Since everyone seemed to enjoy my dinner party post
last week, I decided to photograph breakfast this past weekend to include in this week's
Tabletop Thursday!
Bacon and eggs (fried and runny), wheat toast, english breakfast tea with milk and OJ were on the menu. While the bacon fried (and then eggs done in the same pan afterwards), I took a few pictures. Daisies were snipped from a larger bunch ($4 at trader joes) elsewhere in my apartment and put into a bud vase to brighten up the winter gloom. Daisies are the most cheerful flower in my opinion and really last a long time (up to 2 weeks if you change the water frequently!).
The china is Harebell by Radford Fenton (made in England) and from the 1930s is my best guess. The linens are all from potterybarn and I liked how the green napkin brought out the green in the plates. The teapot is the one I use everyday, Martha for Macys, the juice glass is italian glassware from TJmaxx and the creamer is antique crystal from my great-grandmother: just typical old victorian glass.
NPR was on and featured the listener's favorite top 10 soprano solos which was a wonderful backdrop. Renee Fleming singing
o mio babino caro by Puccini was #1. I hope you are all finding ways to brighten up your winter as well!
Since everyone seemed to enjoy my dinner party post last week, I decided to photograph breakfast this past weekend to include in this week's Tabletop Thursday!
The china is Harebell by Radford Fenton (made in England) and from the 1930s is my best guess. The linens are all from potterybarn and I liked how the green napkin brought out the green in the plates. The teapot is the one I use everyday, Martha for Macys, the juice glass is italian glassware from TJmaxx and the creamer is antique crystal from my great-grandmother: just typical old victorian glass.
Oh my goodness! You inspire me to start using some of my other china, not just the plain old white dishes I use almost always. What a charming way to have breakfast!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie! Yes, too often I fall into the rut of my plain white china from ikea that I use MUCH too often. Sometimes it's nice to get a reminder to use 'the good stuff'. Why have it if you don't use it!
ReplyDeleteI spy: Flamant candlesticks!
ReplyDeleteGoodness me - I call this gracious living and I can't believe you do it. I mean I do believe you obviously, but I am shocked. Impressed even. A mug of strong black coffee by the computer is all I run to and that is like life support stuff!
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes
Robert
Pebble, you can't see them in these pictures but they're there actually in the far back. Thats where I keep my glass candlestick collection, 3 different sets - LOL -along with a small alabaster lamp and astoria glass fruit bowl.
ReplyDeleteRobert, thanks :-) I don't do it everyday for breakfast -only weekends! Weekdays I have a yogurt and cup of coffee or tea at my work desk!
I am a big believer in using your china and crystal rather than saving it for a yet to be planned event! You do it beautifully! This should be a weekly thing - think of the fun! Marija
ReplyDeleteI want to be invited over for a meal...any meal...or a cracker...something...please! :)
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the thoughtful and fresh approach you incorporate into your table designs. I once did work for a caterer in Williamsburg,Va. doing this sort of thing for some of her very particular clientele. So when I say I appreciate it, I REALLY appreciate it! btw, your fab TJ Maxx glasses look like my Villeroy and Boch version!
Thanks Marija, I do it often, just don't usually photograph it! I may enter the tablescape thursdays more often though -they are fun!
ReplyDeleteA&A, hmm -crackers...gotcha: Open invitation! I might even have some cheese to top them with!
I forget the italian company that made the glasses, just remembered they were from tjmaxx. I would remember Villeroy and Boch - my favorite wineglasses (also from tjmaxx!) are villeroy and Boch! I'm not sure I've ever featured them here on my blog though anywhere....next week!
We are down in Florida and enjoying leisurely breakfasts after 9 am, even oatmeal tastes yummy when you are not rushed. I think good china would give me reason to slow down and enjoy life.
ReplyDeleteYour china is lovely!
If you ever open a B & B, I will be a regular patron!
pve
Patricia, I'm so jealous you escaped the wintry north! Enjoy your vacation and oatmeal!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful setting. The dishe's are lovely. You have wonderful taste.
ReplyDeleteDon't you think every thing taste
better in a pretty setting?
Bon appetit
LPG, yes! I'm not a fancy chef or anything, just simple food, but it all tastes better with pretty presentation!
ReplyDeleteWell, this setting would brighten my morning for sure!
ReplyDeleteUtterly charming. In addition to showing us a gracious moment, I, for one, would like for you to show how you store all THIS GREAT STUFF. Have you started secretly opening up drywall and putting stuff in between the studs? And then, how do you remember WHERE you put WHAT? I am impressed on so many levels. I have to confess I bought some white square plates this weekend (on sale at JCP!). They are heavy, have nice shape and can be used for salad, dessert or lunch meals. My husband just sighs...
ReplyDeleteJanet,we have to do something during the winter!!
ReplyDeleteHBD, Thank you! Between the studs, well hmm -if my condo board would approve that I would do it tomorrow! Storage is an issue and I'll just say I store everything CAREFULLY, haha. It's all hidden away but I'm quickly running out of creative storage space in my 475 sf apartment. We both have the same affliction - addicted to china!
what I love about your setting is I am certain you are actually going to sit down and enjoy dining. many times there is so much stuff about in these table settings- I would be unnerved to eat! I adore that china- the trees,the harebells- it all reminds me of illustrations from my mothers 1930's Book Trails-which I loved. charming!
ReplyDeleteLA, yes, I had breakfast 3 minutes after taking this picture! I think it's the architect in me: I like things 'simple' in layout without a lot of tchotchkes or things I won't use. The pattern (which is raised) is what led me to believe it was from the 30s.
ReplyDeleteThis is most delicious! The china exquisite and your taste in decorating your single breakfast table absolutely adorable.
ReplyDeleteI love great china and agree: The simplest of all meals taste great when served on beautiful china!
I might participate in tabletop Thursday!
XX
Victoria
Stefan=classy
ReplyDeleteSo pretty. Your china is beautiful. I have Lenox Federal Platinum....I need to spice it up a bit! I enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeleteI am a little obsessed with the napkins here, I must admit. i never get over green...
ReplyDeleteI didnt think the British fry-up could get any better but I was wrong, I bet your breakfast setting makes it taste even better. Like champage from a crystal flute. Kathy.
ReplyDeleteHow pretty. I adore your china. So nice. My twins are back from Paris and missing the breakfasts of their host families. Mom's just not that good.
ReplyDeletethese dishes are gorgeous, and all my fave colors.
ReplyDeletexx
Oh you have class. The china is exquisite. That's what I call seizing the moment! A-M xx
ReplyDeletei am absolutely coo-coo about those plates. very nouveau - my favorite style. i love your site
ReplyDeletePRETTY table setting. love the colors and the bamboo flatware.
ReplyDelete