Sunday, April 13, 2014

An Elegant, Vintage Easter


Easter Dining Room, Vintage and Elegant
Lately, I have read an exceptional number of decorating articles and expert advice on why you should avoid making events "too formal."  But there's a problem with that:  I love formal affairs.

I am aware that sometimes formal and elegant can be equated with stuffy or worse, ostentatious.  But I can't help liking things that are girly, vintage, and beautiful - That's just part of who I am (and I'm one of the least stuffy people you'll ever meet).  I believe a tablescape can not, on its own, make an event stuffy.  Only an atmosphere can do that.  So this Easter, I am throwing caution to the wind (take THAT decorating experts!) and hosting a beautiful elegant formal dinner for friends and family.  And there's a good chance I won't even wear shoes.


Easter Table decor, elegant and vintage
(From top, clockwise) 1. Elegant place setting with layers and mixed metals 2. Rose depression glass stemware  3. Beautiful family heirloom plates from 3 generations ago   4. Each crystal drop glimmers with the light of the candles 5. Spode flatware 6.  The piece de resistance, a tabletop crystal candelabra, fitted for tealights
Elegant Easter table and buffet
Formal Service with a dose of whimsy
The pieces and players: I began setting the scene with all of the gorgeous heirloom pieces that are stocked in my decorating arsenal: Elegant hand-painted place settings that were the wedding china of my husband's grandmother; a gorgeous white Ralph Lauren vase that was a wedding gift from my brother; pink cut glass stemware and real brass chargers that belonged to my mother; a mercury glass cake stand and delicate silver bird shaped candle-snuffer, both of which were gifts from a dear far-away friend... All of it has meaning and going through these treasures felt like reading an old scrapbook.  I added a few of my own pieces like a gorgeous crystal candelabra (which can be easily removed when the food needs to hit the table), pearl napkin rings, embossed silver chargers under the brass, a dusty rose satin tablecloth from my wedding and vintage lace-trimmed napkins in a simple ivory.  These pieces are simply heirlooms in the making. 
(Clockwise from upper right) 1. Coffee cups and dessert plates stand at the ready  2. A sweet little bird sits atop the candle snuffer  3. Gorgeous blooms in lavender and pink 3. A mercury glass cloche, hobnail creamer and etched silver vase overflowing with spring flowers 4.  A tall one-sided arrangement adds big color to the backdrop  5. (center) Another heirloom tea cup from my mother-in-law hides sweet mercury glass eggs from Potterybarn

 

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