G'day all you lovely bloggers out there. Before we move on to tables, I have to mention my interview over at Decor Medley this week – there are some top bloggers over there who have been interviewed so I was honoured to be included, thank you to Giorgina
Giorgina prompted some interesting perusing from me on the Beach Cottage and the journey we've been on to get here, here's an excerpt…
Admit it: part of you has always wanted to get up, leave your house and family behind, and set up a new life on the beach in some foreign country.
Our guest today, Sarah, had the courage to do just that. Not only that, but she has never looked back. And she writes all about her adventures inA Beach Cottage, a neat little blog that makes us all wish we could do what she did, but are too afraid to do.
We admire Sarah for changing her life and chasing her dream, and for those who have ever considered doing the same, please read this special interview from someone who has been there and done that. Let's begin the questions!~~~
I know that I don't need to tell you that I love the sport of tablescaping, though I don't know what I love more, tablescaping or finding thrifted things to go on it. I guess both facilitate each other do they not?
And forgive me if I am somewhat passe but a dressed table on a Saturday night, is,for me, what at the moment, my social life is all about.
I think we all have our fallbacks, mine it seems with dressing tables is candles. This one is a case in point. I was running late and although the food was under control, the cottage, beach or not, was a complete tip and the table wasn't set. Far from it.
However, chief among the virtues of copious amounts of candles is the speed and ease which they can be piled on and the stress-reducing glow they instantly add.
I had it in my mind to use heaps of old jars and the vintage glasses I picked up the other day at Vinnies after Sue Farrant left me a comment pointing to an exceedingly inspirational picture of glass jars and tealights.
So with time not on my side and truly still in my undies I threw this on the table, layering on the glasses and jars, filling them with tealights and combining vintage plates with plain white modern ones.
I hate to blow my trumpet (and although there's a video here today, I don't think you'll ever see me cavorting about on it – just so not up myself enough) I do believe this to be nearing a perfect 10 in the novice tablescaping stakes….if of course you consider it enough of a sport to mark it out of ten.
here it is just before the doorbell rung…
and if you have nothing better to do than watch an amateur video from an English gal in Australia, play this (for some reason YouTube stops it after 29secs it is longer but hey ho you get the picture)…just because I couldn't not show you the twinkling…
tablecloth, table, chairs & cutlery IKEA
napkins & glasses Vinnies
vintage plates, thrifted
menu
slow-roasted loin of pork with crackling
roast potatoes & cauliflower
baked spiced plums with cream
see you all later, love from the Beach Cottage
LOVE the plates!!!! The whole table is gorgeous!!
m ^..^
Simple & elegant, just your style. And I love your style!
Just gorgeous. I just found your blog and really like it a lot. Am adding it to my favorites!
Sarah, You outdid yourself again. I love your tablescapes. The twinkling lights looks so lovely in the little video. The china looks so pretty, everything is simple yet so elegant. You are amazing! Hugs, ~cindy s~
It’s so peaceful, romantic, quiet, calming…omg wonderful with the lights out and candles lit.
Love the mismatched but perfectly coordinated plates-I love eclectic looks.
Cheri
http://www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
Lovely as usual Sarah and I also enjoyed reading your interview.
One of the prettiest tablescapes ever, Sarah. Sweet simplicity. And it’s so inspirational that you’re living your dream :-)
Your tablescape is beautiful! It really looks so special and inviting.
Oh your table looks simply beautiful! Congratulations on everything! Take care, Caroline
Hey Sarah! Looove ur blog. I thought I saw some blue walls in your home…what color did you use? It’s just beautiful!!
Thanks for the inspiration.
Aubree
Love your vintage china! Is it rosenthal or from bavaria? The candle light is lovely.
HAD to show this to my dh to justify my collection of jam jars!
Was hoping to hear you speak on your video clip to hear your accent – brit or aussie now?
Absolutely somptuous pure white table !
Both old and new but still minimalist and modern, totally unclutter. Love it. I am in this choir…
Sarah,
Its so simple yet so elegant. One would never think you did the whole thing while wearing nothing but undies. Smile! Well done, friend!
Looks lovely, I love all the tealights and the pretty mirror on your shelf.
Perfection in entirety!
Good interview. Loved the video. More please.
