Wednesday, May 6, 2009

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY: WEDDING CHINA (SORT OF)

It is Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at Between Naps On The Porch. Visit Susan to see her pretty tablescape this week and then visit all the other gals participating. We all love your comments!
I call this my wedding china, sort of, because The Husband and I did not have a real traditional wedding. As he had been widowed, we decided on having a small wedding at an elegant hotel in Chicago with about sixty guests. I had a small wedding shower with family and friends, and another with all the girls from work, but I did not have a registry. And I didn't care!! I was blissfully in love!

About two years into our marriage, The Husband was out and about on errands when he called me and asked me if I would like a set of china. I was a tad confused and he then explained that he had stopped at an estate sale and there was a beautiful set of china there and he described it over the phone. He said, "It really looks like something you would like, Jane." So I said yes. And so this is what I call my wedding china. I could not have picked out anything more perfect myself. The sweetest thing was, he told me about the chat he had with the girl at the sale. It was her mothers house and the mother was going into a nursing home. The daughter had no need for the dishes herself, but remembered so many holidays and special occasions when the china was used and how her mother took such pride in the set. She said her mother would be so pleased that it was going to become a part of another family's lives. And it has! I cherish it. I have place settings for twelve, assorted serving platters and bowls, a gravy boat, sugar and creamer. The Husband paid $100.00!!!


Today I decorated the table in a pink, tiny floral mode. I have bleeding hearts growing like crazy in a small wooded garden in my yard and I snipped a few of those. When my girls were young they used to delight in these little flowers, wanting me to make them into little necklaces!



I also cut these little white flowers that grow in low mounds and re~bloom a couple of times over the summer. I can't remember their name. I have them in the creamer of my antique tea service. In the background you can see these little pots with grass and rosebuds in them. I fell in love with them at the grocery store this week and they were only $2.99. The hardest part was choosing the ones I liked best!




I have pillar candles in the berry bowls. But before you gasp, I lined the bottoms of the bowls with a round of parchment paper to protect them. They really are the perfect size for a pillar candle and I have yet to use them for berries!!





My place mats and napkins are from Carson Pirie Scot, which I believe is quite like Belk's in the South. I have a beautiful tablecloth I like to use with these dishes but my cleaning ladies might have mixed it up with pillows or sheets and I was in a hurry!! I think the ivory looks nice, but maybe not with the rustic look of my table. Oh well...







A close up of the pattern. I am using the vintage flatware again, but different patterns this time.







I really love the flowers against the creamy background.








And here is the marking on the back.










A pretty view with Blondie teetering on a chair overhead! :-D









You can see the little rosebud pots better from this angle.










It looks like I took this last picture in the evening but actually a big thunderstorm swept in and the sky turned ominous. I was too busy having fun to listen for tornado warnings!
I hope you enjoyed my wedding china!! Isn't that husband of mine quite a shopper? Maybe next week I will show you something I bought myself!!
xoxo
Jane













49 comments:

Blondie's Journal said...

I forgot to mention in my post that this is the second post you can comment on to be eligible for the Pay It Forward give`away. I will have one more post before I do the drawing. If you comment on all three posts, your name goes in three times!! Good Luck ladies!!

Blondie

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a stunning tablescape, and the story of the wedding china is so precious. It makes the table even more special. The china really is gorgeous, and the little pots of flowers are so perfect with the setting. I also really love the rustic table with the beautiful placemats and china, they compliment each other with such timeless beauty. Thanks for sharing the tablescape and the story. Hugs, Marty

CJ said...

Wowie!!That looked so so romantic.And I loved the story about the wedding china.That is so sweet of your husband.
The table looked so beautiful and inviting in the last pic
Thetiny details like rose bud pots and pink candles added to the effect.

very pretty

love ♥
chaitra

Barb said...

Hi Jane, your table is lovely! I love your china and all your delicate and colorful touches. So pretty!

Barb

ellen b said...

Oh so pretty!! I love your china. The place mats set everything off so nicely! The centerpiece of different flowers in different containers is just lovely!! Happy TT!

Kammy said...

