They are so charming!

Vintage Milk Glass Compotes with Succulents

Have a chip, crack or handle broken? No worries – turn the unusual or beautiful china dish into a planter! Drill a hole in the bottom with a porcelain drill bit and it’s ready for planting. These two cups are from a vintage Franciscan pattern from the 1980s. Below is an assortment of teacups, creamers and bowls filled with sweet sedums.

Metal dishes are even easier to convert into planters and Fernrock Farm usually has vintage copper molds available at their market stand. I found this blue metal pitcher someone had used to mix paint. The inside looks messy but who would know with a beautiful mix of sedums hiding it? The two metal bowls, one aluminum and one silver plated, also make wonderful, distinctive planters.

Here are two whimsical planters – a fountain and a egg basket. The pump on the fountain no longer worked so I drilled a few holes in the bottom for drainage and the basket is so quaint with a small plant tucked inside!

I love this transformation! With a vintage blackboard framed sign, guests immediately feel welcomed with this greeting station!

These lovely, sedum-filled, unconventional containers and planters are available from Southern Vintage Table. Add vintage and garden beauty to your table at your next gathering!

Be sure to also check out Fernrock Farm‘s offerings on their Facebook page or visit their market stand at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings. Their locally grown flowers are beautiful, especially the dahlias!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Southern Vintage Table Event – Miss Julia’s Birthday Tea Party

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental

We were all oh-so excited about Miss Julia’s birthday tea party! Turning 5 is pretty awesome all by itself but when you add family, friends, vintage teacups and hats to the celebration, the excitement just escalates! With the help of their family and Southern Vintage Table, Erin and Jeremy planned a fun-filled morning for their sweet daughter and her friends.

Our party preparations began at Raleigh’s Baileywick Park. Erin and her family crew – Phyllis, Jerry, Rowena, Doug and Melissa – transformed the shelter into a delightful, charming tea party atmosphere with organza drapes, balloons and paper lanterns. A “happy birthday” sign and a beautiful bright-colored bunting sewn by Jeanine were hung to greet the party guests.

The two picnic tables were covered with vintage pink and blue tablecloths. To coordinate with Erin’s happy spring theme, Southern Vintage Table chose a wide array of teacups, dessert plates and serving dishes with most of the big, bold patterns coming from the mid century era. A hat station was created with a vintage trunk and suitcase and the bright colors of our vintage hats blended in beautifully. I imagine all of the previous owners of those lovely hats were so tickled, as my mama used to say, to be a part of this celebration!

Choosing the right hat was definitely the fun part of dressing up for the tea party and these girls got it just right. They all look so chic! After making that important fashion decision, it was time to enjoy the healthy snacks – petite peanut butter sandwiches and croissants, fresh fruit and fruit filled miniature pastries. The vintage teapots were filled with ice-cold lemonade and ready to serve!

Dessert was Erin’s handmade cake created for Julia’s tea party. With a lovely garden scene filled with gummy flowers, chocolate rocks, a fountain and even a miniature tea party, it was definitely a showpiece! After admiring the cake, making birthday wishes and blowing out candles, it was gift-opening time. I’m not sure who enjoyed this part the most – Julia, who loved every single birthday present – or the rest of us, reveling in the delight of a darling young girl!

Happy birthday, Miss Julia and thank you for inviting us to be a part of your special day! From birthday tea parties to wedding receptions, Southern Vintage Table is ready to help you celebrate those memorable, sweet life events!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Southern Vintage Table Event – Linens, Lace, & Lingerie Bridal Shower for Melanie

A more beautiful day just wasn’t possible! The cosmic powers delivered a warm, spring green day for Melanie’s shower – the grass, trees and flowers were all freshly watered by the previous day’s rainstorm and the sun was sweetly gleaming on the lovely backyard of Louise’s country home. The stage was perfectly set for Southern Vintage Table and the Yayas to host this happy occasion!

