As many of you know I am blessed to be married to a retired Air Force veteran. Veteran’s day is time set aside to honor the many military members we are so thankful for and for us, to celebrate Mr. Décor. To say we are proud of our own airman is an understatement. He deserves a Proud As A Peacock A Veteran’s Day Tablescape.
During Mr. Décor’s twenty-two-year career in the military, he was stationed in Texas, Japan, England, Saudi Arabia, Crete, Germany, Georgia, and of course California, where he met me. 🙂 With each destination he immersed himself in the culture, possessing a true love for learning.
Our favorite hobby together is traveling. This feathered tablescape was inspired by a place setting used when we celebrated Thanksgiving last year at Colonial Williamsburg. By candlelight, you could clearly see that the plates had peacocks on them. You can read about the symbolism of peacocks HERE. (You can also see the shade of lipstick I was wearing on my mug of ale. 🙂
During dinner, we enjoyed the romantic ballads….
… and patriotic marches that were favored during Colonial times.
Dinner was authentic as well. While the presentation wasn’t pretty, it tasted delicious.
In thinking about a peacock theme my mind recalled a favorite tablescape that I featured on my blog a few weeks ago.
Proud As A Peacock A Veteran’s Day Tablescape
With tongue in cheek, I had said that anyone with excess pheasant plumes could send them to me. My very special friend, Susan, of My Place to Yours took me at my word and sent me a huge envelope of feathered finery.
Armed with Susan’s pheasant feathers I began this place setting of plumes by laying down a tablecloth that was last used as a curtain in my office.
TIP: Curtains and large tablecloths can be used interchangeably.
The centerpiece was created by using a vase that once held beautiful roses given to me by my good friend Meri. I began with a bit of birdseed, positioned in the pheasant feathers, a few dried wheat stalks, and added three peacock feathers for height and color. As this arrangement doesn’t require any water it can last all season long.
Wanting to add in another layer of color and texture I wrapped a piece of seafoam green velvet around the glass vase and secured it with a vintage rhinestone pin from my jewelry box.
Little Details
Simple clear glass votive holders were also filled with birdseed. Walmart sells votive candles in clear containers when you don’t want the look of traditional aluminum containers.
TIP: Use unscented candles so they won’t compete with the scent of the food.
Miss Manners is probably horrified that I placed the silverware to the left of the place setting. But I somehow like it.
I tied the mismatched cutlery up with a bit of velvet ribbon.
The lovely peacock image used on the place setting/menu card (on the back) came from The Graphics Fairy. I printed it out using a muted technique. The vintage cotton napkins were hand dyed on the stove with Rit Dye in teal.
When I was growing up the very best dishes, glasses and napkins were saved for use only on special occasions. This perfect set of gold glass goblets belonged to my dear mom Nadine. They are now treasured by the Fashionista, who kindly let me borrow them.
I believe that every day can be a special occasion. One of my very favorite songs of all time is Garth Brooks’s “If Tomorrow Never Comes”. It is a beautiful reminder to treasure each moment together with those we love.
Today we salute all veterans and celebrate Mr. Décor!
Laura
You did a wonderful job on the tablescape! I am happy to learn of a product I can use on my hand me down treasures!
Your table looks amazing!!!!!! I am loving all the peacocks!!! That is my Grandma's maiden name! 🙂
Love your table scape and the colours are so pretty. But I have to admit I gag at the thought of feathers. They are all right from a distance or on a live bird but I would have a terrible time eating with them at arm length, not to mention on the plates. lol! Just one of my weird quirks! The golden goblets are so rich and look great with the naturals and turquoise. How wonderful to have something of your mother's to enjoy. Your daughter will have so many lovely memories to associate with them.
Oh, Laura. What a beautiful way to express your pride and your honor for veterans everywhere– and especially the special Mr. at your table! Everything's beautiful, and I especially ADORE the knotted, mismatched utensils positioned at the left!
We appreciate your special Mr.'s service to our country. GOD BLESS THE USA!
Gorgeous tablescape. I love the teal and gold together, plus the feathers are fantastic. Hugs, Marty
Give Mr. Decor a salute for me!
And your tablescape is totally great!
Laura love the tablescape! What a great idea to honor all those who have served so faithfully.
You always do such a great job with your tables and I sure hope things slow down so I can do something pretty for mine. Right now I am getting the stores ready for Christmas – fun but alot of work!
bee blessed
mary
I going to copy everything right now! LOvely. Have a great week,Hugs!
HI!!!
THAT is possible MY FAVORITE tablescape of ALL Tablescapes I have seen anywhere!!!!!!
I love Peacocks….the colors you used….any shade of Aqua and teal I love now!!!
I love your silverware combinations too!!!
Great job Laura!!!
Loved your dinner last year in Williamsburg!!!
I love that place!!
