Vintage Feature – Sunshine Yellow Tablescape Vignettes

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Hues of yellow and gold inspire a new set of centerpiece vignettes!

In last week’s post we unveiled our new Vintage Centerpiece Packages!  I must admit, I am super excited about this concept because now our wonderful collection of vintage decor can more easily harmonize with each other in unique table vignettes. After refining the concept last week, I wanted to design another set and it didn’t take me long to find my inspiration  –  my favorite signs of spring, forsythia and daffodils!

I love the color yellow – it’s warm, bright, and evokes happiness. With this joyful color of spring in mind, I gathered our vintage items of yellow and gold, picked flowers, cut sprigs, and began creating. Let’s test the steps from last week’s post with our new spring-inspired vision:

Step 1:  Determine how many clusters you’ll need for your vignette.
3-5 clusters on each table.

Step 2:  Decide on the number of different groups of vignettes.
8 tables with 3 different designs – Group A – 2 tables; Group B – 3 tables; Group C – 3 tables.

Step 3:  Create a formula for each vignette grouping.
Goal – Gold metals, two sets of flowers/greenery in each setting, candle lighting at each, ceramic vases, yellow candlesticks

  • Group A (5 items) – Metal – brass candelabra, clock, brass vase, small brass frame; Organic – two flower bouquets; Ceramic/Glass – medium ceramic vase
  • Group B (6 items) – Metal – 3 brass candle holders of different heights,  medium framed picture; Organic – flowers, sedum plant; Ceramic/glass – large porcelain vase, glass coaster with gold trim, sedum teacup planter
  • Group C (5 items) – Metal – brass candlestick holder, pillar candle holder (metal or ceramic); Organic – small flower bouquet, sedum plant, large/small twig ball; Ceramic/glass – ceramic vase, sedum ceramic creamer/pitcher planter

Here are three ideas for a bright, cheery look for a table featuring yellow!

Step 4 – List the items needed by their three groups.

  • Group A – 2 Tables – 2 Each
    1 brass candelabra, 1 large procelain vase featuring yellow, 1 vintage clock, 1 brass vase, 1 small brass frame with yellow insert
  • Group B – 3 Tables – 3 Each
    3 brass candle holders of different heights, 1 medium porcelain vase featuring yellow, 1 gold/yellow teacup with sedum, 1 glass coaster, 1 medium brass frame with yellow insert
  • Group C – 3 Tables – 3 Each
    1 brass candle holder, 1 tall yellow or cream ceramic vase for small bouquet, 1 ceramic/metal gold pillar candle holder, 1 gold/yellow creamer/sugar dish/teacup with sedum, 1 large/1 small twig ball

Step 5 – Let Southern Vintage Table select, pack, and deliver your items!

We’d love to help you create your unique table centerpiece!  For yellow lovers, check out last year’s post, Happy Yellow Vintage China,  And, for beautiful, locally grown NC flowers, check out the flower offerings at Fernrock Farm which provided the lovely daffodils in our arrangements. Thank you, Carrie and Bill!

This was way too much fun – look for another set of vignette inspirations coming soon!

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Feature – Announcing Our Centerpiece Packages!

Vintage Decor Rental NCIt’s time to check off the second of our three goals we set at the start of the new year!  Southern Vintage Table is now offering our collection of cool and wonderful doodads and small linens in a “per table” package so you can customize your own vintage look.  Announcing… (Drum-roll, please…)

 ~ Southern Vintage Table’s Centerpiece Packages! ~


You have your guest list finalized and now you’re ready to design your vintage table centerpieces.  You want something different for each table but you also want the tables to look coordinated and you don’t have time to scour the thrift stores for cool vintage stuff. No worries!  We’ve got you covered in 5 easy steps with an example to boot!

Step 1:  Determine how many clusters you’ll need for your vignette.
To follow the decorating rule of odds, you’ll need 1, 3, or even 5 clusters depending on the size of the table and the size of the bouquet.  Of course, the rule of odds can be ignored but it’s a good place to start.
~ For our example, we are using a small bouquet in a milk glass vase as one cluster and need 2 more.

Step 2:  Decide on the number of different groups of vignettes.
This step is to help you get organized with the details. If you have 3 tables, maybe you want a different vignettes for each table. But if you have 8 tables, maybe 4 different vignettes times 2 would work best.
~ For our example, we have 9 tables and we are going to use 3 different groups of vignettes (Groups A, B, and C).

Step 3:  Create a formula for each vignette grouping.
Here’s where the creativity comes in! To help focus choices, we have categorized our vintage items by the material they are made of – metal, organic (wood, paper, cloth), and glass/ceramic.
~ For our example, the goal is to represent each material category and vary the heights. We also want to include a small bouquet and some form of candle lighting. Here are our example formulas. Note that each grouping has a different number of items but still have three clusters in the vignette.