The china is beautiful, how lucky !
I think my great grandma had a couple of pieces of the same pattern.....they are packed away ..somewhere, lol. Love the table ! Hugs ~ Kammy

Unknown said...

I love your china, and the way you created those lovely flower arrangements. Such a lovely table. Your wedding china is gorgeous.
Karen

Unknown said...

Oh what a wonderful way of acquiring your wedding china. That is just too sweet. Such a soft romantic table. Great job!
Happy Twirls

OCDesigner ~Athella said...

Looks very pretty. I love your table too! ~Athella

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Janie,
This is really so pretty! First,when you said Carson Pierre Scott, I just kind of was swept into the past. I spent part of my childhood in Peoria, and we always shopped at Carson. The hubby got a great find on that beautiful china, what a good guy. I love the lace and I love those dining chairs! I'm trying to figure out what the style is called. Your centerpiece looks so perfect for this table. Hugs, Cindy

Linda in AZ * said...

* How NICE to "find" you, Jane~~~ what a lovely read, & a joy, for sure, to see your pretty & sentimental table. One of the things I like best (BESIDES, of course, the loving story behind the china!)is the mix of the beautifully crisp, WHITE, starched linens on your more rustic table~~~ there's nothing, IMHO, like mixing "grand" and "humble" to make the MOST APPEALLING TABLE-SETTINGS!!! It just feels so "sincere", and you can't beat (or buy!) THAT!!!

My cowboy (well, "girl") hat is off to you! KUDOS!

Warmly,
Linda in AZ *

Paula@SweetPea said...

Your china is just beautiful and I love the story of how you aquired it. I think the older patterns are so pretty.

Kat said...

This is really lovely Janie. I love those placemats! The china is just beautiful, and what a wonderful story. And those little rosebud pots, so pretty. Kathy

Dana and Daisy said...

that is so pretty! I think your hubby likes china! He;s bought you how many sets?

Chandy said...

What a beautiful table! I love the dinnerware and the colors! Your hubby did a wonderful job finding them and at a great price, too! Great job!

Anonymous said...

Your china is so pretty - and the story behind it is very sweet. You've got a keeper :)

(be careful climbing on chairs though...)

Thank you for reminding me about the tomato cages for my garden - honestly, I had completely forgotten about using them. I usually make Christmas trees with them!

Have a great day :)

Lisa

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Janie, I love your tablescape, and your china is so pretty. And those little pink roses you added to the tablescape just send me. I love pink roses and tiny ones.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

what a sweet husband...and a romantic table! Happy Tablescape Thursday and Happy Mother's day!~ Susan

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Oh Janie this is beautiful! LOVE the china amd what a sweet story to go along with that your husband you be so thoughful! He's a KEEPER!

Beautiful!

Lou Cinda :)

Unknown said...

Hi Janie,

Beautifully sweet table! I love that china and it is made even more special being that your husband thought of you when he saw it and bought it for you! Wonderful story! I love your centerpiece made up of delicate little flowers. Beautiful!

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love your wedding china!!! And it is your wedding china. Your hubby bought it for you. How sweet is that? I love all the different flowers you used in your tablescape as well. And you are right, the berry bowls do make great candle holders. I need some wedding china. Can I use that as an excuse to go out & buy more dishes? I thought so.

Barb said...

Beautiful china and such a great husband! You are very blessed!
Barb

Knitty said...

That pattern is beautiful and the story behind it is wonderful. That was quite a deal, all those pieces for $100!

Regarding individual purchases of Corelle (comment on my blog), there is a store in Michigan called Meijer's that has a dozen or so patterns of Corelle in open stock. Walmart has some also. If there are Corning outlet stores still around, that is a source too.

Kathleen Ellis said...

What a sweet story! He did well!
The china is so pretty...and I love how the delicate linens look on the rustic table...beautiful!
Hoping all your Mother's Day dreams come true!
;-D

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Your china is breath taking and I love how you combined the flowers and the delicate place mats. Very beautiful.

jerseygirl211 said...

Hi Jane,

Your comments on my blog were so sweet, thank you.

