The Delights of Afternoon Tea Served on a Tray

There's nothing quite like enjoying tea served on a tray. And nothing quite like the delight that comes from pampering yourself with the fragrant aroma of hot tea, sweet treats and fresh flowers. Especially on gray winter days! 

 

 
So today I'm sharing with you an afternoon tea tray I set for myself! I've joined a group of creative stylists for a tour featuring tea trays that was coordinated by Katherine of Katherine's Corner. If you've just come from My Hubbard Home, welcome! I know you loved Rachelle's vignette as much as I did. 

Now for all the details! Today I've chosen a beautiful tea set from a china pattern that I've loved for a long time. Underneath it I laid a damask napkin that picks up the blues in the crane and the stream. You can see another styling of the china pattern in A Tablescape in Celebration of Cranes. 

The coordinating cup and saucer adds more detail to the design: more types and colors of flowers within the cup and on the saucer, an intricate design that encircles the rim on both, and brown trim instead of the expected gold or platinum. 

For the treats I've used a pedestal bowl in silver that is actually the bottom part of a three-part piece designed to serve cold appetizers or hors d'ouvres. In front of the tray I placed a porcelain tea bag holder in the shape of a tea pot!  

 

About the vintage tray itself — it is silver-plated, rectangular-shaped with rounded corners, footed and surrounded by an upright edge that resembles a colonnade. I've used it often.

And the tea? My favorite go-to since our trip to Ireland in 2018. Ever since I've really loved the blend in Irish breakfast tea, though I don't have any brand loyalties. The pretty crystal bowl is shaped like a dogwood flower.

 

I've set the tray in the living room, which is the quietest room in the house (off-limits to the furry ones). Unfortunately it doesn't receive the best light for photography.

The tray is the perfect size for the table I've set it on. I like the contrasting shapes of the tray and the table — I think mixing shapes, textures, materials and colors makes any design more interesting.

Fresh flowers are irresistible, even in the smallest of bouquets.

The treats are soft raspberry-filled butter cookies from Fresh Market and crunchy Biscuit Rose cookies made in France by Fossier, founded in 1756 in Reims. "According to tradition, the Biscuit Rose is tasted dipped in champagne. . . This biscuit with a slight vanilla taste goes well with tea..."  OUI!

  

You may have noticed the vase holding the flowers. I bought the hand-blown vase from the artist many years ago.

Please head on over to the next stop on the tour — Hyacinths for the Soul. You'll surely be inspired by Sarah's tray! 

And of course you'll want to spend afternoons with all the stylists joining us today:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

A quiet corner, hot tea and delectable treats! A lovely way to spend an afternoon!

 

 

You may like to view a few of my other tables set for tea in Tea with Birdsong, Tea and Chocolate on a Winter's Day and most recently A Table Set for Tea.

Table details

Tea set | Wedgwood 'Kutani Crane'

Crystal bowl | Waterford Marquis 'Floral Bowl Collection'  (dogwood, rose, tulip, poinsettia)