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Tea Roses

/ Alycia Nichols / 15 Comments

I have a close friend who is a 14-month breast cancer survivor. Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and because I love my friend dearly, I held a pink ribbon & roses high tea in her honor. The weather cooperated (thank goodness!) and graced us with 78-degree weather at 4 p.m. so that we could enjoy high tea on the deck.

We know that many people confuse high tea (heartier fare served later in the day) with the more delicate afternoon tea, which generally includes lighter food offerings at an earlier hour. My friends and I LOVE to eat, so a high tea seemed most appropriate

 

Ultra-feminine pink & white is always a favorite for high tea, afternoon tea, and ladies’ luncheons, no matter the time of year. For the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it seemed perfect! Today’s table is draped in floor length soft pink cotton and topped with a white mock quilted/damask linen.

 

This pretty, contemporary place setting uses Silvestri “Sculpted Rose” dishes. I like the kidney bean shape of the snack plates with the indentation to hold the cup firmly in place. The soft colors and profusion of roses balances out the decidedly heavy construction of the plates. The flatware is “Danish Princess”

 

The cups – used on this day for both soup and tea – are surrounded by doves.

 

These white cotton luncheon napkins are among my favorites. The corner design is so subtle. A simple length of pink ribbon adds color and again pays homage breast cancer awareness.

 

The tea set is so much fun! A combination of roses, doves and girlie ribbons make the set a favorite.

 

Indeed there was plenty to drink today! A champagne toast to start (and finish!) in honor of the breast cancer survivor present, iced tea with a slice of Granny Smith apple for color and flavor, and wonderful hot tea with apple & cinnamon to sip as the afternoon wore on and the air cooled.

 

As high tea calls for a heavier fare, these hearty tea-sized turkey & herbed cheese sandwiches on croissant with homemade broccoli-cheese soup fill the bill.

 

Crunchy, sweet butter cookies shaped like pretzels taste wonderful with the cinnamon-apple tea!

 

Fragrant pink roses in simple silver julep cups adorn the table. Each guest received a nosegay with a ballerina-tied pink ribbon as a parting gift, a reminder to stop and smell the roses AND to do that necessary breast self-exam each month.

To my sweet friend and to ALL breast cancer survivors and fighters, may you stay in the pink for years to come! And in memory of those who lost the battle, including my great-aunt Genevieve, this one’s for you.

Other pretty pink tablescapes on this site include:
Peaceful Peonies
Days of Wine & Roses
Peonies & Pearls
Chocolate Traditional
Platinum & Pink Valentine
Blushing Bridal Shower
Easter Floral
Easter Bloom
Pink Plaid & Posies
All A’Bloom In Pink For Spring
Princess Pink Birthday Dinner
Showered In Pink
Easter In Pink & Grey
French Poodle
Peony Power
Fairy Princess Party
Fairy Tale Wedding Shower
Blurred Lines With Shades of Pink
Pretty In Pink Birthday Luncheon
Coming Up Roses
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Pretty In Pink, Wicked In Spurs – Breast Cancer Awareness
Bald Is Beautiful – Breast Cancer Awareness
Pink & Purple Chocolate Christmas

 

TEA TIME TUESDAY I am pleased as pink punch to once again join Lady Katherine and all the lovely ladies (and gentlemen!) in her tea parlor for Tea Time Tuesday. For those of you who enjoy fine tea time activities, just click on the link!

Ap-pear-ently Autumn

/ Alycia Nichols / 16 Comments

This has been a really busy week so far, but never too busy to sit down over a leisurely dinner with hungry visitors! While I enjoy the opportunity for pageantry afforded by the rich hues of fall, sometimes “simplicity” is a welcome watch word.

Just because it’s a weeknight, doesn’t mean the table has to be boring.

 

These are simple place settings using humble stoneware, but dressed up just a little bit. I bought the oak and maple leaf faux wood chargers last season at Crate & Barrel, although now I’ve seen something very similar at WalMart! Could have saved myself…..ugh! I don’t even wanna do the math on that one! The mustard dinner plates are from Pier 1, and the avocado soup bowls from Target. I like the golden bubble stemware from Marshall’s so much that I’m sure I’ll use it over and over in the coming months!

 

The multi-hued striped napkins and the bronze oak leaf ring through which they are casually pulled are both from Pier 1.

