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Valentine’s Day Tablescape

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So my husband comes home a couple of weeks ago, looks at the dining room table and asks who’s coming for dinner.  I tell him that no one’s coming, I’m just decorating for Valentine’s Day.  He shrugs it off.  Several days later he comes home, glances at the table again, and asks who’s coming over to eat (I’m a little worried here that he didn’t remember the conversation of a few days before).  I explain a second time that I’m just decorating, but this time I add that it is for a blog post.
“This is getting weird,” my husband says, with one of those over-the -top-of-the-glasses looks.
“No, it’s not,” I reply, “That’s what bloggers do.  They decorate their tables for holidays and post pictures to share.”
“We don’t even EAT at that table and you’re decorating it for your blog.”  Hubby shakes his head and walks away.
“Maybe I can invite some people over for tea . . . ,” I call after him.
So, this is my first shot at tablescaping and you would not believe how much time I spent fussing over this table!  When we began having holiday dinners at our home (after my mother became too ill to do it) my oldest daughter was put in charge of polishing all the silver (to this day she declares with gusto that she will NOT own silver) and my youngest daughter was in charge of setting the table.  She is a bit driven when it comes to decorating (five bedroom re-do’s in 5 years?) so this was a natural for her and I never had to worry about it.
So here is a birds-eye view of my table, which I’ve been working on for weeks.
Yes, weeks . . . of daily arranging and rearranging, adding to and subtracting from . . .  I really wanted to do it right.
The Old English Rose china was my mother’s and belongs to my oldest daughter now . . . but I get to enjoy it for awhile
I found the cranberry cordial glasses at a garage sale.
I covered the table with a vintage bedspread and layered lace runners and scarves on top.  Black, gray and white pearls (some new, some vintage) were added as table jewelry.
The silver tray was a thrift store find, painted with chalkboard paint.
For the place settings I layered first a rose plate, then a paper doily, love quotes on vellum paper, and pink depression glass plates on top.
 The little napkin rings with the roses were made by my mom. It was so much fun to find them wrapped up with the china!
 I think you could make a game out of reading these quotes . . .
. . .  they could be used as ice-breakers at a boring party . . .
. . . of course none of my friends or family are ever boring.
 Now . . . who to invite to share my Valentine’s table?  I wish you all could come.  I’d serve you a cup of  tea and homemade chocolate truffles.
 Well, at least I can share the recipe with you.  I think I’ll DO just that . . . in my next post!!!
 My heart belongs to you dear readers . . . because you put up with my silliness . . . when my husband just cannot understand!
Happy Valentine’s Day and many blessings to you,

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Comments

  1. Aw, the table is beautiful! The table is beautiful enough that you won’t have to take your husband out to a romantic valentine’s day dinner. He can just sit tight at the table for a delicious dinner on Valentine’s day! Great effort lady! Can Tylor and I come over for tea on Valentine’s? 🙂 <3 Love and blessings to you lady!

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  3. How sweet! I love all of your layering and the story about your husband is one we all can appreciate! Ellen is right – he will get used to it and probably will start to enjoy the process. I finally won my husband over – lol!! Great job!

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  4. What a pretty Valentine table. I especially like those round candles in the cupcake papers and goblets. Very unique and pretty. Your husband is too funny, but I can see why they don’t get it. It’s a girly thing 🙂

    Cindy

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  5. Love your table and that china is amazing!!!

    Yes, we do get the comments from others, but I have to admit my family is used to it. They only get annoyed when I purchase a food item specifically for a blog post. I’ve take to putting “Do not eat” signs on things. Of course there are tons of things to eat in our home, but it seems they want what they cannot have – well at least they can’t have it until I’ve finished my post. Right now they’re eyeing some heart shaped cookies. I best get my post done before they disappear.

    Wonderful to have you at Seasonal Sundays.

    – The Tablescaper

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  6. What a beautiful table, Pattie, and funny story about your husband! I prepared mine before I started “doing tables,” otherwise I’m sure I would’ve gotten the same response. In fact, I asked the same questions when I discovered all these bloggers doing tables–FOR NO ONE??!! I was just remembering that earlier today. Your details are lovely; love your mother’s dishes and the cranberry cordials–what a find! I think you should now leave it up until Valentine’s Day and enjoy your dinner there! But please let me know what your husband says about sitting at such a “girl” table! 🙂

    I enjoyed your post a lot! ~Zuni

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  8. Such a pretty table, Patti. I can tell so much time, thought and planning went into your design. There is a humorous side of doing a home decor blog. Your husband wonders who is coming to dinner(and that wasn’t the purpose of the table dressing) and I have a one sided conversation with my camera feeling intense dislike for it right now. The things we do… but blogging is just too much fun to stop the insanity. Thanks so much for your visit and kind words. I’m happy to be following along with your creative designs.
    melinda

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  9. I had to laugh when you described your hubby’s reaction to your table, mine always asks the same! He is getting used to my re-arranging and staging finally. I LOVE your table decor, sooo pretty 🙂

    xo, Tanya

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  10. Still smiling about your lovely story. It made me laugh, we must be blog sisters. I make my table up, then a couple hours later we eat off of paper plates. I keep telling myself that we’ll use the table I set, but I never wanna mess it up! I had to become a follower of your blog…Thanks!

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  12. Your idea of using black scarves was genius and set off all of your layered plates beautifully. I loved the quotations under the pink depression glass plate. A very successful table and a funny post!

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  16. What a gorgeous table! I especially love the round candles set in cupcake liners in the glasses – so clever. I had to laugh at the conversation between you and your husband, because I’ve had almost the same scenarios at my house. One Christmas, I had a bowl of Granny Smith apples, which are green, and pomegranates in a bowl. My husband asked about them and I told him it was for “decoration”. He said, “You’re kidding, right?” Ha! And my 22-year old son has frequently complained that I make things pretty, not useful. I told him he can have useful when he gets his own place. 😉

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  17. Patti, the table is gorgeous and you two are so cute! Thank you for sharing this at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  18. Patti, Your tablescape is beautiful! Love the centerpiece and the red cordial glasses! …and I can identify with your husband’s reaction. My family just didn’t get the blog thing and staging either when I began. Now they actually suggest blog ideas! LOL! 🙂

    Thanks for visiting my blog, and for the sweet comment left!

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  25. Hi lovely lady.
    What a beautiful table! I would feel so special if I was your guest!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family. Im your newest follower on your blog now.
    XXOO Diane

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  26. Oh my goodness everything is just beautiful! You did a wonderful job and just wait to you start decorating like that when the family is over for the holidays (that is if you don’t already) my family thought I had lost my mind. They just want to sit down and chow down they don’t care about pretty! lol Thanks so much for sharing at Transformed Tuesday. Hugs, Peggy

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