a table top setting for a coastal brunch

In addition to furnishing the kitchen nook in the previous post, I was also tasked with outfitting the kitchen and dining area with all the essentials including; small appliances, cookware, serve ware, dishes, cutlery, glassware, trays,,, absolutely everything you would need to turn-key, and be ready prepare meals for a house full of guests. The goal was to source and deliver all of the items in short order to get the new kitchen functional quickly and to purchase as much as possible from local resources, which are predominantly hardware stores and grocery stores. Given that the home would be used only a few months of the year, our aim was to find practical pieces with great style that would be versatile for all-purpose use. To say I enjoy this type of sourcing is an understatement - seeking out stylish design finds in unexpected places is an occupational obsession.

Early on in my sourcing I came across a charming set of Johnson and Johnson’s “Devon’s Cottage” dishware at Home Sense and immediately snapped it up. Not only was I drawn to the classic palette but I particularly loved that this collection is comprised of a mix-match pattern and it included proper tea cups and saucers (on my client’s must have list!). Undoubtedly this find was the catalyst to the entire table ware scheme and is what elevates everything else and keeps the entire scheme from looking generic. Johnson and Johnson have been been making dishware for over a hundred years and so being able to use one of their patterns for the main dishes instantly adds an element of collected tradition to the all new kitchen which you just couldn’t get from a basic set of plates from Ikea or your local housewares department.

Over a few visits to different locales I managed to amass an entire service for 8 which I then supplemented with a full set of Ikea’s white scalloped edged plate collection, these could be mixed and layered easily with the Devon’s Cottage pieces when needed to create a blended setting for 10 or 12.  I also ordered a dozen of Ikea’s seagrass placemats which are a steal of a find and they just ooze relaxed coastal style. Adjacent to the table is a corner cabinet with glass doors that becomes a beautiful showcase for the blue and white pieces that aren’t in use, so its an added bonus that they patterned pieces also provide a beautiful display.

Continuing the mix and match aesthetic I added various random serve ware pieces and glassware from the Super Store and Winners like the rustic ironstone bowl, and blue and white pitcher and crystal high ball glasses.

The plates on the wall are a collection of vintage and antique blue and white plates that we collected from local antique shops and fairs around the South Shore.

The flatware was something we considered with regards to the weight of the knives and a really good soup spoon was a must! The set we selected is by Henckel from a nearby Canadian Tire, they feature a hammered finish and the design reminded the homeowner of the cutlery designed by Marcel Wanders used on KLM Dutch Airlines.

There are few things I enjoy more than setting a table so I jumped at the opportunity to set the table for a late summer Sunday brunch and I was able to see first hand how effortlessly all the pieces worked together to create a beautiful and appetizing presentation. In lieu of flowers, I opted for one of my favourite table top accents - potted herbs. In this rural vacation home they add an element of life and homeyness that can be lacking in seasonal residences. They can be used in cooking or planted in the ground for next year, although I’ll confess one of them is faux, but mixed in with real ones its hard to tell which one it is.

The all cotton napkins were another steal of a find, I scored several sets of them on the clearance rack at Chapter’s Indigo in Halifax, I think the frayed edges and hankerchief patten are simple and charming details. I scooped up every set they had to use here but have to admit they were hard to part with.

And brunch is served!! Hope you enjoyed this closeup of the table top as much as I enjoyed pulling it all together, and even more, that you’re inspired to keep your eyes out for versatile and stylish pieces no matter where you shop, and to experiment with mixing and matching, for an interesting and collected look.