Candlelight Supper

Chinese New Year Tablescape

The Year of the Sheep.  Wishing you a gentle and calm year.

We haven't always celebrated Chinese New Year at my house.  For the last 5 years we have done a little something to do so.  My husband and I do Tai Chi.  We absolutely love it.  Such a physical and spiritual experience.  Our teacher always gives the class a little something to celebrate.  So we have been honoring this New Year Celebration because of our teacher's example.


I have set up a small tablescape on a 48" table.  Easy and Fun to do!  If you click on the photo it will bring up a larger photo to see more detail.

My plate stack is just what we'll need for "take-out".  The black, red and white plates were from Target several years ago.  White dinner plate, just something I had.  The chargers I purchased many years ago at Dillard's.  I really loved the black metal rim with the woven center.  Flatware for those of us who aren't very good at using chopsticks.  But chopsticks are included in the setting for the people gifted enough to use them!  The single black goblet is all we'll need, as we will only be drinking water.

  

I placed a different Red Envelope propped on each glass as our gift.  The Red Envelope is given as a gift for sending good wishes and luck.   Usually a little money is put in these packets, but the real significance is the red packet not the money.  Red being considered the color of energy, happiness and good luck.

The centerpiece is a simple, versatile ceramic lantern that I use quite often.   On my blog I have used this lantern in the Beach theme tablescape.  This time I placed a large red candle in the center.  I surrounded the base with some Dogwood blooms.

The Asian inspired linen toile tablecloth is from Williams Sonoma Home.  The napkins from Pottery Barn.   I am embarrassed to say how little I paid for them.   I shop quite a bit at what I call a 3rd tier Pottery Barn outlet.  By this I mean #1, you have the actual store, and sometimes they have great sales.  Number 2 these stores (P.B., W.S., West Elm and more) are under the same umbrealla of companies and are all affiliated, they have their own outlets, not in very many states actually.  Where I live I would call the store I get much of my tableware and linens from a 3rd tier store.   Many are out of packaging, returns (which are not necessarily used), discontinued items, items that had been monogrammed are the majority.  I have removed so many monograms, I couldn't possibly count.  Prices have been great.  But at their special tent sales, Wow Oh Wow.  the prices can't be beat!  Sometimes the price is 90% off.

Closeup detail of the Asian toile design.  This table is 100% linen which drapes beautifully.
 

The folded up corner shows the separate banding sewn on the cloth.  This banding goes all the way around the tablecloth.  I am not a person that says prices but I am making an exception.  This cloth originally around $200,00 was purchased by me for ten dollars, that's right, ten bucks!  It was new, just out of original packaging.  Most always the outlet will draw a line through the name brand on the tag to prevent a return to store.  The tags don't even show or as I do on all my napkins, I cut the tags off. 
  

If I really want something, I wouldn't wait to see if it ends up at the outlet.  I would just purchase at the actual store.   But, I do ask if there are any coupons, or discounts.  You would be surprised how many discounts are out there.  Military (retired. active or not), student discounts, online coupons.  It never hurts to ask.

 I will be posting this on Between Naps on the Porch at Tablescape Thursday.I'm participating in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch.


Thanks for looking.  Please do feel free to leave a comment.....