2013 Beautiful Tables Showcase

2013
Beautiful Tables
Showcase
A Winter
Night’s Dinner
in the Woods
Designer – Neve Norton
Novice – Whimsical
3rd Place
People’s Choice
The classic Spode “Christmas Tree” China gets packed up
after Twelfth Night. Then it’s time to really celebrate the
opportunity a Pacific Northwest winter gives us - to create
“warm” and “cozy,” cutting through the gray blahs with a
bit of shimmer and candlelight in the woods. What fun to
do it all with 25 year old glasses from an Arby’s
promotional and Target plates. Add in some repurposed
thrift shop stemware to hold candles, random nuts and
cones, put a few woodland friends on the guest list, and
“Here’s to you, winter!” - with your steaming bowls of rich
soup, fireside gatherings, and good friends to share all with.
Cheers! Designed by Neve Norton.
Fabulous
Finds
Designer – Nancy Hall
Professional – Whimsical
3rd Place
People’s Choice
Setting a lovely table need not be expensive. Designer
Nancy Hall put together this stylish composition with
“fabulous finds” from the Seattle Children’s Bargain
Boutique in west Olympia where she works as a volunteer.
The Gump’s “Imari” setting combines perfectly with
unmarked flatware, glassware and accent pieces. All may be
purchased at the Boutique on Tuesday after the show.
Home and
Country
Designer – Robin Barnes
Novice - Whimsical
Celebrating Home and Country, designer
Robin Barnes gets her inspiration from
Enoch Wedgewood’s “Liberty Blue” and
The Daughters of the American Revolution.
She completes her table with sterling,
pewter and blue glassware. Come, sit and
listen to stories of our Independence.
Dining With
Haviland Florals
Designer – Richard Osterberg
Professional - Formal
Haviland made over 60,000 patterns and through many
years, two world wars, and buying and selling of the
firm, many of the records have been lost. This set is
somewhat of a mystery as far as a name goes. The only
clue is the number 1974 on the casserole, called a
salesman’s sample. The set comes with six different floral
designs on the china and an unusual number of pieces.
At the time of purchase there remained 40 dinner plates
suggesting the set was sold in European French homes
as sets usually had 48 dinner plates. This allowed
servants to bring the courses one by one on a clean plate.
It Started
With a Shoe
Designer – Verda Washington
Novice - Whimsical
Dessert table at Cinderella’s wedding. A shoe
atop a pillow, the pumpkin carriage and a
wedding cake topped with a crown. Colors are
white, silver and crystal. Various petite treats on
stands, a stack of glass plates and white
bouquets. Most of the décor is a sugar medium.
Votive lights, mirrors, and battery powered fairy
lights add to the ensemble.
Bird Nest Soup
Designer – Carolyn Braden
Novice - Whimsical
The whimsical setting by Carolyn Braden is a tribute
to the gardener and what she finds in her garden.
Vintage garden tools, birds, found nests, frogs, a
collection of glass eggs and bugs set the theme. A
French wire cake stand cover, and hummingbird plant
stakes made by daughter Kimberly along with Villeroy
& Boch “Parkland” China, depression glass green
martini glasses and cake plate complete the vintage
Garden Tablescape.
Christmas
Remembered
Designers – Retta Grisham
& Julie Franco
Professional - Seasonal/Holiday
2nd Place
People’s Choice
This Christmas setting by Retta Grisham and Julie
Franco is a tribute to holiday past – lovingly
remembered. The festive China pattern in “Sango
Elegance” is accompanied by golden flatware crafted
by VM Rogers & Sons and D’Arques crystal. The
napkin rings, which began life as Dollar Tree Santa
Head ornaments, were cleverly transformed with
vibrant embellishments.
1974 Holiday
Fondue Feast
Designer – Karen Robbins
Novice - Seasonal/Holiday
Karen Robbin’s 1974 wedding register
included the “formal” stoneware “White Top”
by Iron Mountain in Tennessee and the Dansk
“Teak Handle” stainless. Glass choices
included Italian amber glassware and pewter
wine glasses from Holland. Family dinners
have always been enjoyed using this setting.
Autumn Dinner
With Friends
Designer – Vicky Shanaman
Novice - Formal
Vicky Shanaman invites you to dine with her this
Autumn. She has called upon an American
tradition of Thanksgiving to exhibit a collection
of festive Spode china and Waterford crystal in the
hues of fall. Gather around for a meal filled with
fine china, elegant crystal and family thanks.
Winter Shimmer
Designer – Sandy Ruffo
Novice - Seasonal/Holiday
On a cold winter night, dusk is near. An intimate
table for two is set in anticipation of sharing and
reflecting on the beauty of the season. Designer
Sandy Ruffo has used Gorham Winter Blossom
china and a variety of other pieces to create this
sparkling winter table.
