after the storm

after the storm
Welcome autumn!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

a little photography inspiration for the table...


I have messed around way too long with this table and it still doesn’t feel right to me. The dandelion plates are made with an actual photograph. That inspired me to use some of my vintage cameras on the table, placed on my grandmother’s silver tray (forgive me, Grandma, for not polishing but I truly love it tarnished).


First I used the green flowers I already had as a centerpiece but that wasn’t quite right.
The green seemed too much with the black, white and red so I used some white crepe myrtle in my grandmother’s coffee pot, also unpolished. I didn’t care for that either.






Finally I tried a photo holder with some vintage family photos. Luckily, both of my parents' families took photos. I treasure them all.



This is one of my absolute favorite photos. The little guy riding on his uncle's shoulders is my father.


This table appeals to the photographer in me but is too much for the “I like things simple and uncluttered” me.
I hope I am not still playing around with this one for the next Tablescape Thursday.

Please join Susan and all the other tablescapes at Tablescape Thursday.

47 comments:

Tricia said...

How clever to use a photography theme to highlight those great dandelion dishes! I love the red and black and white, and I even liked the green mums with it a lot. Aren't family photos a wonderful treasure?? Great table!

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Very interesting!Love the green flowers with the black and white! The photography theme is a wonderful touch :)

xinex said...

Very nice! The black and red is so chic and very sophisticated...Christine

The Charm of Home said...

Oh, I do like those dandelion dishes! What a great themed table. You never disappoint. Can I claim great minds think alike? LOL My table is also black and white with those flowers. So very nice to visit as always!!
Sherry

ellen b. said...

Fun! The dandelion dishes are great and I like your old camera theme :0)

Debbie said...

I love the whole theme of this table, and I think you brought it all together just perfectly. To me, the colors just couldn't be better. Spot on.

Those dishes are made with an actual photograph? Amazing!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Don't change a thing!!! It's great just like this! Love it! How did you do the dandelion plates? They are fabulous!

Katherine

Barbara said...

I didn't mean to imply that I had made the plates (although you can do your own photographs on dishes with a very cool product called Lazertran). These dishes are from CB2 - http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=222&f=5436 Thanks for your comments!

Domestic Diva said...

So creative - absolutely love the table! Those plates are wonderful...
Thanks for visiting my blog...

craftyles said...

I love the photography theme. Cute ideas and I'm glad you used old photos.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Those old photos had such character. That generation gave some thought to it. And folks seemed so much more open and natural in them.It was fun being let in to the process this time! Great finish! I really responded to the green flowers version as well. Fun party tonite! Jacqueline

Marigene said...

Great table...the dandelion plates are fabulous.

Rettabug said...

What a BOLD & GRAPHIC table, Barbara! Do you suppose my old 2 megapix Cannon camera will be as charming a collectors items in years down the road?? I don't think so either! LOL

You did a wonderful job on this whole look. Funny but we both had red & black on the brain this week. ;-)

fondly,
Rett

Mary said...

How clever...love your camera theme! What a great collection. I love that your plate was made from an actual photograph! Your family photos are such a nice touch~ love the one of your dad too :-)

Kate Dickerson said...

You have such great ideas! This one is especially fun. Love the dandelion plates!

Marlis said...

I love the graphic aspect of the table and I am with you about the flowers.. I do love the pictures in the center. Truly, the dandelion plates are quite unique and visually stimulating - it turned out beautiful as usual.

Kathleen Ellis said...

What a very creative idea to incorporate the cameras and photos...everything is beautiful...no need to keep "playing" with it...it is perfect as is!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Have a beautiful week~
;-D Kathleen

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

MORNING BARBARA,
LOVE YOUR RED AND BLACK THEMED TABLE. THOSE LIL DANDELION PLATES ARE JUST ADORABLE. MY MOM USED TO HAVE A BOX SHAPED IMPERIAL CAMERA LIKE YOURS.
LIKE THE PHOTOS ALONG WITH THE CAMERA THEME BEST,
BUT THE GREEN FLOWERS ARE VERY PRETTY TOO.
VERY PRETTY TABLESCAPE.
BLESSINGS, NELLIE

MJ said...

Barbara, thanks for the sweet comment. I love those square dishes, I didnt know there were dandelions. lol In NJ dandelions are the little yellow ones that invade your yard. We just call those wishies.....Anywhooooo I love them and will have to check out CB2. Your centerpiece is brilliant, I have a family photo wall in my home with all photos of my grandparents and family memebers in black and white.

my home sanctuary said...

Oh I love it. I love the mix of red and black and white. Those dandelion plates are so cool. What a clever way to display them. Thanks for sharing this.
And thanks for coming by my blog. BTW I am having a custom apron giveway run back over and sign up if you didn't already.
Have a great day,
Sherry

Entertaining Women said...

I love your 'table of memories.' I have a bunch of old cameras stuck up in closets, too. I can never bear to get rid of them. I think that you've inspired me to pull them out. I have moments like your's every once in a while, when I'm creating a tablescape. Sometimes I go with the adage that I learned when dressing for an important event. "Get totally dressed and check yourself in the mirror. Now, take off one thing. Finally, you're ready to go! Thank you for stopping by my post. Cherry Kay

shannon i olson said...

oh My Goodness...I love everything!!! What a fabulous table! I want those great dandelion dishes and the photos and cameras....amazing. LOVE it.

Sweetladyelaine said...

All of your pictures are wonderful! Love the dandelion dishes with red, white & black. FANTASTIC!I think any centerpeice you put with the dishes would look beautiful...I do like the camera theme.

Apron Senorita said...

You photographs as stunning!!! I'm glad we visited each other's blog because your photos are amazing. I'm glad I got to see them. Thanks for sharing.

Elisabeth said...

