Vintage 1956 Melmac!

Yes, you read that right!! I am so excited to show you this table set with vintage Brookpark “Pink Hyacinth” melmac dinnerware from 1956! 

This is the original ad from 1956…

I LOVE this dinnerware! I love that everything is square, which goes so nicely with the check pattern on the placemats and the cubist pattern of the glassware. 

This flatware was my mother’s casual choice for her 1961 wedding. It is “White Lily” by Oneidacraft.

It took me forever to match this color for linens. It is more coral than pink, so I took several pieces to the fabric store and found this check which I made into placemats, and the solid for napkins, which I edged in cream.

My mother found this large pink compote at an estate sale, so I gathered some rhododendron, boxwood, assorted weeds and leaves and mixed those with some grocery store miniature carnations.

The glassware is “Whitehall” by Colony/Indiana Glass in peach, and the mother of pearl napkin rings are from Walmart. The vintage candle holders are Baroque” by Fostoria.

This table is especially for my beautiful friend Mari at “A Pocketfull of Roses.” She has the most beautiful pink things anywhere and is just a wonderfully sweet lady:-)

I hope you have enjoyed my pink melmac table, and, more importantly, I hope you know that you can set a pretty table with whatever you have. It’s all in the details, and that does not have to cost anything! If all you have are white paper plates, then trust me, you can set a fabulous table that your family and friends will feel special at. And that’s what it’s all about…making people feel special:-) Should I take the white paper plate challenge?

I’ll be linking up to Debra over at Common Ground for her “Vintage Summer” party, and for the first time to Beverly’s “Pink Saturday” at “How Sweet the Sound” and Susan’s “Tablescape Thursday” so be sure to go by and take a look!


Thanks so much for stopping by!! 

Anita

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45 Comments

  1. Pam - @diy Design Fanatic
    June 23, 2011 / 9:48 pm

    What a gorgeous vintage table, Anita! I hope you will be wearing a poufy vintage dress when you sit at your table! I remember melmac dinnerware from when I was very young! I love your centerpiece, as well!

  2. linda t
    June 23, 2011 / 9:52 pm

    OH MY GOSH!! I have been waiting to see your 1956 pink square melmac… and let me tell you ~ well worth the wait! GORGEOUS!
    And I love the whole tablescape! Breathtaking! Stunning!
    Thanks for posting Anita. You made my day!

  3. Christine @ Stonehouse Living
    June 23, 2011 / 9:56 pm

    Hi Anita,

    Your table setting is so pretty, I LOVE all that PINK. What a fabulous collection!! I should bring my Quilt over it would fit right in. Love the checker placemats & napkins that you made as well, they match perfectly! Your flowers so pretty…
    All the Best,
    Christine

  4. Blondie's Journal
    June 23, 2011 / 10:15 pm

    This is very pretty, Anita! You met the challenge! The place mats look perfect with the dishes and your floral arrangement is beautiful! Well done!

    XO,
    Jane

  5. Barbara F.
    June 23, 2011 / 10:47 pm

    Not only are you back to Blogland, you're tables are better than ever! This was gorgeous. Your friend Mari is a lucky girl!

    xo,

  6. jninecostumes
    June 23, 2011 / 11:35 pm

    The square plates are a cool design and all the pinks go very well together. Great table.

  7. Pamela Gordon
    June 23, 2011 / 11:57 pm

    I LOVE IT! It's so pretty. I've never seen any Melmac like that before although I do remember seeing cups and bowls as a child but not at our house. You matched the gingham beautifully with the pinks. It's just gorgeous!
    Pamela

  8. poppilinnstudios
    June 24, 2011 / 12:08 am

    What a pretty table setting! Love the pink and the flowers are beautiful! Looks so inviting.
    -Lynn

  9. FABBY'S LIVING
    June 24, 2011 / 12:42 am

    Oh, Anita, I love the dishes! Why do I remember things like this back then, when I was a girl? Maybe they all had them, but didn't appreciated them cause it was probably common. This is a treasure to save for ever, and how beautiful that is pink, so sweet and lovely! A gorgeous vintage table!! Good job. Have a nice weekend. Hugs, FABBY

  10. Babs
    June 24, 2011 / 1:01 am

    Anita, OMGosh, I remember Melmac. That stuff was indestructable. Your table is so pretty with everything matching. Very '50s.
    Babs

  11. Deanna
    June 24, 2011 / 2:20 am

    Anita, i luvvvvv this!!!!!!!!!
    You have created such a lovely dinner table. The pinks and corals are beautiful together.
    So nice.

