To all my followers,
This year I created a simple dinner for Valentine's Day. Since Mr. Swede is home, we are doing it a week ahead of time.
I wanted to use china I already owned which I think has a romantic theme.
At the bottom of this post I will show you how I made the centerpiece.
This is the overview of the table and console table. Simple - nothing over the top here.
Mr. Swede is a traditionalist and wanted me to use red on the table. I do not have red china so used red flowers.
Here is the plate selection I am using. On the bottom is an Anna Weatherly white charger with gold rim. Next is a service plate with a romantic couple in the center and wide gold rim. On top, the appetizer plate has cupids in the center. This is what I call the Vanderbilt china. I have shown it before HERE in a tablescape on August 10, 2011.
This vintage plate is by Schlaggenwald of Czechoslovakia. They would be fun to use for a bridal dinner. There were 18 in the set each with different couples in the center.
For flatware, I am using vintage and antique mother of pearl handled knives and Durgin's Empire pattern forks and spoons.
For stemware, I am using on the right - Varga's Imperial pattern in raspberry for water and an antique bohemian style stem for wine made by Romer in cranberry with gold enamel work.
The flocked velvet glass hearts are from Hobby Lobby.
As a rule, I try to keep novalty items in my decor down to a minumum. I would like to be able to do a tablescape with all antique Valentine's items like old love letters, shell box hearts, card-stock old Valentines, etc. rather than use new items, but alas, I don't have any of those things. On this table, I did use new glass holiday ornaments that are heart shape.
Close up of the centerpiece using four red flower types.
The tablecovering [shown below] is two French white quilted boutis overlapping in the center. I used two placing them crosswise so they would touch the floor. Napkins have Mr. Swede's monogram on them and are vintage lapkin size purchased in France.
Above you can see I switched out the Aubusson flat weave carpet for this diamond pattern neutral one made of jute.
Dessert is placed on the console table on antique pink Royal Worcester low pedestal dessert stands. Cheesecake on the left and carrot cake on the right, both with fruit toppings. The figurines in the center of the sweet couple belonged to my Mother-in-law.
Yummy, yummy.
This is a carrot cake on the inside with white frosting and crumb edges.
Another view of the table.
A collage of photos of the table elements.
For those who would like to see how I made the centerpiece, below are the steps.
I had a round soup tureen with cranberry borders. It was in the 1989 San Francisco earthquake so the lid was chipped but the bottom was perfect. It was made about 100 years before that earthquake and marked on the bottom with the San Fran retailer's shop in the 1890's. The flowers are hand painted.
I usually don't like round floral arrangements and prefer oblong or rectangular ones for the table center, but the colors of this round tureen worked nicely.
I soaked a full Oasis brick and smaller pieces from another project in water and inserted them in the tureen making sure the edges were above the lip of the tureen so I could insert downward fronds of the Nandina plant.
The greenery is from my front yard. I seldom purchase greenery.
From the floral department of the grocery store, I selected four flower types: Two-toned white/red Roses, two-toned Carnations, red Alstromeria and red Godetia.
After getting the greenery in the floral foam, I started with the dozen red Roses placing them by eye where I felt they were balanced. Photo top left.
The next flower added was the Godetia, bottom left. Then the Alstro[top right] and finally the Carnations [bottom right].
The last thing I added was clusters of Nandina berries off the shrub in my front flowerbed. I also have red berries on my Holly tree but was afraid they would drop and stain my tablecloth.
I am participating in:
Tablescape Thursday on Between Naps On The Porch.
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Centerpiece Wednesday on The Style Sisters. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/
Wishing you a romantic week.
Summer
Photos: Swede
