Thursday, August 12, 2010

The Heritage of Tea Time

I am always elated when my girls, my precious daughter and my dear daughter-in-love, use their many skills to entertain their friends and families.  Recently, KC, my daughter, hosted a lovely tea party for some of her close friends.  I was privileged to snap a few photos prior to the arrival of her guests.


It was a beautiful day, and the sun cast a lovely light on the small dining room in KC & David's second floor duplex.



The Copeland Spode Jewel hostess tray was filled with scrumptious cupcakes from Cuppies & Joe.  www.cuppiesandjoe.com
The silver coffee pot that is visible in the far corner of the table was one of Sweet Mr.'s and my wedding gifts.  I'm thrilled that she enjoys using it.  Under the plates lie an assortment of vintage linens that once belonged to our Nana, KC's great-grandmother.  KC is a family historian, and she cherishes the treasures that came from her great-grandmothers and grandmothers.  Some day I'll post a tour of her home, filled with their wonderful things from the 20's and the 40's.

Sweetheart roses and Carnations were arranged in peg nappies and placed in a pair of Lenox urns, picked up at estate sales.  The charming ramekins are Limoges and belonged to Nana.  The underplates are Haviland Ranson, with a gold rim and a monogram. I bought them for KC on eBay.

Spode Tower Pink luncheon plates  added a soft touch of color that  enhanced the design of the table.  The goblets are Vera Wang "Duchesse," and KC continued a family tradition by choosing her grandmother's silver pattern, Reed & Barton, Francis I.  Did you notice the blue and white bowl in the corner cupboard?  It is filled with sachets made from antique handkerchiefs.  The hand painted china clock on the second shelf belonged to her maternal great-grandmother.  She adores that old clock.

I painted the dining chairs for KC as well as the table and Welsh dresser.  It made me happy that she wanted to feature my work.

When asked by some of her friends, "How do you even know how to do this?"  KC sweetly replied, "This is how I grew up.  I watched my Mom and my Grandmothers."  And then they said, "We want to learn, too!"

So welcome to my soapbox...It is our generation that must pass on to the next generation, the delights that come with setting a beautiful table to welcome our friends and family.  It broke my heart when I learned that magnificent companies like Wedgewood, Waterford, Spode, Royal Doulton, Royal Worcester, and Lenox had declared bankruptcy.  Many young brides are no longer choosing fine china, crystal, and silver.  Have we waited too long?  Have we dropped the ball?  I don't believe that it is too late, and it is one of the reasons that I continue to make the effort to plan lovely parties for Brides-to-be and Mothers-to-be.  I am always thrilled with the interest that young women exhibit when they sit at one of my tablescapes.  They want to learn, and they are excited about entertaining with beautiful things.  They are willing to make the effort...are we willing to share our knowledge with them and set an example?  From the many creative tablescapes that I see in our blog world, I think that the answer is a resounding 'Yes!'


I want to offer a sincere and enthusiastic "Thank you!"  to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting "Tablescape Thursday."  I am linking to TT, and I hope that you will check out all the contributions to this marvelous meme...so many great ideas!





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.

51 comments:

  1. lovely to see tea time traditions being passed down through the generations, beautiful table setting, I love the flowers

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  2. I was hoping for a tablescape from you this week.

    First, I have to commend KC on the beautiful tea table! She inherited the eye for table design for sure. I love all of the dish patterns and the way she arranged them with the urn centerpieces. (And I definitely eyed the pretty furniture even before you gave it a shout out as an example of your work!)

    And second? I agree so much with your comments about the heritage that we need to be passing along. It's a privilege as a mom to pass the gift of the gracious table to the next generation. Lately, I've discovered that too many kids don't even sit around their own tables with family let alone extend the grace of invitation.

    Well done, Mom. As we say around my house, you earned yourself some serious Mommy Points.

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  3. Well like mother, like daughter. This tea was obviously very well done. Everything is just lovely. Cherry Kay, you indeed have a gift for entertaining and you SHOULD mentor this for the younger generation. I would love for you to share more of your ideas and tips.

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  4. I"m so proud of your girls too. They did a fantastic job setting the table. -- Yoli :)

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  5. Preach it sista! There are many womanly arts that we need to be passing on to our daughters. Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog. It made my day! Lisa~

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  6. Looks like you've done a fantastic job instilling the importance of all things beautiful in the home! Looks like your daughter had a beautiful event ... congrats! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Oh how lovely. Everything is just done to perfection. All of the china and accessories are just stunning. Beautiful. Hugs, Marty

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  8. What an important message you have in this post! I completely agree with you. I do think that by setting an example, we inspire the next generation. I was thinking as I looked through the photos of this lovely table, how wonderful it was that your daughter appreciated and used all these family treasures. Well done!

