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.

First Tablescape Thursday

This is my first Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on The Porch and I am so excited. I love setting my table differently each time and finding just the right china or glassware, tablecloth or napkins to set the particular mood. I was reading At Home With Carolyn Roehm last week and got the idea for this tablecloth from her beautiful and inspiring book with it's lovely pictures.

I love the contrast between the blue and white and have several different patterns of china in these colors. I mix and match(?) them together. This was set for a casual family dinner.

Because my round table is so wide ("72") it is hard to find tablecloths for it so I have begun buying coverlets or bed coverings. (Thank you Carolyn). This one is for a queen size, is matelisee and has the nice scalloped edging. I have found a big variation in the sizes so be sure to read the dimensions before purchasing. I have found some at HomeGoods for a good price.

I love old transfer ware with the lovely picture scenes.

I found some of these balls at HomeGoods. I did have them in a lovely glass bowl then changed them to the basket to look more casual.

I thought this one was Spode but the back says Denmark trademark England.

This is a Syracuse China (restaurant use) plate that I bought from their outlet store when we lived in New York.

This is my silver plate we got for our wedding. I love it with the rose and shell patterns combined. (I wish it were in focus!)
The stemmed glasses were from Costco. I am looking for some pretty blue tumblers now and some clear blue salad plates. Also some beautiful antique napkins would be nice! To see more lovely tables go to Susan's site. Now I look forward to reading and seeing all the beautiful tablescapes from everyone else!

Happy Tablescaping to you!