Hmmm, I don't know. I think it looks wonderful. I would have liked to see a far off shot of the green centerpiece with your dishes but up close it looks great. I love your theme.

Since I'm new to tablescaping this is inspiring to me that you can really branch out when you are setting the table.

Elisabeth

http://homeschoolblogger.com/timbuck2mom/

SouthernGal said...

Those dandelion plates are fabulous! What a great inspiration piece. I love that you carried out the black and white theme with the centerpiece.

Christi @ A Southern Life

niartist said...

Now if this isn't fun, I don't know what is! It's beautiful, and interesting, and just so well done! BRAVO! Just a reminder - my Friday Vignette's post is tomorrow, and I'd love it if you'd link up! Even pictures from this post - the vignettes are great! :) Hope you join in! :) Artie

Things That Inspire said...

Love the crispness that the black and white photography adds to the tablescape - very original!

Unknown said...

I really like the red, black and white. The dandelion plates are lovely. I like the cameras and photos as a centrepiece

saltbox
treasures
said...

Hi. Thanks for visiting. Oh, the photo centerpiece is perfect with your cameras! Enjoyed browsing your blog. I can't believe you have bobcats in your backyard. Also love your blue and white tablescape and the way you put the silverware on the napkins on top of the plates. I will have to try that. Did you start blogging in May? That is when I entered blogland :)
Glad you have the PB napkins. Aren't they gorgeous! Had to get them for the chair slipcovers since they had roses :). And, I have the PB floral umbrella which is so pretty also.
Thanks.
~ Julie
~ Julie

Magdalena said...

What a fun table, and so sentimental. The cameras are wonderful, my 16 year old son would love to have a camera collection like that!! Your dishes are great did you make them.
Thanks for visiting my blog, have a great evening

Anonymous said...

The effort you put into this certainly made for a successful table. That's what I call making the best of what you have. Cheers!

Myrna said...

Hi Barbara!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving a sweet comment..I must say your tablescape is just stunning!! I love the drama of the red and black and how you incorporated photography into it..SO CLEVER!!
I scrolled down to look at your other tablescapes..what a feast for the eyes!! You are very talented and creative..your blog was a pleasure to visit!
Blessings!
Myrna

Unknown said...

Why Barbara....I think this table is picture perfect ;D Those Dandelion Plates are super and give a positive/negative theme a great start. And..LOL...that is not tooo cluttered for this tablescaper....you still see the table top! It's a great themed table.

Debbiedoos said...

Barbara you take gorgeous pictures....I am so glad you popped over, thanks for sharing your inspiration with us. Debbie

Unknown said...

I like it! The plates with the photograph on them are really cool! I even like the mix of red and black and green. I like that you used cameras in the tablescape too!

Sandi (Meme) said...

Sounds like you have photography in your blood - just like me. I ended up with all of my grandma's photos, and am in the process of scanning and putting them on CD's to save them. I wanted to stop by and thank you for leaving a comment on my tablescape/story blog. I joined as your newest follower, and LOVED your table this week. Can't wait to see what you do next! Sandi

Anita Diaz said...

Wow, I love it! Love the color combination, and your photos are always great! I try so hard, but just never have great luck with my photos. I know I should read the instructions for the camera, but there just never seems to be the right opportunity for that, lol! Thanks for stopping by last week!

Blooming Rose Musings said...

I think it looks very dramatic and unique. I love how you pulled the theme together. Everyone loves pictures so I think it's the perfect kind of tablescape to inspire good conversation. I really like it.

Sue said...

I love those dandelion plates and I don't think you can ever go wrong with black and white. The camera is so cool...nice touch. I like the green with the black and white, but I think with the red it was too much. Your photo centerpiece adds real interest, it doesn't seem cluttered to me!

Lynn-Teacupstitches said...

Hi Barbara!
Thank you for your visit and lovely comments! Halloween bottles definitely! So many fun images for those!! I did one with the Graphics Fairies last pumpkin label and its so cute.
I am in love with your sense of design and photographic talents! The tablescapes are so crisp and colorful! I'm thrilled if I can get my pics in focus :-)
I'm your newest follower and will be back and maybe pick up some photo tips!
Hugs and SMiles,
Lynn

Lynn-Teacupstitches said...

Me again!
I guess I'll have to sign up to follow later! I keep getting a pop up saying "The requested URL /friendconnect/signin/home... is too large to process."
Don't know what that means but I tried 4 times!
Will try again later!!
Lynn

Lynn-Teacupstitches said...

Are you tired of me yet :-) Tried one more time and it worked - guess Blogger is lazy today so 5th time was the charm HA!!
Lynn

Fifi Flowers said...

J'adore your table... FABULOUS... FUN camera to have too!

Sue said...

Thank you so much for coming by- I love what I am seeing here! Those graphic dandelion plates are so fun and your use of the old cameras and pics says so much about what you love. Wonderful tablescape,Barbara!
~ Sue

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Very creative tablescape. I love how you brought the camera and photos to create a memorable theme. Everything is just wonderful!
Black and white, you can never go wrong. Very classy. Feel free to drop by my new blog. Infact, I need more followers too....being a newbie...

Alycia Nichols said...

I really, really like the dandelion dishes!!! Those are SO unique, so cool!!! I also greatly admire you for so bravely taking on the 2010 resolution of refusing to deny yourself the little pleasures in life that you so richly deserve. Too often we deny ourselves and then wonder where I life went and why were we cheated. Cheers and kudos to you!!! We're getting a Trader Joe's here in the Kansas City area very soon. I'd never even heard of it until they announced it on the news. Now I'm really excited! The white hydrangea you purchased there is just stunning! Have a lovely weekend, and I hope you keep indulging yourself with little kindnesses! I'm going to become a subscriber to your blog just to make sure you do! :-)