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