Monday, February 1, 2010

A Touch of Valentine’s Day

I’ve been wanting to create a red and white table setting, but basically being a “pink” person, I had nothing much to use that’s red.  I kept trying to come up with ideas and finally had a “light bulb” moment. 

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Yes, it came to me!  My aunt, who is more like a second mother to me, is a “red” person…in fact, red is her favorite color.  So I gave her a call and she came to the rescue.  She had these pretty red doilies that I used under the red vase.

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My aunt has most of my grandmother’s dishes and linens and I  just knew surely she had something in red that I could use.  She told me to come on over and see what I could find.  I think I probably broke the sound barrier going to her house.  I found red damask napkins along with red and white checked ones.

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My aunt and I had so much fun yesterday afternoon!  We looked through cabinets and I saw dishes I hadn’t seen in years.  We poked through drawers looking at linens. 

The most magical thing though was going through my grandmother’s old pie safe.  It was packed full of glassware, dishes, salt/pepper shakers, flatware.  I felt like I had found Ali Baba’s treasure!  In the very back was this wonderful set of clear glass salt and pepper shakers decorated with red polka dots.  I placed the matching cruet on the other side of the centerpiece.  The cruet was used to hold salad dressing for our dinner. 

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Roses were my grandmother’s favorite flower and she loved these iced tea glasses.  I think the design is so pretty.  They’re decorated with climbing red roses winding their way up the glasses.  The candle holders are topped with red and crystal glass vases.

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Just before I left, my aunt spotted this cardinal watching over her babies in their nest.  She insisted I bring it to use in the setting. 

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My grandmother loved pretty dishes and glassware.  I’m sure I inherited my dishaholic habit from her.  I saw lots of dishes that I had forgotten about.  Some of them really brought back wonderful memories. 

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I didn’t find any china that had red in it, so I used my white plates trimmed with gold.  To bring a touch of Valentine’s Day to the table, I layered red lacey hearts in between the charger, dinner plate and salad plate. 

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Red gladiolus and white wisteria were arranged in the vase.     

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I’m sure my grandmother would be so thrilled to know that items she once loved are being used, appreciated and enjoyed once again.

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My Grandmother (1906 – 1992)

Please join Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for another Tablescape Thursday.

I hope your life will always be filled with a Touch of Valentine’s Day!

DG

 

 

20 comments:

Kathleen said...

What a lovely table!! And, I think you should go over to use your aunt's things more often!
It sounds like she enjoyed every minute of it!
Very pretty, DG..and I hope your Valentine is recovering!

Dining Delight said...

Dream, I love how you've created a Valentine table just by using the colour red! It looks very pretty and romantic. How nice for your aunt to be able to join in your "hobby" and what a nice tribute to your grandmother.

DD

Sarah said...

Not only did you organize a beautiful table to share, I can only imagine how much fun it must have been for your aunt too share these treasures with you for this project. Your grandmother is surely smiling down on this table.

Unknown said...

You have put together a very beautiful table. It sounds like in addition to your table you were able to add more wonderful family memories. Love everything you did, great job. Thanks for stopping by.
Sandy

Anonymous said...

What a pretty table you've set! Oh, sweet you can use these items from your little Grandmother. Wasn't she so cute!
Thanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Debbiedoos said...

That is really pretty!!~

Marigene said...

I am sure your grandmother is looking down smiling on your beautiful table. The cardinal statue is cute. Thanks for sharing your beautiful table.

susan said...

I can tell your grandmother loved to set a pretty table also! It sounds as if you and your aunt shared a wonderful time going through family treasures and putting this together. It turned out beautifully! I love the checks. I inherited my love of dishes from my grandmother too...and her china :)

black eyed susans kitchen said...

This is just the best time of year! We can be so romantic and get away with it. Your Valentine table is so festive.
Susan

Andrea at Opulent Cottage said...

Beautiful and romantic! I especially love your heirlooms!

Donna said...

I'm glad your aunt was able to help you. I'm sure you both had fun creating this very pretty red and white table.

D

Anita Diaz said...

What a beautiful table and so meaningful that they are things from your family! I frequently borrow from my mom, and there is nothing more fun than that! So nice that you posted your grandmother's photo...great idea!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful table. The doilies are so wonderful.
I think the reason I love Valentines Days is the color RED!!

Phyllis @Around the House said...

I think she would be thrilled to know there are people who actually do care and cherish the things their grandmas cherished...How lovely you care for some of those things, your table is so stunning love all the red and white, it is wonderful...Phyllis

Sharlotte said...

This is such a sweet post! I love that you were able to gather such special pieces together to make such a beautiful table! I'm sure your grandmother would be very proud of her things being loved. Thanks so much for sharing!
Sharlotte

Americana Lady said...

Your table is exquisite! But more importantly is the memorable day with you Aunt and all the reminiscing. That was priceless! Joan @Americana By Candlelight

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh how sweet -- I'm sure that your grandmother would be proud that you cherish her lovely dishes -- I think I'm the only one of the three of my grandmother's granddaughters who truly loves all the little bowls and dishes that I've collected over the years that were hers -- I believe it must be genetic.

Natasha in Oz said...

What a beautifully decorated table! You are so lucky to have these beautiful things from your Grandmother-she would be so happy!

Best wishes, Natasha.

Lia at Petite Little Bee said...

Love your Valentine table. Thanks for sharing. Lia

The Tablescaper said...

You put together such a great "red" tablescape, that I hadn't noticed there weren't any red dishes until you pointed it out.

Dishes and linens are such a wonderful way to remember loved ones and the things they loved.

- The Tablescaper