March 17, 2009 by Home Party
I love preparing for Easter. Aside from the beauty in the meaning of the holiday itself, it is a time to celebrate spring..and the new bounty that comes with it! We can put away the darker colors and bring out the lighter earthy flare…with greens and pinks…and all the colors of the new season.
Mrs. D has created yet another stunning table top. Her table appointments are with Irish crystal, rabbit pottery plates from Portugal, a Baroque rabbit pottery pedestal, white porcelain napkin rings and place settings of antique silver with a bone handled fish set for the salmon. The pink and white napkin are unique dish towels. She has mixed the various rabbits on her table with both iron and paper mache…and don't you love the two white quail? I think I remember those from her table as a kid..I'll have to ask her.
The quail remind me of our childhood….a favorite site to behold were the new quail families that would travel through our woods….our yards…and our streets. The mother and father always leading the way with a trail of babies following closely behind…and in single file….they were always in a line as they scampered to where they were headed. Ah..if only my children would be so obedient!
This table has inspired me to make another trip to the flea market in Firenze…to see if there are any more plates or goodies that I can use to decorate our table. The hardest part of being here is not having all of our "things" for holiday decor…I love a festive home and I guess I've just been presented with a challenge…how do you decorate when you have nothing? My first start will be with the flea market and with nature…both in my price range! I will keep you posted on how I do…
I love the leaf on her napkin….so simple and elegant! And…don't forget your oil and vinegar! Although I love our bottles, this would be a great setting for a cruet or two…
And now for my FAVORITE……
I love eggs at easter time…especially when they are natural…Mrs. D has taken real goose eggs and dyed them in onion skins and vinegar dip…creating an amazing natural design. The eggs are wrapped in old stockings…spring leaves and ferns were stuffed inside the stocking as well…and then it was soaked in an onion bath for about 30 minutes.
This is also an Italian tradition….dying eggs within a bath of red onion skins and vinegar…simply add onion skins and some vinegar to a pot of your eggs and water and bring to a boil…boil for about 20 minutes and it will turn them a natural red and brown…natural color.
So if you haven't started already….get to it…pull out the boxes….take a walk and gather natural bounty for props…create a house that is filled with the anticipation of spring…and all that it may bring!!
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January 27, 2009 by admin
I always use the month of February as a good excuse to throw a party…….obviously themed around Valentine's Day….but really just a reason to "girlie it up" and throw a party for all the people that I love……..you can save the 14th for that special someone but pick another date in February to celebrate all of your loved ones…..;;;;and what better ingredient to focus on during this month of love….but Extra Virgin Olive Oil! 
So…be as creative as you wish….girlie it up or keep it simple….our recipes and inspirations were created just for you….this month….to set your Home Party Business in motion….make it fun…..throw it with passion…..peacefulness…..but above all else…make sure you…………
Have a great month!! We are all pulling for you!
-The Staff at St. Helena Olive Oil Co.
Peggy, Andrea, Sandi, Jose, Erin and Raziel
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January 23, 2009 by Home Party
Here are some inspirations that I have found along the way…
This is a great example to show how simple a table can be set…think outside the box…
there are no vases for these flowers…so beautiful to see them so naturally placed…
again, the white table provides nicely as a canvas for a simple setting
…
for Valentine's Day you can swap the flowers for two vases of antique roses…
A BIT OF FRENCH COUNTRY FROM FRENCHCOUNTRYANTIQUES
Can I live here? Again..another simple table setting…the settings are a more natural white..matching the feel and look of the rustic table..blends with the chairs beautifully..
I wouldn't have flowers that high…blocks the view…..on this table…for Valentines Day..
I would lay an antique rose across the top of each place setting…and make the centerpiece
a bit more rustic….but that is just me….it's certainly beautiful the way that it is!
A CLOSE UP ON THE TABLE SETTING
I love the vintage glasses…and the simplicity..notice the charger is the same color but a different outline….and the silverware brings in the color of the table….
A BIT SHABBY … A BIT CHIC
A different look….very Valentines Day…I love the dark wood of the table with white chairs…the burgundy vase with the natural roses…all with colors that pull it all together…
definitely a fun chick setting…just an inspiration to mix it up for Valentine's Day!
LOVE THE COLORS
Okay…so it's not a "table"…but isn't it fabulous?! I wanted to show how you could
also do a Valentine day table around the turquoise color…see how the chair cushion
and the vase with the hydrangea(?) pull together? I could see this as well on a large table…more of a shabby chic style…using mix and match ideas....the stove is inspiring me
to produce homemade jams….going to put that on my list!
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January 22, 2009 by Home Party
Table for Six….By In-House Designer, Stephanie Dickinson
A BIG part of our Home Party Blog is going to focus on inspiring you to set your table….no….I mean really….SET YOUR TABLE! We are going to have pictures of our favorite tables….give you great tips and inexpensive ideas on how to liven up your table….create a table ourselves for the theme of every month….and in the end….create a forum where you can share your ideas and pictures….because we are in this together….and we will be stronger with each other…and
we WILL change this Country….
one table at a time!