 

 

 

I’m always so happy when I can pull a quickie centerpiece together with things I already have around the house! I constructed these nearly 4-ft. tall structures using dark wrought iron obelisks I purchased a few years back when I thought I wanted to train ivy to grow on them. (Click HERE and HERE to see other tablescapes using these obelisks!) Faux evergreen mounds sit atop wood & metal planters purchased at a going-out-of-business sale earlier this year. The finishing touches are yellow berry garland & Bosc pears.

 

 

These oak leaf floating candles were purchased at Pier 1 several years back, as was the table runner. The candles have a nice, subtle clove-like scent and are a wonderful complement to the charger and runner designs.

That’s Tuesday night dinner…with an upgrade!

I am pleased this week to once again join Susan and all the dynamic & talented women (and men!) for Tablescape Thursday, and The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday. Also, if you missed it, click on the “Fun Stuff” tab above for our first entry in the Tea Time Tuesday event hosted by Lady Katherine Tea Parlor. Have a wonderful week, and GO CHIEFS!!!

Tablescape Inspiration, Click to View

Centerpiece Wednesdays Button

TEA TIME TUESDAY

Tee Mit Hans Dresden (Tea With Hans Dresden)

/ Alycia Nichols / 12 Comments

This is the story of how a little girl’s curiosity (and hard-headedness!) got her into deep trouble, but  became a lasting memory. I want to thank my Mother for (1) letting me live after what I did on that fateful day some 46 years ago; (2) sharing with me the story of how she came to acquire this lovely tea set, and; (3) passing it on to me for a memory I will always cherish.

It isn’t often I get to share afternoon tea with friends, but when I do it is held near and dear to my heart. For this particular occasion, it was to celebrate recent accomplishments by each attendee. (An engagement, a retirement, and a new career. Hence the champagne & Godiva chocolates for all!!!)

My mother was gifted with this lovely Hans Dresden set back in the 1940s. My father’s nephew, who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, picked it up for her during his tour in Germany just before the city of Dresden was severely damaged by British & U.S. bombing. Little did anyone know of what great sentimental value this set would be some 65 years later.

I purchased these lovely embroidered cotton luncheon napkins years ago while on my honeymoon in New Orleans.

Let me explain/confess something. (Uh-oh…this takes me back about 45 years!) My mother had the entire set with coffee & tea pots, cups, saucers, dessert plates, and ashtrays! (Don’t give me that look! Smoking was perfectly acceptable…even encouraged…by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars “back in the day.”) As a child, much like now, I loved to play house. Despite many admonitions, I decided one day to play with Mom’s Dresden set. The result: the clumsy hands of a 6-year-old were no match for the delicate china. I irreparably broke several pieces of the set, and other pieces – like the pot above – were chipped. When my Mom gave me this fractured but nonetheless loved set a couple of years ago for my own collection, we had a good laugh…quite contrary to her reaction when I ruined it 46 years ago!!!

I did not prepare the sweets for this get-together, but I am grateful for the local pastilerias that did!

The centerpiece was composed of simple alstroemeria arranged in a tall, milky glass trumpet vase flanked by two smaller arrangements.

This was a wonderful afternoon spent with wonderful women – my mother included – who by all accounts forgive my past transgression of putting Hans in harm’s way.

Footnote: I saw this very set – in mint condition – on WorthPoint the other day. I was too afraid to look at how much it would be worth today had I not so tragically trashed it!

Other teatime tablescapes on this site include:
“Tea Roses“
“Coming Up Roses“
“Hello, Dahlia!“

This week for the first time ever, I am pleased to join Lady Katherine and all the fine ladies for Tea Time Tuesday. If you enjoy fine tea accoutrement, exquisitely set tea tables and ladies’ gatherings as much as I do, please check out other bloggers’ photos & stories on her site!

TEA TIME TUESDAY

Love & Orchids

/ Alycia Nichols / 16 Comments


Click here or on the “Wedding” tab above to see the all photos of this tablescape!

Yes, I know I said I have retired! But when a friend asks, you answer…with a gracious – if not cautious – yes!!!

I know autumn has settled upon us, but pictures from this late summer engagement party could not be ignored. I had such a wonderful time putting this together with a surprisingly almost total “hands off” approach from both families. In the end, they were pleased and I was relieved. No, I won’t be doing the wedding. I really have sworn off that part! You may see, however, a shower tablescape or two next spring as they near their June wedding date.