Birthday Dinner
in the Garden
Designers – Lea Corvin,
Laura Wicklander,
& Christal Hillstead
Novice - Formal
Four August birthdays must be appropriately
celebrated, honoring the four Leos with an
appetizing outdoor meal on a warm summer
evening. Designers Lea Corvin and Laura
Wicklander created this rustic yet elegant setting.
This contrast is seen in the use of the birch log
centerpiece with lead crystal candlesticks, Pagnossin
Italy “President White” dinner plates, Edelstein
Bavaria “Aurora” bone china salad plates, Noritake
“Rockford” stemware, and casual woven placements.
A Tea Party
in Chelsea’s
Secret Garden
Designer – Cindy Holshouser
Novice - Whimsical
Designer Cindy Holshouser features Spode “Chelsea
Garden” china that was gifted from her grandfather’s
estate. The “little girl” centerpiece is accompanied by
miniature floral arrangements and handmade floral sugar
cubes. The place cards are created with 1800’s English
girls’ names related to nature. Bird cages, pink McCoy
pottery and fairy dust complete this garden setting.
Bridesmaids,
Bumblebees
& Brunch
Designer – Marguerite Wesseler
Novice - Formal
The bridesmaids honor the bride with a brunch, using her
wedding colors – powder blue, pink, and silver. Rhinestone
bumblebees adorn the napkin rings and table runner. Noritake
“Hampshire Platinum” china graces the table. The glassware
is “Kingsley” by Tiffin and the silverware is “Harkness Hall”
by Lunt Silver. Bob Crane of Crane’s Creations fashioned a
beautiful floral centerpiece with lilies, hydrangea and roses.
The bride will enjoy this brunch as she anticipates her special
day. Designed by Marguerite Wesseler.
Haunted Forest
Designers – Cheryl Norton
& Margret Mills
Novice - Seasonal/Holiday
Designers Cheryl Norton and Margret
Mills have combined several pieces to
create this fun filled Halloween table
for a spooktacular dinner.
Over the River
Designers – Gail Gosney
& Cory Plantenberg
Novice - Seasonal/Holiday
Traditional Thanksgiving with a twist of the
modern. Designers Cory Plantenberg and Gail
Gosney have used family heirloom Adams “Home
to Thanksgiving” china, Gorham “Sovereign”
sterling and Fostoria crystal to create an elegant yet
relaxed holiday table.
Hats Off to
the Ladies
Novice and professional designers joined
together to create this whimsical table setting.
Grandma would be thrilled to sit with her lady
friend surrounded by her favorite hats brought
out of safe keeping. A collective effort by several
designers, the choice of Haviland “Theodore
Limgoes” china and the Gorham “La Scala”
sterling along with the delicate stemware adds
an old fashioned touch of days to remember.
Cancel the
Fish Course
Designer – David Colegrove
Professional – Formal
1st Place
People’s Choice
This Anglo/Indian setting created by David
Colegrove, The Key Antiques, begins with a
Meissen figure of a servant boy who just
dropped the fish course! The rich jewel tones
of the glassware and featured handpainted
French Limoges is complimented and brought
together by a vivid Indian inspired tablecloth.
Sunshine on
My Roseville
Designers – Carol Else,
Suzy Johnston, & Tonda Hager
Novice - Seasonal/Holiday
The blue Freesia Roseville
pottery atop the beautiful
Croatian cutwork tablecloth
invites Designer Carol Else
and her friends to a sunny
spring luncheon. Carol’s table
setting includes fiesta ware,
Reed & Barton stainless and
assorted glassware. The Ohio
Roseville company began
manufacturing their functional
art wear pottery in the 1890’s
and closed in 1954.
Romantic Winter
Evening
Designers – Karen Hoover & Dita Hanson
Novice - Seasonal/Holiday
Winter is a time for warm memories and a touch of
romance. This table is set for two, with Royal
Staffordshire, “Tonquin” (plum) and Flintridge,
“Bellmere” china. The crystal stemware is from
Czechoslovakia and is combined with an array of
sterling including Towle, “Royal Winsor.” Seven
Wicked Women combined their family heirlooms to
create this table.
A High Tea to Thank
the Women of Valor
Book Club
Designer – Valorie Robinson
Professional - Whimsical
Book: The Power of a
Teacup A story of art,
love, and Sacred Gardens.
Come along inside...We’ll
see if tea and buns can
make the world a better
place. Designer Valorie
Robinson uses Mikasa
“French Violets” petite
bone china and her
grandmother’s hand
painted cruet with other
personal artifacts. A
centerpiece created by a
garden fairy completes
this table setting.
A Bridal Shower
Registry Brunch
Designer – Ruthan Goularte,
Paul Inglish, & Shawn Brinkman
Professional - Contemporary
A surprise presentation! Rather than bring
wrapped presents for the “Couple to Be”, this clever
hostess set a table with a collage of pieces from the
couple’s registry. Table settings were provided by
the guests attending. Enjoyed by all, this delightful
table setting shows the couple’s very fun choices in
action. They loved it! All items available at Drees.