    I have a oval platter with the rose design on it that is in the 1956 advertisement. I had no clue she was as old as she was.

    You have the magic touch and master such pretty arrangements to enjoy. Enjoy seeing your creations.

    God bless.
    d

  12. Marigene
    June 24, 2011 / 2:33 am

    Anita, everyone in the blogging world knows that pink is my least favorite color, but I have to tell you this table is gorgeous! I love the Indiana Whitehall…I hadn't seen them before now…beautiful.

  13. Unknown
    June 24, 2011 / 2:42 am

    I love this and boy did it take me back to my moms table when I was growing up. We didn't have the pink but it was a brown color…maybe I should go borrow her set and see if I can make something pretty 🙂

  14. Susan
    June 24, 2011 / 2:45 am

    Oh, Anita, I LOVE your dishes and Whitehall glasses are some of my most favorite! I have a thing for the cubist pattern on so many of the vintage glassware patterns. Pink is one of my two favorite colors, the other being green, and I've been hoping someone would do a pink table. My wish came TRUE and it's so beautiful!!
    Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
    Susan

  15. Lizabeth
    June 24, 2011 / 3:12 am

    Well I can say you sure made this mel-mac look classy! I remember this type of plasticware too! Your centerpiece is lovely and I loved your homemade placemats! Couldn't be more perfect! The pink glassware really adds to it nicely!

  16. Emelia DiCarlo
    June 24, 2011 / 3:19 am

    Anita, brilliant and bravo! Just love all things pretty and pink. I agree with your philosophy about making your loved feels special regardless of the price or current fad. Thanks…..love the check placemats and elegant floral centerpiece. Pretty in pink is always in style.

  17. Debra@CommonGround
    June 24, 2011 / 5:19 am

    Hi Anita, so nice to meet you! Well, I'm just amazed! You've really put together a gorgeous table, all that pink really works for an impact! Thanks so much for joining in for the Block Party.
    xo Debra

  18. Jamie
    June 24, 2011 / 1:55 pm

    I love your pink melmac. And I too am a fan of pink pyrex. I have currently only been able to find one divided pink daisy oval casserole.

  19. Leslie's Garden
    June 25, 2011 / 12:18 am

    Your whole table is just beautiful! I love everything, from the square plates and cups to the gorgeous bouquet.

  20. Jilly
    June 25, 2011 / 6:47 am

    Totally pink and pink. Pink pots, pink clothes, pink flowers, pink plates, pink table, pink bowl also rhododendron, boxwood, assorted weeds and leaves. Impressive work.
    sell my car

  21. rjerdee
    June 25, 2011 / 10:19 am

    I adore setting a table with white paper plates…and do consider it a fun design challenge. It's what I do a lot of the time, especially if Target turns up with a cool square version that takes white paper plates to a new level and without expense.

    Lovely table, Anita!!!

  22. A Perfect Setting
    June 25, 2011 / 2:55 pm

    I would have to say that you lived up to the challenge, this is very beautiful! The colors are so pretty and I am so impressed that you made your placemats and napkins, they do look great together! Your centerpiece is lovely, too! I enjoyed visiting with you!! Hope you are enjoying your summer!

  23. Unknown
    June 25, 2011 / 3:06 pm

    That is without a doubt one of the prettiest table setting I have ever seen. You make me feel like getting my pink dishes out and decorate! Blessings,Marta.

  24. Unknown
    June 25, 2011 / 7:10 pm

    So loved Melmac in its time, Anita. This set I had not seen before. It is lovely. I had (2) sets of the browns.
    You have set a table for a queen with these lovely pieces.

    Have a lovely PS week ~
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

  25. Lorraine
    June 25, 2011 / 7:13 pm

    What a beautiful pink post for PINK SATURDAY!! Have a great weekend!

  26. Kristine
    June 25, 2011 / 9:01 pm

    Makes me want to sit right down and have a fabulous meal…just smashing.

  27. Unknown
    June 26, 2011 / 8:41 pm

    Anita….what a lovely table — reminds me of my childhood. Growing up in the 1960's, my mother's everday dishes were pink patterned melmac 🙂

    Blessings!
    Gail

  28. Ann from On Sutton Place
    June 27, 2011 / 12:56 am

    Oh my gosh this is one of the coolest tablescapes I have seen yet. Totally LOVE the pink. When I was growing up my mom had white plates with a pink rose on them…no idea what happened to them…but I can see them on her table like it was yesterday. The gingham and flowers are perfect. Thank you for visiting my blog…it was a while ago. I got so behind on my commenting and am just catching up. I'm a happy new follower. Have a great week!