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  9. What a lovely table and it is great to see that your daughter enjoys entertaining her friends in such a special way. What you have shown of her home is lovely too. It would be great to see more. My daughters both enjoy having things from the family and I am thankful for that.

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  10. Thank you, thank you so much for this beautiful post!! I am totally in complete agreement with you! How wonderful that your daughter loves things with history!! I am trying to teach that to my daughters, but they are surrounded by people who could care less, so I have to try harder, and make it "cool." I just love all her beautiful things on this table, and in the room. I'm still planning a tea for some of the older ladies from church and hoping I do everything the right way, lol! This is beautiful!

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  11. Denise, thank you for your kind words and for stopping by my post. I like that enjoy my tips...I hope that some of them will make your entertaining endeavors flow more smoothly. Cherry Kay

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  12. SO true! The table is so beautiful. I love all the vintage touches and the yellow is so homey and cheerful.

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  13. You are very lucky your daughter likes and appreciates what you've taught her and that you have this talent and interest in common. She'll cherish the beautiful things you hand down to her forever. I know I am thrilled to have what little I have of both my grandmothers and aunts. I'm hoping my daughter comes around...thanks for the great post and beautiful table!
    Sheila

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  14. I thought that I had left a comment earlier. Oh well, there's no telling what I clicked this time...

    I really love that you have taught your gift of graciousness to the next generation, and agree very much with you that it is in danger of being extinct if we don't.

    Since finding you a few weeks ago, I have come to expect beautiful things when I come to this blog. This post did not disappoint in the least! The table is beautiful! I love those urn centerpieces the best. (And I like that white furniture too!)

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  15. Cherry Kay,
    Your daughter is so talented and I am sure you are very proud of her. I have 3 sons and hope one day to have daughter in laws and granddaughters to pass down all my domestic interests to. My sons love it so hopefully we will keep the tradition and values alive. I love all my treasures passed down from my great grandparents. The painted furniture and table setting in the dining room is so pretty!!
    xoxo

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  16. "This is STUNNING"... Everything about it is special, and I really love that hutch with the plate racks(I've never seen one like that before). Thank you SO much for visiting me at my Grandmothers Tea, I would love to have you follow me and visit now and then...I am definitely following your lovely blog, it's a nice place to be.
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  17. OH MY, WHAT A LOVELY LOVELY JOB YOUR DAUGHTER DID IN THE TEA, EVERYTHING LOOKS SO ELEGANT AND BEAUTIFUL. I AM WITH YOU...YOU SHOULD BE PROUD, I AM PROUD OF HER AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW HER. IT IS
    WONDERFUL TO HEAR AND SEE OF A YOUNG WOMAN WHO DESIRES SUCH BEAUTY, GRACE AND HOSPITALITY IN THIS HUSTLE BUSTLE WORLD. AND YOU ARE RIGHT THERE ARE PROBABLY MANY MORE WHO LIKE HER FRIENDS WANT TO LEARN. WHAT A BLESSED AND GREAT REASON FOR TABLESCAPE THURSDAY!!
    LOVED HER URNS WITH THE FLOWERS - GORGEOUS!!
    LOVED THE COLOR TOO!!
    THANKS FOR SHARING THIS WITH US AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE A TOUR OF HER HOME.
    BLESSINGS, NELLIE

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  18. Ahh...the daughters did very well! Such a lovely tea table...so inviting. What fun to enjoy this from a mother's eyes!

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  19. How delightful and satisfying to know you have passed along a love of pretty things and entertaining! Your daughter is blessed to have so many family treasures, too. Thank you for your comments on my table and for telling me the name of the quail dishes! I was thrilled to know that and to see that other pieces are available.

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  20. Oh so lovely...and the furniture too. But what is most disturbing is the news that Wedgewood, Waterford, and Lenox have declared bankruptcy. It is new to me. Such sad news.

    - The Tablescaper

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  21. So many pretty heirlooms in this post...I'm just drinking in all the details!

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  22. What a lovely table and so many treasures. I am glad your daughter enjoys them and enjoys using them. It is sad to think that so many people don't appreciate the "good stuff"!