We first set up our sawhorse table with cedar planks as our tabletop. My friends from Fernrock Farm, Carrie and Bill, helped me design this rustic look and I love it! With the pink bordered vintage tablecloth and bunting, it’s the main feature of our rustic Country Farmhouse decor theme. We used lots of vintage wooden items as food stands as well as a vintage radio and scale. With Jami’s stunning tiered floral centerpiece we achieved just the look we wanted – quaint, country, pink and sweet!

The other two main tables were then designed. The accessories’ and dessert tables featured a beautiful mix of vintage china, silver, napkins, serving pieces and decor. I especially love how the yellow flowers trellis up the vintage candelabra.

We covered our dining tables with vintage tablecloths and Jami created individual floral centerpieces for each. Louise’s rustic picnic table was treated with a beautiful double-ring vintage quilt! Perfectly lovely!

Our final two stations were the mimosa bar and gift stand. At the mimosa bar we arranged our juice-filled vintage decanters in an enameled pink tub and a pink vintage Coleman cooler chilled our champagne. A mix of vintage pink, green and clear glasses were selected for guests to make their own special drink. With the striking red rose bouquet and a mix of vintage decor, the final display was beautiful!

With stacked vintage trunk and suitcases along with vintage wooden boxes, the gift stand was created. We tucked in a few special vintage items such as the chicken and egg basket filled with the flowers, the copper sifter and sedum-filled vintage dishes. I especially love the vintage linen tree with the chalkboard sign!

With vintage teacups filled with petite arrangements, the bride and bridal party left with a sweet reminder of our wonderful occasion – a beautiful day with friends and family celebrating Melanie’s and James’ upcoming wedding. How sweet is that!

Invite Southern Vintage Table to help you celebrate someone’s special day! Whether a bridal shower or a birthday party, we can help make your occasion memorable and uniquely vintage!

PS – With just a few exceptions, these spectacular photos were taken by the talented Katherine Miles Jones. Check out her Facebook and website for more fantastic photos and ideas!

PPS – Loved hosting this bridal shower with my Yaya friends – Louise, Jami, Cis, Pat and Mary!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental

Vintage Feature – Planning a Bridal Shower with Friends

It was Friday and I started to panic. Usually by now I had decided on my weekly post topic, taken all the photographs, edited and uploaded them and written the first draft. Well, with all the preparations for our Yaya bridal shower, I kept pushing blog stuff to the back burner. I know next week’s post will be about our lovely shower, but what about this Sunday? Then it came to me – I should set the stage for next week’s post by sharing a little about my friends and our shower planning. Won’t be as many photos but next week there should be a plethora of images, thanks to Katherine Jones Miles, who is coming to take photos!

My friendship with this wonderful group of women goes way back to when we were young teachers. Most of us worked at one school together for years and when the new school opened, we all followed our incredible principal, Charley. That was 1994 – 20 years ago – and as our working relationship strengthened, we also became very close friends. Somewhere in there we officially became the Yayas.

We love spending time together – whether we are lounging at Louise’s beach condo, eating dinner at Margaret’s Cantina or Dick & Jane’s Martini & Tapas Bar, savoring our Christmas feast at Mary’s home or planning one of new adventures, we love sharing our lives with each other. Now two of us have retired, two more will retire this year and in the next few years, the younger two will join the rest of us. We all look forward to spending more time together!

When Mary told us her daughter was engaged the rest of us were so excited for her and for us, too, because we knew we would be planning a bridal shower together! Cis got on her computer and our first email was entitled “Initial Delegation of Duties for Melanie’s Shower.” Classic Cis – getting us organized and ready! Knowing Mary, the quintessential Southern lady, we easily came up with the menu – country ham biscuits, pimento cheese and cucumber sandwiches, chicken salad, cheese straws, vegetable tray, fruit salad and deviled eggs. Our drink list included iced tea and a mimosa bar. Desserts featured Jami’s key lime tarts and Pat’s top-secret-recipe chocolate cake. Yummy!

Our duties were divvied out – Pat, Cis, Jami and Louise had the food covered, I would handle the tableware and decor, and Jami would design our flower arrangements. Louise offered hers and Pete’s beautiful country home as our venue and she and I would take care of the invitations. It may not take a village to host a bridal shower but it’s definitely more fun when you have good friends!

