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Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Sheer Delight


My formal gold-rimmed dinnerware with the family monogram hardly gets taken out for a ride except for holidays, but I wanted something dreamy and floaty to go with the chiffon I wanted for my table cover this week.





I set this up at mid-day, so the light suggested to me something billowy and beachy, but I really can't wait to try it again in the evening with candles and twinkle lights.





I always LOVE white, but it seems I lately NEED white. I find white both serene and energizing. Sort of the formula for keeping calm but productive in the middle of a chaotic schedule (or life).





I enjoy the varying tones of color between the creamy pitcher, the bluey ironstone, and the pure white of the tiny porcelain pewter-lidded pot.





My white roses have certainly run the gamut this week! I may have to make them my post signature! Ha! But if I didn't have them for the centerpiece, I would simply use the lid on the urn to center the scene.




It's always nice to have something decorative and out of the mainstream as part of a tablescape to add interest. Twice as nice if you can actually SERVE out of it!




Having a vintage towel always at the table is the next best thing to having a butler! And this one maybe IS my post signature.





Instead of actual shells the motif is carried in the greeting cards which can serve as place cards, menu cards, or favors.



But I wanted the emphasis of this summery table to be it's coverings.





Providing the underskirt is a couple of flocked sheer vintage chiffon curtain panels laid over each other.





A white on white vintage embroidered table round is layered over, and the vintage napkins are left to drape over the sides. I saw some ruffly silk organza napkins offered in the just-out House Beautiful for $28 EACH that fit the mood we're going for here, but they were a) $28 EACH, and b) impractical! A dinner napkin should never be just for show.






The semi-sheer napkin here is silky handkerchief linen. Still indulgent, but also absorbent, and easy to maintain.




A little monogram at the corner is a nice detail.






A sweet leaf close-up of the chiffon underskirt.






Shell details.











The ivory-colored vintage knives mixed with the flatware reduce the formality of the setting.







As does the flower cart/ server.






Flowers floating in the vintage glass creamers and sugar bowl would be a nice touch but are sweet enough to stand alone. (YOU could use the flowers that are probably floating around in your garden! LUCKY!)






Thanks so much for stopping by my little corner of the universe!
And Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

27 comments:

  1. So very pretty! I love your linens and china. Calming and beautiful.

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  2. G'day Jacqueline ~ Another breathtakingly beautiful, elegant & serene table setting. The linens are TDF, the silver is lovely, the china is awesome ... I LOVE the bun-bun dish.

    Have a lovely summer's eve ~
    TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

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  3. Another sweet and beautiful tablescape. The sheer cloths make the white even more floaty and cloudlike---so inviting!! Because of all your posts with the charming white flower cart/server, I brought mine home from my space!! I figured if it hasn't sold by now, it's mine!! I do love it. Thanks for the inspiration.
    Kay

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  4. Hi Jacqueline... An elegant table! The sea shell cards are so dimensional at first glnce I thought they were shells! I love your flowers cart side board, very charming! Your white roses are going the mile and they look PERFECT! We are channeling each other again, my table cloth under my lilies last week was a spare set of curtain sheers:-) Enjoy your lovely table... I hope you share the evening pics? You know I think those desert nights are intoxicating!
    Bella

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  5. What a pretty table setting. What time did you say dinner was :)

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  6. You have an elegant style that is unbeatable! I just love visiting here.
    Brenda

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  7. Jacqueline, This is so pretty. And it will be even more amazing at dark with twinkle lights, and the white and little bunny dish reflecting the lights! It is just dreamy. I agree with you about napkins--especially the absorbent part! Thank you for the pretty pictures! Linda

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  8. The linens are beautiful and the whites are elegant.

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  9. this is all so gorgeous... fantastic pics too, i leave all smiles~

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  10. Found you through Vintage Thingy Thursday- Love your style. I've added your blog to my favorites. I only wish I could see your shop in person! I too own a little antique boutique in Kensington, MD.
    Looking forward to reading your archives and recent posts~

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  11. So very pretty! I love the sheer curtain for a tablecloth! That is awesome. It is all so elegant and pretty. Very nice.
    Sherry

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  12. You really hit the nail on the head, it really is serene, that last photo and the one about 6 or 7 before that shows the whole table looks like it could be 20 degrees cooler than it probably is. I love white in the summer. It just says elegance. Great idea to layer the curtain panels.

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  13. I love white on white, and your tablescape is lovely. I adore the barely there spot of color provided by the shells. Thank you for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay

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  14. White is supposed to rest your eyes and soul...this tablescape is so serene and beauiful...I think you accomplished your goal...it is gorgeous and serene!!!

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  15. I just can't imagine this being any lovlier! I'm sure it would be beautiful in the candlelight, too, but I loved the sheerness of the white in the daytime. Those monogrammed dishes are a treasure! I would love to have something like that.

    Simply elegant. Loved it.

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  16. Lovely whites... and ahhh, those flowy white tablecloths! Enchanting!

    cielo

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  17. Very clever to use the flower cart as a tea cart. Pretty setting.

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  18. Love the monogrammed china. Love anything monogrammed actually. Your linens are exquisite and display so nicely. I'm thinking of trying something like this soon, thanks for such great inspiration.. Love it!!!

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  19. So gorgeous! The whites are so restful and relaxing and just enough... I am feeling the same way about white these days. Your linens are always so gorgeous. I take in every detail with your beautiful photography. I love the lid of that piece with the bunny. You make me want to paint my bistro table white.

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  20. Only one word to describe your tablescape...pretty!!! Love the use of the chiffon curtain panels for table cloths and I also love the little rabbit on top of the serving dish!

    Rondell

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  21. Boogieboard CottageAugust 5, 2010 at 11:29 PM

    You really did a great job putting everything together! I love your dishes and linens. Have a nice weekend, Mary

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  22. Elegant and romantic come to mind looking at your table. Thanks for sharing.

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  23. What a beautiful table setting and photos!

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  24. Jacqueline, this is just dreamy beautiful! The monogramed china is exquisite, and the sheer curtains covering the table are genius. The round table topper and napkins - so pretty. Of course, your roses are stunning, and I love the flower cart used as a beverage center. I'm so glad you linked this to Favorite Things Sat. laurie

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