Click here or on the “Wedding” tab above to see the all photos of this tablescape!

Congratulations, Kelli & Christian!

Tablescape Inspiration, Click to View

Tablescapes at Table Twenty-One is proud and pleased to participate once again in Tablescape Thursdays hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. You are welcome to peek in on the talents of lots of other tablescape enthusiasts!

Shake Your Tail Feather

/ Alycia Nichols / 16 Comments

I am head over heels delighted to have designed an autumn tablescape in the very tastefully appointed home of Bob & Jean Sloan! Jean, owner of Invitations by Jean, has long been a colleague and friend. I have looked to her for fine stationery – invitations, menus, escort cards, and more – for numerous fine weddings over the years.  I fell absolutely in love the first time I laid eyes on her traditionally furnished dining room. Jean’s remarkably refined taste is already apparent in the space, and my job was just to put the cherry on top with this lush table for 6.

The formal nature of my friend Jean Sloan’s dining room dictated a decidedly staid autumn tablescape with a few not-so-serious twists.

The crystal teardrops of Jean’s dazzling chandelier are repeated across the table set for 6 with the centerpiece, stemware, and candle holders.

Plump red grapes, dotted with stray alstroemeria blooms, cascade over the side of the crystal epergne. (My husband will be eating leftover grapes for weeks to come!)

Clusters of richly colored alstroemeria are arranged in cut crystal Godinger “Olympia” rose bowls. The reddish-brown color adds the “oomph” needed to rescue the tablescape from looking too monochromatic.

Pheasant feathers plopped into cut crystal bud vases create a stir at each end of the table. They not only complement the colors and theme of the dishware, but add texture to the tablescape.

Gorgeous cut crystal votive holders add shimmer close to the table surface.

The rich dark wood of Jean’s dining table was the perfect backdrop to the burnished gold chargers topped with brown transferware dinner and salad plates. The oak leaf-shaped soup bowl is from Pier 1. The flatware is Royal Danish sterling silver, a treasured gift from my Mom’s collection.

I found the beautiful dishware with this exquisite peacock motif at a boutique called Home Finishings here in Lee’s Summit. (According to an unsubstantiated Google source, these dishes were manufactured by the Johnson Brothers in Britain, discontinued in 2003. I have been able to find little else about these beautiful dishes anywhere!) The price tag caused a little agony, but I finally caved and bought enough for 12. SO worth it!!! This close-up shows the intricate pastoral pattern that depicts the proud creature displaying his lush plumage as his less fortunate feathered friends look on. (See these beautiful dishes used again HERE.)

Another fun twist to an otherwise traditionally set table is these jumbo carved wood acorns atop each napkin. I picked these up at Pier 1 a couple of years ago.

I love the intricate diamond-shaped cutwork in the Cristal d’Arques Longchamps stemware. The stemware design mimics that of the centerpiece epergne and crystal bowls. Notice here, too, the pretty crystal knife rests. People don’t use those a lot anymore, but I find them both pretty and practical.

Many thanks to Jean Sloan for letting me fulfill a fantasy autumn tablescape!

A few other autumn tablescapes on this site include:
“Italian Honeysuckle“
“Most Egg-cellent Breakfast“
“Copper Zen“
“Celebrating Longview Farm“
“Casual Fall Harvest Dinner“
“September Harvest Breakfast“
“Pumpkins & Peacocks“
“Wondrous Wheat“
“Pheasants & Peacocks“
“Best Laid Plans“
“Serape High Style“
“Sunflower Simple“
“Raining Orchids“
“September Wine“
“Autumn Blues“

This is my very first time participating in Tablescape Thursdays on the Between Naps on the Porch blog site. If you would like to see lots of other tablescapers’ creations, just click on the Between Naps on the Porch link to your right.

Pears and Pine Cones

/ Alycia Nichols / 6 Comments

It was a dark and stormy night, and….wait. This isn’t a mystery novel. It’s a dinner party! Sure, it was dark and stormy, but inside all was cozy, a little bit casual, and a whole lot of fun…even with a power outage that hit right after I snapped the above photo.

 

Humble clear glass hurricanes take center stage enveloped in wreaths of grapevine and pinecones, spiked with fall berries. The pine cone theme is gently repeated in the salad plates.