With help from Pete, Van, Carrie and Bill, we were ready for Saturday’s “Linens, Lace & Lingerie” bridal shower. Check in next week to see how our Country Farmhouse decor theme works out. As Louise would say, we are sooooooo excited! Right on, Louise!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Assorted Vintage Milk Glass Vases with Flowers and Straws

Southern Vintage Table & RSVP Event – “Twice As Nice” Baby Shower for Lindsey

No doubt, we all love weddings, birthday bashes and anniversary parties. We get to spend time with friends and family, eat delicious food and celebrate an important life event with the people we love. But perhaps the sweetest and most special family celebration is a baby shower, when we honor a new mother-to-be and her new baby.

When friends and family learned Lindsey and Chad were expecting a baby everyone was thrilled. Then the news got even more exciting – they were having twins, a boy and a girl! How sweet is that? Her party-planning friends at RSVP-Events along with her sister, Marylee, were so delighted to plan a shower for one of their own and this celebration was going to be wonderful!

With the theme, “Sugar & Spice, Twice as Nice”, a peach/blue color scheme and food provided by Catering Works the party plan was in full swing. Tammy sewed buntings in a variety of peach and blue fabrics and strung them across the mantle and the gift table. With fabric covered hoops and beautiful flower arrangements, she created a dramatic mantle display for this special occasion.

To continue the theme, mini buntings decorated the spectacular cake and a vintage rusty child scooter on the front porch to greet guests. When I saw this scooter at Lockhart’s Trading Post, I knew it would be perfect at a baby shower. Rudy, the owner, said he saved it from becoming scrap metal. Thank you, Rudy! Isn’t it charming?

To set the table, Southern Vintage Table provided a beautiful mix of vintage clear glass plates, milk glass compotes, silver dessert forks and blue Mason jars. Lindsey’s favorite drink was chilled in a vintage pink enameled baby bath tub and, with the themed straws, the drinks were served! I have to share the story of this tub – it was a gift from a friend and was actually her baby tub. She thought it would be great to use to chill drinks and she was so right!

After feasting on deviled eggs, spring vegetable and roast beef rolls, vertical crudités, fruit kabobs and cinnamon straws, guests were invited to pose for a picture at the photo station that was stocked with vintage hats, hat boxes and a table mirror provided by Southern Vintage Table.

Put on a vintage hat, don a pair of silly glasses and the smiles keep coming! Tammy set this up with her iPad, printer and a couple of huge balloons for a backdrop. After the photos were printed, they were displayed on the vintage bamboo ladder for everyone to enjoy. At the end, guests left with a photo memento of the special occasion. What a terrific idea!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage cChina Rental NC — Vintage hats, crazy glasses and silly mustaches are ready for the photo booth!

This is my favorite photo of the day – Lindsey, Honey and Marylee. Honey is Lindsey’s and Marylee’s darling grandmother.

Next came gift opening. After many oohs and ahhhs when the adorable baby clothes and gifts were unveiled, it was cake cutting time.

Isn’t this an amazing cake with the two baby peas on top? What was inside delighted us all – raspberry cream cake on the top tier and chocolate cake underneath. Yummy! We all had a hard time deciding which we liked best but what a delicious dilemma!

Congratulations, Lindsey and Chad! We are so happy for you and can’t wait to meet your new babies!

Invite Southern Vintage Table to help you with any of your family’s special life events. From vintage dishes to vintage decor, we have lovely hand-selected items to make your event unique and memorable!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Vintage Tips – Transforming Old into New with Chalk Paint

Many good things come to and out of thrift stores. The causes many of them support are so worthy, from local hospices to homes for the less fortunate to schools. The shoppers benefit from the low prices, the donators know their goods will bring funds to help others and the stuff finds a new purpose in someone’s home. Can you tell I love thrift stores?

One creative event a local thrift store recently sponsored was a parking lot yard sale. Folks in the community could “rent” a space for $20, bring their stuff to sell and, at the close of the morning, the remaining things get donated to the thrift store. Definitely a win-win setup!

