Black and White Table Setting

Hello friends, I am glad to be back here after a full and rather emotional weekend.

Yesterday we said the final goodbye to a very dear aunt of mine. She had been sick and in failing health for a long time, so in a way it was a blessing that her suffering was over. Yet every goodbye like this, is so final that no matter how or why, it still hurts.

And then in the evening we had new friends over for diner. Friends we haven’t known that long yet, but who have found a way into our hearts and life so fast and so good that it feels as if they have always been there.

A weekend of loss and gain at the same time.

 

Black White Table Setting

So what is a girl to do with so many different emotions at the same time playing havoc in her head. Exactly! Start fluffing and playing and creating beauty and some order out of things that are familiar and comforting.

I started playing my favorite sport of table setting……

 

Black White Table Setting 2

Setting a table like this, for a simple dinner with good friends, is so comforting. I had no idea what I was going to do with this one. No theme or idea in my head before I started. So I just took it from where I always start, with the basics, choosing the background.

I tried out a few combinations of tablecloth with runners or placemats but none ‘did it’ for me, until I combined the crisp white with the black. That started talking to me…

So I rummaged around in my kitchen cupboards to see if I could come up with enough whites, and blacks and combo’s to make this work.

A quick label of chalkboard vinyl made an old pitcher just right for the job.

 

 

Black White Table Setting 3

 

And when I went down to the basement to look for some candle sticks I grabbed the mirror off the wall on my way back.

No table scape without flowers, I took some white tulips out of a mixed bunch and clipped some greens from the garden. I really like the contrast of the greens with the black and white theme. It definitely would have gotten a little boring without it.

 

Black White Table Setting 4

Playing around with my ‘toys’ like this was so comforting. Decorating always does that for me. The more turmoil there is going on in my head (and there is plenty of that at the moment), the more I need some order and beauty around me.

 

Black White Table Setting 5

Funny now that I am looking at the pictures and I see how this table decoration turned out I can see that this black and white table setting was a perfect representation of my mood. The contrast between the dark and the light, the heavy and the airy, the cold colors and the warm greens. I didn’t realize it at the time.

Like most of my decorations it came about instinctively. The start is always difficult and I am usually not sure where I am going – if anywhere –  in the beginning. Then I add that one element that makes it click and I can see the theme, the rhythm starting to come alive. And then it is just a matter of continuing to add things until I feel that that last item was too much and I take it out again and it feels done.

 

Black White Table Setting 6

So do you have routines that you turn to when you need some comfort? What is it for you that quiets the mind? How do you ease the turmoil in your head?

 

Songbird | Website | + posts

Marianne Songbird is the founder of Songbird, where she hopes to inspire everyone to create a home they love, one DIY project at a time. She shares anything from craft ideas to home decor inspiration and from DIY projects to decorating hacks. Originally from the Netherlands Marianne and her husband Lex are currently renovating a 250-year-old farmhouse in Germany.

Similar Posts

15 Comments

  1. your table looks wonderful, i got some new ralph lauren table linen today at a steal of a price at tkmaxx. i would love for you to link up to my new linky party going on now xxx

    1. Marianne@Songbird says:

      Have fun playing with your new linens. Nothing better than a fresh set (without stains that you need to cover up, not that I ever have to do that…. LOL).

  2. I’m sorry for the loss of your dear aunt. Love the table setting. The black and white with a touch of green is a classic.

  3. I’m sorry for the loss of your aunt. It is an emotional time. Your table setting is so pretty – elegant and simple. Just perfect. I love the touch of green – it adds real freshness to the setting. Have a good week, Marianne.

    1. Marianne@Songbird says:

      A good week to you too! And yes I totally agree that green made it all come together.

  4. I’m sorry to hear about your Aunt. Having been down that path before, I can appreciate your thoughts.

    Like you, decorating ranks up there on top for calming, creating art is up there too. Which ever happens to catch my spirit first. I can get lost in either of these and come out feeling a little bit better. Always!

    Your tablescape is incredible!!! I bet your new friends loved it! Who wouldn’t!?!?!

    Hope you had a great weekend!

    “Her” and Romeo

    1. Marianne@Songbird says:

      Oh yes, crafting (I wouldn’t call what I do art) is definitely soothing for the soul too. Thanks for the table setting love!

  5. So sorry for your loss Marianne! It always stings, no matter how prepared you think you are. But so nice you had some new friends coming too. And the table setting is STUNNING. I like the use of the mirror as a tray/ coaster and the green really brings it all together.

  6. What a clever idea with the mirror! The tablesetting is lovely! I also use to use my creativity to ease some inner pain. Wishing you a lovely week.

  7. I am so sorry for your loss, Marianne! I am glad that you surrounded yourself with good friends in such sad times.

    Your table setting looks so beautiful! I wish I could pull something like that together as instinctively as you! But there’s always your blog for inspiration, so I’ll be fine 😉

    When my mind is in turmoil I like to organize something…I guess it creates a sense of control over things, even if it is just a cupboard. However, the best remedy for me are walks on the beach with the dogs 🙂 xxx

    1. Marianne@Songbird says:

      Oh if I had a beach nearby I sure would turn there too for some quieting of the mind.
      Thanks for the table love, nice to hear that you find it an inspiration.
      Oh and I know the organizing the outside to create order on the inside too. When things get really messy some decluttering is in order, I know that from experience too.

  8. Gecondoleerd met het overlijden van jullie tante!

    De tafel ziet er mooi uit! Ik versier de tafel niet echt als we eters hebben. De laatste keer was met de Kerst, toen was mijn zus hier.

    Mijn escape is de computer. Heerlijk al die blogs lezen of iets leuks zoeken om te kopen 😉

  9. Denise Toepel says:

    Marianne,

    sorry for your loss. Take long hot showers and drink teas and take care of yourself through the sadness.
    The table setting is striking and the touches of color with green is stunning.

    I found your web page through Stumble upon it was one from 2009! Thank you for having such an interesting blog.
    Denise

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *