Centerpiece versus Tablescape

There is a current design phrase that makes me want to almost laugh out loud each time I hear it.  Tablescape or tablestaging.  Blah!

What happened to plain old centerpieces?

Antiquers have been creative centerpiece designers way before the advent of HGTV or the plethora of Design  Trend of the Month magazines.

I am always envious of antique dealers who just have the "knack" of putting together a variety of vintage pieces to create beautiful and eye catching displays.  Brian, Karen, Jeanine and others--you know who you are--who just do it as second nature.  I will admit periodically watching a program or buying a magazine that I hope will teach me how to create beautiful and inviting table decorations.  Does not work.  Either you have the knack or you don't.

But my theory is--when you have vintage or antiques in your home--you do not need a show or a magazine--the innate history or story in the items just creates the setting.

Just try this.  Pull out some of your favorite pieces and just see what develops.  They do not have to be pieces that even are intended to be on a dining table.  This little display includes a 1960s pottery vase, limelight hydrangeas, world market candles, a tarnished silverplate plate and that sweet little nappy dish decorated with mice when my grandma was a youngster.  Odd combination--but autumnal in my book.

A collection of cut glass, crystal ashtrays for votives and a blue hobnail rose vase.

A freshly acquired box of Grandma's Christmas ornaments heaped into a table top sleigh will be our Christmas centerpiece this year.

A brown Bennington pottery bowl, with one of those wacky green pumpkins. (reminds me of the color of the skin of the Wicked Witch of the West.  Margaret Hamilton became quite ill on the Oz set from the copper sulfate in the make-up.  But I digress...) a crystal vase full of dried bittersweet, dried japanese lanterns and those crystal ashtrays again for votives.

Will I win any "tablescaping" awards?  Not likely.  But I think the centerpieces have personalities that only vintage can bring.  And they make me smile.