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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Buffet A La Francais

A bit of the inspiration for my tables comes from a somewhat surprising, but logical, source.


  Surprising, because my family and close friends already know that I no longer cook very often. And logical, because the inspiration for a great looking table often comes from a cookbook! Like a lot of you, I love to read cookbooks! And the more beautiful the better! Two of my favorites are the William Sonoma country cookbook series, and the beautifully illustrated Crabtree and Evelyn cookbook. Today, as so many days, I'm inclined to the French way of doing things. The art of SIMPLE taken to elegant extremes. In France, a loaf of bread and jug of wine almost constitutes a meal all by itself. Add fruit and cheese, and you're all the way there! My simple buffet service is gathered into an antique wire dish rack. I'm crazy about these rusty old things and never stop trying to find ways to use them. They're handy in all sorts of configurations, but now they hold my Johnson Bros Staffordshire Bouquet English transferware dinner plates, napkins (Pottery Barn), and vintage flatware all in the same place, and can be carried this way to the table! I'm also crazy about these large old canning jars with the glass stoppers and brown metal rings. I'm using them decoratively here, but they could just as easily serve a stew, soup, salad, or drinks. Numberless varieties of seeds and beans have such interest shown off in jars, and pictures, menus, place cards, and limitless other items can be put inside to add charm to a table. Fall can support the weight of all the brown transferware a table can hold! And there seems to be no better use for silver than a casual table this time of year. Brown seems like the natural segue from white ironstone table schemes, to fall's deeper tones. My bird picture comes from last year's day planner. The French cotton checked table cover is a 5.00 thrift store find. The bread loaf is nestled in an antique homespun towel.
Bon Appetit! Thanks so much for stopping by! Ciao! for now! Jacqueline
I'm linking to Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, and Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters,
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Uncommon Ground,
and Vignette Fridays at Color Outside the Lines, My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday,
COME PARTY!!

63 comments:

  1. Simply beautiful...I love transitioning to more neutrals as the weather begins to change. Your brown transferware is AMAZING. And I love how you put that wee birdie pic inside the jar. :)

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  2. You are just wonderful at vignettes! I especially love your brown transferware. Gorgeous!
    Sherry

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  3. This is truly beautiful. I love how you've grouped all the different pieces together to make such a perfect tablescape.
    Debbie@houseatthelake

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  4. I found one new idea here- and just when I thought I had seen it all...LOL
    Love the photo in the jar! I will have to try that!
    As always- your table looks good enough to eat.
    Hugs- Tete

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  5. Gosh I just want to dive into the photos! Beautiful setting, photos and dishes, linens...well pretty much everything. Come link up to Centerpiece Wed. Love the whole thing!
    Karin

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  6. Oh this is just stunning. I love the rustic elegant elements that you have chosen. Beautiful. Hugs, Marty

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  7. Love your buffet setting and your great photography! Love your use of jars.

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  8. JQ, I'm totally in love!!! Brown transferware, birds and food, all some of my favorite things! It's all just beautiful!
    xo,
    Debra

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  9. Elegant and beautiful!
    I do love reading cookbooks, too!

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  10. Oooolala! Very Francais indeed. Love how you have layered the wonderful brown transferware on the table with the bread etc.

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  11. Again, my fav transferware!!! And you do it so very well.....I felt right at home and love all your special touches, thank you....Cleo

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  12. This just has a simple country elegance to it. Not a twangy country... more of an English countryside country. I really love the look of it all.

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  13. Oooolala, this sweet setting transports me right to the French countryside. Every single detail of this stunning table has filled my senses. Who cares if you don't cook.
    LOL I rarely do either. I let my "chef" do most of the cooking, and I get to play at setting the table. ;-)
    Lovely idea with the wire dish rack. I'm going to be keeping an eye out for one of these. You definitely has style! Love everything about this table. ~ Sarah

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  14. you are perfect for food for thought; books, food, dishes and fantastic food, i hope you join in some time!

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  15. I like to read cookbooks too, and have many that I have read but never "used." Your brown transferware is perfect for the fall transition, and the platter is gorgeous! Linda

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  16. What a pretty gathering upon your table. I love brown transferware -- while I don't have any myself, I sure enjoy seeing everyone elses.

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  17. Hi Jacqueline, As always your table is amazing and full of inspiraration! Love that rusty rack great repurposing and that chunky weave basket is charming! You really know how to put it together!
    Enjoy:-)
    Bella

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  18. Lovely and elegant! This is such a pretty color scheme

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  19. This is so lovely and inviting. The bread made my mouth water!
    Linda

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  20. Each photo is stunning! The beautiful brown transferware does remind me of fall.

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  21. Your vignette is so lovely! I do believe I could look at it all day but then I would be craving that yummy looking bread and then I'd need some butter and then something to drink... :)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  22. I love the casual yet special understated elegance of it all. The muted tones of brown, linen and white are all so lovely,
    KATHYSUE

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  23. It all looks beautiful and romantic! I luv the work you did of putting everything together. Thank You for stopping by today. Have a good evening. Julian

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  24. Well if we were in Santa Fe at the same time.. then we must be sisters!! I love your fall scape. I have that Savoring France cookbook, the pictures are as good as in any book ever! I love the wire rack with the dishes. Where did you get those amazing napkins???

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  25. This is beautiful. I love the neutrals and the textures with the whites. I feel like I am in France. The bread looks so good. What a fun way to display.

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  26. everything is absolutely beautiful. Elegance at it's best. Makes me want to go right into the screen!