I decided to go late to this sale in the hopes of finding the extra-special good deals, right before the trucks come through the parking lot to pick up the unsold items. When I got there I found one lady who was packing up. She told me to look for anything I’d like to have and she’d give me a good price. Yes, I thought, just how I planned! I found some very tarnished silver-plated and brass items and some assorted glassware and piled up my stuff. I’m thinking it’s going to be maybe $20. She looked at the pile. “How about $5?” Wow!

I started cleaning as soon as I got home. The glass dishes went into the dishwasher and I began to wash the metal items. The silver-plated utensils and small dish shined up nicely with a little polish but the brass was hopeless.

bucket before — Here’s a shot of the brass things on the bottom of the bucket they came in. Yuck!

That was when I decided to see if anyone had painted brass with chalk paint – bam. There it was – a once-brass-now-painted-white deer looking so clean and crisp with a coat of chalk paint.

I started painting. I had already mixed up some chalk paint with a recipe I found on the Internet. Mix 2 1/2 tablespoons Plaster of Paris with 1 1/2 tablespoons of water until there are no lumps. Add 8 oz of matte paint with primer and mix till smooth. That’s it!

plaster paint — Both of these came from Home Depot. The paint is an 8 oz sample bottle that cost less than $3!

Tried to polish this tray but this was as good as it was going to get. Time to pain! — Tried to polish this tray but this was as good as it was going to get. Time to paint!

picture stand before — This stand needed updating!

These dated wooden candle holders needed help! — Wooden and blah…

I painted all of these in one night. The next day I added a light coat of wax, buffed them up and voila!

Oh yeah, I also painted a brown briefcase and a frame. Don’t they look terrific?In a previous blog, I touted Annie Sloan paint and I still believe she’s got a great product. But, it’s very pricey. With my slim budget, this is a great alternative. So, support a thrift store and find something that’s interesting – wood, brass or even silver-plated. Mix up a batch of chalk paint and transform it!

These rescued and updated vintage items are available at Southern Vintage Table!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Vintage Tips – The Distressed Look Is Vintage Chic

Tammy of RSVP Events let me in on an incredible secret – Annie Sloan Paint and products! It makes distressing so simple – no sanding or priming beforehand – just paint, wax, sand and buff and that’s it!

Here’s the link to Annie Sloan and the link to the American shops that carry her products. The color range is wide – your only problem will be deciding which one! Also, you may want to check out the DIY videos for Annie Sloan – there’s lots of them out there.

Remember that Southern Vintage Table has vintage china and these beautiful distressed decor items available for your next party!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

A Vintage Adventure – Thrifting with a Kindred Friend is Twice the Fun

I really do enjoy looking for vintage items for my business, Southern Vintage Table and actually like going solo. I don’t have to consult with anyone about where I’m going, how how many times I walk down that same aisle of china or whether I want to stop at just one more store. But, no doubt about it, it’s tons more fun when you get to share the experience with someone, especially if it’s a friend who loves thrifting as much as you!

Last Friday, Jami and I explored my favorite haunts in Burlington and Mebane. At our first stop we found some vintage wheat china and Jami’s keen eye spotted a beautiful blue and gold china pattern. At the next store Jami found a pair of Golden Wheat glasses and I mulled over whether to pay $15 for a vintage school desk. As far as the desk, I decided that I’d keep looking.

We toured a used furniture store and then went to the place where Jami would find the best deal of the day – the child’s metal school desk – for only $5. It’s perfect for displaying a bouquet of flowers, a potted plant or even a sign. I got a few other things and Jami bought her major purchase of the day – a $1 plastic container with a lid for her paints. Talk about thrifty!

Clay Street in Mebane was our last stop and after eating a late lunch, we walked through Melville’s Trading. I knew Jami would love this place and she did. It has a little bit of everything with different vendors renting spaces throughout the building. I left with a vintage file box but also with visions for future projects.

It was a great afternoon – exploring, admiring and finding treasures – with my kindred friend. Thank you, Jami!

Check out Southern Vintage Table for beautiful vintage rental china as well as unique vintage decor for your next event!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •