Moving indoors with the cooler weather has me organizing the dining room and kitchen and getting ready for cozy days ahead. I gained some storage with the recent changes around the house and so my English sideboard is a little less loaded down, and will be easier to change up for the holidays.
I like the idea of changing vignettes, but this hutch doesn't get reordered all that often. It always seems to take a big sigh when it does!
But some things never change. You've seen my little cow butter pot here many times before.
I wanted the look of a few silver and pewter pieces for fall too.
The dinner plates are vintage Johnson Brothers, Staffordshire Bouquet. I keep putting them in the "sell" pile, and they keep making their way back here. I am liking the leafy and vine design this time of year, and they add a bit of subtle color.
Some dried roses and bird's nests keep nature close by.
A few little pumpkins are easy to whisk away if I need to serve from the top of the dresser. I got the white paper leaves from Michael's craft store to add to my tablescapes as name cards or decorations. They would make a nice banner or garland strung together too.
My big tureen is just waiting for some nice family soups and stews.
A spare platter makes a nice replacement lid. For now a bit of summer's baby roses and dried eucalyptus garnish the top.
Pale pink is beautiful in any season.
A small silver urn holds a shell and little ironstone butter pats. (They are handy for discarded tea bags.) But it also holds tiny spoons for tea now and then too.
I like having a creamer or jam pot handy for use. And a stack of big and soft dinner napkins are at the ready too. Vintage cut glass salt shakers under dome take care of themselves if I need the cloche elsewhere for awhile.
A stray salad plate shows off its maker's mark. Just because.
A steely grey enamel pitcher waits for mums. And there are more leafy and vine patterned dishes and platters. Are those swallows headed south?
Old dishes once used to place bones next to your plate at dinner also make great relish and canape plates.
An antique canning jar with a burnished lid warms things up and may hold anything from sugar to teaspoons.
The sideboard is often a good conversation starter for visitors over for a meal.
A battered old piece of transferware, missing a handle and lid, gets the top shelf. . . .
Large pitchers and jugs are lined up on top of the cupboard nearby. I often think of cozy old storybooks in this part of the house.
We're all ready for more of October. How about you? We went for a country drive for apples this weekend, and it's chilly enough for the furnace to kick on. I guess it's official. . . .
I hope you're off to a cozy new week too!
Jacqueline
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