The Spirit of Collecting

All tabletop by POSH Vintage Collection. All images courtesy of Tamytha Cameron Photography.

Monday we shared a bit of our POSH Vintage glassware collection, but today it's time for tea. The wonderfully chic and sophisticated world or Ms. Marin Fiske-Rankin and her team at the Meadows Museum had first dibs on setting a striking tea tablescapes with the vintage collection. The Meadows Museum was celebrating a monumental Francisco José de  Goya  y Lucientes acquisition. In 2013, Meadows Museum acquired 8 new works, ranging from Miguel Jacinto Meléndez to the Stewart Album, which is no small feat. Marin took the idea of collecting new works and transferred that spirit to tabletop with a collection of vintage pieces of course. No matter how it's layered or stacked, the mixed-and-matched patterns from brands like Rosenthal, Haviland, and Homer Laughlin (to name a few) made an incredible display for guests. Tamytha Cameron Photography captured every detail. See for yourself!

Assorted collections of tea cups and saucers make a statement in the entry.

Gorgeous gold chiavari chairs for guests to sit down and take in the beauty of the museum and the tabletops.

Assorted small plates with patterns ranging from Depression-era pink opaque to couture floral patterns means each individual plate makes a statement. Milk glass pedestals are perfect for displaying any amuse bouche.

The vintage collection hosts a wide variety of styles, sizes, and colors when it comes to tiered trays and cake pedestals.

 

Tabletop Tuesday // The Power of Simplicity

The power of simplicity perfectly captured for a Meadows Museum Donor Dinner.

 Sometimes all you really need for a stunning tabletop are a few simple silver patterns and exquisite crystal or glass. The power of simplicity is  perfectly captured at a donor dinner for SMU's Meadow Museum with a concept created by Marin Fiske-Rankin, Meadows Events and Food Service Manager. Marin wanted an impressive display without making it too formal, so she scaled back from a full tabletop to hand-picked pieces that would stand out when handled by the guest yet blended effortlessly with a vibrant linen from La Tavola and the landscape of the room. As always, we think Marin captured the essence of the evening beautifully. This look could easily translate to an elegant holiday tabletop or winter place setting. Read more about Marin and her process on her blog.

  

GET THE LOOK

Fruitwood Grand Chiavari with navy cushions, Simply Platinum China Collection, Pure Water, Red, White Stemware, Marie Antoinette Flatware by POSH Couture Rentals / La Tavola Linens / Silver Foil Menu Cards by Stamped Paper Co. / Centerpieces by Junior at The Garden Gate / All images by Tamytha Cameron Photography

Tabletop Tuesday: A Perfect Mix

Fruitwood Chiavari with Tufted Cushions, Bronze Metallic Jute Linens

A perfect mix of masculine and feminine means equal parts distinct texture and shimmering cuts. Translated to tabletop, an ideal example is the place setting designed for the Meadows Museum. With a Jan Barboglio Hammered Copper Charger, the geometric and rose imprint of the Mahogany Rose China, and the sophisticated glistening of Gold Leaf Glassware, this could be one of our favorite layered looks. Beautiful to the eye and interesting to the touch, this is both ornate and cultivated - ideal for an elegant evening. For those planning ahead for Fall events, keep your eye on this P.O.S.H. place setting.

Jan Barboglio Hammered Copper Charger, Barcelona Gold Charger, Mahogany Rose Dinner, Salad, and B&B Plates, Gold Leaf Demitasse, Dynasty 24K Flatware

Gold Leaf Tom Collins, Wine Goblet, and Champagne Flute.

Design + Concept, Marin Fiske-Rankin | Floral, The Garden Gate | Rentals, P.O.S.H. | Photography, Tamytha Cameron Photography | Venue, The Meadows Museum at SMU
 

Tabletop Tuesday: Artistic Black Tie

Elise Cut Crystal Stemware is the only way to toast the artist you created such beautiful European vistas. Cheers to Martin Rico y Ortega. All tabletop rentals unless otherwise mentioned by P.O.S.H. Couture Rentals

Celebrating the Spanish painter Martin Rico y Ortega at the Meadows Museum at Southern Methodist University was a culturally significant black tie affair, and with gorgeous tabletops to boot! The amazing event planning team, led by Marin Fiske-Rankin, focused on rich textures, magnificent hues, and ornate embellishments that matched the air of sophistication of the exhibition, which will be inspiration for many a summer soiree. Thanks to the great Tamytha Cameron Photography for the great images.

A glorious mixture of crystal with Elise Cut Crystal Stemware (White, Wine, Champagne), Silver Floral Lace Goblet, Hand Cut Crystal Charger. Platinum Double Sided Napkin by P.O.S.H. Linen by La Tavola. Florals by The Garden Gate.

A close up of the perfection of rich textures: Floral Elegance Flatware, Elise Cut Crystal Stemware, Hand Cut Glass Charger

What else to rest your soul than the classic Fruitwood Chiavari with white cushions. A perfect addition to a well curated tabletop.

P.O.S.H. has the catering end of your event covered as well. Time to break bread with friends!

Tea and coffee for a discerning crowd.

The scrumptious finger foods from SMU Catering on our rectangular appetizer plates.

