Sunday, March 8, 2009

Ancient Chinese bowls and A Tablescaper's Dream Kitchen

When I used to work, I hated Mondays. But now that I am blogging, I am loving Mondays. I am sure a lot of you feel that way too.
Here is another double post. I'll start with the shorter one, Blue Monday, hosted by our ever smiling Sally at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/. Go to her site and check out the list and visit all their wonderful blues!
My contribution for this week is a pair of ancient Chinese fluted bowls a friend gave us 15 years ago. I placed them on the end tables in our living room.
They came with their own wooden stands.
There is the one on the left.
a bird's eye view
I took a picture underneath the bowl but I cannot read it, it's in Chinese writing, I think. If any of you can read it, please let me know what it says. Of course you can click the picture to make it bigger and see it better.
Here is the other one sitting on the right end table of the sofa.



Sorry, I could not give you any more info on the fluted bowls but I really like them especially because they look really old and I have never found anything like them in stores. Thanks again, Sal, for hosting this event.
And now for Met Monday, sponsored by the ever talented Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/01/tablescape-tuesday-and-coming-january.html. Make sure you visit Susan's blog and don't miss the interesting post she has for us today and then visit everyone's "Befores and Afters". I know I definitely will!
I hope I don't confuse you by showing you our kitchen. LOL! I think I can open a restaurant with all the dining tables that we have but one thing for sure, our home is a tablescaper's dream since we have so many tables.
I only picked a few transformation photos of our kitchen here because if I posted all of them, I will never finish uploading and I know I will bore you to death. I can assure you that this transformation is ever evolving! We even confuse our electrician by moving the light here and then, taking it out and moving it there, taking it out again and moving it to another place. Well, at least we are giving him an extra income, right?...... especially since his wife got laid off from work. We used to have our rectangular table in front of the fireplace and we put up a hanging iron light.
Then, we replaced it with a round table which evolved from my hubby's spotting, falling in love and buying this thick and heavy lazy Susan at Red Door in Baton Rouge. Then, I won a bid on 8 Chippendale chairs in an estate auction. (the other 2 chairs are in the living room) The buying of the table came last.
Isn't it usually the other way around? LOL! A local Rex store is closing and everything they have for sale are at 25% off so off we go too! We bought this 42 inch Sony Bravia TV which we did not have a place to put it so up it goes above the fireplace. Not bad cause dh loves watching TV while eating and I also enjoy watching TV while cooking. Of course now the hanging light is disrupting our view so we had to call our ever loyal electrician Mitch to come and move it again. Of course, he had to install the TV also and move all the cable and electrical outlet locations because I do not like to see hanging cords everywhere.

Here's another view............from this,
to this
and finally, to this
From this,
to this
and finally, to this.
I am showing you this picture only to show you the round rug that I used to have there,
I replaced it with a rectangular hand knotted Persian rug. Don't worry about the visible electrical cord showing under the TV in the center. I have since solved the problem by adding a painted wooden box. You will see it in other pictures above.
Here's a picture showing the medallion. You can click on the picture to see the details. I really like it, do you?
We went to an antique auction last Saturday and won this Pickard bowl sitting on the lazy susan.
Here's a close up.
It kinda matches our Pickard tankard that we are using for a vase.
I was using this breakfast nook as my crafting space.
Take note of the hanging lamp cause it's not there anymore.
It's been replaced with the hanging iron lamp which used to be in front of the fireplace. And as you can see now, this is where the rectangular table went.

Now, let's count our dining tables. Just in the kitchen alone, I have 2 dining tables that I can play tablescaping on, not to mention a large island counter. I have 2 more tables in the back porch and very soon, I'll be able to use those too. In fact, our peach trees, camelias and azaleas are all blooming already. And then we have a big table in the formal dining room and a smaller dining table in front of the fireplace in the family room. You see what I mean about our home being a tablescaper's dream?
Thanks for coming again. Hope I did not bore you with this long post.
Now I am off to visit everyone on Blue and Met Mondays' lists. C' ya all there!

48 comments:

KBeau said...

Nice transformation, Christine. Good job.

Blondie's Journal said...

