Monday, January 26, 2009

Tablescape Tuesday with Functional Art Pottery ~ Table for One Please

Welcome to Tablescape Tuesday, hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Once you are done viewing my Tablescape, please make sure you stroll on over to Susan's to check out all the others~
Table for one please~ My Tablescape is Functional Art Pottery made by "Cesca", my husband's Aunt. We've been collecting for about 10 years now, and this is just a very small selection of items she's custom designed and they are all interchangeable, as you'll see.
First, the dinner plate, all of these pieces are either thrown on a potters wheel, or are hand created. The colors of each design are made to mix and match with the different patterns she creates. My favorite, the Rose centered dishes. This is the place setting with the dinner plate only.
Combined with the remaining unique pieces she's created, (all but the tulip glass candle filled with black beans and a votive candle) you can see she has a tremendous eye for thinking out of the box. To the right you'll see a long leaf platter for appetizers to munch on prior to dinner. To the left is the bread plate, even the drinking glass above the knife matches this arrangement. Other items will be showcased below. Salad is served...
Then comes my sister, Becky's, Matzo Ball Soup. It was fabulous, as always! This larger Rose designed soup bowl has a different color rim that matches the salad bowl used in the pic above.
For dinner, Lemon Pepper Pork Chops with Stir fried String Green Beans and Vidalia Onions.
For Dessert, New York Style Cheesecake with fresh fruit. Note, the dessert dish was used for the bread plate. When having dinner for one, using some of the dishes for two purposes helps in keeping the amount of dishes to wash down to a minimum. Hmm...yummy~
A nice close up of the tulip glass bowl, only $3 at a local Antique shop near me.
It's the only glass piece I've added with the place setting, but I really think it adds texture with the dried black beans and candle for soft lighting.
Drinking glass...created in same pattern that matches the casserole dishes and salad dressing pitcher.
Salad Bowl and Soup Bowl are different sizes, but same pattern.
This is such a cool piece! I use it for green and black olives, as you can see...the black ones are all gone, (our favorite)!
A close up of the dish that I used for both the bread plate and the dessert. I use it often as a butter dish, a cheese log dish, and even as a base for a pillar candle. Functional art is just that, functional for decorating with and practical for using in the kitchen! Love it!
This pitcher (one of many that I have of her designs) is about 5 inches tall, and as you can see has leaf like impressions on them. These are some of her very unique pieces that I can never walk away from.
Low casserole, for veggies. She always makes sure the design on the lid matches the base.
Larger casserole dish that I served 10 pork chops in, has larger leaves on it. Also, note how the leaves match up with lid and base.
Even if dining for one, we should still be able to relax and treat ourselves as special by using our favorite things! Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to stop by Susan's~
~CC

24 comments:

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

I love all of the handcrafted pottery. And the food looks delicious. Yummy!! Hugs, Terrie

Wendy said...

I want an Aunt Cesca. Her pieces are beautiful. Do you just have the rose pattern? I would like to see the other patterns. That is neat that they are all interchangeable.

Thanks for sharing

Wendy

Anonymous said...

Love Aunt Cesca! What a fun tablescape in her honor!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Beautiful pottery. I really like that all the pieces aren't the same but designed to mix and match. The colors are just gorgeous. Great table setting for one, and I like the menu also. Marty

xinex said...

Beautiful pottery! I love how colorful they are. Lucky for your hubby to be related to the maker, Aunt Cesca. The food is yummy too!

Lisa (aka) French said...

Love pottery and love that they can all mix and match the cups are awesome! Pass me an olive would you I prefer the green ones;) French

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Wow CC!! She is one talented lady! Does she live here? I loved your wicker tray, too. Your supper looked really yummy! Hope to see you soon...Debbie

Kat said...

Wow, what talent (both you and Aunt Cesca!) I love this pottery, it is so different from the norm. And those casserole dishes are just gorgeous, oh and that appetizer tray, and oh yes the pitcher, must have that and . . you get the idea! Beautiful post, and dinner looks fabulous too. Kathy

The Bliss Journey said...

I love the pottery. The colors are amazing.
Kathleen

Jewel Sauls said...

Beautiful pottery. I love the casseroles and the olive dish especially! Thanks for sharing! What a talented aunt! :D Jewel

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Beautiful pottery... I love to mi and match..but this takes it to a different level...

a really fun tablescape!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi sweetie.. WOW!! These pottery pieces are fantastic. How fortunate you are to have them. I love the blue cut glass candle holder. Looks fantastic against the rough exterior of the pottery. Your meal looks delicious!! Great presentation. Thanks for visiting the last 2 posts as well.. your kind words touched my heart. I hope you're having a super day my friend.. hugs ~lynne~

Anonymous said...

Beautiful handmade pottery and beautiful tablescape!

ellen b. said...

Hi CC,
What a very fun unique collection! I also love the idea of table setting for 1. Might have to borrow that one. How great that you know the creator of the pottery!

Envoy-ette said...

Very interesting! I like the look very much!!! The casserole dish is my favorite piece.

Maryrose said...

Love Aunt Cesca's pottery, everything is lovely. The delicious looking food just made me hungry. Thanks for sharing. Maryrose

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

Nice table...love the pottery!

My table was actually a table for 2...the other placesetting was on the other side of the table & was partially hidden by the centerpiece. It would be very sad to have an anniversary dinner for one. ;o)

Kathleen Ellis said...

I had forgotten about these colorful and unique pieces! They certainly do stand out in the crowd, don't they? How is Aunt Cesca doing? she is one talented lady!
xo
Kathleen

Linda Q said...

Nice contemporary feel with your pretty pottery and serving dishes.
Food looks Yum!
Linda

Anonymous said...

These are gorgeous.What talent.I know how very proud you must be...Ann

Miss Janice said...

Love the collection and love the tablescape as well...great job!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Catherine...your husband's aunt is very talented! Love all of her unique and beautiful pieces...what treasures! Love the little candle!Thanks for a wonderful Tablescape Tuesday...soon to be Tablescape Thursday! :-) Susan

Nanette said...

This was fun. Dishes can be such a great way to display artistic talent and it is really fun if you know the artist! The food looked really good too!
Valerie

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love the brightly colored dishes! I want to find some with RED for my new kitchen! Love your blog! Do you still have tea and scones?