EXCITING NEWS!I am so proud and excited to announce that an old family friend….Stephanie Dickinson….has agreed to help me inspire you….we grew up a few doors down from the Dickinsons and our families were very close…I spent a lot of time at their house….hanging out…playing…and eating….she didn't know it but she was a real inspiration….her house always looked as if it were being showcased by one of the finest European Design Companies….her food from always fresh from the farm….and her tables were always set as if they were too being shot for some amazing Design Catalog….I will share bits of her incredible life story of growing up on one of the first byodynamical farms in the U.S….her inspirations…and all of the serendipity that lead her to share her amazing natural abilities with us! But….for now….it's time to introduce our new section…….
TABLE TALK!
TABLE AND CHAIRS
Although I am far from traditional…..I love the tradition of the white table….or white tablecloth…it's like setting up your canvas….especially for holidays….your theme can really pop! I love the way Stephanie or "Mrs. D", as I've call her… has a formal sitting chair at the end of the table…it adds to the elegance of the table and is a good fix when you've lost that sixth chair!
Speaking of chairs….I mix and match at home…..easy to find cheap ugly chairs at
a second hand store…flea market…side of road ….and paint them white….I prefer a semi gloss finish….
TABLE SETTINGS…PLATES, SILVER, GLASSWARE
I love a monochromatic table scheme….when there really appears to be only one color…then I don't get overwhelmed during the design process…and the colors don't take away from the food presentation…..simple elegance is what we are striving for…..
A color in the china should set the predominate color. If you notice in Mrs. D's setting, there is a gold outline in the charger plate….that seems to bring out some gold in the center of the plate and then ties beautifully in with the candle holders…wine glasses…..
ECO FRIENDLY TIP: If you are serving a larger party and don't have
enough settings…think about renting…you can rent all you
need…along with a white table cloth….it's really better for the
environment then buying disposables…even corn disposables take energy
to make…and the best part…you don't have to do the dishes!
The good news is with a white tablecloth, you can make whatever dishes you have call the shots…you can also gather mix and match from various flea markets….second hand stores…on line…etc…and there are some of us that have old dishes from our grandmother that are a bit too old fashion for every day use but would be perfect for a Valentine celebration…
SIDE NOTE: Plates et al can be so expensive….but I've found that if I keep my eye open and pick up a plate or two here and there…before I know it…I have a cool new collection.
CANDLES AND CENTERPIECE
White candles are best with a monochromatic design…otherwise your table gets to busy….and with Valentine Day….it needs to set an air of romance….white candles and antique pinkish roses scream romance…vintage….elegance…..good for your soul! Your candles shouldn't be scented…you don't want to take away from the food….and the different heights are always fun…
just make sure you aren't blocking anyone's view.
In the center of the table you can choose an object that ties in with your theme….
or you can have a simple low vase with antique roses loosely placed…an old flea market glass vase works great with the antique roses…anything that is old….not fake old…but real old!
flower and color inspirations that I found on the internet
NAPKINS AND HOLDERS
In this style of design, they would be white…of course. I love cloth napkins for all occassions…we use them at home every day…I'm not sure how that pans out on the eco front…but we don't have waste…and we don't wash them everyday….and now that we've been living in Italy…we will always hang them to dry!…so simple! I love collecting different napkin patterns…or dishcloths…and mixing it up at dinner time…you get what comes out of the drawer….for some reason, they always seems to match! It's something to think of for other table settings…if you go for the French Country look….it would work…shabby chick…everything found object….like our stores…..and my house! It's an inexpensive way to have style!
Oops…got off track…white napkins….ah…Mrs. D has lovely silver holders…you would be surprised where you can find unusual silver holders…again…I have to throw in the mix and match from flea markets, etc…but also you can come across cool holders from Target…or any other large discount store…if the table is popping then the "average" napkin holder works..as long as it fits the color scheme…they are an accessory….not a statement. You can also simple tie the napkin with a light pink organza ribbon…or a color that goes with your theme…pastels just seem to work for Valentine's Day…remember we are "girling it up" !
PLACE CARDS
If you want to have place cards then make it fun…..a good friend and vendor, Julie Slinger, gave me the idea of scanning vintage cards…changing the size if you like…..and framing them…this could work for some general decoration for furniture around your table…you can also just print out the cards and put them in small frames for each setting….
This heart is really sweet….you can just place it on a plate…and write a nice note
to your guest on the back….a special something for them to take home!
Or use a card to place on plate and have your menu written on the back…….
There are many fun things you can do…if you just spend the time to think about it…and what would be thoughtful…and special…then you can't go wrong with any idea!
So…that's it for now…I will continue to add to and modify these postings….based on the conversations and thoughts that will ensue…..and inspirations that will be had along the way! Please add your comments….send in pictures….helpful tips….anything that will keep our spirit alive in our quest to change our Country…..one table at a time!
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