Well Christine, You had me a little confused there for awhile will all the tables and rugs and light fixtures interchanging at every turn, but I have to say, I love all your tables and having a table in front of the fireplace would be wonderful for me! :-)

You are getting very good at the auction thing! Are you starting to track them down? Do you go to any type in general? My husband and I went to our first recently & I will tell the funny story in a post soon.

Re: your visit to Chicago, please email me so we can talk!

xoxo
Janie

Cyndi said...

Hi Christine,
I bet that your electrician just loves you,that's great that you can change it up the way you want it.I love that light fixture,that last picture looks so warm and inviting,very nice.I'm glad you like my furminator information,it really is a great tool for our furry friends.
Cyndi

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Christine, I always love seeing what all you do to change your home. You have such a unique and gorgeous decorating style, it is always full of inspiration to see what you have done. I love having all the tables, so many great places to entertain. I really enjoyed the tour. Hugs, Marty

SmilingSally said...

Oh my, it's Sunday afternoon, and you've got Blue Monday posted! Well, the dish is quite beautiful, so I sort of understand that you'd want to show it off a bit longer.

Your tables have my head spinning, but they are lovely. I do like that flat screen TV.

Fifi Flowers said...

I love a round table is in soooo good for conversations!

Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 said...

Hello Christine! Those bowls are beautiful! I love the way you change your home up to fit your needs at the time! I'm jealous...I only have 2 tables...breakfast and dining room! I can't use the dining table for tablescapes because it has my crafts all over it! My DH cannot wait til I clean that room up! God Bless! Lauralu :)

Chandy said...

I would have to agree! Your home full of tables are just a mecca for tablescapers! I hope to have as many surface someday soon...

Love all the transformation and those fluted blue beauties are awesome!

Hugs,
Carolyn (Chandy)

imjacobsmom said...

Great transformations Christine! You do have a tablescapers dream! You do have the neatest finds - I may have to start attending auctions. ~ Robyn

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

OMG girl I didn't know what to look at first..I bet having all those tables makes it nice when family comes..and you are so right lots of table to do tablesscaping on...now I loved the blue bowls in the LR..girl you have done well..thanks for sharing...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

c/x it's wonderful!!!! I love your kitchen and the brick floor is a favorite of mine. Thanks so much for sharing.

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Christine, you did a wonderful job. That round table is beautiful in front of the fireplace, and the Chippendale chairs - wow! Love 'em! Very pretty! Linda

Nicole ~ said...

Christine, oh my goodness, everything you have is beautiful. Those plates that your friend gave you are wonderful. I do love the transformation with the round table, and with the pretty rug.

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Christine...this was sooo much fun seeing all the changes. I think you'll keep this last one, right? Everything looks great and functions so well for you and your DH. And your table looks like it was made for the breakfast area...perfect shape! Yep, you're right...a tablescapers paradise!
:-) Susan

Tomarie said...

C~ I LOVE the addition of the round table! There is just something about a round table that is condusive to conversation and closeness. And the Lazy Susan is beautiful! And I'm coveting that fab TV! :-) Your home just exudes warmth!!
Love the fluted blue bowls too! Love ya! L~

LaurenFaythe said...

I love round tables! The dining area looks great! I also love your brick floors!

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

Everything looks so good! I especially like the chairs, what a find!
~Michelle

Anonymous said...

I love it, Christine.

I've often thought about moving the breakfast room table to the hearth room, so it would be in front of the fireplace.

Susan @ The Good Life! said...

Have I told you lately that I love your house? Love it!!

Martha said...

Great transformation -- love everything you've done to the room.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Christine, those blue bowls are gorgeous. (Since you've got two of them, don't you want to just send one mine way?) LOL! Your dining spots have made great transforma-tions. It was fun to see the "befores" and "afters". laurie

Linda in AZ * said...

*** This is/was INSPIRATIONAL, Christine! AND, I KNOW you're always having FUN w/ all of this ~~~ (it's sort of like Christmas every day, isn't it?!?). LOVE all you did, love all you DO and ALWAYS look forward to seeing more!!! THANKS, Sweetie!!! It's all just WONDERFUL!!! Hugs, Linda

Anonymous said...

