In The Library With The Candlestick

Welcome to the 337th Tablescape Thursday!

I began putting this table together a couple of weeks ago but couldn’t quite get it ready in time for last week’s Tablescape Thursday. It was freezing at the time and I was craving warm and cozy.

What a difference a week makes! Yesterday as I worked to finish the table, the birds were chirping so loudly outside you would have thought spring had arrived. I hadn’t been out so I checked the thermometer and couldn’t believe my eyes, it was 75° out! Looks like fine weather for a little mystery on the porch!

Outside Temperature

 

This cozy, mystery table setting, would probably look more at home in my dining room with its red walls, but I couldn’t resist playing outside on this rare warm day. A pheasant throw from the living room made a nice backdrop for this setting.

A Cozy Mystery Table Setting 1

 

It’s a “whodunnit” and we have six suspects!

A Cozy Mystery Table Setting 2

 

Rumor has it the crime was committed with a large candlestick.

A Cozy Mystery Table Setting 3

 

Ummm…(strokes chin) looks pretty heavy, doesn’t it?  Let’s evaluate all the possible suspects.

A Cozy Mystery Table Setting 9

 

Mr. Bear claims he has a good alibi. He was supposedly out shopping for a new hat and sweater.

Dapper Animal Plates, Bear

 

When questioned, Mr. Owl, still dressed in his best bow tie, said he had been busy dancing the night away at the annual barn dance with…

Dapper Animal Plates, Owl

 

…Ms. Fox who is said to be a very clever fox, indeed!

Dapper Animal Plates, Fox

 

Mr. Blue Jay was of course busy doing what he does best, raiding all the bird feeders in town.

Dapper Animal Plates, Bluejay

 

Mr. Boar states he was busy sipping champagne and entertaining friends on his yacht.

Dapper Animal Plates, Boar

 

While Mrs. Quail was having her plume styled in the latest fashion.

Dapper Animal Plates, Quail

 

There may be a few clues hidden in plain sight here on the table.

A Cozy Mystery Table Setting 4

 

Our mystery mice have managed to sneak by the watch cat who stayed out a little too late at Mr. Boar’s yacht party.

A Cozy Mystery Table Setting 5

 

Oh, and they appear to have found a clue that could be just the “key” to solving the crime. 😉

A Cozy Mystery Table Setting 8

 

So, who do you think did it–who stole the rare collection of 18th-century poetry from the library, along with the candle lantern for some late-night reading?

Dapper Animal Plates are available at West Elm here: Whimsical Dapper Animal Plates

If you would like to see the rest of the dapperly dressed animals from this collection, check out this table setting from last summer: Dapper Dressed Animals Gather For a Whimsical Table Setting

Autumn Tablescape With Dapper Animal Plates_wm

 

Resources:

Tablecloth: Pheasant throw, have had many years
Chargers: Pier 1, 3-4 years ago
Raspberry ColorWave Dinner Plates: Noritake
Salad Plates: Available here: Dapper Dressed Animal Plates
Stemware: Dollar Store, 3-4 years ago
Twig Flatware: Available here: Twig Flatware
Paisley Napkins: HomeGoods (I think) a few years ago
Velvet Edged Napkins: Pier 1, 2-3 years ago
Pine Cone Napkin Rings: Pier 1, several years ago (Make your own with this tutorial: Pine Cone Napkin Rings)
Votive Lantern: Colonial Candle, 4-5 years ago
Sleeping Kitty: Found antiquing years ago
Magnifying Glass: World Market, 1-2 years ago
Cheese Mice: A gift from my friend, Marie

Looking forward to all the beautiful table settings for this Tablescape Thursday!

Tablescape Thursday

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To get your permalink, click on your post name, then copy and paste the address showing in the address bar, into the “url” box when you link up. You’ll need to include a link in your post back to the party to link up and participate.

That’s so visitors to your blog will be able to find the party and the other Tablescape Thursday participants. Requiring a link back also prevents businesses from linking up to sell their products. (Yep, that really happens, unfortunately.)

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Please do not link up table settings that were just recently shared in the last few weeks for Tablescape Thursday.

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Comments

  1. Susan, I say never trust a thieving Blue Jay! Love your sense of fun on the porch! Enjoy your temps, ours are taking a nose dive 🙂

  2. How simply charming! I am going to have to go with Mr. Bear as the mice and cat followed him home from the barn! Love this and aren’t these plates adorable!?