  29. Jemsmom
    June 28, 2011 / 3:52 pm

    Girl… you have no trouble at all setting a pretty pink table! You have created a gorgeous arrangement! I'm back but slowly! I am cleaning and doing laundry from our trip! I think I finished the last of the laundry finally! We had VBS the week we came back and I just couldn't get it all together! Hope you are well!

  30. Tablescapes By Diane
    June 29, 2011 / 6:20 pm

    Hi lovely lady.
    I love your pink Tablescapes just gorgeous !!! You did a beautiful job putting it altogether sweet lady. I would love to have your pretty dishes, your arrangement with your flowers is also so beautiful. I hope you have a great day.
    XXOO Diane

  31. Tablescapes By Diane
    June 29, 2011 / 6:30 pm

    Hi lovely lady.
    Your Tablesacpes are gorgeous love the pink dishes and your beautiful arrangemeant of flowers. I hope you have a great day.
    XXOO Diane

  32. Pinky at Designs by Pinky
    June 29, 2011 / 6:51 pm

    Anita, I think this is exquisite! I, too, had Melmac when I was a bride in '67! I got it with GREEN STAMPS!!!!! LOL! I just realized, I could almost be your MOTHER:):) Anyway, your table looks beautiful, I love the glasses too and, of course, the candle holders are lovely!Your flowers are gorgeous and make any tanle come ALIVE!!!! You are so right that setting a beautiful table tells your guests that you CARE about them and want them to feel special. I hope you WILL take the white paper plate challenge, if anyone can do it, YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!! XO, Pinky

  33. Beverly@southernhomesweethome
    June 30, 2011 / 2:09 am

    Oh this is wonderful!

  34. Janette - The2Seasons
    June 30, 2011 / 2:24 am

    I grew up with these dishes. It was a very big deal and a big splurge when my mother bought them. She still uses them in her camper to this day. They will not die.

  35. The French Hutch
    June 30, 2011 / 2:49 am

    hi, I'm visiting from Tablescape Thursday, and I think your pink table is lovely. I remember my mom having some of this while my sister and I were young. I love the placemats and the glasses. Your floral arrangement is beautiful. I enjoyed your post.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

  36. Marlis
    June 30, 2011 / 3:20 am

    You had me at the first photo. This table is absolutely stunning. I love those pink check placemats! Your napkins and rings are perfect as is your centerpiece.. Wow. this is just great. Happy Fourth, Many blessings, Marlis

  37. Cindy (Applestone Cottage)
    June 30, 2011 / 5:00 am

    That is simply fabulous! I love the layering of pinks, the plates and the napkins and placemats you made!
    Simply Gorgeous!
    Cindy

  38. Ribbonwood Cottage
    June 30, 2011 / 6:02 am

    Lovely post! I love and collect pink Melmac and it is wonderful. I can't seem to get enough of it! What a great blog you have too. I always enjoy seeing your posts. They never disappoint.
    Blessings,
    Debbie

  39. Dreamgoddess
    June 30, 2011 / 3:32 pm

    Your table is absolutely divine! The flowers and the dishes are just beautiful together.

  40. Entertaining Women
    July 2, 2011 / 3:13 am

    Fabulous! Have you seen some of the current Melmac designs that are available?…lots of them look like De Ruta patterns. I love the peach colored quilted glasses. I have them in blue, but I've never seen the peach. Fantastic! Another beautiful, creative tablescape. Thank you for sharing another lvoely design. Cherry Kay

  41. ~Damita's Pretty Wrap~
    July 2, 2011 / 6:48 am

    Beautiful table!!! I love it!! I can't wait to collect different colors and have enough to set my table! Just lovely! 🙂 Would love if you'd come stop by my blog sometime 🙂 ~Have a great weekend~

  42. mgster
    July 2, 2011 / 1:07 pm

    absolutely beautiful! I have the same exact size glasses with matching pitcher in green…and the juice glasses in amber. Never knew they made them in pink. But now that I have seen yours I will be on a mission at every flea market and estate sale. Good job!!!!!!!

  43. Vicki
    July 4, 2011 / 5:35 am

    Beautiful table and I love that shade of pink…really lovely! Well done!

  44. Wendy@~Chez~La~De~da~
    July 7, 2011 / 8:42 pm

    ONE WORD
    :*~:*~Perfect:*~:*~

  45. Unknown
    July 30, 2013 / 8:31 pm

    Awesome pictures! Really awesome eye for vintage design! Check out this shop… it is right up your alley! etsy.com/shop/carouselandfolk