Christine I don't think anyone would ever get tired of looking at your home or all your tables- how fun to have such a variety!!!

You really do have the gift girl!

blessings
mary

Anonymous said...

Hi Christine! I love your new round table and those chairs. The lazy susan is wonderful! I just love your beautiful home! Everything you touch turns to wonderfulness! You have the touch, Dear One!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Hi Christine, thanks for stopping by and your kind remarks about my BR redo. Yes I did find all the plates I have on the wall at the GW. The one you asked about is Noritake China Blue Dawn pattern, I looked it up on the Internet and it is very old. I paid $1 for it and the value that I could find so far for a round salad plate in that pattern is around $60 to $80 dollars. Someone didn't know what they had. Several of the ones I've found have been very old and rare patterns. That makes it even more fun. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, Marty

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Christine,
What a great transformation to the round table. Love your tv!
My hubby would sure like to have one done like that above a mantel.
It looks fabulous!

~Beautiful Blue plate too.
~Melissa :)

Bo said...

Hi Christine...how nice your friend gave you a pair of the Chinese bowls to display. Your kitchen is HUGE! I think I'd put on roller skates just to get around in there...I love your new round table & the chairs you won at auction...they look great together! ;-) Bo

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Christine, I love your blue bowl! Just lovely! And I also like what you did with the round table decor! Very nice!

Happy Blue Monday...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Shirley said...

You've done an awesome job on your home. I just love the blue bowls.

susan said...

I love having a tv in my kitchen--of course, I don't have one that size! Is that Dolly Parton on the screen?!? I always enoy your posts!

Mama of 4 Blessings said...

Beautiful blue plate for Blue Monday!
Gina Jo

Jewel Sauls said...

First of all I love the blue fluted bowls. Secondly, your kitchen is amazing! I am glad you are helping the local economy with all your electrical change-outs! Looking forward to seeing those flowers! :D Jewel

Anonymous said...

The blue fluted bowls are lovely. I also enjoyed your transformation. I really think if you have room for a round table that it makes for better conversation around a meal. Happy Blue and Met to you!

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sweetie said...

The blue fluted bowls are lovely. Also, your met is great. Are those real bricks? Happy Blue Monday!
Sweetie

playsdolls said...

love your beautiful bowls,everything looks so wonderful/.

JudyBug said...

Love ALL your pics. The lamp in the picture with the bowl really caught my eye. That's a stunner!

JudyBug

JudyBug said...

Love ALL your pics. The lamp in the picture with the bowl really caught my eye. That's a stunner!

JudyBug

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...

I'll be back again to see your beautiful decorating! Have fun!

Linda Q said...

Nice redo, I really like round tables, they break up all the straight lines etc.
Linda Q

DesignTies said...

What a fantastic space, Christine - I'm in love with your fireplace!! Of course I'm a push-over for a lovely round table, too :-)

Thanks so much for your super comment on my old condo's kitchen remodel post... I'm glad you like our handiwork! You'll have to keep an eye on our blog = I hope to post my current kitchen and its remodel in about a month!

Victoria from EdinDesigns @ DesignTies

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What a beautiful home you have! Everything looks just wonderful! And those blue bowls are gorgeous!

Jen

Justine said...

Ooh, there were so many beautiful things to look at, but the tv? Waaaaaaaaa! It kind of ruins the charm of the room with all that brick and stuff.

Justine :o )

Unknown said...

Great changes! My hubby would love love that TV! And a fireplace in your kitchen~~awesome. I can see why your husband picked up that great lazy susan. It has great character.

Lisa (aka) French said...

So many gorgeous things to look at they all look good but the real charner is that brick to me it adds so much character;) French

Charlene said...

I love the fact that you have so many tables! Means more dishes & fun. I love the round table & the round rug change. So glad to see others eat in front of the TV too. But, for all the great tablescapes I try to do... we eat in the den most of the time in lounge chairs. Shame on us!

Anonymous said...

I love everything you have done.More tables,more tablescapes,huh?
I love the rug change ,the table change and the lazy susan is awesome....aNN

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