Monday, July 29, 2013

Lunch in a Tudor Garden

"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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I'm guessing that the grand majority of us spent at least a modicum of time last week paying attention to all things British, in particular William, Cate, and Baby George.  With that in mind, I was contemplating Jolly Olde England as I set about to design my contribution to Cuisine Kathleen's White Challenge for this week's Let's Dish.  The image that kept invading my brain was of the formal gardens found in some of the great castles through Great Britain...Blenheim Palace and Hampton Court.  They were known as Tudor Gardens, and they were the inspiration for my tablescape this week.

Bringing the outside inside...white with touches of green.  I made the green tablecloth.  Tip:  I think that it's much easier and quicker to sew a fabric cording around the hem of the cloth than to hem a round cloth.  Give it a try!

The creamy white matelasse cloth was an inexpensive eBay get.  I often like to create a white-on-white color story.  It adds movement to an all white table...and interest.

The centerpiece is highlighted by elements that reminded me of shapes that we might find in a formal English garden...

The Rosenthal Sansoucci tureen was reminiscent of lovely marble sculptures.  To elevate the tureen, I used the Fenton Silver Crest cake pedestal...I was thinking fountain...or maybe birdbath.  Both were eBay acquisitions.

My "go-to" Lenox white urns each held a topiary ball made of dried and lacquered Hypericum berries...both are classic forms suitable for a Tudor garden.

 The whitewashed carved finials reminded me of the sculpted evergreen trees found in a formal garden. Of course, come autumn, I'll probably tell you that they look like pinecones.  I bought them from a local antiques store.  I like the texture and organic feel that they add to the design.

 The green glass Bormioli charger plate was bought on clearance at Gordman's.  I'm still thanking Alycia of Tablescapes @ Table Twenty-One for telling us about these.  Tidbit:  Remember to keep Alycia in your heart and prayers as she recovers from a major shoulder surgery.  She had her surgery last Friday.

 Next...the Maryland China Company Bernadotte charger plate.

 To add another small touch of green, I chose the Bernardaud Limoges Artois Green dinner plate...

 ...topped with the Haviland Ranson, Schleiger #1, luncheon plate.  Tip:  I adore the Ranson pattern, but I if you happen to contemplate collecting it, I want to warn you that those delicate double-ruffled scallops take a bit of special care when washing.  I chipped a few before I figured out a system for cleaning them...and I always make sure that I'm the one to wash them.  If they are going to be chipped, I need to be the one who chips them.  
 White with an accent.

 And a crown jewel...the Mottahedeh Musee Decoratif Strawberry pot de creme.  I set it on a small unmarked reticulated plate that I picked up at an estate sale...$10.00 for a dozen.


A pair of lovely blossoms for my garden... the Vietri optical acid green goblet was paired with the Rosenthal Iris goblet, one of the patterns from my wedding crystal.  

Finishing touches...the green hemstitch napkin was caught in the Coalport Countryware napkin ring.  The gold bamboo flatware was a garage sale find....maker and pattern unknown.  The butterpat is also Haviland Ranson.

Spot on, I say.  Just right for a proper English tea.

I wish that you could be here to join me.  We could discuss all things royal!  Cheerio!

This week I'll be joining:
Cuisine Kathleen for "Let's Dish."
Yvonne @ Stone Gable for Tutorials, Tips, & Tidbits
Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday





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.

29 comments:

  1. A very pretty table. Oh, how I love the English gardens! And green and white is classic! Adore the pots de creme!

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  2. Oh, Cherry Kay! No one does a table quite like you. This is lovely and each piece was selected with such care. The shades of green that you selected are a perfect pairing for the white. As always, I am drooling over your china and crystal patterns.
    Those Mottahedeh pieces are fabulous!

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  3. This is beautiful Cherry Kay. Absolutely stunning. I have always been fond of green and white. So very refreshing. I have been chasing those pots de creme for a while now on Ebay!! They do look stunning. The tureen is perfect and those pinecone/elegant sculptures are a perfect accent to the table. Boy Alycia really had a tough go! I really am praying her post op is easy and she is able to heal properly.
    Beautiful table Cherry Kay. xo marlis

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  4. You've done this so well, and it really does remind me of a Tudor garden. The overall feel of the setting is at once elegant and airy. Beautiful!