Hugs,
jamie
What a lovely table and a great way to say a special thank you to Mr. Decor and all the brave people who keep us safe! ~ Maureen
Beautiful table! Tell Mr. Decor THANK YOU for his service, and as the sister of a military man, let me thank YOU too for all YOU have done. Am I allowed to do that?
Hugs,
~april
Un bel hommage à votre époux… de si jolis mots pour lui…
Merci pour le partage de ces magnifiques photos…
Moi qui possèdes des paons, j'aurais pu vous offrir des plumes de paons !… Chaque année, à la mi-juillet, ils perdent en une dizaine de jours l'ensemble des plumes de leur queue. Puis durant l'hiver elle repousse afin qu'au printemps, à la saison des amours ils puissent à nouveau séduire leurs belles ! Tout comme ils me charment également !
Vos décorations de table sont superbes!
Gros bisous à vous.
I LOVE IT! Laura, I would never have thought to mix peacock and pheasant feathers, but you've featured the pair beautifully. I agree that the velvet beribboned flatware is in exactly the right place on this table. I learned in design school that I should know the rules — so I can decide when to break them! You must have the same philosophy. …Thank you for the sweet shout-out, my friend.
Mostly, Happy Veterans Day and a big thank you to Mr. Decor and your family for his service to our country. Words cannot begin to express the appreciation we have here At My Place to Yours!
I LOVE your tablescapes with the peacock feathers. Beautiful!
Well, of course, first, thank you to Mr. Decor for his service to our great country. I remember when he first enlisted and how proud we all were of him. I also remember how he took such advantage of the places he was stationed, to learn the culture and soak it all in. Your tablescape is wonderful – I especially love the use of birdseed as the base to the vase and votive holders. And Miss Manners is surely appalled that I too place my cutlery to the left quite often! Ann
Happy Veterans Day from a retired Marine's wife. 🙂
I love this table, and I will have to put a call out for some pheasant feathers too. 🙂
TFS
Beautiful colors and love the peacock theme! Each table setting is beautiful.
Love it Laura! My son enlisted in the middle of his senior year when 9/11 happened. He is still serving in the USAF, started at Tacoma, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Charleston, Qatar, Korea and now Pearl Harbor. What a ride and I took it with him praying through every base until someday, I hope he will come home!
Bee Yoo Tee Ful! I just love the whole peacock theme. I also just love Susan at My Place to Yours. She is the most generous and kind blogger on the block, IMO.
WOW GREAT POST:)
Your blog is so wonderful and Im following…I hope you follow me also:)
If you want some cute swedish decor inspiration…check out my blog:)
Have a great week dear
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(sweden)
Such a pretty tables cape! I love peacock themes. So many lovely colors and ways to use them.
Sending warm appreciation to your husband for his service.
Belated happy Veterans day to Mr Adorable!!! I love this set-up – simply gorgeous, creative and actually very unique! Who knew – bird seeds?! Love it!
Your peacock theme is beautiful. I love the use of the birdseed with it. Wonderful color combinations!
Your tablescape is absolutely gorgeous! I'm so impressed!
Laura,
You always set a beautiful table but this one is absolutely stunning — the wicker chargers, the feathers and place card/menu, the cutlery tied with velvet ribbon. All that's missing is Sweet Boy strolling through the dining room playing his fife (or kazoo) for your guests! 🙂
Thank Mr Decor for us for his years of service.
Your Friend,
Deborah
FairfieldHouse
Just gorgeous!
Just gorgeous!
RIT dye!!! I haven't thought about that in years!!! Wow…you really did a good job with dyeing them! I wouldn't even remember where to begin! I love the color palette, and even more I love the reason for it. I know your hubby is just tickled pink! Miss Manners will get over it. The flatware placement is fun and playful, and I especially like the ribbon tied around it that coordinates with that of the vase. Speaking of that vase…the brooch just adds SO much!!! What a great idea! I love it that you guys actually spent Thanksgiving at Colonial Williamsburg! That must have been the cat's pajamas! Looking at that plate of food has made me hungry for lunch! Beautiful table, Laura! Hats off to your hubby for his service! (Mine was Air Force, too!)
Glad you are honoring your husband for we are fortunate to have these wonderful people to serve in the military! Your photos of Williamsburg are gorgeous and bring back so many memories for we have enjoyed trips there, too. I love the peacock pottery and mug(stein) and I know the food was delicious and a great way to spend Thanksgiving! Come visit Texas again for the Lone Star loves ya'll to visit. Have a special Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Pam
A beautiful tablescape for a beautiful occasion. Thanks to your husband and all veterans who are only recognized on one day, but make every day possible for us!!! I love your arrangement of feathers. Just cool!
I've used blues and purples in my Christmas decor for a few years…maybe it's time to add in some peacock feathers 🙂