A salad course served on our Vera Wang dinner plate.

SMU Catering in action. Yum!

 

Tabletop Tuesday: Silver Radiance

There is such a radiance to a silver tablescape that rings both modern and elegant. When gold can seem too much and patterns to loud, know you can always rely on this tried and true metallic tone to mirror any centerpiece or accent colors. Designed by Marin Fiske-Rankin for SMU, the elegance of the Meadows Museum is reflected by a place setting that is beautifully traditional without  coming across as stuffy. Layered Sophia and Loren china creates a unique look that can be changed with each place setting at the table for a one-of-a-kind visual experience for the guest that will make them feel royally wined and dined. If you love silver but want to perk up the palette, Chloe goblets (available in a variety of colors) are the perfect addition to toasting in style. This is a great look for a traditional wedding, important corporate dinner, or holiday.

Design + Planning, Marink Fiske-Rankin
Photography, Tamytha Cameron
Floral, The Garden Gate
Venue, Meadows Museum

Tabletop Tuesday: A Nod to Tradition

Nice stems! Blue + White China meets its match with our Blue-Green Swirl Stem Glassware.

 Oh, how we love blue and white. This traditional combo has made the rounds from head of state dinners and society functions to Mother's Day lunches. We love the idea of toasting our beloved matriarchs with this classic collection.

Don't stop with china and linens. Mom deserves the best seat in the house with our ivory chiavari chairs and tufted cushions.

This is a gorgeous formal tablescape designed for the SMU Meadows Museum grand opening (read more about here). Opulent centerpieces and cut crystal chargers keep an air of luxury. For a more casual affair, keep the gorgeous glassware but switch out the linens and use rattan chargers. Any way you set the table with blue and white china is bound to be a crowd-pleaser.

Our Lily Sorbet Server gets prime seating atop Blue + White China, Hand Cut Crystal Charger, and Michelangelo Flatware.

Design, Marin Fiske-Rankin for SMU Meadows Museum
Floral, Junior at The Garden Gate
China, Linens, Tabletop, Chairs, P.O.S.H. Couture Rentals
Photography, Tamytha Cameron Photography
 

To Do: Weekend Checklist

We've been busy, so we're playing catch up on the fun stuff before the Spring season gets in full swing. So what's inspiring us this weekend? 

Must See: Images courtesy of SMU Meadows Museum / Potterseed images via John Derian / Celerie Kemble for Schumacher image via Cloth&Kind / Vogue cover courtesy of Vogue; Beyonce courtesy of HBO

Must See: We got a chance to slip over and see the Gongora/Picasso: Graphic Poetry exhibit while running around the Meadows Museum open house (read more here and here). The Baroque poet's work inspiring the artist's hand is something that needs to be seen again and again to fully grasp it's importance. Hurry over to the Meadows and try to catch it. Info here.
Need: You can never have enough ceramics in the house, seriously. Especially when the line is Potterseed, which includes delicate painting and abstract patterns in a garden-inspired collaboration between two South African potteries. Find them at John Derian. 
Decorate: Celerie Kemble can really do no wrong in our books, and she has proven it again with a her new line of wall coverings from Schumacher. Our favorite? Featherbloom.  
Queen B: Oh, Beyonce. She's already proven that girls run the world, but with a new world tour plus a Vogue March cover, it's safe to say it's B's world and we just live in it. Did you catch her documentary last Sunday on HBO? Just makes us love her even more. 

Go: Meadows Museum

It's that time of year again. You're trying to find the perfect venue for a spring formal or summer wedding. You want something sophisticated by not stuffy, traditional yet maintains a modern edge, operates with a great staff who knows the difference the perfect rentals and menus. Fortunately for you, such a place does exist and you are invited to attend the opening to witness firsthand its striking atmosphere! We're talking about the Meadows Museum.

Your presence is request for     

The ART and SOUL of Spain    

Welcome to the exclusive spaces of the Meadows Museum.  Join us for a private evening to preview unique settings for your special events.  Enjoy cava, wine, and lite fare in a striking and sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for events of all kinds. 

  

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 

5:30 - 7:30p.m.

Meadows Museum * SMU 

5900 Bishop Boulevard 

Dallas, Texas

Valet

Please reply to museumRSVP@smu.edu

Perfect Partners
SMU Catering
The Garden Gate

AFR Furniture Rental
Tamytha Cameron Photography

Gold Crown
POSH Couture Party rentals

Gyros String Quartet

For more information please call Marin Fiske-Rankin at 214-768-4771

Cater to a large reception on the plaza with views of Santiago Calatrava’s sculpture Wave or a formal dinner party in the uniquely oval-shaped Gene and Jerry Jones Great Hall. For a private dinner or small reception, there is the  intimate Algur H. Meadows Founder’s Room. There is even a well-equipped room filled with the latest audio-visual technology film screenings for film screenings and the like in the Bob and Jean Smith Auditorium. 

Come see the space for yourself this Wednesday night for an open house. You can meet event manager, Marin Fiske-Rankin, and see why this place is perfect for your next event. 

More: Marin Fiske-Rankin NOSTALGIA on the blog here and here.
SMU Meadows Museum:

8626  – Ceremony space

ML260 – Jones Great Hall

For more info, go here.