Traditional Christmas Tablescape

Dinning In High Style:

My dear friend Cathy let me come to her beautiful home and play with her dishes!  I dressed her dinning room for Christmas.  What a delight to use all of her exquisite things!!! Thank you Cathy- you are generous and very accommodating to me.

The inspiration for this Christmas table was just about everything Cathy had. I ooooohed and ahhhhhhed over her cherished family heirlooms. Ideas danced around in my head like sugarplums, but a traditional table was begging to be set, paying homage to these clasic  pieces!  The two elements that had the biggest influence in my decision to go in a very traditional direction were her husband's grandmothers china, Old Ivory ...

And her beautiful silver bowls.

Of course the Waterford Lizmore stemware and Gorham sterling silver flatware did play their part in making this table timeless and traditional.

Placemats that complimented the walls, magnolia border and elements in the china were found at HomeGoods. A burgundy runner added color and sparkle to the center length of the table.  The rich wood was left exposed for this tablescape.  There is something so elegant about a fine inlaid  mahogney table.

Neutral colored napkins with a damask-like pattern were gathered into a Waterford napkin ring and given a little fluff.

To make each place setting festive, Waterford Lizmore sherbert glasses were filled with greens and faux berry-balls and topped with a Christmas ornament.

 

The ormaments were alternated, one red with gold glittery stripes and one silver. I like alternating little touches, it is much more interesting!

The centerpiece is actually three bowl of greens and frills.

A wreath of metalic berry-balls encircles the base  (another silver bowl inverted) to bring drama to the center of the table.

Both real and faux greens were used.  The real greens were cut from Cathy's yard. We were careful to use greens that would not "drop" before her Christmas dinner. I was taken with a frilly small leafed bush with navy berries, called Inkberry. It was a wonderful addition to the arrangements. Stems of the same berry-balls were repeated in the arrangements as well as in the sherbert glasses with the Christmas ornaments. Small silver and pearl ornaments were tucked here and there and gilded sticks gave added height.

  This centerpiece is flanked by identical silver bowl filled with a smaller version of the greens in the center.

Sterling silver candlesticks with tall burgundy candles add more sparkle and ambiance.

The finished look I wanted was one full of family tradition, cherished pieces lovingly passed down through the generations and polished refinement.

 

Thank you  Cathy for welcoming me into your home and trusting me with your precious heirlooms. You are a wonderful friend!

Merry Christmas!

I am participating in Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at Between Naps On The Porch.  She does a fabulous job of presenting unique and facinating tablescapes. Go check out all the creative tablescapes!