  • Group A (5 items) – Metal – Brass candleholder; Organic – Doily and small wooden stand; Glass/Ceramic – Milk glass vase and sedum teacup
  • Group B (5 items) – Metal – Brass candle holder and silver box; Organic – Doily and dried rose; Glass/Ceramic – Milk glass vase and votive insert
  • Group C (7 items) – Metal – Picture frame and short pillar stand; Organic – Book stack, small doily, large doily; Glass/Ceramic – Votive and milk glass vase

Vintage Decor Rental NC

Step 4 – List the items needed by their three groups.

~ For our example, we’ll need the following for our 9 table centerpieces. Although we are using the same basic items in the groupings, each vignette will be a little different! How wonderful is that?

  • Group A – 3 Tables – 3 each
    small wooden pedestal, teacup sedum, medium doily, short milk glass vase, tall brass candlestick holder
  • Group B – 3 Tables – 3 each
    small metal box or similar item, dried rose/flower, medium doily, short milk glass vase, tall pedestal candle holder
  • Group C – 3 Tables – 3 each
    book stack, low pedestal candle holder, small/medium frame. small doily, tall milk glass vase, glass votive

Step 5 – Let Southern Vintage Table select, pack, and deliver your items!
Ready to get started?  We can help you create your own “formula” and suggest items for your unique, fun, and charming centerpieces!


~ Items ~

Metals – frames; postcards on fork stands; candle holders (brass and silver); candle stands; small metal boxes; small metal pitchers; alarm clocks; sifters; kitchen scales; decorative tins; brass animals; silver-rimmed coasters; small silver trays; sad irons and trivets

Organics – books; doilies; wooden boxes; wooden frames; sedum teacups; baskets; pine cones; shells

Glass/Ceramics – milk glass vases; blue, green, and clear glass vases; ceramic vases and planters; votives; bottles; glass candle holders; ceramic figurines and boxes; salt & pepper shakers; petite teacup & saucers

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Adventure – A More-Than-Century-Old Thrift Store Treasure

The snow is gone, spring is almost here, and it’s time to do the thrift store circuit to uncover vintage gems for Southern Vintage Table.  And, what would make a great day even better?  Browsing my favorite thrift stores with Jami!  Little did we know we would find something really, really wonderful.

So, it was our third stop and as soon as we opened the door to the old-house-turned-thrift-store, I spied these cups on the table. Neither of us could read the mark without our glasses, but even with our blurry vision, it had that distinctive vintage look.  I bought them and couldn’t wait to find out more.

Bodley StampAlthough I couldn’t find a photo or pattern name, I did discover more about the company that made them. Here’s a bit of their story.

The pottery company is Edwin J.D. Bodley from Burslem, England.  Edwin was the son of Edward Fisher Bodley and originally the two worked together but later the father retired and Edwin took over.  According to thepotteries.org, these are key dates for Edwin’s company:

  • In 1875 the father retired and the son carried on on his own accord. 
  • In the 1881 census the company is recorded as having 140 employees. 
  • In 1892 the company was declared bankrupt. 

So, using a little bit of math, this means these teacups are at least 123 years old!  Holy moly!  This advertisement from The Pottery Gazette, American and Canadian Edition, January 1st, 1880, also from thepotteries.org site, gives some insight into the company’s business plan. I definitely appreciate Edwin’s quest to create “fancy goods” for the American market!

bodley+edwin

My guess is these were made for the American market in the 1880s, with all their fanciness, shape and decorative style, and bought somewhere here. Who bought them, where they lived and how many cups of tea were stylishly served in them – alas – that’s all left to our own imagination. But, we do know they now reside at Southern Vintage Table for all to joyfully admire!  Aren’t they fabulous?

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

 

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Event – An Elegant Business Dinner

Southern Vintage Table

Raffle tickets, a silent auction, delicious food and drink, awards, and people you love to be around – yes, it was Rolesville’s Chamber of Commerce‘s Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet!  We were very excited to be a part of this fun event, especially because this was our first business dinner and we had the opportunity to meet a terrific group of business leaders in the Rolesville community.

With lots of on-site help, Southern Vintage Table set the tables using our elegant china collection, silver plated flatware and vintage goblets. The whimsical centerpieces, designed by Flower Creations, signified the construction of the 401 Bypass through Rolesville, complete with toy cars and a billboard ad. As shared in Brian Pate’s remarks, Rolesville is rapidly growing as more folks discover this charming, caring, and very connected community.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

The evening began with a reception and silent raffle with items generously provided by Chamber businesses. After a delicious meal catered by Catering by Design, Jenny Rowe, President of the Chamber, kicked off the program and a delightful crew of presenters followed. Speakers included Brian Pate, Pate Realty-Keller Williams; Allen Mitchell, Mitchell Heating & Cooling; Sherwood Bobbitt, Chairman of the Chamber Board; and, Frank Eagles, Rolesville Mayor. The evening ended with the announcement of the four honorees, presented by Sandy Young of June-Neri Financial and Jenny Rowe. They were:

