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 Guests: Blue and White Luncheon

OUT OF TOWN VISITOR LUNCHEON.  A couple summers ago, Reba offered to host some out of town visitors for one of the groups she supports over to her home for lunch.  This was during the summer time so she kept the menu and the color scheme very light.  She used white table cloths with navy blue and white toile runners and navy and white buffalo check napkins for the table linens.  For the centerpieces, she used her round oriental white and blue round planters.  As you can see HERE, she has gotten a lot of use out of those pots and the Blue Italian plates. She also placed white basketweave ceramic baskets for bread in the middle of the table.

FRENCH COUNTRY BLUE.  Reba used Spode Blue Italian plates on dark blue chargers.   As we have mentioned before, Blue Italian was my everyday china when I got married and Reba liked it so much she began collecting it, too.  Our other sister, Elsa, joined in as well, so now if anyone hosts a large party, we usually have enough Blue Italian/Blue Room plates for everyone.    The goblets are blue cobalt.  The silver is Towle Old Master, Reba's wedding silver.

NAPKINS & NAPKIN RINGS.  The navy and off white buffalo napkins were held by monogrammed silver napkin rings and placed on top of the plates at the place setting.  White roses and blue hydrangeas were used for the blue and white centerpieces.   Reba made a frozen dessert for the party that looked like watermelon from different sorbets.  Either Reba or I will make a separate post about the dessert soon.

WRITTEN BY ELDAROSE

You may also be interested in my new post this week on MOM CAMP which is HERE

You may also like our entry on Blue Tables HERE

We are throwing a dinner party for our mother's 80th birthday and in my latest entry, I discuss a possible blue and yellow color scheme HERE  Image Source http://www.hwtm.com

You might also like to visit my navy and orange breakfast table post HERE

LINK PARTIES:

See more Tablescapes HERE