Your 'wedding china' is beautiful, but the story behind it is even more beautiful. What a lucky lady you are. :) I really like pink and green used together, it's such a refreshing look, and the cutwork placemats look great,I love anything with cutwork.

May you have a great Mother's Day.
Peace Be With You.

Hugs
'D'

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

What a dear your husband is! I can't even imagine what kind of dishes my husband would pick - I remember him saying one time that he didn't like to eat on flowers - but now he'll eat on anything!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Lovely table, Blondie. And thanks for stopping by and leaving a generous comment. Much appreciated. You have a great blog.

Beth at Aunties said...

Gorgeous tablescape as usual!
Sometimes the history makes a pice even that more precious. Enjoyed it all!

Happy Mother's day!

Ms. Tee said...

So pretty and what a sweet story to go along with it. I love that your husband found it for you! Hope you have a good Mom's Day! xoxo

Fifi Flowers said...

Your table is sooooo charming... LOVE the plates and flowers and everything!
ENJOY your weekend!
Fifi

Robin said...

My what a lovely tablescape....so very pretty.

Have a beautiful weekend

Mary @Boogieboard Cottage said...

Your table is just lovely and the story about the dishes is so sweet. Thank you for posting such a nice comment on my blog too. :O)

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I'm not sure what I love the most...your china ..or your sweet husband for buying it for you! It is just gorgeous! All those pretty and delicate pinks stole my heart.
The little silver creamer..is ..something I have wanted for a long time. I just recently bought a large silver planted water pitcher and I love it. Everything is sweet and delicate.
Now...that table! It is wonderful! So warm and homey!
You did a lovely tablescape.

Thank you so much for stopping my my blog and giving me the chance to get to know you and helping me discover your blog!! IT IS just beautiful!!
Mona

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh, I love your "wedding" china! It is even better, because your husband thought of you when he saw it. I don't know you or your husband, but I love him for that! And yes, he did an excellent job. That china is beautiful, and you have set such a pretty table with it. laurie

xinex said...

Oh Janie, your Alan is so sweet! I love the wedding china, the pattern is so dainty and just so sweet too. I love how you mixed in the pinks on your tablescape. The table is so pretty! Happy Mother's Day...Christine

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

May you have a wonderful Mother's day my friend...hugs and smiles Gloria

Helen said...

Happy Mother's Day .....

Anonymous said...

Beautiful set Blondie. And what a thoughtful husband to think of you when he saw those dishes. Happy Mother's Day. :)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a beautiful table setting to go with a beautiful story!
Hugs,
Penny

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Blondie,
I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day ! Hugs, Cindy

Tootsie said...

what a pretty table!!! I love the pitcher full of flowers too!

Charlene said...

What a beautiful table! I miss Tablescape Thursday. I haven't done it in awhile because my table has not been set. Shame on us... eating in front of the TV.

Thank you for coming by to visit & all the kind things you said about my gift for Diana. Have a wonderful week.

Kathy said...

Hello Jane, your table is beautiful, your hubby is a keeper lol, he has such great taste in china and what a beautiful story. I love the photo with the candles all lit up.

If you go to bighugelabs.com, click on "mosaic making" you can create your own photo mosaic, it's fun and easy to do, you just upload your photos and they do the rest. hope you have a wonderful week, Kathy.

Deb said...

Your china set is gorgeous Jane! What a lovely story behind it ~ making it all the more special. I love the table setting you have put together with the vintage flatware & little pots of flowers!

Decor To Adore said...

What beautiful china! So pretty and delicate. Love the flowers in the silver pitcher.

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Honestly, that is BETTER than wedding china! You've got yourself quite a man, Ms. Blondie. :-)

The table looks wonderful. I'd be honored to pull up a chair at it!

Life on the Edge said...

These dishes are so beautiful! I love the story behind the dishes and I am sure it was a comfort to that girl that another family was going to enjoy the dishes so much.

I really like those placemats too. They are the kind of thing I really like! Beautiful setting, and actually, I like all the delicate china on the more rustic table. I love contrast.

Kady

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