Quite White

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.

NOTE:  If you follow Entertaining Women regularly, (and I thank you if you do), you'll be aware that this luncheon was held prior to painting our dining room.  It has never been posted, but it has been sitting in my personal photo archives for a spell.

I'm all about color!  That said...every once in a while, I need to stop and rest in clean, pure, shades of white.  I don't think that designing monochromatically with white comes as naturally to me as working with high color.  In hindsight, I inevitably see choices that I would change the next time around the block.  Today's luncheon was a birthday celebration for some of my precious Garden Friends Bible study group.  It's late in the evening as I write, and I'm going to keep it kind of short and sweet.

   Today I prepared for sixteen guests; I set two tables of eight.  In the dining room, my favorite vintage Damask banquet cloth was the perfect anchor for my table.  It's interesting because the only design is a geometric striped border.  I used the matching napkins.  The linens all came from my stash of Nana's tabletop treasures.

My collection of Lenox urns, bought over time at estate sales, held simple bouqets of peach and cream roses mixed with Hypericum Berries.  The white cherub Italian candelabras were purchased on eBay for very little.  If I were to repeat this table, I would make the floral arrangements fuller.  I would have been happier if they had occupied a bit more space on the table.

 For the centerpiece, I used one of my Haviland, Ranson covered serving dishes.  Again, the next time, I'll utilize a larger tureen...probably that wonderful Mottahedeh, "Musée Decoratif".

My mama's Mikasa, "Stephanie Gold" goblets brought a nice reflective quality to the table with their optic design.

The china is Haviland "Ranson.  In my "keeping it simple" state of mind, I used the Ranson for the service plate and the luncheon plate.  This beautiful vintage French china marked the beginning of my passion for collecting china.  I bought it on eBay and in antique stores over several years.

Many manufacturers made their version of Ranson, but it's hard to beat the opalescent quality of the Haviland Limoges China.  Did you know that the Haviland's were Americans?  David Haviland originally went to Limoges to order china for the family store in New York, D.G. & D. Haviland Trading.  He ultimately opened his own factory in the Limoges region of France.  Although Haviland was produced in France, it was always designed to be marketed to an American audience.  I like the subtle touch of the Ranson Butter Pat.  The Reed & Barton, "Francis I" belonged to my mother-in-love.

Ready to roll.

The second table was set in the foyer.  It's actually one of our wrought iron patio tables fitted with the 'flip-top' table top. 

 The German Bisque Angel Candlesticks belonged to my sweet mama.  I don't use them often, but they do make me smile.  The cloth is white matelasse, an eBay purchase.

The second table is virtually the same as the dining room with the exception of the angels and the silver flatware, my Reed & Barton, "Grande Renaissance."  I like the result of this table better...I think because the space is more effectively utilized here.  I wonder how I will change the elements for my next white tablescape?  I already have visions flying through my mind!  Maybe you'll be able to join me the next time that I venture into the world of white-on-white...I hope!

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.  Click HERE to 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.

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!