  3. Oh, Susan, what a terrific tablescape! Those character plates absolutely make me smile! They are pieces of art and what fun they would be for your guests. I love the premise of this table and your accent pieces are great (LOVE the magnifying glass and those mice—darling!) So much fun and a great way to start the day. Rosie

    • Thanks, Rosie! Oh, I’m glad you mentioned the magnifying glass and the mice. I forgot to include where those came from, just added them to the end of the post. My friend, Marie gave me those darling mice. One is actually designed where he can hold a piece of cheese or maybe a cheese knife. I haven’t used them yet for a party, yet but am looking forward to using them this summer.

  4. Oh how I wish I could have bought a set of these dapper animals before so many of them sold out!! They only have the fox, rabbit and owl available now.

    • Elena, check on eBay or at Replacements.com. I found the Owl and the Bear on eBay last summer because the bear was no longer available and the owl was backordered when I discovered this collection. After I found them on eBay, West Elm apparently found some more of the Owl plates that had been on backorder and they sent me the two I had ordered. They never did get the Bear back in, though. You may want to buy the fox, rabbit and owl and keep your eyes out for the others on eBay or at Replacements.com. I bet eventually they will show up on one of those sites.

    • Elena, another reader was lamenting that they don’t have many of the characters left and I suggested she call West Elm to see if they would be getting more in. She did and said, no. Then I remembered, last year when I was trying to find the fox plate, I called the West Elm in Atlanta about 30 minutes from me and they had them. I suggested that to her. She just left a comment saying she called two West Elm stores near her, they had several of the plates and are shipping them to her. So, you may want to call a few West Elm locations and check to see if they have any in stock. Apparently, they will ship them to you from the stores.

  5. Cute an fun post, Susan! Love the accessories!…Christine

  6. How fun is this! Love those dressed up animal plates, and your mystery setting is so clever. Those napkins are beautiful, and the throw is the perfect backdrop for a mystery. I’m going to go with Ms. Fox, just because she doesn’t seem to have an alibi.

  7. Charlotte says

    What a fun table! I love playing Clue and mysteries in general. You are so creative! That would be a really fun party, each person is a character on the plate & hide clues around the house or just play Clue after dinner.

  8. This is such a fun and delightful post. Clue was always one of my favorite games, although I must admit I rarely won. This Tablescape brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart. Thanks so much. Enjoy the bit of Spring while you can!

    • Thanks, Debbie! It was one of my faves, too. Have you seen the 3-D versions of the game that are available now? They are pretty cool looking. I still love the old fashion board game, though.

  9. What fun Susan! Clue is my all time favorite board game! All your details and clever narrative are delightful! Yes, yesterday I was sweating as I cleaned out the garage in the 70 degree weather and this morning B’ham is shut down, schools and businesses closed as we await the next winter storm, AGH! You have brightened my frustrating day with your creative table and Thursday party, thank you!

  10. How fun and cute! I’m blaming the Fox!! Love the cute details with the magnifying lens and the mice with the “key”! Looks like you are heading straight into spring with temps like that! You have a very creative thought process!

    • Thanks, Liz! Well, the warm lasted one day exactly…freezing again here. Typical GA weather…one extreme to the other. You can have all 4 season in one week around here!

  11. Marlene Stephenson says

    Love your setting and your story,very original,thanks for sharing and have a great day.

  12. AuburnCathy says

    I had to read this b/c…from the heading, I thought I might meet Colonel Mustard…in the library! Always enjoy your posts!

  13. This is so much fun. I’d love to be there to join in the fun. Clue is one of my favorite games. Your write-up made the post especially interesting.

    I once did a Monopoly Game tablescape for two.

  14. Such a fun post and the dapper dressed animals are just too cute! If our temps were anywhere near yours I’m sure we’d be on the deck grilling today’s dinner.

  15. What fun Susan!! Well, the butler is not visible, so we cannot blame him, so I go for the cat who seems to be lying on the evidence and acting way too nonchalantly!!
    Love the plates. Thank you for a Thursday morning smile!! 🙂

  16. Susan,
    I absolutely love this post! As a former “Nancy Drew” reader and
    “Clue” (game) player, the post speaks to me. I do love a good mystery. The accessory pieces you chose for the theme are perfect and I think those plates are wonderful and add a new twist on the “cast of characters”. Wonderful job! As an aside, I was in Atlanta yesterday shopping and could not believe the nice weather – unfortunately, it is windy and rainy in Macon today!

    • I know, wasn’t that amazing! It didn’t last though…it’s freezing here today…and windy and rainy. It was a good excuse to wear my red rain boots, though. 🙂 Diane, I was a huge Nancy Drew and Clue fan, too. I need to do a Nancy Drew tablescape this summer, that would be a hoot! Thanks for planting that idea in my head. 🙂 Stay warm…spring is coming!

