Refined Organic Tablesetting

Okay, so I'm going to be telling my age here, but when I first started feathering my nest, the hot decorating colors were mauve and wedgewood blue (makes me a bit nauseous to think about now). Country was all the rage, and I do mean country: I'm talking light oak, tons of dotted cotton ruffles, and geese.

Thankfully, we have so many more options when it comes to decorating these days. Lines are blurred between styles, so much so that they have morphed into rustic modern, refined organic, and more unexpected labels. It's quite freeing, actually. We can incorporate so many favorites into one room by tying in a single element using color, texture, or style.

Here's a great example of this fusion of styles.

The Ikat tablecloth is organic and fun, and the colors are trendy, yet understated. The flatware is classic; its clean lines blend with any style, and the damask stamp adds a special flair. The dinnerware echoes the tranquil look of smooth riverstones. The styling reminds me of what I call "grandma dishes," but with an organic edge. Can you see the delicate braided relief around the dinner plate edge? And what about the medallion stamp on the salad plate? Each of these little details add boutique style to everyday durability. I love the little bowl -- the tulip shape makes it so special. And the glass goblet brightens up the table.

For those of you who are interested, these are the brand new Willow House products (available beginning August 2011) featured in this post:

• Adelaide Flatware
• Riverstone Collection Dinnerware
• Salud Glass Goblets

Each of these products can be purchased through my design workshops, as well as through my online store. (Contact me for details on getting these products FREE when you host a design workshop or virtual party -- August 2011 hosts can get up to 50% of their total party sales in free products!).

{I love that some of the new Willow House Jewelry by Sara Blaine gives a nod to the details of our latest tableware... it's all Simply Good Design!}



© Suzanne Jackson 2011.
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More comfort food: Minestrone!

This minestrone recipe is a favorite around our house. Once I add the seasonings, the family wanders into the kitchen like cats hearing a can opener!

We love to eat this with grilled cheese sandwiches -- but not just any grilled cheese sandwiches. We use Italian sandwich bread from the Publix bakery, sliced cheddar from the cheese case, and slather with lots of butter for crispy, crusty goodness!

Let me know what you think...

My Minestrone

2 tbsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ medium onion, chopped

1 chub Jimmy Dean Sausage (I prefer the 12-oz reduced fat version)

2 tbsp dry Italian seasoning

2 32-oz boxes chicken broth

1 tsp kosher salt

½ tsp coarse ground pepper

2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced thinly

1 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into fourths or eighths, then sliced thinly

2 15.5-oz cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed

38-oz can petite diced tomatoes, undrained

3-4 oz fresh baby spinach leaves, cut into strips (remove any long stems)

1 cup dry ditalini pasta

Swirl olive oil into bottom of stockpot, heat to medium. Add garlic, onions, and sausage. Brown on medium to medium-low heat, breaking sausage apart as it cooks. While sausage is browning, prepare carrots and zucchini.

Once sausage is cooked through and broken into small pieces, stir in ¼ cup broth to deglaze pan. Add dry seasoning, salt and pepper, stirring. Allow to simmer a few minutes, then add remainder of chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium to medium-high heat. Add carrots, zucchini, beans, tomatoes, and spinach; reduce heat to low.

Simmer covered for 30-60 minutes; return heat to medium/medium-high and add dry pasta. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring often (to prevent pasta from sticking to bottom of pan).

Note: This is easily adaptable to a crockpot once you've deglazed the pan.

For high quality, Euro-style kitchen tools and accessories at great prices, visit my Kitchen Moderne boutique.

This post was linked on Eat at Home.