Elegance in Blue and White

This September we are celebrating our 27th anniversary. Not a milestone number on its own, but I particularly liked the traditional gift to be given for it — music! So while I show you the table I set, feel free to play your favorite romantic songs!

I started with a beautiful Irish damask linen tablecloth and napkins with a chrysanthemum pattern.
I had looked longingly at them when we were in Ireland last year and Mr. Wonderful and Daughter J surprised me at Christmas with this set!

Linen provides a suitably elegant foundation for the tableware we selected for our wedding — striking ivory china with blue and gold bands, gold-rimmed cut crystal and sterling silverware with both clean lines and flair.

 This many years later, despite a growing cache of dishes and stemware, I love them still!

To bring more blue to the table, I used vintage hand-cut crystal wine goblets instead of our matching wine glasses. I've used them before here, after finding them in an antique mall.

In the center I've placed a vase of pretty faux blooms that have, for me, a romantic feel. I wanted soft colors in the flowers, and all I could find in the floral shops were the vibrant, bold colors of fall. So faux it is for this table.

Echoing the centerpiece are tiny bouquets at each place setting.

We've added plantation shutters since last you saw the dining room, set for our daughter's graduation party. I like them much better than the pleated shades they replaced.

I had originally placed crystal candlesticks on either side of the flowers, but thought they competed with the centerpiece. Instead I flanked the flowers with six of these votives; the candles make the crystals and the stemware sparkle.

Lately I've become interested in antique/vintage salt cellars. These four don't match (one on each corner), but they're all silver, lined with cobalt glass and have lovely details. They add a certain something to the dining experience I think!

I took photos throughout the day, but was stymied by today's overcast skies. I didn't mind too much though — they also lowered the temps to reasonably low 80's.

Also on the table are these charming vintage lidded silver bowls. They have glass inserts with wells beneath which hold ice to keep the contents cold. They've had so many uses!

The blue bands are mottled rather than solid, giving them more depth. Leaves embellish the gold bands and catch the light.

The sun made a brief appearance!

Table details
Linens | Thomas Ferguson
Plates | Mikasa 'Imperial Lapis'
Stemware | Waterford Marquis 'Hanover Gold'
Silverware | Reed & Barton 'Eighteenth Century'
Blue stemware | Imperlux

 

* Table details are provided for identification/information only. Dinner at Eight is not affiliated with nor compensated by any other entity.

  

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Tablescape Thursday 

Thursday Favorite Things     

Farmhouse Friday    

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