Tuesday, October 7, 2014

An Italian Tablescape and a Giveaway

Pfaltzgraff is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its "Villa Della Luna" pattern of dishes this year.  I was contacted by Lifetime Brands and asked to do a tablescape for fall featuring these dishes, and I was happy to oblige.  :)



Pfaltzgraff has created a beautiful collection of dinnerware, serveware, and accessories, based on the book Dancing with the Moon, a Story of Love at the Villa della Luna, by Jana Kolpen and Mary Tiegreen.  Jennifer at Lifetime Brands was kind enough to send me an autographed copy of the book to enjoy along with the dishes.  Dancing with the Moon is a charming book and a story of love, food, and friendship at the Villa della Luna in Italy.  It's filled with interactive elements such as gatefold doors, cards, letters, passports, and recipes.  The book not only includes photographs, but hand-colored illustrations, as well.



These colors were such fun to work with; I was really surprised at how well they blend with my kitchen decor.  I don't normally use such bright, bold colors in my tablescapes, but this was a liberating experience.  :)  I do like this color combination, especially for fall.  It would also look great during the summer with fresh, colorful salads and grilled food.


When I first viewed these dishes online, I was pretty sure that I could make some of my table linens work with the dishes.  My goal was to not spend any extra money on the tablescape, if possible.  When the dishes arrived, and I unpacked them, I was amazed at how perfectly they matched this tablecloth and the damask napkins, which I used in a previous tablescape Here.


 My mother-in-law kindly gifted me with the white table topper; I really wanted some white as a break between the patterns on the tablecloth and the dishes.  She also loaned me the pottery pitcher for this table; it was just the type of thing I was looking for.  I have some pottery pieces, but none of them were the right color.  I didn't want to use a glass pitcher or vase because I thought pottery would better accentuate the style of the dishes.


 A mixture of tiny, yellow-gold Aster Solidagos and Hypericum berries from our local grocery store highlighted more colors from the dishes.  I love the fall look and feel of the flowers and berries.


I received four place settings, but I only used two here because our kitchen table is small.  The Villa della Luna dinnerware place setting includes an 11" diameter dinner plate, 9" salad plate, 6" appetizer plate, 24 ounce soup/cereal bowl, and 12 ounce pedestal mug.  I think the glaze is lovely, and all pieces are dishwasher and microwave safe.  The blue-stemmed goblets and blue-handled flatware were also on loan to me from my mother-in-law.


Keeping the wine cool is a Villa della Luna utensil crock, which is one of the anniversary pieces currently being offered by Pfaltzgraff.  I love the raised lettering and design, and I chose it because I felt it could work well on my countertop as a utensil crock, or as a wine server at the table.

Let's look at some of the details on the dishes.


The terra cotta trim around the dinner plates and inside the bowls makes me think of flower pots lining the terrace of an Italian villa, possibly even the Villa della Luna in our story.  I love the diamond detail around the interior of the plate; it reminds me of a Harlequin's chequered costume.


The salad plates have an unusual shape (so pretty) with a raised green pattern at each corner and pretty scrolling around the interior border.  These dishes really do have an Italian flair.


The appetizer plate reminds me of a sunflower with a big blue center surrounded by white petals.  I didn't use any green accents in this table, but the dishes have enough green in them that you could easily use a piece of green pottery, green glass goblets, or green-handled flatware in your setting.  I also think these dishes would be beautiful in a picnic setting.  The bright colors and the pottery feel would be perfect outdoors...


enjoyed with a picnic at a winery, for example. ;)

 


Pfaltzgraff and Lifetime Brands is giving away four of these five-piece place settings of Villa della Luna dinnerware, plus the utensil crock, to one of my readers.  I've been blogging for almost four years now, and you've been such faithful and supportive followers, always encouraging me with your kind comments -- I'd love to see one of you win this giveaway.

If you're interested, please leave a comment at the end of the post letting me know you'd like to be considered for the giveaway.  Only entries from the U.S. and Canada can be accepted.  That's all there is to it -- no jumping through hoops for this.  The deadline to enter is two weeks from today.  At that time, the winner will be chosen by a random number generator, and I'll announce the winner on my blog on October 21st.      

Here are a few more pictures of the table --








You can view the other Villa della Luna anniversary pieces (including the utensil crock) on the Pfaltzgraff website.  Some of the other anniversary offerings are a biscotti jar, a Parmesan bowl with spoon, and a risotto platter.

I hope you enjoyed the tablescape post, and I'd love for you to leave me a comment or leave a comment on Pfaltzgraff's Facebook page!  Your visits and comments always make my day!  :)


Tablescape Details:
"Villa della Luna" Dinnerware, Pfaltzgraff (Lifetime Brands)
Flatware -- Target
Blue Pottery Pitcher -- Seagrove Pottery, Seagrove, North Carolina
Napkins and Tablecloth -- France, gifts from my in-laws
Napkin Rings -- World Market
Wine -- Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery

I'm Linking to the Following Parties:
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Tablescape Thursday, at Between Naps on the Porch
Home Sweet Home Friday, at The Charm of Home
Mosaic Monday, at Lavender Cottage
Amaze Me Monday, at Dwellings the Heart of Your Home

Denise


**DISCLOSURE:  LIFETIME BRANDS PRODUCTS WERE PROVIDED TO ME FREE OF CHARGE IN EXCHANGE FOR PROMOTIONAL CONSIDERATION.  ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.**

24 comments:

  1. Denise, you did such a wonderful job with these gorgeous dishes! How sweet of your mother in law to loan you some accesories and linens to add to the beauty. I love the layered look of the tablecloth that you did and the pretty centerpiece adds the perfect colors. Yes, these colors go great in your kitchen. I'll bet you felt like you were in Italy!! Thanks for the opportunity to win this fabulous giveaway.