Ambassador of the Year – ‎Daralyn Sacarello, Mary Kay Consultant
Volunteer of the Year – Greg Rowe
Business of the Year –  Jeremy Dimmitt, State Farm of Rolesville
Rising Star Award – Katherine Wiessner, Music Funatic

What a fabulous night to mingle with business leaders in the up-and-coming community of Rolesville! (Special thanks to Melanie Diehl, Your Social Media Gal, for the “people” photos!)  As witnessed, many folks helped with this lovely event and special kudos go out to:

Annual Dinner Committee – Scottie Hundley, Affordable Creative Framer; Kathy Fuerst, Rolesville Buzz; Amy Lin, Catering by Design; Jenny Rowe, Chamber President // Dinner Sponsors – Ace Hardware of Rolesville; Dirty Dogs Spa and Boutique; Mitchell Heating & Cooling; Sandy Young, June-Neri Financial Services // Master of Ceremonies – Brian Pate, Pate Realty-Keller Williams // Entertainment & Sound System – Ron & Derek, The Patio Party Men, Brian Pate, Pate Realty-Keller Williams // Dinnerware – Southern Vintage Table // Caterer – Catering by Design // Flowers – Flower Creations // Program – The Rolesville Buzz // Venue – The Mill Room at The Factory in Wake Forest

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Event – A Valentine’s Dinner Party

Southern Vintage Table Vintage Decor

The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing. – Unknown

The sweetest of all holidays brought a wonderful request from Sarah – an invitation for Southern Vintage Table to help with her Valentine’s Day dinner party.  She loved our vintage place settings and decor when we set the table for her family’s Seder dinner last year and we were thrilled to be asked back again.

We packed mixed and matched vintage dinner and salad plates, silver-plated flatware, water and wine glasses, and decor items for her 40 guests. Since her dinner was buffet-style, our main setup mission was to create beautiful centerpieces for her tables. With Jami, Priscilla, and Sarah’s gorgeous selection of flowers, we did just that!

Our centerpieces began with our assortment of vintage silver-plated trays. Lush bouquets of roses and tulips along with accents of vintage frames, tins, votives, and bowls filled with chocolate kisses completed our Valentine’s look. On the coffee bar, stacked with vintage teacups, and around the room, Priscilla and I created sweet vignettes with Jami’s adorable moss-covered purse arrangements.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage Decor Rental NC

Thank you, Sarah and family, for inviting us to be a part of your family celebration! And, many, many, thanks to friends, Jami and Priscilla, for our delightful evening together! Any occasion with friends and family alongside is always magical, wouldn’t you agree?

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

 

Southern Vintage Table Event – Love Was In the Air!

It’s been a fun weekend for Southern Vintage Table!  We helped with Sarah’s Valentine’s dinner and Katie’s bridal shower – two sweet occasions filled with joy and love. After packing, delivering, setting up, cleaning up, repacking, unloading, unpacking, cleaning, and putting away, there was little time left for our weekly blog but here are a few photos from these two lovely affairs.  More details and photos coming soon!

Vintage Decor Rental at Southern Vintage China

Many thanks to Katie’s friends and family for helping set up, clean up, and pack! And, I am so grateful for the creative talents of my friends, Jami and Priscilla, for arranging centerpieces, matching teacups,  and making it such a fun evening getting Sarah’s dinner party ready for her guests!

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Feature – Framed Centerpieces

It’s been very busy at Southern Vintage Table this week. This month we are helping with four events!  And, what’s wonderful is these are very different kinds of affairs. We have a bridal shower for Katie, Sarah’s Valentine’s dinner party, a photo shoot with Tre Bella, and the Rolesville Chamber‘s annual awards banquet. We are packed and ready for the first three and getting things together for the fourth. Look for these to be featured in the coming weeks!

One of the table decor items we are featuring for the bridal shower and dinner party is a collection of small vintage frames. For the last couple of months, I’ve been picking these up at various thrift stores and my vision was a montage of frames on the table filled with lovely things like post cards, intricate lace or doilies, and pretty flower backgrounds. I love how these look and can’t wait to see them on the tables!

Vintage Decor Rental

These frames are in our Tabletop Decor Collection and can coordinate with any event. I’m working on our soon-to-be-revealed Vintage Centerpiece Package and our frames certainly will be included as one of many different options to help create interesting and pretty tables for your guests!

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Feature – Amy’s Floral Inspiration!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC
Amy of Knots ‘N Such created this beautiful centerpiece in one of our vintage aluminum mugs!

