I cannot say enough how head over heels, turning cartwheels across the floor
happy I am with my Holiday Dining Room this year.
It is a bit of a departure for me as it is not in my
usual traditional colors and decor of Christmas.
I gave you a sneak peek a while back showing you a tree with some black and white,
well actually more like black and cream ribbon, that I hand flocked.
The inspiration for the dining room this year began with a tea kettle.
Yes, a tea kettle!
Here is my Holiday Dining Room Featuring MacKenzie-Childs.
Today, my friend Lidy of French Garden House and I are partnering with the great company
of Amara to bring you a Holiday tablescape using items that you would use everyday.
We will show you how beautiful every day items can be adorned and embellished
with seasonal decor and flowers.
Amara provided us with the items from the MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Collection.
Did you know that Amara carries over 300 luxurious home brands, including fashion brands
and have the distinction of award winning service? Yes, they do!
The tea kettle is the Courtly Check with the bird lid.
You may have heard about the Amara International Blog Awards.
Just recently, my sweet blog friend Kristy of Design Chic along with her mom,
won a prestigious award from Amara. The awards ceremony was in England…how great is that?!!!
I took the lid off the tea kettle to make the floral arrangement for the table.
The beautiful bird on the lid of the tea kettle served as another inspiration piece.
The lid sits upon a stack of Courtly Check Salad/Dessert plates.
What I love about the MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Collection
is that you can dress it up or dress it down. Like a little black dress!!
I decided that I would love to go in the direction of a transitional tablescape.
With a change here and there, this table can be easily transitioned
into a New Year’s Celebration table.
Now that we are on the subject of dessert plates and celebration,
how about some treats?
I began creating the place setting with a gold charger.
I had found some plates with a black, cream and gold design
and knew it was the perfect compliment to dress up the Courtly Check Charger/Plate.
It’s like putting on the pearls with the little black dress.
I was lucky to find some napkins with gold dots to coordinate with the gold dots
on the ceramic plate. The Courtly Check Charger/plate and salad/dessert plates
are made of durable enamel. I love the versatility of these plates.
Set them on a beautiful table, or take them on a wonderful picnic!
Black grosgrain ribbon with gold dots is tied around the napkin
to add another pretty to the table setting.
I bring out the silver and gold hinged gift box every year.
I found little surprises that my Sweetie placed in those boxes years ago.
I had a very special “happy” moment.
This year I am using them as place card holders.
Rather than tying the ribbon in a bow, I chose a simple single knot with
with long strands to cascade down the plate.
The bird on the lid of the tea kettle gave me the idea
to gather my gold bird ornaments. They are on the table and also nestled
in the wreaths that surrounds the champagne filled goblets.
Gold beaded glass birds hang from the greenery placed on the chandelier.
I know that a tea kettle is for boiling water for hot beverages such as, well, tea . . .
but look how gorgeous the tea kettle is with flowers in it.
Now wouldn’t a tea kettle filled with flowers be so pretty on the stove too?!!
The table is set and ready for some Holiday food and fun.
My hubby knows that the Holidays are near when he sees me come home with White Cyclamen.
The Cyclamen were placed in vintage Ironstone tureens.
O.K . . . I spy a glass that has a bit of champagne missing . . . .
Oh! . . . that is mine . . . I took a couple of sips.
How can you photograph a table with champagne in the glasses and not take a sip?!! . . . or two!!!
I was thrilled to have found black and cream ribbon to place in the dining room tree
and also the floral arrangement.
I decorated the tree rather simply with pearl picks, and tree candles.
I added the yarn pom poms, that I thought would look like little snowballs…
I made them in the car while traveling to Florida for Thanksgiving.
Needless to say that the car was filled with yarn dust!
I will show the tree up close and personal later in my parade of trees!
Did you spy something hanging from the hutch?
It is the Port Orford Garland. The same garland shown on my Great Room Mantel.
As I stated above, I cannot tell you how pleased I am with this tablescape
which can easily transition to a New Year’s celebration.
We wanted to show you how you can take every day items and transform their look
into something festive and seasonal appropriate.
HOWEVER, if you are interested in Holiday specific items, you need to pop on over
to see Amara’s beautiful Christmas Collection HERE … Their Christmas items are so wonderful!
For your convenience, I will list the products I have showcased below with links.
(These are NOT affiliate links)
Also there is a link of Lidy’s post below.
You will love how she created her tablescape with the MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Collection
and more!!!
So again, I thank you for your visit today and hope you enjoyed my little tour
of the Dining Room with my transitional tablescape.
HAVE A VERY MERRY DAY!!!!

NOTE: Heartfelt thanks to Amara for sending me these products for review.
All glorious reviews are truly happily and joyfully my own!!!!
HERE ARE THE LINKS TO THE PRODUCTS FOR YOUR ADDED CONVENIENCE.
MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Tea Kettle with Bird
MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Charger/Plate
MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Salad/Dessert Plates
Amara’s Beautiful Christmas Products Collection

This is really a gorgeous table setting even though black and white is not my thing. 🙂 I love your tree, too and I can only imagine the dust in the car. 🙂
Kim’s recent post…Wow Us Wednesdays #365
So pretty Shirley! You always do a great job!
