Set the Table

Now that we have enough seating it's time to set the table.
We have these clean white dishes designed by Susan Pryke from IKEA:



We are currently using this mirror finish flat wear:



We also have a variety of mismatched glass tumblers, glass water goblets, acrylic goblets, & acrylic juice glasses.
So I'm considering these lovely Bodega glasses from Bormioli Rocco:



They are crafted from tempered glass and are 2.5 times more resistant than normal glassware. They are even microwavable! I'm anxious to see how long these will hold up in our household.

I can not resist a bargain so I have to throw these in as well:



I found these Stonehenge glasses from Libbey Glass, Inc. at only $29.95 for a set of 30 glasses. Although they are not tempered, they are classic enough for everyday use & pretty enough for a Sunday morning waffle brunch.

Which leads me to the largest waffle iron I've ever seen & now want:



So it's not necessarily the biggest size-wise, but it makes 6 at one time! I like the fact that the lid locks in place and the entire unit can be placed on its side for easy storage. This Cuisinart waffle iron makes me forget that I was even considering this beauty once upon a time.

Pretty Over Practical

After months of searching for tile for our defunct powder room I've finally made my choice! After receiving estimates from a few general contractors to finish the whole room I've decided to start with a tile guy and go from there instead. For a while there I thought I was going to go with beveled subway tile & trim from the Soho line from Walker Zanger with a black & white basket weave ceramic for the floor.


image from Walker Zanger

After visiting yet another tile showroom this evening I think I've found a perfect combination:


white crackle 3x6 tile for walls


white Carrara 1x3 Herringbone for floor

White crackle finish instead of smooth beveled tile & white marble (marble!) instead of ceramic black & white mosaic?
There I go again choosing pretty over practical. :)

Table for ten, please!

Our dining room table was purchased with the best intentions. We selected the large Pottery Barn Francisco table in black about four years ago. It seats eight comfortably as a square table, but ten when both leaves are added. Perfect for our large family and when coupled with the kitchen table: Thanksgiving at our place! In the past four years that table has played the role of dust collector extraordinaire, default desk top, and hot wheels race track. We've never eaten one meal at that "dining" table. Why? Because we were never able to choose the right chairs!

Sometimes everything falls into place. Shortly after moving into our home we attended a local fair that showcased a few household items original to the inn. The first picture is an oak t-back chair with cane seat that they used in the inn's dining room.



About a year ago I found a set of 4 oak t-back chairs with upholstered seats on Craigslist at a great price. Each of them had different lines & legs, but still upholstered the same. A few weeks ago when I picked up the bamboo style coffee-table, I also picked up a set of 6 more oak t-back chairs at an even better price. These had leather seats with nail head trim. One of these chairs is shown in the second picture.

Yesterday the man & his wife who refinished & upholstered all ten chairs delivered them to our home. We could not be more pleased. They are perfect with the table, like they belonged here all along. Thanksgiving at our place this year, anyone?