      • Susan – I did a post, about reading and used Nancy Drew, as the theme. I found Nancy Drew fabric and used it, as a tablecloth, I loved the Nancy Drew books and continued to look mystery books still! I would love to see your post! If you decide to do one!

        • pam ~ crumpety cottage says

          Diane, same here. I think I read all the ND books as a kid. I loved Ned. Still a mystery buff, like you. But a very particular sort. What series or authors do you recommend? 🙂

        • Diane, send me the link for that, I would love to see it! I’m a huge Nancy Drew fan…fond memories.

  17. Susan,
    I love the post! As a former Nancy Drew reader and “Clue” game player, the post really speaks to me. Your accessory pieces were, obviously, chosen with great care and are perfect. The plates are wonderful additions to the usual suspects. Great job!! As an aside, I was in Atlanta shopping yesterday and could not believe the nice weather. However, it is windy and rainy in Macon today. Very sad…

  18. Susan:

    I love this It has so much texture and depth! The throw was a wonderful base. And yes, it would have looked amazing against your red dining room walls. The plates are so wonderfully whimsical and the acoutrements add so much interest.

    – Alma, The Tablecasper

  19. Linda Page says

    How fun!! Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and Colonel Mustard in the library all in one adorable story! Do tell, Miss Scarlett, how you became such a sleuth!!!! I love the table setting. But the mice are my fav and just too cute. Love the setting. Love the dishes. Love the story! You get an A+ for this one. (smile, smile, smile)

    • Ha! It was all those Nancy Drew books I read growing up. 😉 I love those little mice, too. I haven’t used them for a party yet but they are meant to sit on or near a cheese platter. The little mouse holding the key can hold a piece of cheese, I think. Thanks, Linda! I had a lot of fun with this one…I refuse to grow up! 🙂

  20. Susan, I love your sense of humor and also your choice of dishes. I’m smitten with the whole series, but only added the Gilded Dapper gentlemen to my dish closet. Featuring the Ram this week. ‘-)
    Great minds as they say………..Sarah

  21. Dorinda Selke says

    Hi there Susan – wonderful tablescape ! and it looks even more wonderful on the porch ! I can’t wait to hear birds singing but it’s the same story every year with me – 3 feet of snow on the ground at my house and in a month we will be hosting Easter brunch and with 2 grandchildren and cousins wanting to have an egg hunt, I can guarantee you it will be inside and on the deck this year LOL. Can you please send up some sunshine and warmth ? And some birdsongs, please? Enjoy ! Hugs, Dorinda

  22. Susan ~ What a cute idea! Love it! I have been up all night the last two nights and don’t know why I can’t sleep. But I really had the wallpaper topic in my head and added some photos pertaining to this post which would have been all about the ‘pound of sugar’!

    • Jan, I feel your pain…this antibiotic (Augmentin) that I’m taking has given major insomnina. Thankfully, I only two more days of it. Hope you are sleeping better now.

  23. This is absolutely adorable. Creative. Delightful. Intriguing. And adorable again! I’d say since it was for late-night reading, it must be Mr. Owl. Plus he’s the only suspect who specified a night-time alibi. (But I can’t connect to any clues on the table.) When will you tell us?

  24. Susan, what a fun, yet mysterious table!!! I love it!! It kind of reminds me of the tables that Bill at Affordable Accoutrements used to create. Do you remember him and if you do, do you know what happened to him and his blog or do you ever hear from him? I miss his participation in TT.

  25. Wow! What a great start of the Spring.

    I recognized your candle holder/lamp. I have the same. I got 2 big ones and 2 like yours.

    Another great minds think a lot.

    Happy weekend ahead.

    GB,
    /CC

  26. OH MY WORD! The mystery table is to die for…it is simply amazing and the details, superb!!! Now the animal plates are fabulous! You outdid yourself dear Susan.
    Thank you for hosting this great party.
    FABBY

  27. 1st off how cute and creative is this tablescape?

    How do you store everything? Do you have a cabinet that you store everything in on shelves with easy access? I was going to buy plastic containers to slide under my bed for easy access or keep in my storage unit for the different seasons. But you seem to interchange everything no matter the season.
    And thanks for always answering questions. I know I always have so many

  28. Susan, it has been a long time since I have written. I enjoy your site so much and marvel at all that you share with us. I had to write now to say how much I like this tablescape. You are always so creative, but for some reason this table was extra special. My sister loved the game Clue and was so good at solving. I never thought of using a well loved game as the inspiration for a table. I may have to think about what game I could turn into my table inspiration. Thank you. MM

    • Thanks so much, Marie. I loved that game, too…it was one of my favorites. Wouldn’t it be fun to do a table with a Monopoly or Scrabble theme. 🙂 Or, how about The Game of Life! That would be so much fun. Maybe I should try to do a whole month of those this summer…would be a fun challenge for sure!