    My teapot is not Towle and I can't remember which company but it's pattern is Plymouth that much I do remember!

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  23. Well, you have influenced a lot of people and given them a new desire to carefully unpack their wedding china and their mom 's crystal and their grandmother's silver and their auntie's linens and set a beautiful table to delight and honor their family and dear friends. KC's fetching, sweet table has a lot of you in it- I know those urns and sweetheart roses! I love that her friends want to learn from her. And I have learned from you! I still say it's like playing dolls. It's fun!!!

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  24. This is very pretty! So sweet that your daughter is following along in your footsteps!

    I look forward to seeing a tour of her home!

    Katherine

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  25. Very nice! Love the flowers! Thanks for visiting! Love, ~Nana~

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  26. lovely tea party, everything is so pretty, perhaps we should all take a little time out for tea more often and enjoy moements with friends

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  27. What a lovely tea party you daughter had! I love all her transferware china as I collect it also.

    Carolyn

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  28. The table is wonderful, but what is really special is the carrying on of tradition and your interest in seeing that it happens. So many times it seems that each generation wants to establish its own meaning that much is lost. Always good to "hear" from you.

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  29. What a lovely post. I've just had the nicest wander around some of your older posts. I can't figure out how I got here, but I'll have to come back. We share the same philosophy regarding hospitality - and I'm always interested in life in Oklahoma, where we had the privilege of living in the early 80's.

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  30. That is really sweet. It got me thinking I would love to do that with my girlfriends, as I have many little tea set to do this. It is gorgeous table, and I can see why it made a Momma proud!

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  31. Hi. Thanks for visiting.
    What a lovely tea party!!! It is great that your daughter is also enjoying hostessing.
    I love your blog. You are a beautiful hostess. Love that napkin tower!! and the way you also used a bridal veil in a tablescape. You are very creative.
    Thanks for sharing your ideas with us.
    ~ Julie

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  32. It looks delightful! Straight out of an old-time magazine, yet a very appropriate message. Thanks for sharing this! I'm your newest follower.

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  33. Oh, Cherry Kay, I totally agree with you that it is not too late to teach the next generation the joys of a beautiful table and creating memories through thoughtful and beautiful presentation. I, too, have many younger women wanting to know how to create a beautiful setting for their family and friends!
    This is just lovely! How wonderful that your daughter is expanding the horizons for her friends by passing on what she has learned from you & her grandmothers!
    Thanks so much for stopping by!
    Have a beautiful weekend~
    ;-D Kathleen

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  34. Oh Cherry Kay, thank you so much for the sweet birthday wishes. You made my day. I feel like I was thoroughly spoiled and pampered and I loved every minute of it. lol Thanks again. Hugs, Marty

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  35. What a beautiful post. You certainly have instilled the gift of hospitality in your daughters, or better yet, they've "caught" it from you. I totally agree with you on the younger generation and I hope that we can influence them. They are already so "minimal" in decorating, etc., much beauty is lost as well as history. I thought her table was beautiful, and I have a special love for pink tower spode for it's history in our family.

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  36. This is a wonderful post!! Your daughter sounds like a charming and talented young woman and it is so nice to know that your she delights in entertaining and is able to use such beautiful heirloom pieces! I'll bet there wasn't any texting going on!!!

    I don't have any children to pass these sensibilities and my collected pieces to(and the kitties just don't grasp tablescaping!!), but it's great to see a new generation of graciousness coming up. Keep spreading the word!!

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  37. She has definitely learned a lot from watching you, and how wonderful that she gives you and her grandmother credit for her talents of hosting such a beautiful party. This table is as exquisite as one of your table settings. What beautiful pieces she used in this tablescape. (I tried to get a good look at those chairs you painted-they look absolutely fabulous-yet another talent from you). laurie

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  38. While i'm not one ot host a tea party myself--I sure did enjoy your daughter's table setting! Now, I must go investigate this bankruptcy thing! I'm so disappointed! Perhaps someone will buy them . . .

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  39. What a beautiful setting. They are true heirloom pieces. You and your daughter will have so many wonderful memories spent over those beautiful dishes.

    Elisabeth

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  40. Elisabeth, I couldn't access a blog for you, so I want to thank you here for your kind words. I've been forwarding all the generous comments to my daughter. They are so encouraging to her. Please, stop by often for a visit. Cherry Kay

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  41. Stunning table, it is just gorgeous!

