Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Pretty in Pink

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. During this beautiful season when we celebrate harvest and Thanksgiving, I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.
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I've been searching for Valentine decorations that I like for a long time.  To date, I still haven't found any that I can't resist.  As a result, my Valentines table doesn't feature a single heart; I did however, have a wonderful time playing with shades of pink...and a dash of gray.

The game table in the living room hasn't been put to work in a while.  Today I've set a table for four to celebrate the holiday for lovers.

I don't know if anyone will actually be sitting here for a meal, yet.  I think that it may be time to whip up another large pot of chicken noodle soup and invite some of my dear friends for lunch on Friday.  To begin my design, I layered the table with a Williams - Sonoma Pink Linen Hemstitch tablecloth.  eBay Tip:  Have you all shopped on eBay for tablecloths, place mats, and napkins?  You can find some really nice deals on some really nice linens.  My favorites lately have been found under "Williams Sonoma tablecloths" and "Zina Vasi tablecloths."  You can also find some pretty special vintage/antique linens on eBay.  Covering the linen cloth is a smaller pink organdy  square with a white organdy border, antique cloth that belonged to our Nana.  I think that she must have used it as a bridge cloth...or perhaps on the breakfast room table.  It's still just gorgeous after almost 100 years.

The Silver Baroque Chargers, a gift from my sister, were never quite returned to their proper storage spot after I used them week before last...so I used them again...organized in spite of myself!  The dinner plate is Royal Doulton, "Ventura".  I bought 18 of them on eBay several years ago for...$42.00.  It was one of my all time best gets on eBay.  I was the only person who bid on them!  I love the dove gray rim with the white gadroon edge.  The gray made me of think of doves...love birds, if you will.  The silver flatware was my mother - in - love's Reed & Barton, "Francis I".

The napkin was part of the first nice set of linens that Sweet Mister and I bought after we were married more than 43 years ago.  I almost forgot about them today.  I kept thinking, "I wish that I had a pretty gray napkin for my tablescape."... And then the lightbulb went off.  I've caught them in a gentle fold with the Wedgwood, "Countryware" napkin ring.

The Waterford, "Simply Pink" goblet, an Ebay find, seemed an obvious choice in an ode to Valentines, and I liked that it picked up the color in the Dresden Flowers motif on the dinner plate.  The Lalique, "Angel Flute", is part of our wedding crystal...and it speaks to the love of my life, Sweet Mister.  If I had to choose all over again, I'd still choose him!  When we were married, the Angel Flutes were $25.00 each!

After deciding to use the Haviland, "Ranson" covered dish as a centerpiece, I realized that I wanted to elevate it a bit.  I didn't want to use any of my wooden stands, so I needed to "create" a base that worked with this table.  The silver leg that you see is the corner of an antique silver trivet that belonged to Nana.  To create a level base, I inverted a Haviland, "Ranson" luncheon plate and placed it on the trivet...kind of gives the whole thing a sweet petticoat appearance.  I used another of the dinner plates as the liner for the covered bowl, and voila...mission accomplished!  The four crystal rose bowls were a gift from a friend.  A pair of candles in two, and Alstroemerias, from Sam's, in the remaining pair completed my design.

I caught some candlelight shots....just for you...










 If you could make it for a big bowl of soup, I'd have you sit here...with a nice view of the fireplace.  I know that we'd have a sweet, sweet time sharing fellowship and food at my Valentines table.

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THURSDAY."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

Thank you to the talented Tablescaper for hosting "SEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Come on over and join the party!
You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!   
Entertaining Women
Entertaining Women

Hello, I'm Cherry Kay I was 40 before I realized that I am an artist. I love to paint, work in clay, rubber stamping, design tablescapes, entertain, and share ideas. I'm an interior designer wanna-be...no credentials, but lots of experience.

34 comments:

  1. This is such a pretty table! I love seeing pink used for Valentine's Day. Your china and stemware are gorgeous!

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  2. Very pretty -- I love the pink and the grey.

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  3. I've loved pink and grey every since childhood and pink and grey plaid skirt.
    I hope someone has a chance to eat at that table because it is beautiful!

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  4. Cherry Kay, this is a most romantic table. The accessories speak volumes with their rich heritage and sweet memories. Love your coup on that china! omg, it's sooo pretty. Gray is a beautiful element on the table.
    xo marlis

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  5. So very pretty, Cherry Kay...love the napkins and plates, gray is so uncommon.

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  6. Cherry Kay, the pink and gray are so lovely together! Those dinner plates WERE a terrific buy! Don't you love it when you remember you DO have just the right color napkins on hand? As always, I adore your colored crystal -- such a pretty pink!

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  7. Exquisite, just exquisite! I love the colors. Pink and gray and one of my favorite combinations. I love the stemware. I'm going to be blogging on my Valentine's table too. It will be my very first table blog - hopefully later today or tomorrow. Thanks for your inspiration.

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  8. Beautiful, Cherry Kay! I tell you...you ARE the Grand Dame of Ebay!!! You always come up with the best deals!!! I can remember so many years ago being absolutely enchanted with the combination of pink & gray to the point of lusting after a soft leather jacket in those colors. It was my prize possession! Seeing your table makes me want to buy it all over again!!! This would be the perfect table for a ladies' lunch or a fun dinner with another couple!

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  9. Cherry,
    What a gorgeous and romantic table. Love the pink table and those dinner plates were a steal! How wonderful they look on those silver chargers! I have to get busy on my table...just got back from California and bought some lovely table pieces along the coast!
    Happy Valentine's Day!
    Miss Bloomers

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  10. The pink is so pretty for V-Day. The chargers are so wonderful, and I love the pink goblets and the ornate flatware. Love all your commentary too, and I will be over for lunch if I can make it:). Joni

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  11. Lovely! May you have a special Vday ! Joann

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  12. Very pretty. Love the combination.Very romantic for someone you love.hugs and kisses

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  13. Very elegant.. love the pink and gray combination. Your plates are tres gorgeous! Happy TT, xo HHL

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  14. What a sweet table, Cherry Kay! Those plates were definitely a fantastic deal, but it's your napkins that are making me smile this morning. I've seen LOTS of vintage napkins, but I don't remember ever seeing any quite like yours. They're really lovely, and I'm glad the memory-making that goes along with them is too!

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  15. Gorgeous table. The colors and elements are wonderful!

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  16. Beautiful table set before the fire. I wish you and Sweet Mister a lovely evening and Valentine's Day. Love the grey plates and pink and grey linens. Great eBay finds. Thanks for sharing your search tips. Now, that's a generous woman! ~CJ

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  17. This is lovely! What a buy on ebay, and they are so pretty! Your napkins are the perfect choice. I do not believe I own ANY gray napkins.
    The chargers are gorgeous! I would keep them as long as I could! :)

    Very romantic table, hope you get to eat there. I have already dismantled mine, as I wanted to put the 24 in leaf back. I have another in my closet, and just can't fit it!
    If I ever buy another dining room table, which I doubt as this one is only 11 yo, I would get the self storing! I can barely lift these they are so big and heavy!
    Thanks for sharing this delightful table!

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  18. GORGEOUS, Cherry Kay!! I ♥♥♥ your Royal Doulton, "Ventura"! Pink & grey are sooooo feminine & pretty together.

    Thanks for the tips on searching for linens online. You are the BEST at hunting down the bargains.

    I love every inch of this table! I hope you have guests over so they can enjoy it with you.

    Hugs,
    Rett

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  19. I don't miss the hearts at all! Love the pale pink tablecloth, and those gray napkins are gorgeous. Very pretty and romantic, and the smaller table makes it all the more intimate. After seeing your beautiful tables each week, I head right to ebay to see if I can be as lucky!

    Elaine
    Creating Wonderful Spaces

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  20. Your table would be a delightful place to share a quiet and intimate evening with good friends. I would definitely enjoy!

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  21. Oh this is so pretty Cherry Kay! I love your chargers and all of your beautiful stemware. Of course, I know you know how much I love your silverware too! Thanks again so much for identifying mine for me. :) I love pink and grey together, it's beautiful. Hope you enjoy that soup!

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  22. Lovely table setting!
    ...so cozy with the fireplace in the background - very romantic :)

    Greetings from Australia♥

    ...thank you for stopping by my lil'blog and leaving a sweet comment!

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  23. Love your table. Those pink goblets are to die for!! I cannot wait to show my 13 year-old granddaughter this table. She loves gray china and her flatware pattern is Francis I. I guess now, she will want some of those goblets!!

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  24. What a great e-Bay shopper you are! All your great finds combined with what you had have made a lovely table.

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  25. Stunning and romantic table! Very valentine-y even without hearts! I have purchased a lot of linens on ebay. I have gotten some great deals and beautiful linens. Love the pink glasses.

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  26. Thank You for the sweet comment on my Valentines Tablescape!!

    I love your setting as well, pink and grey are so very pretty together and I just adore those chargers!! What a sweet sister you have.

    Happy Valentines Day.
    Aledia

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  27. This is such a lovely table. So many sweet touches. The pink crystal is just gorgeous. And I love how you elevated! Very creative.And thanks for bringing your wonderful post to Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  28. It is such an elegant table as always...your pink and grey are so feminine.
    Have a happy Valentine's!
    Shel

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  29. Your table is gorgeous. I live vicariously through those of you who can decorate such lovely tables. Until my kittens go to their forever homes I'm not able to set it up. I miss having a pretty table. Happy Valentine's day, visiting from Seasonal Sunday.

    Hugs, LisaKay
    Belles Roses Romantiques

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  30. What a gorgeous table setting Cherry Kay. I adore your china! Such a lovely pattern. Thank you so much for
    your lovely note you left for me about my blog. It made my day!!!
    And speaking of gorgeous. Your daughter and her voice are amazing!
    smiles...

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  31. 18 Ventura plates for $42!! I am soooooo jealous. You lucky lady - I'm happy for you. What a nice find. They look magnificent with the silver chargers. And, of course, the stunning Waterford goblets! So pretty in pink. Hope you were spoiled wrotten on Valentine's Day by your hubby.

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  32. Cherry Kay, I'm having a good time visiting these archive posts. My blog visiting can be sporadic, so it's fun to make a concentrated effort to visit those that I missed seeing. You do have an amazing dish collection. It's fun to see these different dishes and a real treat for this dishaholic. The dove gray is lovely! Beautiful images of this table, especially the ones with the light reflecting off the red glasses.

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  33. I enjoyed seeing the candles at the table. I rarely see anyone using candles and would love to see more. The color combinations that you use are so effective.

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Thank you for spending your time to leave a comment. I read each and every one of your generous thoughts. They encourage me in so many ways.

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