Wednesday, March 30, 2011

A Warm Perfect Setting

If you look at my sidebar, you will notice a brand new blog button!  I must confess that I am not technically savvy enough to create this myself, so I commissioned my friend, Vicki, from Curly Willow DIY to create one for me!  I am very pleased and excited, as I think she did a great job on this as well as my header.  Please visit her wonderful blog and, if you need help as I did, she will be happy to talk to you about it!  Thanks again, Vicki!!

As another birthday approaches, (man, they come so quick these days), my husband suggested we have a get-together to celebrate.  Normally my birthday occurs during spring break, and we are usually away, but this year Easter and spring break are late, and, since I've never had an adult birthday party, I agreed--on two conditions:  one, that no one bring a gift; two, that we DO NOT talk about my age.  My mother and grandmother used to say, when asked how old they were--"I will excuse you for asking, if you will excuse me for not answering".  I love this, and have used it on many occasions, with a twinkle in my eye, of course.  So, I left the party preparations up to him.  WHAT was I thinking????  My hubby is good at a lot of things, party planning not being one.  Our social life has been my baby, and I have had a hard time being patient and not bugging him about this or that.  So, we are meeting here briefly and then going out to dinner.  If you are reading this and didn't hear from him, don't despair.  This is not a big party, just a small get-together for dinner.  I will plan a bigger occasion when the weather gets warmer.  Expect to hear from me then!!

So this week I prepared a table as IF I were having a dinner party for my birthday lol!  Since it's been rather cool here, I dressed the table in warm colors that coordinated with my dining room colors.  Come on in, and we'll look around!
I used a Ralph Lauren damask tablecloth in a deep burgundy color.

I used these candlecups, which can be used on candlesticks of any style, from a small wooden candleholder to a five-arm silver candelabra.  They are great for short-stemmed flowers that you may not be able to use in a vase, and also for flowers with lots of blooms on one stem, keeping costs low.  I loaded the cup with oasis, cutting it out in the middle for the candle.  Flowers should be kept fairly low, to avoid coming in contact with the flame (I didn't really heed my own advice, in this case).
Ready for the flowers!  Since Spring is taking its good, sweet time getting here, I purchased some grocery store flowers, and used a few things from outside to fill in.

A silver champagne bucket holds the centerpiece.  It was not quite tall enough, so I used a silver bowl turned upside down for height, which did the trick.

I used magnolia leaves in the arrangement as well as around the base.
I found this china Greatly reduced the last day of an estate sale.  I thought it went well with the colors of my dining room, so I brought it home.  It is Ancestral by Minton.  I found these silver-plate trays--8 of them-- at a thrift store for $3 a piece, and they are perfect for chargers. 
I purchased these vintage linen napkins at the same estate sale.  I'm using my sterling, which is Modern Victorian by Lunt.  The little turquoise blue plates were purchased at Dillard's last summer, and I think they work well bringing out the accent color of the china.


Crystal sherbets and wines are Navarre by Fostoria.  I am always on the lookout for more pieces of this lovely etched crystal pattern.

Water glasses are Crystolite by Heisey, and I inherited them from my Mom. 






Thanks for stopping by!!  I always enjoy your visits!  Next week, I'm going for something fun and less formal!  As for now, I'm striving for A Perfect Setting!! 

24 comments:

  1. Oh, it's just beautiful! I wish I were coming to your birthday get together.

    By the way, how OLD are you? (Couldn't resist...)

    I always try to pick a favorite part of a table, but I really can't here. I love both the vintage things you got at the estate sale and what was given by your mom. I love that stemware, too. No wonder you're trying to collect it.

    Just a perfect setting. As always!

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  2. Happy Birthday! Your table setting is beautiful, love the silver chargers!

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  3. What a beautiful table! I love the china from the estate sale and the silver chargers. I hope you have a Happy Birthday and a wonderful party. xo,
    Sherry

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  4. Happy Birthday!! You did a stunning job on the flowers and I love that pattern on the Minton Ancestral china...the aqua plate underneath really does show it off nicely...and I love all the ruffled edges. i just want to steal your Fostoria Navarre crystal!
    Cheers to another Aries...and again, Happy Birthday!
    Liz

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  5. Absolutely beautiful! The turquoise plates do a wonderful job of bringing out the accent color of the china. Gorgeous centerpiece!

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  6. Wow, what a beautiful and elegant table setting. We all deserve beauty on our day! Happy Birthday and enjoy your party. Diane

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  7. What a stunning tablescape! That china is breathtaking. Love the color and the pattern.

    I want to wish you many happy returns. Hope your birthday was as wonderful as your table is!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  8. Breathtaking and stunning! I love your dishes! I also love my pegnappies and use them quite frequetnly, still on the lookout for more to give as gifts! happy birthday, hope it's filled with many blessings.

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  9. Hadn't heard that term in years, didn't know they were still called that!! Thanks for letting me know!

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  10. Where's your button? I did email it to you, let me know if you need help. :)

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  11. Oh, what glorious flowers! Thanks for the "behind-the-scenes" look at how you created them! I really love this color combo and plan to try burgundy plus turquoise blue myself. It just looks stunning! And happy birthday!

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  12. I have the same Minton pattern- it looks lovely with the chargers- Sharon

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  13. Beautiful table! You did a wonderful job accenting the Ancestral Minton with the turquoise dishes. Love!
    Happy Birthday!
    Tammy

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  14. You did a beautiful job on your birthday table. Love the china with that turquoise plate. It's the perfect accent! Happy Birthday! ~ Sarah

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  15. I love your birthday tabelscape. I can tell you had a lot of fun. Your china was a great find and the accent plates go perfectly with the the color scheme. Gorgous flowers too! Thanks for sharing and Happy Birthday! Mrs. S

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  16. Thank you so much for sharing your special day and your beautifully executed table with us. I just love the china. How lucky to find this at an estate sale - lovely. I have never seen the flower holders shown here for candleholders, but I will certainy keep my eyes open for them. What a great idea, and they look amazing here.
    Happy Birthday!

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  17. Oh, how lovely your table is! The silver (trays) chargers are a fantastic idea......love it! Everything is just elegant and so pretty....your flowers are perfectly wonderful in the cooler......great table!

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  18. Very elegant. The china and chargers were real finds and are beautiful, but the little plates from Dillard's did the trick!!

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  19. I pick up peg nappies when ever I find them. They make creating centerpieces so easy. Your table is outstanding. You made a great get on the Minton. I see the Ancestoral and the Navarre on eBay quite often. I think that there is a set of 8 of the Navarre listed in the last few days...can't remember what size. Thank you for sharing your lovely design. Cherry Kay

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  20. Rich and elegant! I can't imagine those dishes being left to the last day of the sale! Your RL table cloth really sets it all off.

    Pat

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  21. Your dining room and tablescape is gorgeous!!!
    ~ Julie

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  22. So sorry it's taken me so long to get here. Thank you for bringing your beautiful table to Seasonal Sundays. I love the turquoise plate and how it plays agains the more formal china. A wonderful combination.

    - The Tablescaper

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  23. Just found your blog and this tablescape. I really enjoyed seeing it, as Minton Ancestral is my china pattern. It was my mother's also, and when I got married (34 years ago) I chose the same pattern. I have enjoyed this beautiful china all my life and glad you like it too!

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