Royal Albert Valentine Table for Two

This past Christmas my sweet Hubby gifted me with an exquisite tea set.  It is Royal Albert bone china in the Old Country Roses pattern. I have it displayed in my hutch, but I decided I wanted to honor such a special gift by making a tablescape which highlights my new tea set. I felt that the upcoming Valentine's Day would be a perfect time to share this special gift with you.

Here Is The Table I Came Up With:

Here's How It Was Created:

I started with a burgundy tablecloth that I have had for a long time.  I realized that the color of the roses on the Royal Albert china was actually more of a burgundy red than a "Valentine red rose" red, so I chose accordingly.  Unfortunately, the rich burgundy of the color didn't really come through when it was photographed.  But, it was actually a good color match to the color on the tea set.

Next, I added a bright white lace tablecloth for a romantic feel. Once again, the color was determined by the color of the tea set. The bone china is bright white, so my cream-colored lace tablecloths just would not work!

My dish stack was begun with my open scrollwork charger that I found online at Maryland China Company. This company is a great source for white ceramics.  Once you have ordered, you will start to receive their catalog with endless possibilities for creative tables and specialty ceramic pieces.

I brought out my "workhorse" white dinner plates. These Metaceramica plates from HomeGoods have graced many of my tables!

I continued my dish stack with my Madeleine salad plates from Pier One. I still love to use these because their delicate scalloped edge adds some interest.

To finish off the dish stack, I used the cup and saucer that is a part of the Royal Albert tea set.  I love the delicate roses that dance across the cup and saucer, as well as the bright gold trim along the edges. Absolutely stunning!

I completed my place setting with my white patterned Waterford napkins;  sparkly gold napkin rings (a birthday gift from my special friend); gold-finished flatware (on loan from my cousin); and, my favorite crystal: Rogaska's Gallia.  Photography doesn't really convey the delicate etching and cuttings in this spectacular crystal pattern. I decided I would use a water goblet, a wine glass and a cordial glass for a special Valentine's Dinner.  I also added one of my Waterford champagne flutes for a celebratory toast!

The focus of my centerpiece had to be the beautiful teapot from my new set! I filled it with faux white flowers and elevated it on a beaded trim glass cake stand.  Then I surrounded it with my lighted bead wreath and an additional red bead wreath for accent color.  The creamer and sugar bowl from my tea set, and gifted crystal candlesticks finished my centerpiece.

I had two accent pieces on my table:  one was a heart-shaped candlewick bowl filled with Valentine's candy, and the other was the cake topper from my original wedding cake (just for a romantic touch!)

I was so happy to share this new addition to my china collection.  I'm planning on a tea party with my daughters and grandchildren sometime this year,  and this new Royal Albert tea set will hold a special place of honor!

I hope your Valentine's Day is filled with love, a look back at memories, and maybe some flowers and chocolate!!

I'll be linking up to Susan's Tablescape Thursday at www.betweennapsontheporch.net
and Christine's Dishing It! and Digging It! at www.rustic-refined.com.  Please take some time to visit these wonderful blogs and enjoy all the creativity there is to be found there.