Janet’s recent post…Style Showcase 7 – Your Destination For Home Decor Inspiration
How beautiful! I have always loved that courtly check pattern.
Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things’s recent post…Christmas in the Dining Room, Rustic Elegant Table Setting
It looks amazing, Shirley. It’s one of my favorite patterns and looks beautiful in your dining room. Thank you so much for the mention! Happy Wednesday!
Design Chic’s recent post…House Tour: Chic Sewanee Cabin Style
Be still my MacKenzie-Childs loving heart! This is beautiful Shirley!! The tea kettle is absolutely elegant filled with blooms, and I love the pairing of gold with the black & white classic Courtly Check. Your tree is stunning also, gorgeous setting!!
Jenna’s recent post…Tablescapes, Holiday Woodland
Oh my!!! This is beautiful, I especially love the little gold birds!!
OH, Shirley, your table is stunningly appointed. How fun to see what you created, it’s just beautiful. Your elegant take on the Courtly Checks is just another way to show how a classic traditional pattern can be used for elegant settings as well as the more casual French Countey style I used for our table at FrenchGardenHouse. I love it!
Beautiful tablesetting!…and yes I spy that garland!….it is lovely!
Exquisitely beautiful and an unexpected but stunning Christmas tablescape in black and white checks!! Wow, your attention to details continues to amaze and delight, Shirley! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch
rosie M’s recent post…An Unexpected Formal Thanksgiving
Wow! That’s quite an array of products to be able to enjoy from your sponsor! Shirley, you’ve done a terrific job of mixing and pairing the CC pattern with other items you were able to source. Lovely. I am a hug fan of the MKC CC pattern. You’re right – it’s like the LBD.
I have been a BIG fan of McKenzie Childs for a very long time, especially the C C pattern. It looks so beautiful on your table. The pattern goes with anything, even vintage dishes. Thanks for sharing!
Just beautiful. I started a small collection of the Mackenzie Child’s Courtly pattern earlier this year. I have been using black accents in my home for awhile now and I love how the Courtly looks, especially in my kitchen. We also have a local artist who paints objects in a pattern like Courtly, and I have several of her pieces also. Thank you for sharing your beautiful tablescape with my favorite pattern!
Absolutely Stunning😊❤
I am just wondering how Tom dealt with all the pom pom dust in the car:):) Your table and whole room are gorgeous! Your arrangement is exquisite!!! Perfectly done! LOVE this table. I would be doing cartwheels too….well I used to be able:):)
Pinky’s recent post…The STAR of the Christmas Decorations
Shirley, I have loved MC Courtly Check for years and have so far resisted the urge to buy! But your table is truly beautiful. Every well planned detail is perfect! You have outdone yourself this Christmas season, everything you have shown is pure magic!
Pam Richardson’s recent post…Christmas Tablescape Blog Hop: The First Noel
Swoon Shirley! I’m in love with your table and beautiful centerpiece! I love MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check and that tea kettle needs to come home with me to roost in my kitchen! Everything is perfection from the polka dot layers of ribbon and dishes as well as your beautiful tree!
Mary’s recent post…Potting Shed: Filling Window Boxes with Christmas Greenery
Your table is so pretty, as a collector of M-C, I love to see how others use their pieces! I have also used my kettle as a centerpiece – it is such a versatile piece! Have a merry!
That looks stunning! I’m loving the black and white. Great look!
Anne’s recent post…Bathroom Dreams
This is a very different look for you , but it is terrific. It is elegant with touches of fun that make the table a real winner. I hope friends or family get to enjoy it.
You just captured my heart, I’ve been in love with MacKenzie-Child’s for a long time. I have several pieces that I treasure, the tea pot and the three tiered compote and some smaller pieces. Just love what you’ve done with it. Beautiful!
Absolutely beautiful and MacKenzie-Child has very beautiful items thank you for sharing both Love your inspiration
Hi There
I have the large tea kettle in Courtney check and love it. I just ordered couple more items and can’t wait for them to arrive.
I also am going to use the ribbon for decorations for my girls Christmas party with friends
I have the large courtly check tea kettle with the red knob on my stove ! Love it ! Your dining area looks great ! Merry Christmas !
Shirley, I love how you put together all the mix and match elements for this beautiful table setting–prettiest M.C. setting I’ve ever seen! You are so creative. Oh, yes, everything else in the room is also just perfect. On a side note, I’m having a problem viewing your site–can only scroll down a paragraph or two and then won’t let me proceed so I’ve had to go on the web to view your blog. Has anyone else mentioned having this issue? Hugs!
👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽, Shirley!
Alycia nichols’s recent post…Better Late Than Never, Pt. 4/The Final Chapter – Christmas 2016 in the Kitchen
I can see why you are so excited. I need you to come do my dining room! It is fun to see some bright red. That arrangement is gorgeous…the wreath draped over your buffet…the place settings…fabulous!!