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Monday, October 14, 2013

Brown + White = Autumn Delight

When Kathleen of Cuisine Kathleen challenged us to set a table with ONLY white dishes plus one other color for linens and other elements, I knew I was in trouble.  You see, the only white dishes I own are plain dinner plates from Pier 1.  No salad plates, no bowls, no serving pieces, nada.  I love color and pattern, and all my other dishes reflect that preference.  But!  I was determined to join Kathleen's Let's Dish party this week, so here goes.

I thought about colors that would work with white dishes for a fall table, and I finally settled on brown.  Brown sounds dull and boring -- or should I say dull and dutiful?  I pulled out some white placemats with a brown border and brown napkins and tried those with the white plates, adding my silver flatware and clear glasses.  Not very exciting, huh? I did wish briefly that I had some lovely brown stemware in my collection, but quickly remembered that I do not want to find storage for any more glasses!
So, I remembered some open-weave brown placemats that my sister gave me and added those to the mix.  Better!
I knew I wanted to add white pumpkins, and a surprise trip to Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country over the weekend yielded a big one and several mini ones from a well-stocked produce stand.  I should have taken a photo of all the wonderful varieties they had for sale.  A mini pumpkin perked up the placesetting a bit more.
Finally, I pulled out two etched hurricanes and poured coffee beans into them, adding white pillar candles.
The large white pumpkin completed the centerpiece, and here is the result.
I rarely set a table without flowers, so I also tried a jug of white hydrangeas in place of the pumpkin. 
 Which look do you prefer?
Although I like the big white pumpkin, I think I prefer the jug of hydrangeas.  The fluffy flowers add a little additional texture.  Thank you for visiting my table this week!  Be sure to check out the other tables set for the White Dish Challenge at Cuisine Kathleen!


24 comments:

  1. Lovely and elegant, Tricia! I love the big White pumpkin as a centerpiece, or the flower vase too...flanked by those very pretty etched hurricanes. I also love your chargers, so perfect for the Fall decor. White and Brown is always so great together. Hugs,
    FABBY

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  2. A very sophisticated look! And while I loved the white pumpkin--what did we ever do before we had them?--I think the hydrangeas add the prettiest touch to your table.

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  3. I adore the wonderful chocolate and white, it is so beautiful and clean looking and just elegant...I can't wait to add some brown to my whites and get this same chocolate feel...Thanks for sharing...phyllis

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  4. Hi, Tricia, that two-color only technique makes for a very sophisticated look. I think the big pumpkin alone is a little on the stark side, though, so I'll vote for the pitcher of hydrangeas. The round mats under the plates really pull it all together imo. You scored big again!

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  5. Tricia,
    You did a beautiful job of meeting this challenge. It was really a challenge for me too..I love your brown and white....lovely table...and I like the pumpkin....or the hydrangeas. :-)
    Love, Mona

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  6. You have created a beautiful table with your two colors. Love the hydrangeas. It was a hard choice for me too deciding on two color. I actually thought of using brown too but went with orange.

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  7. Simplicity is beauty and this is simple and beautiful, Tricia. I also love your pot....Christine

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  8. This is the only way to do brown in my book -- paired up with crisp white. You pulled it off beautifully.

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  9. I do love brown so much and your table is lovely! I am really enjoying all of the white pumpkins in blogland this year, but I have not bought any - just orange ones! Your hurricanes look familiar - did you buy them at a Villeroy and Boch outlet, when they were opened? I bought some just like them, but recently gave them to my daughter. I think they are so pretty! Great job with the challenge!

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  10. Your brown and white is a wonderful way to create a tablescape up to the challenge! I love Fredricksburg to shop and antiquing for unique finds. I agree the hydrangeas in the rustic jug is the perfect complement to your place settings A great centerpiece and hope you have a lovely fall week!

    Pam

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  11. Tricia, I love the open weave brown placemats with the white. You did a beautiful job of meeting the challenge.

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  12. I love the simplicity of your table, Tricia. I almost went with brown for my table, but purple won out! I like the hydrangea centerpiece. Those cute little white pumpkins are adorable and can be used with any color this time of year.
    Have a wonderful week...

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  13. For someone who was challenged by the lack of white dishes - you have created a wonderful table!! I love the brown - white and brown is one of my favorites. Those open weave placemats on top of the bordered placemats look fabulous! The coffee beans and candles are perfect to go along with the theme. Kudos on meeting the challenge even though you felt limited!! Definitely not Dull!!

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  14. White pumpkins and hydrangeas....how could it get any better? You met the white challenge quite well, but that's no surprise since you are a Texas gal!

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  15. The lace charger really upped the level of the setting. I love it! I don't know how I could choose between the hydrangeas and the pumpkin. They are both wonderful! Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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  16. How funny! Not only did we both go with brown, but we both incorporated coffee beans and white pumpkins! Great minds do think alike. I am so impressed with the way you pulled this off with just white plates. It just proves that when challenged, you can do anything. Thanks for sharing! Elaine

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  17. Chocolate is brown, therefore brown is warm, yummy & inviting. The additional of the brown coffee beans was brilliant. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  18. Very nice! The coffee beans in the candleholders are such a nice touch.

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  19. So pretty, love the dark brown and coffee beans!
    Jenna

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  20. This turned out excellent! I had trouble with this one too! I like the brown you pulled in and both of your centerpieces. I never think to use coffee beans but everytime I see them I think it's so smart! I bet it smells great. Love the etched hurricanes. I think you met the challenge very nicely!

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  21. Trish, you did a wonderful job with the challenge. You know I like the color scheme, since I used the same colors. You were so smart to get out the second set of placemats. It added so much. They almost give the appearance of a charger. Those etched hurricanes are gorgeous, and how clever to use the coffee beans in them for another touch of brown. The pumpkin and the hydrangeas both look great, but I agree that the texture of the Hydrangeas adds a nice additional element. laurie

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  22. I love your table. Your chargers are different from any I have seen and delightful. Placemats and napkins have panache too. Putting coffee beans in your etched hurricanes was a great idea. I really like your table with either centerpiece.

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  23. You did a great job, not boring at all! The open weave mats add so much and the little pumpkin pops. Those votive holder, I have them too, from Villeroy and Boch, are perfect with the beans.
    Well done, Tricia, and you kept all the rules. Thanks for taking the challenge and linking to Let's Dish!

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  24. It was so much fun to do the challenge and I have enjoyed seeing so many versions from other bloggers as well. I love how you were creative with the brown color and made a lovely tablescape. The chargers are perfect, and although I love white pumpkins, the jug with the hydrangeas is even more beautiful. Great post!

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