Setting the Table: Miami Poolside

I ran into this gorgeous photograph by stylist Jessica Thomas on Desire to Inspire. It's a beautiful kitchen to be sure, but what I love most is the light in the photograph. I imagine that just to the right of the sink is a pair of open french doors that lead to a beautiful pool and terrace on a bright sunny day. The atmosphere is cool and relaxing from the shade on the terrace to the cool touch of the backsplash tiles and a soothing dip in the shallow pool. I know I'm just creating this senario in my imagination, but I think I'm going to have a hard time leaving.

Here's how I'd set the table... 

By the sink I'd keep a fancy bar on Rebecca Chappell's soap dish (1, $50) to wash up between the pool and cooking. I'd fix the counter with a gorgeous spray of lilies in one of Scott Jennings newly designed geometic vases (2, $135). To keep my collection of relaxing teas fresh, I'd store them in a couple of lovely jars from Pincu Pottery (3), always at hand on the countertop.

For brunch on weekends, I'd set the table for seasonal fruit salad in bowls from Jeff Campana (4, similar, smaller bowls $95) and french toast on plates from Karl Borgeson (5, $150). Accompanying the morning treats would be cinnamon and brown sugar in a spice well set from Gwendolyn Yoppolo (6) and creamy butter in a dish by Joanna Howells (7).

After the morning's first dip I'd bring out some cups and saucers by Mike Jabbur (8) and a few treats on a dessert tier from Joanna Powells (9). From a soda-fired teaset by Tara Wilson (10), I'd pour a pipping service of mango-black tea while my guests enjoyed a few bittersweet-chocolate-covered fruit jellies.

After tea while my guests went in for another dip I'd grab my clever citrus reamer by Gwendolyn Yoppolo (11) and quickly juice some of the fresh lemons I keep on this clever fruit dish by Joanna Howells (12). Poured over some soothing ice-cubes with a bit of sugar added, my fresh batch of lemonade would be especially sparkling spilling from this Mark Knott pitcher (13, $150).

My delicious lemonade would taste so crisp out of these fancy cups from Victor Visockis (14, $65). A cool service of chilled washcloths in a dish by Marc Digeros (15) and sliced cucumbers on a stunning platter by Honest Works Pottery (16, $65) would complete the spa experience. 

Ahhh, what a relaxing day... Do I really have to wake up?

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If you have a photo that you'd like to see with a 'Table Setting' shoot me an email. I love a challenge.

Setting the Table: Crisp Black & White

kitchen via The Things blog

vase by Sam Scott (1); canisters by Nicholas Bivins (2); soap dish by Etsy seller Ibegley (3)

plates by Kathy King (4); tumblers by Katie Queen (5); salt and pepper shakers by Connie Norman (6); bowls by Takemura Yuri (7)

serving bowl by Eric Rempe (8); pitcher by Ryan Greenheck (9); platter by White Bike Ceramics (10)

 mug by Melissa Mencini (11); teacup and saucer by Kuehn Keramik (12); teapot by Sam Chung (13); cream and sugar set by Margaret Bohls (14)

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If you have a photo that you'd like to see with a 'Table Setting' shoot me an email. I love a challenge.

Setting the Table: A Moody, Romantic Pantry

So I thought I might try a new idea here on the Mud Bucket. I think there are many potential pottery aficionados out there in the world, especially in the design world, who just don't really know what contemporary potters have to offer them or don't know where to find handmade wares to their taste. They may know how to find beautiful furniture or nice linens but when it comes to decking their cupboards and tables the handmade design train comes to a screeching halt.

Now, I have my opinions as to why this happens, for one- trying to navigate Etsy to find pottery that suits your interior aesthetic is worse then having your teeth pulled, but that's another post, another day. For now I've decided to give folks an idea of how someone can outfit their entire kitchen nook or dinning room in beautiful handmade pottery. Each 'Setting the Table' post will start with an inspirational photo of a kitchen, breakfast nook, dinning room, etc. Then I will pull from deep  inside my mental filing cabinet of contemporary potters that I love, pieces that would fit in such a room, aesthetically speaking.

Anyone excited yet?

 So... to begin. I love the photo above. This pantry, which I imagine to be part of an equally lovely kitchen, feels moody with all the dark and brooding colors. The chipped paint on the shelves and the reaching branches with white blossoms lend a certain romance to the shot. The coke bottle, vintage canisters, and label-wearing recycled jars keep this room from feeling unattainable or unrealistic. 

First I'd set the mood a bit more by lighting some flickering candles in a set of swirling taper holders by Lora Groton Rust and bringing in another rustic bouquet in a striking vase by Diana Fayt.

Then I'd set the table with these undulating dishes by Monica Ripley ($50 each for similar) and floral bowls from Molly Hatch. Stamped tumblers by Kristen Kieffer ($50 each) would be at every setting, of course, for water, iced tea, or a cocktail.

Before serving any of the delicious rustic Italian meal I just cooked... from scratch... I'd make sure there were these middle-eastern inspired trivets from Sanam Emami on the table so my cast iron wouldn't scorch the finish. Then I'd bring out an intricately textured butter dish by Sandi Pierantozzi and some modern salt and pepper cellars by Rae Dunn ($42) so people can fine tune their own flavors.

The table service would include a blackberry herb cocktail in this gorgeous Julie Wiggins' pitcher. I would serve the main dishes like pesto gnocchi and lemon-herb roasted chicken on Joseph Pintz's rustic-modern trays ($80 for similar). A fresh spring mix salad with strawberries and mozzarella tossed in a tart vinaigrette would appear in one of Josie Jurcenzia's gorgeous rose bowls ($175).

Bellies stuffed and after a quick rest, I would go to the kitchen to pull some tea and coffee from Tyra Forker's charmingly wonky jars. I'd brew the caffeinated beverages in a pair of Neil Patterson's hand-carved tea and coffee pots. Poured into Allison McGowan's darling button-stamped mugs and sweetened with cream and sugar from Whitney Smith's turquoise Dogwood cream and sugar set ($88), no coffee or tea will have ever tasted better.

But oops... don't forget desert! A berry tart would look smashing on this 'teardrop' cake stand from Jeanette Zeis ($135).

So, there you go. A beautiful kitchen theoretically equipped with beautiful handmade pottery. It took some time but it was fun, and if you take your time collecting it should be affordable and more satisfying when complete.

So, what do you think? Would you like to eat here? I definitely would. I'm already looking forward to the next kitchen.

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If you have a photo that you'd like to see with a 'Table Setting' shoot me an email. I love a challenge.

(pantry image by SomeThingsIKnow via Desire to Inspire; pottery images from arist's websites and Etsy shops)