Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Blue (and White) Monday

I heard an interesting "Commentary" on a news channel Monday Night.  The reporter was mentioning that the first Monday after New Year's is known as "Blue Monday".  Apparently, studies have shown that because the holiday season is all over; because school and work places are generally back to a normal schedule; because most geographic areas are dreading the impending long, cold stormy winter season; because people have made resolutions they are already having difficulty keeping; because visitors have headed home leaving a void in the house; because houses have lost their holiday finery and look empty by comparison;  because holiday bills start showing up in the mailboxes and financial reality sets in, the phenomenon of "Blue Monday" has been noted.  I decided to ward off this scenario,  personally, by planning a tablescape.  The design process always makes me happy, and is sure to dispel any blues.

Here is my Blue (and White) table for Blue Monday:



Here is how it was created:



    I started with a white placemat from Macy's.





My dish stack began with white scroll chargers I found at Maryland China Co. I ordered three that were labeled as seconds and one that was from the regular inventory, and, honestly, I couldn't tell the difference! (except in the price!)





The blue dishes belong to my cousin who let me borrow them for this tablescape. They are labeled Liberty Blue:  Historic Colonial Scenes Printed on Staffordshire Ironstone.  The dinner plate depicts 
"Independence Hall".




Next comes the salad plates that depict "Monticello".




The stack is topped by a small bowl depicting "Betsy Ross".  I really like the craftsmanship of these plates.  The engraving is well done, the blue color is so pretty (it actually doesn't photograph as pretty as it really is) and the beautiful floral border is just lovely.  They really do honor well the history of our nation.



I'll be planning tea for this meal, so I added the cup and saucer to each place setting.  They depict "The Old North Church".




     I also added a water glass that is Mexican glass and was found at Pier One.



The table setting is complete with navy blue napkins from World Market and porcelain napkin rings that I found while out antiquing.  I used my Mikasa flatware.





My centerpiece is made up of a lace doily topped with candle holders from Hobby Lobby and a wonderful flower pot that was a Christmas gift from a dear friend.  She found it in Montana and it is one of the most unique pieces of pottery I think I have ever seen.  She also included the A "Winter Rose" Poinsettia as part of the gift.



Since I'm planning tea, I'm using a favorite teapot of mine that was a birthday gift.  Its pedestal was bought on our trip to Florence, Italy.



Here are some additional photos of the table:







Do you think this table could keep away those "Blue Monday" blues?  Do you agree this
phenomenon exists?  I hope that everyone's first week after all the holidays is a good one, and filled with anticipation of all the things that a new year promises.


I'll be linking up to www.betweennapsontheporch.net.  Thank you, Susan, for hosting Tablescape Thursday!


I love reading your comments, and will respond to them, but until I learn how to fix it, you have to come back to my site to read the response!  If you'd like to become a follower, just go to the top of my blog and fill in your email address by "Follow by Email", then hit "Submit".

24 comments:

  1. I love blue & white! You set a beautiful table for Blue Monday! Love the china and that it tells a story. I'm never blue after the holidays! I love getting back into routine.......and tablescaping!
    Blessings My Friend,

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  2. Hi, Elaine. I agree with you. It's nice to get organized after the frenzy. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Feedback is always good, especially from a fellow hobbyist!! Rosie

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  3. This table is soo pretty. How nice she let you use those gorgeous dishes. Was wondering the difference between seconds and higher priced items at Maryland... Thanks for sharing. xo marlis

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    1. Hi, Marlis,
      In the catalog they are listed as "Round Opened Plate" SKU 5662. The cost was $18.95, but 15.95 for 6 or more. In the "Rejected" section, or seconds, I paid $8.95. I bought the 3 that were there and got 1 at full price. But I really don't see a difference! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment! Rosie

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  4. Gorgeous table...crisp white and blue always makes me smile. I have many, many pieces of the Liberty Blue...love the pattern and those reticulated chargers are so pretty.
    Have a wonderful week, Rosie.

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    1. Thank you, Marigene, for your comments. What is it about blue and white that is so appealing to everyone? I think you word describing it as "crisp" is exactly what it is and why we all love it so much! You have a wonderful week, too. Rosie

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  5. I agree about Blue Monday, I know I felt it! On the other hand, I kind of like getting the house back to normal, and I usually don't put things back as-was, but redecorate by rearranging what I already had, so that's fun. Your table is so pretty, love those dishes, and Italy...oh how lucky to go to Italy! -Dawn

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    1. Hi, Dawn, I don't redecorate, but I do give everything a good wash down before putting it back on the shelves. However, I always have at least one item that I have forgotten where I put during the holidays. Now it is my lazy Susan from the dining room table: can't find it anywhere! Thanks for stopping by-----Rosie

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  6. This table looks so fresh and beautiful! No one would be 'blue' dining here! Happy 2014!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words. Happy 2014 to you as well! Rosie

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  7. Wow, love the blue and white color scheme.....and those charger plates are amazing! I am a huge fan of gorgeous chargers....it's like my dish fetish...LOL

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    1. Hi, Christine, Thank you for your encouraging comments, Christine. I'm glad you like the chargers. I got them from the Maryland China Co. SKU # 5662. Just check out the website. Have a wonderful 2014. Rosie

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  8. The china is beautiful and so are the glasses. I'm still kind of basking in holiday afterglow and my college aged son isn't going back to school til Sunday, so no blues here!

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    1. I know how much fun it is to have the kids come back from college for the holidays! I remember it well. Enjoy! And thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Happy 2014!! Rosie

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  9. Lovely Tablescape. I think the white flower pot is really beautiful too

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    1. Thank you for your positive comments. I thought that flower pot was very unique as well. You'll probably see it in more tablescapes!! Have a great 2014!
      Rosie

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  10. A very pretty blue table but then I love blue and white dishes and yours are so pretty. I've never heard the term "Blue Monday" before!

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    1. Hi, Martha,
      I had never heard the term before either, but I do understand the logic behind it. Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to comment. Have a great 2014! Rosie

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  11. What a pretty tablescape you created, the blue and white theme for January is perfect! I love blue and white for any time of the year, but this combo of colors seems perfect for cold dreary winter days. Your china is a particularly beautiful pattern, I love the flowered borders on the plates. I have four place setting of the coaching series that I want to use for a tablescape this month (I just washed them up last night).

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    1. Hi, Candy,
      Thank you for your visit and for taking the time to comment. Is the "coaching series" made by the same people that produced Liberty Blue? It's fun to plan for future tablescapes, isn't it? I'm going out today to check out red plates for Valentine's. Such a great hobby! Happy 2014! Rosie

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  12. Well, Rosie - you have brought a new spin to Blue Monday. Thank you for the "Happy" one! Since almost everyone loves blue and white, this will long be a favorite of tons of bloggers. Don't you love those chargers? All of the ones that I own were purchased as seconds and I have never been able to find one thing wrong with any of them. Your centerpiece is so pretty, too. Love those candle sticks!!

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    1. Hi, Diane,
      Thank you for taking the time to comment today. I got those candlesticks at Hobby Lobby; they often have blue and white accent pieces there. Have a great 2014 with many happy hours of tablescaping!! Rosie

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  13. Blue Monday is very appropriate for that first Monday for all the reasons you mentioned but looks like you were able to offset it with your beautiful tablescape. Love these historical plates. I have them too...Christine

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    1. Hi, Christine,
      Thank you for your sweet comment. I had borrowed those plates from my cousin, but I would like to find some of my own after spending some time with them and realizing how pretty their color and patterns are! Happy 2014,
      Rosie

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