The Table That Almost Wasn't

I had a creative hiccup with my Valentine's table this year. Has that happened to anyone else? I kept looking at my previous Valentine's tables and just couldn't come up with a new idea. So....I decided to just create a romantic table of lace, flower-wreathed china, crystal and silverplate. It was O.K.,  but as I looked at other blogs and saw the red flowers and "be mine" accents, I knew my romantic table didn't really sing, "Happy Valentine's Day".  So,  I opted not to post a table. On Valentine's Day, hubby and I planned our day around brunch at our favorite Cuban Restaurant and then some antiquing at the antique malls that surround it. It was a beautiful day. We had just gotten back from a conference in Washington, DC where we shivered in -2 degree weather and here we were in CA where the temperature topped 86 degrees! The best part about antiquing that day was that all the stores had promotional sales going on.  I had a very successful hunt that day. I have been looking for red toile transferware plates for a couple of years and because of Valentine's Day, they were highlighted in many places. I took advantage of the sales and got four dinner plates and four salad plates. Then I found four more Willow design plates to complete my set for my hutch. So, Valentine's turned out to be a very pleasant day. I came right home and put a REAL Valentine's table together. At least one I felt is more traditional and celebrates the red and white colors of the day!

Here's My Valentine's Day Table:

Here's How It Was Created:

I started my table with my red tablecloth that I generally use for Christmas:

My dish stack began with my Zen chop plate from Mikasa that I've used many times as a charger. Actually, after I completed my photographs of the table, I felt I probably should have used my Maryland China Co. open-weaved chargers for a more romantic look, but I had thought about this table way too long to make any changes at this point!

Next, I placed one of the new dinner plates I purchased. It is labeled "Avon Cottage", Thos. Hughes & Sons, Ltd, Longport, Staffordshire, England. I love the happy couples in the scene, dancing to the music from the small ensemble, as well as the elaborate floral border.

For the next layer I used my Madeline salad plates from Pier 1 (frequently seen in my blog posts!).  I wanted to separate the layers between my two new toile transferware plates.

The new salad plates I purchased are difficult to identify. The only marking on the back is England, JD. I think it's just a potter's mark. I LOVE these plates. Their delicate design of a lovely pastoral scene sings out English countryside with the farmer's wagon, sweet sheep and a precious village in the background. So picturesque.

I topped my dish stack with a heart-shaped dish I found at the pharmacy last Valentine's Day! Now the table was starting to look like a Valentine's table!

To finish the place setting, I used my late mother-in-law's Heritage silver plate (wanted a romantic look); red water goblets from HomeGoods, and my wine glass labeled Gallia, Rogaska. I used my red and white napkins from HomeGoods and the silverplate napkin ring I found at a yard sale.

For the centerpiece, I chose my ironstone soup tureen that I filled with faux carnations. I used my red glass candle holders from Shonoda Design Center and then wrapped a heart-shaped wire wreath to add some texture and interest.

For accent pieces, I filled a heart-shaped crystal candlewick candy dish with candy, and completed the table with a sweet bowl I found in an antique store in Quebec. It is labeled Villeroy & Boch, Made in Germany. The design work is detailed and lovely.

As I stepped away from the table, I felt I had created a Valentine's table that was much more suitable to a Valentine's celebration than the original table I had planned. I guess I'll just always be a traditionalist! Ya gotta have red and hearts for V-Day!

I hope your Valentine's Day was filled with warm, fuzzy feelings, companionship and the chance to do something you enjoyed!

I'll be linking up to Susan's Tablescape Thursday at www.betweennapsontheporch.net and
Christine's Table It! party at www.rustic-refined.com.  Thank you, Ladies, for your continued support of these fun parties.  Be sure and check out these wonderful websites full of creativity!