Welcome back! Thank you for joining me for our second February post: setting a sweetheart table, just in time for a Valentines dinner.
Ah, February: such a tease. The days are slowly getting longer, though not necessarily warmer, and the hint of sun ensures a good dose of spring fever.
With Valentine’s day close, February is synonymous with roses, beautiful pinks, and delicious treats. Here is a table that I set for a valentines day, embracing all of the above.
We recently, found this charming china set at an antique shop that was going out of business. This set is 96 pieces, and we got it for $50 (I almost felt guilty). I had gotten two platters in the same pattern several years ago, so I already liked it, and I couldn’t stand to see it broken up or worse destroyed. This pattern is by Taylor, Smith, & T (TS&T) “Diana” — it is completely charming, and quickly becoming one of my favorites – it was a natural for a valentines day table. With 98 pieces, it is definitely one of the most complete sets I have.
The Diana pattern was in circulation during the the 1940’s
I started with this pink and gold harlequin print table topper and layered in lots of off white, and of course as much pink as I could find.
For the centerpiece, I used two vintage busts and a Lenox vase with a variety of pink flowers.
The Lenox Heritage Collection vase features several cherubs, its so sweet. Sadly, this one was broken a few years ago, but is still a favorite.
In addition to the Diana china, I complimented the sweet rose pattern with Gorham Lancaster Rose flatware. The beautiful, silver-plate carving set was also perfect for the setting. I added an extra rose to each of the napkin rings as another way to bring in some color.
I’ve even been able to find salt spoons in the Lancaster Rose pattern – so much detail in such a tiny piece! This was one of the most popular patterns of its era, so it has numerous pieces.
I recently learned why it is so difficult to find salad forks in older patterns: green salads were rarely served. It wasn’t until refrigerated trucks were invented and greens could be transported easily, that salads became more of a meal-time staple. Therefore, the older patterns rarely have salad forks, and very few people had them for something that was rarely eaten – truly these were a great find. My husband bought these for me a few years ago from J. Maxwell Silver, she has amazing stock, is a great silver resource, and can find almost anything silver.
I added a variety of pink depression glass pieces to bring in as much pink as I could. Here are three different pieces: footed tumbler, coupe champagne glass, and ramekins – and of course more pink roses!
I love these coupe glasses with just a bit of gold trim.
Dessert is served! The pink of the roses was a complete accidental match to the pink on these white chocolate desserts.
And, don’t forget some coffee and champagne…
As we are snowed in here in the Pacific NW, the timing of this relaxing valentines dinner was the perfect way to end the weekend.
I hope you’ll return in March for a Belleek inspired St. Patrick’s Day tea and to begin an exploration of vintage linens. Whether you’re snowed in, or out and about, have a beautiful Valentine’s day!
~d
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