 

This is one of my favorite salad plate patterns! With a motif that is suitable year-round, this pattern from Pier 1 is not just for the birds! Paired with unembellished white dinner plates, a mustard-colored napkin ties the suite together. A simple gold charger and Revere style flatware lends a stylish touch. A crunchy, sweet Bosc pear – one of autumn’s many gems – is tonight’s guest favor.

 

I am head over heels with these chunky amber goblets from Z Gallerie!!! They are perfect any time of year, but especially in fall as the leaves begin to turn a similar color! The clear stem on the goblets opens the door for the colorless wine glasses.

 

On the buffet behind the dining table are a pair of obelisk centerpieces I used again for the “Ap-Pear-ently Autumn” tablescape.

This is the first of many autumn tablescapes to come. This season will feature everything from soft and subdued (tonight), to haunting beauty (Halloween), to sheer elegance. The rich hues of the season allow for so many decorating opportunities, and I look forward to sharing a few of my interpretations with you! And just so you know, I’m not real big on Halloween, but this year I’m going to give it a try just the same!

Cheers, everyone, and best of the fall season to you and yours! And don’t forget to visit the new “Table Tips” section for lots of nifty ideas!

Up In Smoke!

/ Alycia Nichols / 11 Comments

I’ll keep this short, but I feel the need to  remind everyone who loves decorating: There is a reason the manufacturers put the warning “Do not leave candle unattended” on their products!!! After our lovely Labor Day Eve dinner party (see “Summer Breeze” under the Summer tab), I decided to keep the candles burning so that we could enjoy it for a bit longer after doing the dishes. My husband and I had not been in the house for more than a minute after clearing the dishes when I  saw the reflection of flames in the window. We dashed out and, luckily, extinguished the fire within 30 seconds before it spread to the house. The wind had kicked up and blown the linen over the flames. The only casualties were the table linen, 3 of the centerpiece items (the linen fused to the sides of the glass), the top of the table, and my pride. We could have lost our home or, more tragically, our lives.

Please, please, please be careful! Evening tablescapes are fabulous with tons of candlelight, but candles can be dangerous if you don’t watch them closely! I learned that the hard way!

Please join Susan and some of the other tablescapers for more 2010 Tablescaping Bloopers!

Inspiration

/ Alycia Nichols / 1 Comment

I look for tablescape inspiration everywhere! Around the house, outdoors, other people’s homes, television & movies, retail spaces, public spaces, conversations…even my dreams are of beautiful tablescapes!!! Some of the most innocent sights…sounds…smells…. touches can inspire a creative moment which – hopefully – results in a table element that serves to inspire yet another. The Internet is a wonderful and convenient source of inspiration for fantastic tablescapes, bringing the world right into my office with the stroke of a key, the click of a mouse. 

With summer at its peak, I’m still hungry for creative stimulation from nature. One such extraordinary source for me – and I hope for you – can be found at http://bradycomputers.net/photoblog/. Hundreds of captivating images that seduce the creative center of the brain and breathe fresh air into the mind, the heart, and the soul. Pure inspiration!

More Bling for Your Buck

/ Alycia Nichols / 2 Comments

I’m an admitted shopaholic. I love shopping for decorative items & tableware. It’s a deep-rooted, dark cloud that hangs over me. But with every dark cloud there is a silver lining. For me, that silver lining is finding loads of things I need for my [tablescapes] at prices that don’t require gold bars to pay the tab. If you’re one of the lucky ones with a hefty bank account filled with mad money just waiting to jump into a retailer’s cash drawer, I salute you. Strike that…I wanna BE you!!! If you’re not, take this tip from me: HIT YOUR FAVORITE STORE(S) AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH. How else will you know what’s out there? You can get chummy with store personnel who will get to know your personal style and be able to make great suggestions for you. My favorite shopping genie is Thomas at Z Gallerie in Leawood, Kan. Thomas – who has enviably impeccable taste and is nothing short of a decorating wizard – has helped me on numerous occasions. In doing so, we have chatted and he knows a lot about what I like and what I can afford. He is able to point out what’s new and advise me on what’s hot. My favorite “Thomas quality” is that he never sniffs at me for visiting the clearance area. I am interested in 50% off, start breathing heavily at 60%, begin salivating at 75%, and at 90%…….”Clean up on Aisle 5!!” Great table bling and I get a terrific selection because I shopped early and/or often. They’re playin’ my song! Get yourselves in to the nearest Z Gallerie, available in 18 very lucky states!