I had a nice surprise this week! Amy of Knots’N’ Such Event Planning presented me with this gorgeous, fragrant arrangement in one of our vintage aluminum mugs used at a photo shoot last month at The Royal Banquet and Conference Center in Raleigh. Of course, I absolutely love the combination of flowers, colors, and greenery.  As I was admiring the beautiful flowers, it came to me. This bouquet will be my inspiration for this week’s blog! I’ve been wanting to showcase more of our vintage vase ideas and these would be perfect!  So after I enjoyed this arrangement for a day, I began experimenting.

First, I tried a deep purple vintage vase shared with me by a dear friend. The shape of the vase is a classic and Amy’s arrangement looks oh-so beautiful!  I had to enjoy this for several hours before taking it apart to test out a few more looks.

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

For the next look I wanted see how the lovely flowers would look in an assortment of milk glass and vintage white egg cups. I think you’ll agree these petite arrangements are sweet against the white glass!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

The trailing plant gave me one more idea I wanted to try. Using a tall candle holder with a tea light glass insert, I created this look.  It needs more of the trailing plant cascading around to hide the green floral foam but it is stunning, don’t you think?

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Thank you, Amy of Knots’N’ Such Event Planning, for the flower bouquet and for providing the inspiration for this week’s blog.  We have more vases pinned on our Pinterest board and be sure to check out our vintage decor on our newly revamped website!

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Feature – New Website is Up!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Whoop whoop!! Our new website is up and running! My wonderful, fantastic reviewers (Trudy, Carrie, Priscilla, Jami, Mary and Pat) and I love the color scheme and the slide shows featuring our beautiful, vintage inventory. I am so excited our site pages and blog posts all are here at the same place! I can even check my site stats here and now everyone can pin photos directly from the site. Yippee!

~ If you are on our old blog site, go here now to view this post at its new home! ~

Email subscribers, here’s something really important to note – this will be my final post at my wordpress.com blog. I will be posting from this new website but it is super easy to re-subscribe at the top right of this pageNew subscribers are welcomed!!   When you subscribe, you’ll be notified via email that a new post is up, which is every Sunday. (Also note, this post and all the other posts are published on both blogs but I will be taking down the old one soon.)

I’d love, love, love (and be most appreciative!) if you’d also follow us on Southern Vintage Table’s Facebook page.  I tried adding a Facebook Like Widget but I couldn’t find a position on the page that looked right. That’s one thing I need to figure out. I post on Facebook once or twice a week, mostly about new vintage finds or treasures, which I think you’ll love to see!

For those who are interested, I am using GoDaddy’s feature, Managed WordPress, which means I went from WordPress.com to WordPress.org because it’s now a self-hosted site. With this change, I now have more control over the themes and can add widgets to add all kinds of features – like the slide shows on each page featuring our inventory, a footer with contact information and a email subscription field only on the blog page. There is still much to learn!  I also dropped my Dreamweaver subscription and, with the Managed WordPress on GoDaddy, I have reduced my hosting fee. GoDaddy provided a temporary url to use while building the site, took down the old site when I was ready to launch, and migrated all the pages over to the same domain name. All in all, this is a terrific update for Southern Vintage Table!

Take a look and tell me what you think!  I’d love to hear your comments, ideas and suggestions.

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Feature – A Mother’s Grief Kindles a Porcelain Legacy

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

I saw this unusual candy dish in the thrift store and, I admit, my first impression was that it was a bit gaudy. Without my glasses, I couldn’t read the mark very well but I did see that it was made in Pasadena. The script of the mark and the place clinched the deal – I bought it.

Florence Mark

It sat on my table for weeks, and occasionally I’d pick it up and admire it, running my fingers across its smooth, ruffled edge. The muted colors and delicate handiwork of the roses captivated me. Finally, I took a photo and decided to do a little research about its history. I couldn’t find the exact piece but I did see another one that was pretty close. However, it turns out the story of this woman-owned American company was the best part of this vintage find.

According to the International Ceramics Directory, Florence Ceramics began in the early 1940s by Florence Ward, an anguished mother who lost her young son to a rare blood disease. To cope with her grief, she took a ceramics course at the Franklin School for ceramics and pottery. Her artistic talent was quickly revealed in her figurines of women and men dressed in authentic historic dress. Friends admired her work and she began selling her signature pieces from her garage.

As her success grew, Florence Ceramics moved to a large, modern facility in 1949 and began mass producing her figurines. Her employees loved working for the Ward family and high standards were always revered. Eventually, as the story often goes, cheaper reproductions from overseas and the death of her husband caused Florence to sell her business to Script in the early 1960s. According to the eBay article, Florence Ceramics aka Florence of California, “A great era of perfection and detail in porcelain figurines came to an end.”

Florence Candy Dish Closeup

Alas, I do not have any figurines to share but you won’t be disappointed if you take a look at some of these found at Replacements. So beautifully vintage!

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC