Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Royal Crown Derby "Old Imari"...Short and Sweet

"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. 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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Running late with my post this week, so I'll keep it short and sweet...well, for me anyway.  Friends will be coming for lunch in a couple of days, so I set a small table for four in the living room at the games table.
 The flip-top tabletop extender has been stored for the evening...

...and I chose to forgo a tablecloth.  I decided that the McGuire glass top table ...


...and the Persian rug were the perfect companions for my tabletop elements.

 The Steelite by Royal Doulton cobalt charger anchored...


...the Royal Crown Derby Old Imari dinner plate.


Minimal stacking tonight...I couldn't bear to cover up this glorious design.

 The Oneida gold tone flatware continued the gold accents.

A sedate Williams Sonoma linen hemstitched napkin was caught in the Waverly beaded napkin ring, a gift from Cuisine Kathleen.  Tip:  A wise interior designer taught me one time that if everything in a room is over the top spectacular, the eye will become confused and end up basically not seeing anything.  It's good to have some relatively quiet support players on hand that won't fight with the focal point in your design.  It's all about achieving a balance that is pleasing to the eye.


The AJKA Arabella cobalt goblet and the Glastonbury-Lotus gold rimmed goblet continued the color story for my design.

Makes me smile.

The centerpiece took me just long enough to look around the living room and say, "Oh, that will work just fine."  The quartet of small Asian design boxes are actually tea canisters that once belonged to my Aunt Ida.  She had lived in Tokyo for some years after WWII, and upon returning home, she was a committed fan of authentic Japanese tea.  After she died, I brought some of the canisters home.  They've been sitting in a cabinet for years, and I love that I'm able to use them for this table.

The Orrefors crystal bowl was a Christmas gift from my friend Joan, many years ago.  It is filled with potpourri...no flowers today.  I elevated it on an Asian stand, and the centerpiece was complete.

 Ready - set - go...

 At this point, I have no idea what the menu will offer...

 ...plenty of time for that later...

If you can make it for lunch, let me know if you have any special requests.  We'll have a great time!

This week I'll be joining:

Let's Dish with Cuisine Kathleen
Tutorials, Tips, & Tidbits with Yvonne @ Stone Gable
Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
Seasonal Sundays with The Tablescaper




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.

24 comments:

  1. Well, the Royal Crown Derby Old Imari is so stunning that I wouldn't want to cover it with food. Ha!
    It is perfect complimented by the Persian rug, Cherry Kay. This is an elegant table. Lucky friends who are invited to dine here!

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  2. A pretty table. Love that Old Imari -- it is a treasure.

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  3. Another exquisite table, Cherry Kay. I bet your friends love to eat there just to see the table setting. I love the plates, pretty design and colors...Christine

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  4. The Imari is a pattern I had long kept in my "search" group and favorite watch lists on Ebay....I LOVE IT...so am thrilled to see you use it so wonderfully......it's perfectly paired with those cobalt chargers.....this is regal and rich and elegantly autumnal....classic...will never go out of style.
    Love/hugs/blessings,
    L

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  5. Stunning dishes the Old Imari-Royal Crown Derby dear Cherry Kay and you sure used them in such an exquisite setting once more. Lucky friends, wish I could be there too!
    Big hugs,
    FABBY

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  6. Wow! I love Imari and haven't seen that pattern before! Just so elegant and beautiful. I treasure the pieces I have from my Mom and love the tea canisters you added to the table!
    Miss Bloomers

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  7. Beautiful table...and this is so making me hungry!

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  8. One word, EXQUISITE.
    All the elements go so well together. Hard to put such ornate things together and not have it look gaudy. You have pulled it off. That Royal Crown china is amazing. Haven't ever see that pattern before.

    Pocket doors to the room??? I love big pocket doors. Hard to put in, as you have to have a wall with no electrical. Your house looks beautiful.

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  9. Gorgeous! This table is a perfect balance of elegant with the simple. Your rug does set the basis for the table. The Royal Crown Derby factory is the best china now made in England. The company was saved because the employees purchased and now own it. The Old Imari pattern is a classic and one of my sets and was shipped from the factory. We visited the factory several times and brought home and shipped sets each time. The Glastonbury-Lotus crystal is another of my great finds from Rockwall! You created a beautiful tablescape and I love your cobalt crystal with the china imari colors. A splendid set of Waverly napkins and napkin rings. I always enjoy your beautiful tables. Have a great Labor Day!

    Pam

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  10. Oh my.....this is my favorite pattern. I love it so much I cannot tell you. But this table is your best, I am inspired.

    Absolutely beautiful....

    I love the interior decorator hint, could you share more of those?

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  11. I have always loved that Imari. Once I had a BFF and partner in crime who had a service for 24 plus everything you could think of to go with. I thought she must be the luckiest woman on earth. After I moved to Bham, I went to an estate sale and saw pieces in that pattern I never even dreamed existed. Someday, I will collect just a little -- because I never get it out of my head. Your table is just perfect with the rug and the little tea canisters, etc. Thank you for reigniting a long-held craving! (I am sure Sweet Husband will thank you too when he sees the credit card bill...) LOL

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  12. Oh, wow - I certainly would love to join you! The dinner dishes are exquisite! Enjoy your time with friends!

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  13. With such beautiful plates I don't think I'd want to put any food on them! I love the Imari pattern, always a great choice!

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  14. You know, Cherry Kay, I don't think I had seen the legs of this table before! The setting is perfect for these fabulous dishes! What a perfect combination of colors to go with the Oriental theme! Beautiful!

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  15. You are just incredible Cherry Kay. You have again managed to create another stunning and exquisite table. The Old Imari pattern has been on my wish list for a while. It is a truly regal and refined pattern. I wish I could join you at this magnificent table.

    Enjoy the holiday weekend.

    Janet

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  16. The Imari plates combines beautifully with the Persian rug and creates a charming oriental feel to the setting. The flatware is a great compliment to the Royal Crown Derby plates. I would not like to cover up such lovely plates either.

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  17. What an elegant setting, Cherry Kay! I love the rich colors; and the rug accentuates those beautifully. This is really pretty.

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  18. Oh, how I love "Old Imari"! I was looking at some plates on eBay this morning! Your table is perfect, Cherry Kay. You achieved the desired balance that you described - it is beautiful!

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  19. Such a beautiful table. I love how the rug pattern in echoed in the plates. Such deep elegant colors. Just beautiful.

    - Alma, The Tablescaper

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  20. The table is quietly elegant, and seems to have 'weight'. Perhaps that's what makes me think it has a masculine feel to it.

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  21. Very elegant and regal! So glad you got some use from the napkin rings!
    Thanks for linking to Let's Dish!

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  22. Better late than never.. I am so glad I came by to see this gorgeous table. The Imari plates are stunning. The clear glass and the legs of that table tell a wonderful supporting story. Particularly drawn to the gold glasses. Wow. I am sure lunch was a delight and a success. xo marlis

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  23. Beautiful table. The plates are stunning and glad you didn't use a tablecloth so we could enjoy the Persian rug, Cherry Kay. It's always a delight to see your tables.

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  24. Looks wonderful. I love the Royal Crown Derby Old Imari and wouldn't have covered it either. It is fabulous with the rug under the table. I noticed your screen too, so lovely! Enjoy your week off!

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