I have never really been a tablecloth kind of person, but I wanted to set a Christmas table with a white lace tablecloth, so my mother let me borrow one, and I got to work creating a simple but elegant table for Christmas.
I have wanted to join the flow blue club ever since Kathryn Greely gifted me a signed copy of her book, The Collected Tabletop. After seeing her Thanksgiving table, I fell in love with the rich, deep blues that make flow blue so beautiful.
“Flow blue was a type of transfer pottery produced by Staffordshire, England, potters beginning in about 1820. Sold mostly in the U.S. market, flow blue was similar to traditional blue-and-white pottery, except that the blue color was deliberately blurred, an effect achieved by adding a cup of lime or ammonia to the kiln during glazing.”
However, flow blue is not budget dinnerware, so I knew I would not be starting an actual collection any time soon. I did find some pieces on eBay that were reasonably priced last spring, and purchased six dinner plates and two salad plates.
My favorite is The Temple, by Podmore & Walker ©1850. I have two dinner plates and two salad plates, and they are in great condition to be so old. They have crazing, of course, but it would be rare to find a pattern this age without it.
The other pattern I found was Grecian Statue by Brownfield Pottery. I believe this is late 1800s, but could not find much info on it. I bought four dinner plates in very nice condition.
Obviously, with 19th Century dinnerware, I wanted to use the 1893 Louvre sterling flatware by R. Wallace & Sons.
I also used linen monogrammed napkins and placemats from the 1930s that were passed down from a dear family member.
I used the Cristal D’Arques Longchamp Durand crystal that I’ve been collecting since the 1990s.
I had rearranged the centerpiece and added some glass pedestals to hold sugared fruit Christmas tree ornaments.
I elevated my great grandmother’s 19th-century castor cruet set to give the center some height, but still low enough for people to see over when seated.
I would love to add more pieces – cups/saucers, salad plates, bowls, etc., but it will be over time – as in years😄
The blue certainly sets a pretty table😊
And I love to set a pretty table for my family no matter what kind of china I’m using.
Because it’s really the people around my table that matter❤️❤️❤️
That is a gorgeous tablecloth!
Oh, Anita…it's like sitting at a table in a fine home in Williamsburg during Colonial days! The entire setting is fabulous! Your flatware is 1000% enviable!!! I'm glad you've been able to find pieces of the dinnerware to augment your set. I know how frustrating it can be sometimes when you're on the hunt! But as you said…you have YEARS to reach that magic number! Look how the light from your tree dances on the wood floor! So pretty!!!!!!! I love this highly traditional setting and all its lovely elements. Beautiful work. Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much Alycia! Yes it’ll be one piece a t a time for a while for sure😊 So good to see you “virtually” friend🙂🙂
Oh I love flow blue, I have a few pieces, and I found bits and pieces of blow blue in our yard in CT. We had an 18th century house and I am sure that when things broke, they just buried them….Your tablecloth and silverware are gorgeous!
Your pictures are so dreamy. I love that you have family hand me downs and use them.
So very beautiful and elegant! Merry Christmas Anita!!
I have a few flow blue plates…so now I am pulling them out again! this is just so beautiful and you captured the sweetness of the season beautifully. Merry Christmas !
Beautiful table and that table cloth is stunning! I love flow blue but all I have is a small dish. Merry Christmas!
Your silver is so beautiful and I love the natural centerpiece on your table. Blue and white china is a favorite of mine and I love your table setting!