Tablescape: Dinner for Two in Aqua

01/26/2011

Tablescape: Dinner for Two in Aqua

Today's tablescape is a dinner for two in the living room for a quiet evening meal. The scheme is aqua tones with a simple centerpiece of potted white miniature four inch Cyclamen to keep the arrangement low to enhance conversation. The center plant is in a cherub planter of matte glazed jasperware similar to Wedgwood in a green toned aqua.

The aqua toned elements include the tablecloth in aqua and gold silk that has a sort of hand-painted effect. Many times I will make a tablecloth so I can get the exact color I want and the right size since I find them very hard to purchase right off the shelf in the look and measurements I need. I scout fabric stores for the sale aisle and select 54" width washable fabric. I cut two four-yard pieces and sew them together lengthwise and then hem the edges. Very simple and fast. I like the seam going down the length of the table instead of crosswise as I find it less noticeable that way when the china is on the table. This is the easiest way I can get a tablecloth to cover the table and fall on all sides to the floor. I am not a fan of tablecloths that hang over the edges all around a few inches or even up to 12-14". I would rather see it go to the floor and cover up the legs of the table.

To build the layers, I started with a Kim Seybert capiz shell round placemat in light aqua in the center and blue/green around the outside edge.

The napkins are 22" pale aqua hemstitched fine handkerchief linen from Martha Stewart Collection paired with large cuff bracelet size napkin rings having aqua stones and small silver beads from Kim Seybert. The heart-shaped aqua stones sealed the deal. When visiting Jackson, MS one day, I was smitten with the Kim Seybert items on a table of interior design retail store Annelle Primos [beautiful store] and just had to have them. I have a very soft spot for aquas.

Here is the Royal Worcester dinner plate above and the Dresden service plate below.

The chargers I have had over 15 years. They are Mikasa Spectrum Sage. The dinner Royal Worcester English plates have a date mark of W which I believe is 1950, and I don't know the pattern name. I just loved the color which I thought was popular about that time.

The service plates for the beginning of the meal are these turquoise monogrammed Dresden plates which I found at an estate sale. They have romantic couples in the cartouches alternating with flowers. I am attracted to china with monograms, particularly if the monogram is so ornate you can't figure out what it is. I do like to have at least one of the initials mine but if the quality is outstanding, I will purchase them with a mixture of unknown initials for my family. There is one initial I am not allowed to bring into the house [inside family joke]. Just in case my husband is reading this [smile].

For appetizers or salads, I will use this aqua toned Limoges shell-shaped dish. I found these in a rainbow of colors in San Francisco about 20 years ago at an antique show -- blue, aqua, pink and yellow. I love the gold trim on these as well.

For bread and butter plates and dessert, I sometimes use these Royal Crown Derby Darley Abbey pattern plates. I was thrilled when RCD came out with this unusual color in 2004. My husband and I were watching the movie Emma when I spotted the family dinner table was set with this English pattern. I started yelling, "There's my china. Look, quick."

My favorite love of all are these antique Hammersley fish plates which are in such delicate condition that I only use them for service plates and remove them or for a light dessert such as a cake. I do not use them for fish service as they are now too fragile for that. I love the stunning gold edges. Stemware is Waterford Colleen pattern.