What I love about your table is that it is so simple….but effective. That is my motto…..simple always looks best . XXXX
The perfect blend of contemporary freshness and vintage charm! You might enjoying seeing the young girls who took the sewing class last week at ESSA. The slip covered chairs they made look a lot like yours. There’s a link one or two posts down on my blog.
this is such a lovely tablescape sarah – its so simple & elegant :)
now i’m going to surf over to read your interview
Hello Sara; What a lovely table setting. Every thing looks so very chic and romantic… congratulations on the interview, on my way to read it….
Hugs;
Alaura
This is gorgeous, Sarah!
Congratulations on the interview!
Evening, Dear Sarah! Oh, Dear One! Look what you’ve done ~ another gorgeous tablescape. Yours are always so elegant, but yet simple! Love your jars with twinkling going on. I’m sure your guests were so thrilled to sit at such a lovely table.
Congratulations on your interview. You are an inspiration to us!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I just love it, Sarah. I can’t wait for another dinner party so I can do the same. I have lots of cute olden glasses and jars. Just need to get a big bag of white candles and I’ll be all set.
Thanks so much..
oops, sorry..I meant to say congratulations on your interview. We all are very proud of you…!
Hi Sarah, your table is beautiful! Read the interview…very nice!
I always enjoy seeing your tables and they are so simple yet stunning.
Loved the video!
Perfect! I can hear the comfortable conversation around the table as your guests relax in your beautiful setting Well done!
Jane
ps Loved the flickering candles in your video!
Looks great Sarah
Loving the candles
Alison
Hi Sarah
Loved your interview with Decor Medley
Of course your table looked fantastic – sometimes creations are better achieved when they aren’t planned – this one was no exception!! I bet the food was just as delicious!!!
I just love your vintage dishes and your touches of white and gold! It looks even prettier in your you tube video, very twinklie and dreamy. :O)
What a lovely sight ! Ok, I need serious help around here.
I adore votives…i just posted some today that I like !
i love it! so soothing.
Hey, aren’t you lucky I don’t live in Australia, I’d a been over there in a minute and crashed your party! Great table Sarah, the food sounds real good and the music too. Cheers, Siggie
As always your table is amazing! Loved the video too, great job!
Your table looks amazing, I love the mismatched dinnewarea and the different sized candles…romantic, simple, and perfect! Congrats on the interview, you are rockin’ the blog world! ;)
LOVE the menu and the table… sooooo sad that I would NEVER let my kids eat at that table… LOL!!! BEAUTIFUL… every time I visit!
I always love the ease and warmth of your decor and that includes this lovely tablescape. It is perfectly YOU. Well done, Kathysue
What a beautiful serene table setting. The plates are lovely.
Congrats on the interview! I love candles in jars, and your whole table is amazing and so inviting.
So pretty and clean looking…love the candlelight!
How beautiful, and truly relaxing. I’ve just discovered your blog and have added you promptly to my favourites! Hugs xx
Sarah, you can set the most tranquil table! I always relax as soon as I click on your blog and see what you’ve come up with. The colors are just so calming. (And knowing how color-crazed I am, I guess I need that reprieve!)! So nice that virtually anything can be used for a candle holder and look so pretty!
Brenda
Lovely tablescape, as usual! I loved the video, the music was beautiful, but I was hoping to hear your voice with your cool accent. I have friends in Australia who are also from Great Britain. I love their accents! I enjoyed the unmade bed entry yesterday!! Your bed still looked awfully nice, I must say, even unmade! I think it helps that everything was the same color. I really enjoy your blog, thanks so much for it. Hugs, ~cindy s~
Love it!!!
carolyn
YOu are silly…Youtubing your tablescape…I loved it! Can’t go wrong with white, candlelight, and Coldplay. Love that vintage china! And IKEA is my best friend.
Picture perfect! I love white. You can not have a better colour for anything.Fresh white linnens,fresh white flowers and fresh white paper.I all love it!
I enjoyed the interview on Decor with you, Sarah. It is nice to know a little more about the woman behind the Blog! Now I know why you like the same magazines that I do! I think you were really brave to bring your family to Australia without having schools etc. You are obviously way braver than I am! (Or more foolish) The Northern Beaches is the area we would like to be. Sigh. Maybe one day! xx