9/9/09

Julia Child Dinner Party-Part 3-Getting the table Ready

French Dinner Party
My Julia Child-inspired Dinner Party is Friday and today is the day to set the table and get the food in place for it. (I posted the menu Tuesday.) I chose a yellow French looking voile with blue flowers for the topper over a classic white tablecloth. Since Julia is all about the proper way to do things I thought it should be a very formal table. I used my Aunt Gladys' silver because she has soup spoons in her set. It is International sterling in a pattern called Spring Glory. The china is my wedding pattern of Noritake, Whitehall. It is white on white with a silver rim. The stemware is Syracuse and the blue glasses I purchased at HomeGoods. On each plate is a Chef's hat to be used as the placecard, with each guest's name on their hat. A very formal white and silver flower arrangement is the centerpiece. Pre-dinner drinks are served on the porch while the appetizer, a colorful layered terrine is plated.
A small buffet to the side is decorated with a chef hat on an antique marble cake plate, a copy of Julia's book, a lovely old ladle I purchased in the French countryside at a flea market. a French santon figure anda small blackboard with the words Bon Appetit written on it. There is just one thing to do now, I must get dressed. And most importantly, I must remember to wear my pearls--just like Julia!. Tomorrow I will tell the tales of the actual preparing of the food. To see more beautiful tables click here. Thank you Susan from Between Naps on the Porch for hosting.

25 comments:

Marie Rayner said...

Oh La la Jean!! How positively wonderful!! I have enjoyed seeing all you preparations for the party and I cannot wait to see the final result and the food! What a smashing idea, simpley smashing!!

Unknown said...

What a fun idea! And your table is darling! Good Job!

~Liz

black eyed susans kitchen said...

This dinner party is absolutely brilliant! I just love the way you used the chef's hats on the plates. The marble cake plate is gorgeous, and the table is beautifully formal, yet very inviting. Just lovely!

Allison said...

How adorable! What great ideas. We saw Julie and Julia two weeks ago - what a great movie. I wonder how many dinners it has inspired?

Pauline said...

All very lovely. Well done :o)

Rhondi said...

What a fun idea. I'll have to come back and see how the party goes. The chef's hats are a cute touch!
Rhondi

Connie said...

Jean! You are amazing and brilliant! The table is perfect and I Love the little side table decor!

Can't wait for more....

Decor To Adore said...

Oh I adore the details! The chef hats are just perfection.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

How fun and yet elegant too! I love all your special touches. Looks like a wonderful dinner party.

Unknown said...

This looks like a fun evening. I love the chef hats and that marble cake plate is gorgeous! I can't wait to see the rest.

Sue said...

What a wonderful idea using chefs hats for place cards...so cute...and the silver spoon from the French flea market is a wonderful find....Your sideboard is a nice touch...it's just all perfect.....
Sue @ Rue-Mouffetard..

Beansieleigh said...

This is fabulous! LOVE all the chef's hats at each plate around the table!!! Love the colors you used too! ~tina

Diers Eve said...

Lovely colours combination.
Great job.
Warm regards from South America,
Val

Deanna said...

Enjoyed seeing your cute table thatyou've shared with Tablescape Thursday. Such fun!

Blessings,
d from homehaven

Signing Out said...

Wow, this is gorgeous! I love everything, especially the tablecloth and chef's hats! Wonderful!

Jane

Rettabug said...

This is a very lovely, well thought out tablescape, Jean!
I had to go look up what "santon" meant, so thanks for expanding my horizons & for several new ideas to use in my home later on.
I'll be back to hear all about the food!!!

Bab's Kitchen said...

How pretty! Love the elegance.

Granna said...

My wedding china is Whitehall by Noritake to! Were you married in 1970 like I was by any chance? I still think it's a beautiful pattern. I only have 8 place settings...wish I had more!

lady jicky said...

Bravo! It looks like alot of fun - wish I was coming!! LOL

Anonymous said...

Hi Jean!

What a great party and table!

How FUN! Love the chef hat!

Thank-you for your sweet visit today!

You are a neat new friend!

love, kelee

nannykim said...

Great fun ideas. I love that tablecloth--the flower arrangement is beautious ad the glasses go so well with everthing!

ps. my tablescape is at the spindle cottage (tablescape 2)

nannykim said...

oops I meant tablescape 3 (I'm trying to do blogging and watch the Clemson Football game at the same time--right now it is tied...we will see)

Kathleen said...

Looks like a fun party!!

Sarah said...

Jean, I'm so happy to find your post. I adore Julia Child and my husband and I have been viewing all the original French Chef programs again on DVD. I'll look forward to seeing the the next part. Your table is darling. Love the chef hats as place cards. If you have time, you might enjoy a post I did as a Tribute to Julia for a TT on August 26.
This is a darling idea for a party! Thanks for sharing. ~ Sarah @ hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com

Martha said...

What a fun idea -- very pretty table and I love the chef's hats as placecards!