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  42. Cherry Kay, I could have sworn (I don't swear) that I posted a comment on this DAYS ago! Off in cyberspace again. :/

    Your DD special table is just so charming from beginning to end. I love her centerpieces of roses but have to ask you what you meant by " peg nappies"??? Must be a Southern "thang'" ~smile~ Perhaps they are the little water tubes with the slits in the rubber caps that florists use??
    If you answer here in the comments section, I'll see it, as I have subscribed by email. That way others will know the answer too. I can't be the only Yankee out there wondering! LOL

    Please tell your daughter she did a perfectly lovely job & that she is very blessed to have inherited so many beautiful treasures.

    fondly,
    Rett

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  43. Rhett (and by the way, I love your name), "nappy" is an old term for a small bowl. A berry bowl would be an example of a "nappy." Now imagine a peg attached to the bottom of a berry bowl that would allow it to fit in the opening of a candle holder. That is a "peg nappy." Large candelabra often have a center candleholder that sits a touch higher than the surrounding candleholders on the piece. When you see a flower arrangement placed in that center position with candles surrounding it, that flower arrangement is commonly placed in a peg nappy. The peg on the nappy resembles the bottom of a candle taper. I have found that I don't necessarily have to limit arrangements made in a peg nappy to candlesticks. They will rest nicely in just about anything that is the correct diameter. The 5 1/2" wide urns in this post are a perfect example. Peg nappies are usually clear glass, so they pretty much are invisible in the arrangement. I fill them with oasis and go for it. Because they are quite shallow, I add water just about daily. Replacements usually will have a listing for 'peg nappy,' and I often find them on eBay, too. Check them out! They are a wonderful tool. I keep about 8 of them to be able to make arrangements for multiple tables. i don't worry about whether or not they are all exactly alike because they really don't show in the arrangement. I often plop the nappy in a container for one event, and then I pick it up and plop it in another container for a totally different tablescape the next day or so. So versatile...makes it possible to get a lot of mileage out of one arrangement. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have other questions, and I want to know if you decide to give them a try. Thanks for your kind comments and your question! Cherry Kay

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  44. Thank you for answering my question, Cherry Kay. I was waaaay off, huh? LOL
    I googled the term after I read your comment & discovered that I actually OWN a green "nappy" that was my Mother's & is shown on Replacements. I just used it as a candy dish...who knew??!! :-)

    Add this to the looooong list of things I have learned since blogging!

    Thank you so much for not making me feel like a dumb Yankee. ;-p

    fondly,
    Rett

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  45. Just got home from Lake Powell and am trying to catch up. What a lovely table and treats for her party. I am sooo glad you shared it. I already have my 5 year old granddaughter wanting to be like me in decorating and tablescapes. She gets out ribbon and ties it to everything or cuts paper cutouts and puts them all over and I leave it there! I want to encourage this in her. It is sad to hear that these companies are going out of business. I guess this economy affects everyone, even companies that have been around forever. How sad.

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  46. Cherry Kay, I forgot to tell you I did check out her site and on itunes!! We both loved her style! It so great that she is following her dream!

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  47. I could have written your words. It is one of the main reasons I started my blog...to try to "mother" others into doing things like thank you notes, dinner parties and knowing how to RSVP. Some have said it is a lost art...but why does it have to be? My daughter is 25 and she can cook and enjoys it when she has the time. She has had small little gatherings, but has no room for many treasures yet in her little apartment, so nothing too formal as of yet. But, she wants to and she loves pretty things. I'm so glad that my grandmothers both shared their love of these things with my mother, who passed them on to me and now my daughter. I love pizza on paper plates just as much as the next person, but I love to fuss sometimes too!

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  48. This setting is very lovely. Having a table set like this helps make any occasion special. LOVE the color combinations.
    Debbie@houseatthelake

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  49. Your daughter and her friend set the most beautiful table. If I could imagine what a tea should look like this would be it! Oh the flowers are elegent and the tableware perfectly done! The transferware is made for tea!
    I kept pouring over this wonderful table.
    What a blessing you have shared!
    Yvonne

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  50. What a gorgeous post & just love your photos of the tablescape! The sunlight creates such a beautiful glow. I just signed up to follow your fabulous blog - stop by and visit sometime at www.stephaniesavorsthemoment.com! Looking forward to your next post - Cheers:)

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  51. I did see this before! It is beautiful! So refreshing to see young people enjoy vintage treasures! Lovely clock!

    Love the painted chairs you did for her!

    Katherine

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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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