Wild Birds Tablescape

Welcome to the blog today, Friends, and a big welcome to September! I don’t know about you, but I am more than ready to trade in these hot summer days for the crisp, cool embrace of autumn. I’m dreaming of apple picking (and, of course, apple baking!), taking long walks through crunchy leaves, watching the birds start their migration, and maybe doing a bit of stargazing on a clear, chilly night.

Today, I’m excited to share with you a unique find from an estate sale we visited a few months back. Estate sales around here are always an adventure—each one is like opening a new chapter, and you never know what you’re going to find. This one took us on a bit of a road trip, about 45 minutes from home, winding up into the mountains of North Carolina to a charming mountain house perched above a deep valley. The road was narrow and twisty, but oh, those views were worth it!

The house itself was in need of a little love, but it was filled with high-end china, crystal, and artwork. Most of the prices were a bit above my comfort zone—some of the china sets were going for around $100 a plate! Still, it was such fun to wander through and admire all the beautiful pieces. And then I stumbled upon a set that immediately caught my eye, which included the lovely plates I’m sharing with you today.

There’s something so special about finding a piece that speaks to you, especially when you’re not expecting it. I can’t wait to show you how I’ve styled it for an autumn-inspired table setting. Stay tuned, and let’s dive into the cozy, inviting spirit of the season together!

Here’s another gem from that same set—a beautiful plate that showcases a different hand-painted scene. These plates are by Lenox, and each one is framed with a wide band of silver that adds an elegant touch. What makes them truly special, though, is the unique depiction of waterfowl on each plate. The birds are so beautifully detailed, and I’m absolutely in love with the moody black and white rendering of each scene. It’s like each plate tells its own little story.

There’s something captivating about the way these plates combine classic elegance with a touch of nature’s raw beauty. I love how the monochromatic design draws you in, allowing you to appreciate the fine details of the artwork. It’s as if you can almost feel the stillness of the water and the quiet rustle of feathers just by looking at them. These plates definitely bring a serene yet striking element to the table setting.

On the back of each plate, there’s a bit of a story that adds even more charm to these pieces. They provide details about the artist, Richard E. Bishop, along with the name of each drawing. Bishop collaborated with Lenox in the 1980s to bring his captivating sketches of birds and hunting dogs to life on these plates, turning the dinner table into a gallery of his art.

Each plate in this set measures 10.5 inches, and I’m lucky enough to have twelve different scenes—one for each plate. It’s like having a dozen unique works of art, each capturing a moment in nature with incredible detail and elegance.

So now on to the table setting.

The table setting began with a beautiful white linen tablecloth with stunning embroidery scattered along its entire length. This was a thrifted find for just $5, and it truly is a showstopper. Its delicate detailing sets an elegant foundation for the rest of the table.

In the second picture, you’ll see the personalized place cards I crafted for each setting. I photographed the plates from the set and selected one image to feature on the folded place card. The guest’s name will be handwritten on one side of the card, creating a custom touch that ties in beautifully with the theme of the table.

The third picture highlights the thrifted silver-plated flatware in the “Caprice” pattern—a simple yet elegant design. The flatware is paired with one of the individual silver-plated chargers that I’ve been lucky enough to collect over time from various thrift stores. Each piece has its own unique character, adding a layer of interest to the table.

Moving to the bottom row, you can see the lovely thrifted Battenberg lace napkin, carefully held by a silver-plated napkin ring—another great thrift find! The napkin is placed beside another one of the unique silver-plated chargers. I love how each charger is distinct, bringing a bit of surprise and variety to the tablescape.

The center picture shows the harmony between the plates and the chargers—the way the plate rests in the charger is just perfect, seamlessly blending the two elements. Finally, the last picture shows a table runner that complements the colors of the goose and swan in the center of the table. This runner adds texture and warmth to the setting. The two birds are also thrift store finds, each carved from a single piece of wood. Their detailed renderings add a charming, antique quality to the table, pulling everything together with a sense of history and character.

The crystal champagne and wine glasses bring a lovely sparkle and texture to the setting. The champagne glass is a stunning piece from Waterford’s “Millennium” collection, known for its exquisite design and quality. The wine glass, on the other hand, is a Pairpoint crystal glass. Pairpoint is an American maker renowned for its high-end crystal, and these glasses are definitely one of my most thrilling finds!

It’s funny how serendipity sometimes plays a part in treasure hunting. One day, while out for a drive, we spotted a sign for an estate sale. It was the last day of the sale, and we decided to pop in for a quick look around. There wasn’t much left, but there was a set of six wine glasses, caked in dirt and looking a bit worse for wear. They were marked down to half price at just $15, and after some gentle encouragement from my husband, I reluctantly agreed to buy them.

Once we got home and gave them a good wash, their true beauty emerged. These glasses turned out to be high-end pieces valued at around $150 each! It was such a delightful surprise—sometimes it really pays to take a chance, and I’m so grateful for my husband’s keen eye and little nudge that day. Thanks, honey!

A picture of the whole table reveals the dried hydrangea and grass arrangements placed in crystal pitchers at either end, adding a touch of natural beauty and height to the setting. Whenever I set a table with thrifted finds—which, let’s be honest, is almost every day!—I can’t help but think about the stories behind each piece.

There’s something so intriguing about these treasures. Who originally used the beautiful Pairpoint crystal glasses, and how did they end up covered in dust and dirt, seemingly forgotten? Who carved those wooden birds, spending hours perfecting their graceful and lifelike forms? I imagine the Lenox plates gracing dinner parties with views of sweeping mountain scenes—what conversations and laughter might they have witnessed?

And then there’s the tablecloth—so carefully cared for, starched, and pressed, ready for use. I wonder about the woman who put in that effort, taking pride in her linens. How did it come to rest in a thrift store, waiting for a new story to begin?

These questions and the possible answers they inspire are what make thrifting so special. Each item holds a history, a bit of mystery, and a new chapter waiting to unfold for lucky people like us who enjoy exploring their past and bringing them into our present.

Thank you so much for joining me here today! I’ve loved sharing these beautiful thrifted finds and the stories they carry with them. Before you go, I’ll leave you with a little peek at a few more of the Lenox plates and some other treasures displayed in the hutch. It’s always a joy to create these settings and imagine the past lives of each piece, and I hope they’ve inspired you to think about the stories behind the treasures you come across. Until next time, happy thrifting and take care!