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  5. Cherry Kay,
    I look forward to your gorgeous tables every week..and you have not disappointed me at all..This is so beautiful...Green and white is probably my all time favorite combination..I just love the Lenox urns..
    Love, Mona

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  6. Oh, those finials! Your table is so lovely this week. The green and white are such stunning summer colors. I love all your choices. Great job.

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  7. Dear Cherry Kay,

    You are so talented and creative and you have such an extensive collection that I really, really think you should write a book! This tablescape is so beautiful and so well thought-out. Thank you so much for sharing this.

    Sincerely,

    Francie

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  8. I do recall when our dear Alycia alerted us to the green glass Bormioli charger plates. I was very tempted at the time, but didn't order. They look wonderful with your white dishes!

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  9. I love all the details and how you describe them, Cherry Kay. Gorgeous table, as usual and love what it depicts. I was so jealous about those chargers cause we are not near any of the stores where they were available on sale.i have a few that I bought from HG in FL but not enough to complete a set. I love the finials and topiaries, perfect to mimic an English garden.....Christine

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  10. Just beautiful, Cherry Kay! I love the colors on your table and the elements you used for the centerpiece. Love those little pieces topping off each place setting, too.

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  11. Spot on, indeed! Love the cool look of green to accent the white. It takes me right across the Atlantic to the lovely formal gardens of the UK. You used some gorgeous dishes in your stack, Ms CK. I think your china room must be the most well stocked cupboard in the US. It's always a treat to see how you put these different elegant patterns together.
    I"m off to stroll your garden one more time before moving one.........Sarah

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  12. Wow....when you do a table....you really do a table!

    It's just beautiful and so inspiring.

    XO,
    Christine

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  13. What gorgeous dish layers and textures for an English garden inspired table! I need an eBay for Dummies or Cherry Kay guide :)

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  14. The Royal Garden theme of this tablescape is wonderful to celebrate the Royal birth. The lovely shade of green with the green and white tablecloths is a great background. The french Artois plate is it one of my Mother's favorites! You always have beautiful tables! Have a cool week!

    Pam

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  15. *BIG SIGH* What a beautiful collection of soothing, cooling colors & textures, Cherry Kay! I can almost feel the breezy from your take on an "English Garden". So many wonderful pieces to look at.
    You are so good at hunting down just the right one for the occasion.

    Thanks for sharing this with us, along with the suggestion of cording a round hem. I shall try it someday.

    fondly,
    Rett

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  16. Cherrio, Cherry Kay! I definitely see the English garden on your table. Those tree/pine cones are fabulous and I look forward to seeing them again. Your table is just as wonderful as always, and I totally get your idea about chipping the dishes! Just a beautiful table in green and white. Linda

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  17. So, so pretty.Love the white and the crispness of the green.

    - The Tablescaper

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  18. Right on my Lady.Yes it does to seem that you are in a English Garden.
    The strawberry pots are very unique.

    Cathy's Cupboard calamity <;)

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  19. I love how you describe every piece in your fabulous table setting. All your dishes are gorgeous and I specially love the adorable 'pots de creme!' The tureen is beautiful and I love the way you elevated it with the lovely pedestal! I always love your beautiful tablescapes and this one is no difference. Big hugs,
    FABBY

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  20. I love your white and green table. Your dishes are so pretty.

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  21. Beautiful table, CK, love that green. The linens are stunning!
    Thanks for linking to Let's Dish!

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  22. I LOVE your table. The green is so stunning. I recently bought some green goblets and can't wait to create a table using them :-)

    Jocelyn @ http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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  23. I am going to buy some green and white. This is just a lovely combination.

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  24. Just beautiful as always, Cherry Kay! Those strawberry pots de crème are adorable and what an Ebay find!

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  25. Hi Cherry Kay - I love the green accent color and this table is perfection for English tea. Love it! Hugs, Holly @ coconutheadsurvivalguide

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  26. A beautiful garden inspired tablescape! I love your dishes and the little pot. Just fabulous!
    Blessings My Friend,

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  27. Beautiful English garden table Cherry Kay! Thank you for the tip about the cording. I must try that, I love the way the hem looks finished that way, I never dreamed it was easy!
    Jenna

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  28. Gorgeous table...anything with green catches my eye! I love the stemware.
    Have a wonderful week, Cherry Kay...

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  29. Very English I'd say -I love the green color with the white and the pot de creme detail. Jennifer

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