Sweet Sixteen
Designer – Wendy Simmons
Novice – Whimsical
2nd Place People’s Choice
Best of Show
Nothing’s too sweet for this birthday girl!
Designer Wendy Simmons combines
contemporary and vintage tableware
(collected from local stores, antique shops
and thrift shops) to create a simply
charming luncheon setting. Lovingly
handcrafted elements such as the cake,
pennants, menus, and favors make this
birthday party one to remember.
Past the Point of
No Return
Designers – Davette Mowers
& Christopher Mowers
Novice – Whimsical
Winner 1st Place People’s Choice
Down we plunge to the Phantom’s lair where he has set a
table fit for his angel, Christine Daae’. The opulence of his lair
is only rivaled by the beauty of the table he has set for the
woman he is obsessed with. Surrounded by candelabras from
the 1840’s, the Opera Ghost serves his love on fine Haviland
Limoges china and Wallace Grande Baroque flatware. He
toasts Christine’s recent rise to fame with Faberge’ Grand
Palais champagne flutes, and presents Christine with his
famous music box, which of course is handmade, as are the
small salad plates . To complete his table, the Phantom has
provided decadent truffles on Gorham sterling silver plates.
All of this finery is set on opulent custom made linens fit for
Phantom’s ornate musical realm. Now purge your thoughts of
the world you knew, pass the point of no return, and lose
yourself in the music of the night.
Winter Wonderland
Designer – Tina Nelson
Professional - Seasonal/Holiday
Designer Tina Nelson from
Tina Marie Designs
incorporates an array of
pieces with her grandmothers
crystal stemware to begin this
seasonal setting. A centerpiece
filled with twigs and icicles
completes this ensemble.
After the Gallery
Designer – Susan Steen
Novice - Contemporary
After the Gallery it’s off to a quiet, light
dinner. In keeping with the eve’s theme,
Designer Susan Steen creates a simple
yet lovely dinner for two using Laurie
Gates “Anna” stoneware and Gense
“Focus Deluxe-Black” flatware. The floral
arrangement, framed contemporary art
and minimal accents reflect the modern
feel and add a sense of elegance to this
late night setting, perfect for two.
In the Limelight
Designer – Marguerite Wesseler
Novice - Contemporary
“Come on over for lunch!”
Marilynn Mogg uses
Marguerite Wesseler’s dishes–
Studio Nova “Tango Black”
with Oneida “Bridal Wreath”
silverware and vintage
glassware. She adds Mackenzie
Childs accessories, including
candlesticks and a platter.
A Victorian Wedding
Tea, 1890
Designers – Linda Lang & Celia Vincent
Novice - Formal
Today is October 5th, 1890. A
Victorian wedding tea, served
on Haviland French limoge
china, enhances the celebration
of Olive Meeker, the daughter
of Ezra & Eliza Vano Meeker,
to Roderick MacDonald. The
lovely table is set in the new
home of the Meekers on Spring
Street, Puyallup, WA. A rose
design is featured on the
silverware, the dishes, the
bouquet, and the serving pieces.
Designed by Linda Lang, Celia
Vincent, and Karen Robbins.
Just You and Me
Designer – Linda Knecht
Novice - Formal
The week was long and we have had
no time together - let’s enjoy a quiet
evening just for us. Designer Linda
Knecht is using a mixture of Elaine
crystal, Mikasa dinnerware, and
Williams and Rogers silverware to
complement this quiet occasion.
Our Leisurely Luncheon
Designer – Pam Felts
Novice - Formal
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven
world, it’s a pleasure to enjoy a lunch with
special friends! The beautiful, spode bone
china sets a mood of dining in the garden;
Rogers Bros. flatware and simple champagne
flutes round out the table. The Waterford
vase holds blooms fresh from the garden.
A Polar Thanksgiving
Designer – Morgan Jackson
Novice - Seasonal/Holiday
It’s that time of year where the leaves
change color and we gather around the
Thanksgiving table to give thanks. This
year the cold, ice and snow of the Polar ice
caps hale descended upon us and winter has
come early. Designed by Morgan Jackson.
Under the Tuscan Sun
Designer – Irene Russo
Professional - Contemporary
This contemporary setting created by Irene Russo
begins with Denby Duets “Black and Green”
stoneware atop gold chargers. A salad plate by
Tabletops Unlimited “OleVino” is accompanied by
Cambridge flatware. “Sweet Swirl” by Noritake
and Crystal d’Arques stemware enhance this
Italian themed table setting.
You Are My Sunshine
Designer – Travis Valbert
Professional - Contemporary
Designer Travis Valbert
begins this contemporary
setting with delicate Japanese
bone china. The use of black
and white themed textiles
show off a beautiful yellow
pattern in the china, accented
with black glass, crystal and
silver flatware. The table
represents how bold and
welcoming the color yellow
can be, much like the sunshine
and much like the important
people in your life.