a year of romantic homes tablescapes

and cottages and bungalows too!

It’s just been over a year since my collaboration with Romantic Homes started. It all began with a “want ad” of sorts, looking for contributors for their website in something they called the “Romantics Program”.

My first submission was this vintage inspired table for 4^th of July and our collaboration continued with a couple of fall tablescapes and other fun stories on collecting and travel.

When I turned in my story and photos for Christmas, I was pleasantly surprised that they chose to publish it in their magazine instead! Wow! What a dream come true!

So that brings us to the very last issue of Romantic Homes in January of 2109, before it was officially retired. I was so honored that my New Year’s Eve table made this historic issue. So sad for us Romantic Homes fans, and bittersweet for sure!

The great news is that my collaboration continues with the sister magazine of Romantic Homes, Cottages & Bungalows. They even came to my home last December to photograph it for this year’s C&B Christmas issue.

I set two different tables for them, one in the dining room and one in the breakfast room, and they’re both soooo different. I can’t wait for you to see them!

The new year brought a Galentine’s Day tablescape and a Mother’s Day table that you can check out at Cottages & Bungalows. It also brought another magazine shoot last month which will feature two more tables, a beverage station and more!

Through every season and my absolute favorite holidays, here's a little peek at all the tablescapes from this past year...

a vintage rose table

halloween

thanksgiving

christmas

christmas photo shoot

  

new year’s eve

galentine's day

mother's day

june photo shoot for 2020

All in all, it’s really been a dream come true!

ciao! fabiana

P.S. Since it's Amazon Prime Day,
I wanted to share some AMAZING DEALS today...

 

   

 

the biggest tablescaping holidays

We made it through the first week of November, and now we’re headed for the homestretch… Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year! And, I just realized that Thanksgiving will be here in less than two weeks!

Our trip to Geneva last week was so memorable and the town was just so beautiful. News this morning from our cousin Melinda is that it snowed this morning! Wow… we would have missed the beautiful fall leaves if we didn’t get there when we did.

While in Geneva, one of my must-see destinations was the Kane County Flea Market which runs the first weekend of each month. My primary goal was to gather as much vintage Indiana glassware that I could possibly fit into my luggage!

As you can see from the photo above, I did find some nice pieces, but only the amber one was found at the flea market. My instincts told me to search some of the local thrift stores and that’s where I hit the motherlode.

The set of green glasses were found at the Catchpenny thrift store in Barrington. I walked in, and there they were, waiting for me, at only .97 cents each! But wait… when I got to the register I found out everything at the store was half off! Wow! I don’t find bargains like that everyday.     

I love using this type of vintage glassware to set my holiday tables. In fact, you’ll catch four pages of the ‘Enchanted’ Christmas table I set in the December issue of Romantic Homes magazine. Here’s a little peek at one of the photos that’s an outtake.

My inspiration for this table were my black and white Joyeux Noel salad plates. From there, I incorporated black and white gingham, and just a bit of green to add necessary color to the table. Blush pink roses finish of the look to add a little romance.

Check out the whole story and pics in Romantic homes! I just saw if for sale yesterday at our local grocery store and they also have it available at Barnes & Noble.   

Another table I set exclusively for Romantic Homes also showcases my favorite glassware. This time in amber, this alfresco Thanksgiving table is one of my favorites. I also used roses on this table, but I went with a more natural look with wood accents and natural textures.

Check out the whole look here at Romantic Homes.   

One of my all-time favorite tables is this Thanksgiving table I recently set up with my beautiful tableware from Serena & Lily. I was going for a clean, modern look and just love the simplicity of it. 

The pretty Mayberry napkins add just the right reddish-orange 'papaya' color to the table that's so perfect for fall.  Keep a lookout for the Christmas table I'll be setting in a few weeks with these same Serena & Lily goodies. Check out the whole look of the Thanksgiving table and dining room here.

Also on the radar this month is this yummy recipe for Pumpkin Spice Spritz Cookies. They offer just the right amount of autumn flavor and are so nostalgic to and fun to make! Recipe found here.   

You may remember this silly little ‘Ugly Christmas Sweater’ tablescape I did last year. Well, you can catch it on the pages of Country Sampler’s Christmas Decorating issue along with my gold magnolia wreath that’s also featured.

I’ve been truly blessed this year that some of my projects have been featured in national magazines for the first time. It’s really surreal to see my photos and stories in print!

Happy weekend to you all!

I’m going to try to get out into the garden and plant some roses. I’m so excited to have found a really pretty English rose yesterday called ‘Edith’s Darling’, a Downton Abbey variety! 

ciao! fabiana

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