  29. Dear Susan, I am sure Mr. Holmes, Dr. Watson, Mrs. Marple and Monseiur Poiroit will be arriving any moment for a late lunch. They all slept late due to their late night sleuthing. I love all the sleuthing accoutrements and the well-dressed animals made me laugh. Children to adults would be honored to eat at this lovely table. If you wanted to add to the ambiance you could add a smoking jacket, pipe, walking stick and houndstooth check hat on a nearby parlor table and a knitting basket besides a chair. I am sure Max would love to guard the yarn. Thanks for another TT. Freezing rain/wintry mix here in central Louisiana today. Stay warm. Ashley

    • pam ~ crumpety cottage says

      I love the added ideas! Who doesn’t love a well tailored smoking jacket? Haha. I was actually wondering if they still made them, recently. All fun ideas. 🙂

    • lol Love those suggestions, Ashley! That would be a fabulous table! 🙂

  30. Absolutely gorgeous table setting! It reminds me of a trip to the library…I would call this table “educational”. Such Whimsy too! I have thermometer envy as I look at your temperature…it is to warm up to near 60 in the near future where I live, but today it is just bone numbing cold!
    Just ordered another one of your book suggestions too…That is 4 in a row!
    ANDREA

    • Thanks, Andrea! Hope you like the book and hope it’s warming up there. Everything is starting to bloom here and I love it so much!

  31. pam ~ crumpety cottage says

    Susan, I love this table! This was an inspired idea for a table scape and you’ve used such cute accessories. I have to say though, I was so jealous hearing of your warm-enough-to-play-on-the-porch weather when we were frreeezzzing, here. And I’m not that far away! Anyway, love the creative table scape and that you used the pheasant throw as the backdrop. And I love the magnifying glass on the stand; very old school.

    As to the culprit, I’m going to point my own Georgian candle stick at — (dundadadun) Mr. Bear. Why? Because of all the possible suspects, he appears to be the only one with strength enough to lift such an impressive candelabra. In addition, I’ve done some detective work and learned that despite his hirsute and woodsy exterior, Mr. Bear is a very cultured Ursid indeed, having Read Poetry at Cambridge ~ his favorites being the Lake Poets. Yes, for his own devious purposes he likes to affect that lumbering, dim-witted, outdoorsy, facade. But facade it is. HE, my dear lady, is your murderer … er … thief and admirer of poetry by candlelight. 🙂

    • Well, that sounds entirely plausible to me. I wasn’t buying that shopping story anyway. 😉 I’m going to start calling you Sherlock Holmes!

  32. This would be a fun party to give; a mystery night table setting! I think
    it would be more “effectively” set in your den. The bright and airy porch
    just does not do justice to your creativity.
    As for those stem glasses from Dollar Store? You find such treasures there
    and I never seem to find anything except some pretty good buys on paper
    products. Sighhhhh…..

    • Thanks, Alyce…oh, the den would be perfect with the wood paneled walls with a blazing fire in the fireplace nearby. Love that idea! 🙂 After I put that post up, I started thinking about it and I believe I found those glasses at A Classy Flea for $2 each, not the dollar store. I knew I didn’t pay much for them and was thinking they were a dollar store find, but now I’m pretty sure it was A Classy Flea.

  33. Melissa Harrison says

    I just love all your tablescapes, and really liked the who do it d=story with this one, oh the suspence, what a great imagination you have, alos love all your tips on everything you so inspire me and thank you so mush.

  34. Gorgeous table! Love the olde texts and lovely lantern perfect for exploring dark corridors of a mysterious house. 😉
    Adore those plates! Such a fun theme. Thank you for hosting as well!

    Yavette

  35. Helllo, Susan! It has been such a long time since I’ve hung out here. Long spell of one thing after another. I have had so much fun today looking through some posts. When this one was part of your header, I just grinned. I have these plates too but unfortunately, missed out on Mr. Bear. West Elm tried to find one for me but no success. I still hope he will pop up again one day. I even contacted the artist! This table is just my kind of table. Filled with elements that I love, whimsy, story, texture etc. I look forward to being here more often. I was so happy to see Tablescape Thursday in full force. Thank you!

  36. Hello! Not sure if you know, but they’ve added a few new plates to the dapper animal line! Just thought I’d let you know, in case you weren’t aware. 🙂 Have a great day, and LOVE all the decor inspiration you give!

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