It is this time of year, the dreary days of winter that I want Spring NOW so I try to rush it in my tablescapes and other decorating around the house. As soon as Tulips, Hyacinths, English Primroses and other Spring flowers hit the floral market, I want Winter finished. Orchid colored Tulips do the trick.
This color is not Radiant Orchid, the Pantone 2014 color of the year, as it is much lighter, but still Orchid all the same.
I haven't changed out the dining room console since last week as I sort of like this one so am keeping it longer. The abstract painting I did does have metallic orchid squares and other orchid hues in it which goes with this theme.
Starting with the charger, I am using French company J. Seignolles's pattern called Diplomate which I think is a perfect match to the orchid tablecloth.
For stemware, I have chosen on left William Yeoward's Flavia pattern large water with the square foot, and in the center French company Portieux Vallerysthal's white opaque goblet for wine and on right, a Venetian hand blown stem for dessert wine.
This photo shows the paisley embroidery on the linen tablecloth. I made it out of eight yards of dress linen cut in half [two four-yard pieces] and sewn together down the middle. It will fit my table with one leaf in it and touch the floor on all sides [110"wide and 144" long]. I use dress linen so I can wash it not dry clean it. The center seam just disappears and is not noticeable. I really love this color so it is my favorite tablecloth. The flatware is Ricci of Italy's pattern called gold Raffaello with the little fish scales on it.
Sferra dusty lavender napkin with Kim Seybert napkin ring.
The vintage appetizer plates are Italian Richard Ginori with men and women in rural outdoor scenes. I do not know the name of the pattern.
This is the gal. I don't think these look too feminine.
And this is how they look on the table.
I am using five 10-paks of Tulips in a glass vase set inside the grey Napa Home cachepot.
The Tulips got somewhat darker as they aged.
Dinner plates are from a German company called Fraureuth and are handpainted. The company started in 1866 but I believe these are vintage and not antique. When I use a color like orchid I try to limit using a lot of feminine floral china so men at the table are more comfortable. Pinks and orchids can get delicate and too feminine rapidly. I am limiting the plates to only one floral.
This is basically only orchid and white. Besides the flowers, I am only using two mercury glass candlesticks. I have been trying to keep the centers of my tables less cluttered. This is an international table with items from Italy, England, France, Germany and the US.
After a day or so, the Tulips get leggy and have to be cut down.
For dessert, I am using English mulberry transferware plates by E.Challinor in the Corinthia pattern. The scenic does not look feminine.
Dessert plates on the table set for six. These plates are high on my favorites list.
This week I am linking to:
Centerpiece Wednesdays by the Style Sisters:
http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/
Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/.
and Show and Tell Friday by My Romantic Home:
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
Summer
Photos: Swede
