One of my favorite colors in Spring is orchid. I look forward to getting out the orchid linen tablecloth I made as soon as I get that Spring feeling. It is made out of linen dress fabric so I can wash it. I purchased eight yards of 58" wide fabric, cut it in half and sewed it down the middle. That way it will touch the floor on all sides of the table.
You have heard of "shopping your house" to redecorate with accessories you have put in storage, but I shopped my garage sale for this one. I had a garage sale Friday and everyone picked up these silverplate julep cups but nobody would buy them for $2. So I decided to keep them and use them for this week's dinner. I'm so glad I rescued them back into my stash. I think they were originally candle cups from Pottery Barn years ago and a few now have the brass showing through the plating. Guess that just gives them personality.
Here are five cups placed in the center of the table for a low arrangement that people can easily see over.
Before putting the flowers inside the cups, I placed a cube of Oasis in each cup, wedged in tight so it didn't float up, to hold the stems more firmly in place.
The flowers purchased at my local grocery store includes three types of Roses, a pale lavender one called Purple Haze, a pink and white one called Highlander and cluster spray Roses. I also used three types of Chrysanthemums, including Fugi.
For service plates, I am using hand painted garden scene plates by artist A. Rhodes. I do not know who that person was but the painting is expertly done. When I got them they had never been used and were in mint condition. I like guests to appreciate them, but I don't want them scratched with forks so use them to set the tone of the dinner only. It would be a shame to damage them at this stage.
Each of the 14 plates has a different scene, this one being two arbors in a garden. They are painted on Royal Brixton blanks.
This one has a walled garden.
This one has a sundial on top of a pedestal column.
Wider view of table.
Underneath the service plates are chargers by French maker J. Siegnolles in the perfect shade of orchid to go with the tablecloth.
View of the table with the chargers.
For salad plates I am using these vintage French Haviland scallop-edge plates with wells. I have no clue why such an elegant plate would have a well unless it is for salad dressing to drain down there. I don't think these are oyster plates. If you have seen these described in a Haviland reference book, I would love it if you would write to me and tell me what they said about this style. You might think the chargers are pink until you put pink with them and then you can see that they are orchid. I got a set of 14 of these plates with a large platter at an estate sale around 18 months ago. You know me, the china addict, I leave no china behind -- sort of like the federal government's program Leave No Child Behind. I just can't help myself when I find something this lovely in perfect condition.
Napkins by Sferra and napkin ring by Kim Seybert. Antique sterling flatware is Gorham's St. Cloud pattern. I was very fortunate to find knives as they usually didn't survive.
I'm using for dessert plates these signed hand painted English ones of Lilacs.
The paint used in the Lilacs is the perfect shade of orchid in the chargers.
Stemware left to right is Waterford's Colleen, William Yeoward's Flavia and white opaline goblet by French maker Portieux Vallerysthal.
On the console table is English transferware in that soft violet color that I think coordinates with the orchid theme.
Vintage clear glass cake stand holds a purchased white Sin Cake with cream cheese frosting and white sprinkles.
http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/
and http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Also, a reminder that if you would like to see my first digital magazine issue, sign up at either the top of this blog or my website at the very top. If you are on the blog in an email reader be sure to click the heading Tablescape: Loving the Color Orchid to take you over to the Typepad site so you can see the sign up box.
If you would like to read the feature on Swede in Coty Farquhar's April Styling issue, go here:
http://issuu.com/stylingbycotyfarquhar/docs/styling_april_2013
We are on pages 11, 12-13 and 96-100.
Summer
Photos: Swede
