Hello and welcome to the blog today. I’m presenting my first blue and white table setting. The first…. because blue and white dishes are not that easy to come by in Thrift Stores in my area. These are some of the first I’ve seen……… a set without chips or scratches. I try not to buy dishes unless there are at least four of them so I can set a table for four people. The exception occurs when I run across dishes I already have. There may be one or two of them but I know I have more at home so that makes it okay. LOL
I love the look of blue and white. It is so clean and fresh reminding me of blue skies and blue water of white clouds and a white moon in a dark sky. My tablescape will probably not be quite as picturesque but it will be fun to put together.
I set this in the Morning Room overlooking the garden. It’s a nice bright room with clean lines. I started with a dark blue linen tablecloth that matches the blue in the dinner plates and in the napkins. It also picks up the deeper blues in the flowers on the pottery wine glasses.
I decided to alternate the blue and white in the plate stack. Starting with the dark blue tablecloth and adding the white chargers rimmed in a little bit of rust color along the edges. I picked these up at Hobby Lobby about a year ago. The tablecloth or placemat you use in your table setting is also a visual part of your plate stack.
The dinner plates are in a dark blue and white with a geometric pattern including soft green and a touch of rust. They are by Boleslawiec and handmade in Poland. I did not know there is a huge following of this beautiful pottery. I feel very fortunate to have come across 6 plates, all just a bit different in glaze, with no cracks or blemishes. They are really beautiful and quite substantial. I don’t know the specific pattern name. It will take a bit more research to find that out.
The next plate in the stack is French Perle by Lenox. This has a beautiful pin-prick pattern that runs around the rim of the plate. The scalloped edge adds a delicacy to the plate stack and contrasts with the earthy quality of the dinner plate. There is the same touch of rust around the Lenox plates as around the chargers.
Next come two separate elements that work together to create that blue, white, blue, white pattern. First we have a Tulip Bowl by Pier 1. The lovely scalloped edge fits right in with the Lenox, French Perle. Paired with that is the blue and white napkin folded into a blue rose. It nestles right next to the tulip bowl adding some additional texture to the setting. I like to make the roses because they are really simple and they look great when you are finished. They work best with a little bit heavier weight fabric.
Marquis by Waterford water goblets sit next to a hand-thrown pottery wine goblet. There are two different patterns of wine goblets on the table. They alternate as you go from place setting to place setting. Similar colors, heights and flower motifs tie them together. Not everything has to match. However, some common thread should tie each of the pieces in the table setting together to make the look cohesive and not chaotic.
Holmes and Edwards, Lovely Lady, is used for the silverware. It’s a simple pattern so doesn’t fight with the pattern in the china.
I wanted the centerpiece to be simple but to provide a splash of color. These gorgeous deep pink peonies from my garden were just the “ticket”. I placed them in a cut glass pitcher that goes well with the Waterford goblets.
Above is an overhead view of the table. The blue and white is repeated throughout the place setting with that jolt of color to add contrast and interest.
Above is a closer look at the rose napkin. I was happy with how it set off the white of the bowl and salad plate.
I’ll definitely be looking for more blue and white dishes on my thrifting adventures. Hope you’ll try a blue and white setting of your own.