Vintage Tablecloth Love

As ever I'm a bit late to the game but I have only recently fallen under the spell of vintage tablecloths.  I have an old hand-me-down table that seats four but, rather cunningly, has a hidden leaf that folds up and out so that the table can, quite magically, seat six.  This being an odd size makes table cloth buying a puzzle as most tablecloths that I find are far too large.  And not being inclined towards a great deal of frilliness and frou-frou, none of the colours and patterns ever really enticed me.  Then, while out thrifting, I saw this tablecloth peeking out at me from the rack.  The understated colours drew me in like a moth to the flame.

I unfolded it in a daze of anticipation and the weightiness of the linen was and is a wonder to me.  Heart in mouth, I inspected it carefully for holes and found none.  I debated buying it, worried that it wouldn't fit my oddly sized table.  But, as you can see, it did come home with me. And, yes, it was a perfect fit.

Many times, I have considered buying a brand new dining table but the thought of jettisoning my old, scratched, worn, vintage table that has served the family for many a long year and seen many a family meal filled me with guilt.  Repainting it and the four matching chairs seemed too arduous a task.  But now, I see that the tiny touches of blue in the flowers of this wondrous tablecloth match perfectly the faded blue of the chairs and table as if they were made for each other.

Afternoon tea and biscuits seem so more graceful and elegant served atop this lovely field of blossoms. There is something so soothing and meditative about sweeping the heavy linen folds over the table with the flick of a wrist and smoothing it down with one's hands.  The very act becomes imbued with thankfulness and gratitude.

At long last, the puzzle of transforming my old table into something a tad more refined has been solved with the help of this tablecloth.  I have only one puzzle left which is what are the blooms scattered across this field of linen?  Are the larger ones daffodils and the smaller little bells, lily of the valley?  If any of you are avid gardeners and recognize the blooms, please let me know!

I'm linking up with A Stroll Thru Life, French Country Cottage, Thrifty Groove, Type A Decorating, My Romantic Home, Knick of Time.

Valentine's Day In the Park with Pink Pyrex and Pink Shoes - Fashion Meets Housewares #2

Do you think that there is an age when pink is no longer appropriate?  I grew up with a bedroom decorated in pink as my mother thought that it was suitable for a girl.  Then, typically, I rebelled and cast aside pink for many a long year.  I longed for Ikea furnishings, loud music with tortured lyrics and black leather.  With Valentine's Day fast approaching I realized that pink has been steathily creeping back in to my life.  First, in the form of vintage pink Pyrex.  After all, who can resist vintage flamingo pink Pyrex?  And then, as luck would have it, I was out and about shopping with my mother when I spied these amazing Rupert Sanderson shoes in pink!  My mother was so very gracious as to give them to me as a gift. I suspect that she still believes that pink is suitable for a daughter, no matter that said daughter is a little girl in her eyes only.



Rupert Sanderson Shoes, Pink Daisy Pyrex Casserole Dish

It's not possible to get enough of vintage pink Pyrex mixing bowls especially when heaped with hydrangeas.  


Rupert Sanderson Shoes, Pink Gooseberry Pyrex

Even if you are many years beyond the age of five but are still young at heart, there is always a place in one's life for pink shoes.  And there is nothing saccharine or infantile about these shoes with the high slender heel and top stitching. 

And new shoes mean scrambling through my vintage dresser for that perfect outfit.  Yes, my taste has swung back from the new and the modern to the tried and the true, especially if it comes with Art Deco styling and old pulls that have that instantly recognizable, impossible to duplicate patina.

But, with the weather still inclement, what to do for Valentine's Day, especially something that involves pink shoes and when one is on a budget?  Nothing for it but to have a little picnic in the park at home.

Of course the wondrous shoes get kicked off but still kept close to hand so that they can be suitably admired by oneself and one's beloved.



And future outings are planned over a celebratory glass or two, all of which involve the wearing of pink shoes.

As the saying goes, I'm in the pink!

I've heard that Google Friend Connect will be disappearing soon for those who aren't on Blogger.  If you are on a different platform besides Blogger, you can still follow me through Networked Blogs.  The simplest route may be to suscribe through email.    More than anything, I want to remain in contact with all the lovely people I've met through L'Heure Bleue At Home so have finally caved and am on Facebook as well.

I'm linking up with A Stroll Thru Life, Knick of Time, Cozy Home Scenes, French Country Cottage, My Romantic Home and  Type A Decorating,