Chewing on Mottahedeh’s Tobacco Leaf

Entertaining
November 3, 2014

Good Morning Lacquered Lifers! Today we’re going to spotlight on one of my favorite china patterns, Tobacco Leaf by Mottahedeh. This pattern has long been a favorite, and while I didn’t register for this pattern, it was definitely in the running. Honestly, I had gotten so excited about my own china patterns over last year, Herend Fish Scale and Meissen Ming Dragon, that I had almost forgotten my love of Tobacco Leaf … until I went to New Orleans this spring. It was in New Orleans that I popped into Leontine Linens, met the wonderful Jane Scott Hodges, and found myself starting right at the Tobacco Leaf pattern atop an extremely chic monogrammed placemat, and layered with an equally chic monogrammed napkin. See photo above. The pattern, which was developed circa 1780, depicts a flowering tobacco leaf, which we all know was of extreme importance to colonial trade. As I said above, my love affair with Mottahedeh’s Tobacco Leaf was rekindled when I visited the Leontine Linens showroom, however, that fire was stoked when I received my copy of Jane Scott Hodges’ Linens for Every Room and Occasion and saw that Tobacco leaf is featured prominently throughout its pages. The best part? Jane Scott has paired Tobacco Leaf with Herend Fish Scale. And it looks fabulous. Uh oh – I see a collecting opportunity here. Tobacco Leaf Rim Soup Bowls here I come.

Photos by Lacquered Life & Via Linens for Every Room and Occasion & Scully & Scully

Mottahedeh Tobacco Leaf is available at Scully & Scully

Woolly Winter

Designers
October 28, 2014

Good Morning Lacquered Lifers! As fall is officially upon us, and winter is quickly approaching I wanted to introduce everyone to some wool pillows, throws, and blankets that can keep you warm through those winter months … especially if the winter is anything like last year. This is a new collaboration between West Elm and the Faribault Woolen Mill Co. in Faribault, Minnesota. The Faribault Woolen Mill Co. has been in operation in the town of Faribault since 1865. Through two world wars when they made blankets for the troops, a great depression, and the passage of time, this mill has continued to employ locals and to manufacture high quality wool products including blankets, scarves, pillows, and even i Pad cases. This is America’s last true vertical wool mill. The “new” mill, as the company refers to it on their website, was built in 1890 and is still in use today.
Not surprisingly, this collaboration with West Elm has the Faribault Co. putting out blankets, pillows, and throws with some very modern looking patterns. These are not your traditional plaid wool blankets. Available in a range of colors and patterns there is sure to be something to keep you warm this winter. Above are three of my favorites from the Faribault Woolen Mill Co.’s collection for West Elm – Large Stripe Wool Pillow Cover, the Window Plaid Wool Blanket, & the Shadow Plaid Wool Throw. For more information on the Faribault Woolen Mill Co. visit their website, and you can shop the Faribault Woolen Mill Co. collection for West Elm below.

Turkey Table Time

Entertaining
October 22, 2014

Good Morning Lacquered Lifers! Thinking about my Thanksgiving table this morning and how I would like it to feel this year. The photo above, from LisaMarieBlog, gives a bit of an indication of the casual & homegrown vibe I am going for. I really love the magnolia garland down the center of the table. I think that is something I will definitely be doing. If I could serve Thankgiving dinner outside, that would be amazing. It wouldn’t be totally out of the ordinary to have a beautiful warm day here in Charleston, but you can’t really plan on it. So instead I’ll bring the outside in!

I am planning on using my blue Spode Heritage plates, and I think a little orange (not too much) will be just the ticket.

Here is the flatware that I am thinking about using. This was a total score at Terrace Oak Antiques here in Charleston – it was quite the steal. I have yet to use them because I am so attached to my silver (also a steal), but I think Thanksgiving is the perfect time to bring these babies out! Below are some additional items I have either purchased or am planning on purchasing for the table. I love this Cut Edged Washed Linen Tablecloth from Terrain. While I would love to show off the table’s wood, I have to seat more people than my antique table can take, so I have to put a tabletop on it. I thought this tablecloth might give off just the right relaxed vibe I’m looking for. I love these Rattan Chargers from World Market. At a fraction of the price of other rattan chargers, these are a great buy for Thanksgiving. Also, I think they will help connect the blue and white plates to the more natural look I’m going for. These Tortoise Votives from Ballard Designs are just the right color to nestle amongst my magnolia wreath. Thinking that my hit of orange may need to come from these Mark & Graham Linen Satin Stitch Dinner Napkins. I also would love an excuse to buy some inexpensive monogrammed napkins. I am not usually a fan of napkin rings, but then I used them at Easter and couldn’t have been more pleased. I thought these Oak Branch Napkin Rings from Terrain were quite beautiful – and again they add that connection to nature I’m looking for. And finally a photo of my dining room, to give you a sense of where this is all taking place! I really love my table, and I wish so badly that it were bigger so I could set the table like this, but I think that tablecloth from Terrain might be just the ticket! You can find pictures of my Thanksgiving 2012 table here.