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!