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  2. Denise, you did an excellent job designing your tablescape and promoting Lifetime Brands. They should hire you full time. I am familiar with the book and Pfaltzgraff pattern. The colors are so pretty and a great pattern for whatever season you are using them. Your linens were perfect for this pattern. How fun to think of a great Italian meal since you are all ready with the ambience of Italy. These dishes are a fabulous giveaway and I would be honored to be considered!

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  3. Your table is beautiful Denise, I love the vibrant colors in the dishes! I only have one question... You didn't set a place for my favorite furry bad boy??? The colors look great in your kitchen-enjoy:@)

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  4. Beautiful dishes and such a beautiful tablescape! You did a great job Denise! Everything works so well together. Please count me in for the draw.

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  5. What a pretty pattern and pleasant surprise that it looks so good with your room! I love the bright colors. The white topper enhances the dishes and I like the ceramic centerpiece- how nice that your MIL loaned them to you for this Tablescape! I'd love to be entered in the giveaway- thank you for the opportunity!

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  6. I love your tablescape, the colors are so pretty & I would like to be entered!
    kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

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  7. Beautiful table with these beautiful dishes. Like the choice of the berries for the centerpiece.

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  8. Your table reminds me of delightful summer meals, eaten outdoors under a grape arbor. Just beautiful. You accented the dishes well. Count me in for the giveaway - those dishes are gorgeous.

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  9. Just beautiful... the dishes and your tablescape. How neat to design a dish pattern after a book. These dishes instantly made me think of Italy and I could just imagine the aromas of a delicious Italian feast in the background. I also love that pumpkiny orange color mixed with the blue. Perfect for any fall meal.
    Your centerpiece looks great with the dishes and has me thinking that I need to take a closer look at the flowers available at the grocery store.
    I'd love to have my name thrown in the hat. What a generous giveaway this is. Thank you and Lifetime Brands for the opportunity to enter.

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  10. I have been in love with this pattern ever since it was first introduced. In fact, I pretty much love all of the Pfaltzgraff patterns and still have my husband's "Village" set that I will be pulling out for fall tablescapes. You did a beautiful job here showcasing this gorgeous set.

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  11. Wonderful bright colors! You made a beautiful table with this set. I think they would be great any time of the year.

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  12. Lovely autumnal colors. Will keep my fingers crossed that I'll be a lucky winner. Beautiful tablescape.

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  13. Such a beautiful table Denise. I love the dishes!
    Sherry

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  14. Love the tablescape! The colors are really pretty with your tablecloth. It's like they were made to go together. I like the way you tied them in with the winery pictures. You did a great job with this. Love you, Mom

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  15. Love the vibrant colors of the dishes. Who would't love to eat off these plates. Your table enhances the colors.

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  16. Thanks for sharing this beautiful tablescape. I think these dishes are simply lovely and I'd love to have them for our table, thanks.

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  17. This tablescape screams Autumn in Tuscany! The utensil crock is so versatile- I could see it as the vase for your lovely floral centerpiece as well. And I especially love the color, shape and size of the bowls- Italian wedding soup, anyone? Just gorgeous!

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  18. what a beautiful table setting! Thank you for the opportunity to win this!

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  19. I would love to win such bright and lovely pieces. Thanks for the giveaway. Good luck everyone.

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  20. You pegged it, sister! This is a great look for fall, but it would also work exceptionally well in summer with those hot, hot colors! I'm glad you stepped outside of your comfort zone and went for it! Bold colors can be intimidating, but man, oh man, do they sizzle!!!

    Great call to use the white topper to break up the color saturation. That really helps showcase the brilliant colors in the dishes and your centerpiece. Speaking of the centerpiece, it is simply beautiful! I love to use hypericum berries in my arrangements. They add color and texture and form...the perfect addition to bump up the "Ooh wee!" quality in a floral piece!

    The dish design really does have a wonderful Italian feel. I've never been to Italy (and most likely never will since I'm afraid to fly), but from all the movies and photos I've seen, the colors and free-spirited design are right on target. I see what you mean about the appetizer plate looking kind of like a sunflower...a Smurf sunflower! :-)

    Sure...I'd like to be considered for the giveaway! I love the design, and I could give dishes like this a very good and loving home!

    Have a great weekend! Happy Fall!!!

    I love the picture of the orchards. That to me shouts fall. Harvest time is one of the best!

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  21. These dishes are beautiful! Love the colors!

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  22. Love the dishes...

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  23. Oh my goodness. I'll bet I am too late! I got myself in a little pit at the end of last week and never even finished looking at blogs until tonight. I tried to do a purple one, and my creative juices just dried right up.

    YOUR table is really beautiful, and the dishes are fabulous! I don't know if I have seen them before. I love the deep, rich, colors. I have nothing in the whole house like that. Your MIL's stemware looks perfect with them, too. It all looks so very European to me.

    Sorry to have missed it sooner!!

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  24. Hi Denise, I just saw this on your sidebar. You did a wonderful job with the Villa della Luna pattern and it's beautiful paired with your linens! We love visiting Raffaldini and stting on their gorgeous patio :)

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND COMMENTS. I ENJOY READING EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.

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