RE-ceiving Guests: A Traditional & Feminine Table

TRADITIONAL. It feels like I haven't seen a table set like the ones of my childhood in a long time.  My mother's tables are very different from mine.  Her settings are always much more formal and traditional.  While I do enjoy more modern looks, my model for table setting goes to the formal tables my grandmother, aunt and mother would set for ladies parties, luncheons and holidays when I was a child.  When I was home for Easter, I snapped some shots on my iphone (hence the poor photo quality) of my mom's Spring china/table to share. 

THE DORIAN GRAY OF TABLE SETTINGS.  I took this picture last week, but I probably could have taken the same picture 35 years ago, too.  My mother's dining room hasn't changed in all that time.  The very feminine floral china is from Limoges.  The silver is Towle Old Master. I don't know who made the goblets.  The white embroidered tablecloth is one Reba brought back from a trip as a gift for our mom.   The silver candelabras are older than I am so they fall somewhere between "vintage' and "antique". ; )  The glass bud vases may be new in design and by "new" I mean less than 35 years old.    I wonder if a younger person would find this look appealing at all or if they would think it is horribly dated?  Personally, I think it is a look, that while not trendy, is still appealing.   When I grew up tables were very feminine because they were thought to reflect the taste and style of the hostess.  A very feminine table was the norm and I still like a feminine table with floral designs and lace.

DELICATE.  FINE. DAINTY.  Right now I am really into all things rustic and/or modern for decor and table settings, but looking at my mother's table settings over Easter, I remembered enjoying and admiring the details in a finely cut piece of delicate floral china.   I still really like pretty and feminine as a look, what about you?  Classic or out of style? I'm curious what you think.



PLATES CLOSE UP.     I think silver or colored chargers would make the table seem more modern, but I didn't add any because that wouldn't be my mom's style.  One detail I liked was how the scallop of the napkin's edge matched the scallop edging of the plates and the curve of the silver ware.   No modern sharp angles here.  I find it funny how things go in and out of fashion.  Who knows what will be in 35 years from now. 

 WRITTEN BY ELDAROSE

You can see Reba's Pink & Green Toile Table HERE

Purple, silver and white wedding tables discussed HERE

Blue Toile & Buffalo Check Pattern Table is HERE

LINK PARTIES:

See more Tablescapes HERE

RE-ceiving Guest: Pink & White Luncheon

OUT ON THE PORCH.  As Reba mentioned in her post on Blue Toile Tables, she likes to host guests outside on her covered porch. She fits 3 tables of 10 there easily and since weather in our area is warm most of the year,  she doesn't have to worry about it being too cold.    Almost 4 years ago, Reba hosted a luncheon in honor of our niece's graduation from high school. For the party, Reba chose a pink and white theme.  Reba used  light pink and white buffalo check runners over rented hot pink tablecloth on the tables.   Pink and fuchsia colored roses in white pots were the centerpieces.  As with the blue table settings linked above, Reba chose personalized M&M's in white tulle drawstring baggies as favors for the guests at this party.  White and pink paper placecards were used at each setting.   

Reba used her lighter pink glass goblets and clear water goblets.  Silver chargers under white plates broke up the pink infusion.  Reba found a cute set of white and cotton candy pink napkins at Pier One with different designs (polka dot, stripe etc.) on sale.  She bought all the ones they had in our local stores and asked me to buy some in my town so she would have enough for 30 place settings which she has mentioned is the number of guests she plans for when she shops for tableware/entertaining items.  She placed the napkins on top of the plates at each setting.  She used her Towle Old Master silver for flatware.

I think the party setting turned out super cute and very appropriate for the occasion.  Hope you enjoy the pics.

When she began planning the party, she originally was going more pink, black and white because she found some cute party invitations that match our niece's personality.  However, the adorable napkins from Target made her go more pink, silver and white in the end.  If you're curious, Reba found the invitation online HERE

WRITTEN BY ELDAROSE

You can see Reba's Pink & Green Toile Table HERE

You can see the Peter Rabbit Birthday Party and Easter Playdate Eldarose threw HERE

LINK PARTIES:

See more Tablescapes HERE

RE-ceiving guests: Valentine's Day Table 3

One last Valentine Table before the holiday.  This place setting rests on a red and pink heart place mat from Target which is still available on line.  The plate is Wedgewood Colisseum with a heart salad plate from Tuesday Morning.

CLOSE UP OF PLACE SETTING

Silver is Old Master by Towle. Red Linen tablecloths. Crystal bird figurines are used as "love birds."

CLOSE UP OF HEART SALAD PLATE FROM TUESDAY MORNING.

A LITTLE GIFT.  A little red box wrapped in a white ribbon is part of the place setting.  If you want, you can have a candy, a cupcake or a cookie inside.  If you are a romantic, think of something like a poem.  You don't have to be the poet; you can just hand copy the poem or just a stanza or a lyric from a song.  If you're playful, it can be a promise of what the night holds.  If you're sporty, it can be a date for an outdoor activity or a gift certificate for a golf lesson or aerobic class or a back massage.

GLASS WARE:  Waterford Millennium Balloon Goblet. This set has hearts as part of the design perfect for Valentine's Day.

WRITTEN BY REBA

Eldarose's Valentine's Day Table is HERE

Reba's Red & White toile Table is HERE

Romantic Gestures for Valentine's Day under $5 are discussed HERE

Reba's other Valentine Tablescape is HERE

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LINK PARTIES THIS WEEK:

See more Tablescapes HERE