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  27. Gorgeous! Your photos are beautiful! I love the linens... they look like some that I have from my grandmother. I am going to follow your blog so that I will be inspired to take those wonderful linens out of my teak chest at the foot of my bed. I have so many that I don't even use, but your photos inspire me!
    Thanks for the nice comment on my blog!

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  28. Beautiful table. I love the wire basket and the dishes are gorgeous. I inherited my grandmother's Johnson Brothers China after she pased away. I love it.

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  29. This is really pretty, it's like being in the French countryside....Christine

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  30. Beautiful tablescape, love the way you mix elegants and rustic items!

    Hugs
    Charo

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  31. Hi
    Wow!!! I love your blog. You have inspired me and your blog is going on my favorite blog list. And I am going to start looking for some brown transferware. It is just so beautiful and earthy. Thanks for visiting My Cozy Corner and come back soon.
    xoxo
    Betty

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  32. I've died and gone to heaven in the French countryside! I'm a fan of brown transferware but I am in LOVE with all your special touches...that RACK & those jars with seeds or pics in them *heavy sigh*

    Since you're a fan of cookbooks, you should join us at Food for Thought...it's every two weeks, and this would be perfect. Pop over and see what Jain has done with her book & table :-)

    http://foodforthoughtediblebooks.blogspot.com/

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  33. Can you hear my stomach growling (the bread looks yummy) and my jaw dropping (those plates are yummy too!)!!

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  34. Stunning and sophisticated! Love the arrangement in the dish rack. Perfect.

    Carol

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  35. That is simply gorgeous. I love all your touches with the jars...that bird linen inside was so clever. The bread looks yummy too.

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  36. Wonderful! Do you know what my favorite element is? The bird picture in the old jar! That is so clever and easy and I love it! Thanks for sharing the loveliness with us!

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  37. This tablescape is gorgeous Jacqueline!! I have the same napkins from Pottery Barn and I love them. I just picked them up last week on clearance. Last two sets they had...happy camper here! lol
    Blessings~

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  38. I love every single thing on your table!! It's all gorgeous.The vintage flatware is wonderful. It looks so beautiful....Kathy

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  39. GORGEOUS!! You are very talented at bringing things together in an unexpected way. Just LOVE it all!!

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  40. I love brown transferware, so you had me transfixed with this table setting.

    Glorious!
    Cass

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  41. Lovely I love the transferware and how you used the dish drainer was clever. Thanks for sharing.
    Have a good day,
    Sherry

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  42. Gorgeous table!! I LOVE your flatware and the tablecloth, and of course everything else too! Beautiful!!

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  43. Gorgeous vignettes, Jacqueline! A feast for the eyes as well as the palate!
    I look forward to visiting your blog often!
    ~ Zuzu

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  44. What a lovely, inviting table! I'm with you -- a simple supper of bread and cheese and fruit and wine is a delight! I love how you've staged the pretty china and napkins in the wire dish drainer. Great idea, to use a cookbook for inspiration!

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  45. This is to die for-
    Isn't it amazing how elegant neutrals can be?
    I linked to the same party today and used Woodland Spode- it just helps transition me from blazing heat to cooler weather.

    Enjoyed visiting and am now a follower.

    Laura
    White Spray Paint

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  46. I just love how all these neutrals look so elegant together. The eye wants to look at every single detail. You are so talented.

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  47. Great Post! Love these pics of all the neutral tones...adn I haev those same dishes...gives me some ideas...hmmmmm

    Have a great weekend!
    Tammy :-)

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  48. The dish rack with your lovely tranferware and unique napkins is pure genious. Your pictures are so gracious, sophisticated and elegant. Lovely, Lovely, tablescape.

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  49. More stunning photos and another book to add to my "I want" list.
    Love the bird pic inside the jar!

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  50. This is the best table I've seen in a very long time! Congrats!!!

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  51. The soft tones of browns and creams, the perfect element of texture in the bread and rusted wire basket, the perfect addition of the unexpected gleam of silver to hold the bread....wonderful use of design elements to create a beautiful tablescape. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous design. Cherry Kay

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  52. Just lovely....I really love the browns and creams for Fall.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    http://www.sallyleebythesea.com

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  53. Hi Jacqueline...

    Ohhh my...your french table is fabulous, my friend! I do love the colors of autumn and your beautiful soft colored creams and toasty browns just fit the bill! Love, love, LOVE your big basket of dried flowers! I also love your old metal dish rack...and you've filled it so beautifully! The Johnson Bros. ironstone is such a pretty pattern and perfect for Fall! Mmmmm...I think I can almost smell that loaf of bread! I would love to sit at your beautiful table and dine! Thank you for sharing it with us today!

    Warmest autumn wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  54. Very pretty color scheme and well coordinated with the bread, too. Hope you'll stop by sometime.
    Jane F.

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  55. STUNNING!! No more needs be said.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  56. What a creative and inspired way to set a buffet. You have a magical touch!

    - The Tablescaper

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  57. This is my first visit to your lovely blog via Common Ground but I will be returning. I love your brown transferware. I also love your use of vintage items like the wire basket, jars and old linens. Beautiful.

    Deborah

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  58. Beautiful display. Love your comments on the details. I am adding your blog to my favorites. Can't wait to look at some older posts.

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  59. I am a huge fan of transferware, and I really love the brown! When I finally began my brown collection, I was just beside myself!!! Love your site!

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  60. I have looked at your post more than once and each time I find something new I like. I will just say wonderful job and the brown transferware is beautiful. I just wish I could see this in person so much detail but the photos are great.

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  61. Bon Appetit! The details look as delicious as the thought of the wine, cheese, and bread.

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