Room Service, for Two!

Today we're in the coziest of the guest bedrooms. It's called the Blue Room (original, no?). I've set a table for two next to the windows and temporarily repurposed a circa 1950 Grundig entertainment center as a sideboard.

My neighbor gave it to me several years ago when she went into assisted living. She and her husband had brought it back from Germany in the 50s and, after numerous moves, she took pride in the fact that it didn't have a single scratch on it. It still works, by the way, shortwave radio and all. It now serves as a surface on which a lamp sits and a few decorative objects can be displayed. I think it's nice to always provide overnight guests with a horizontal surface to use while unpacking, dressing, and so on.

The champagne/tall sherbet glasses are Candlewick (1936-1984) by Imperial. It was one of Imperial's most popular patterns. While the Candlewick serving pieces appear delicate with their beaded rims, they must be amazingly durable. I see Candlewick pieces in almost every antique shop and mall, and they're generally in excellent condition. HERE's a link to an eBay guide on telling the difference between genuine Candlewick and imposters produced by other companies.

I love the simplicity of the beaded stems. They feel nice in the hand while reflecting light and color beautifully.

The old iron bed was my paternal grandfather's. When my father was a child, he recalls that my grandfather always kept a loaded revolver in a holster on the bedpost (at the head of the bed) with a shawl draped over it.

The shutters provide privacy and darken the room nicely for guests who sleep late.

My mother made the hand-stitched butterfly quilt when I was a child.

On the top shelf, simple sterling candleholders (estate sale, $5). A biscuit jar sits on the second shelf. The marks on the underside of the lid appear to be English (Jackie?). I'm not sure how old it is. It was a gift long ago from a former teacher of mine, who dabbled in antiques. She coached me in my one attempt at participating in a public speaking competition. I'm definitely not an orator, but I somehow won the contest. Obviously, she was an outstanding instructor!

On the third shelf is a Candlewick mayonnaise bowl and underplate. I grew up seeing it in our home, but I don't know how it ended up there. It probably belonged to one of my great-aunts. I wish I'd paid more attention to things like that. Believe it or not, there was a time I had almost zero interest in antiques/"old stuff."

Below that is a Lenox bowl. It's made in the USA. Many Lenox vases and other decorative items are made in China these days. I sometimes use it to hold flowers for a centerpiece. I think I paid around $6 for it at Goodwill. I remember the young woman at the checkout was horrified at the high price. I told her it was OK, that I liked it enough to pay that amount for it.

The china is Monroe (1983-2003) by Lenox. It's from the Presidential series. I consider it my "primary" set of company dishes. I haven't taken inventory lately, but I've added to the basic set through the years. There are 20+ place settings, with lots of serving pieces.

The azaleas are in bloom! There were only a few today, so I cut off just the very tips of branches and displayed them in a simple silverplated epergne. The little vases are detachable for filling and cleaning. It's normally displayed in the corner on the shelf where the mayo bowl is sitting (it visually fills the space better). I gave it a quick, much-needed polishing before I put it on today's table.

View from the chair on the right.

And from the left...

The daffodils have been beautiful this year, but they're finished blooming now. The hostas are rapidly emerging, and their leaves are unfurling. As you probably know, daffodils and hostas make good companions, with hosta leaves concealing the spent daffodil foliage as it feeds the bulbs to prepare them for next years blossoms.

The flatware is King Cedric, introduced by Oneida in 1933. There's a 1949 version of the same pattern in sterling. I mix the plated and sterling pieces and honestly can't tell the difference without turning it over to read the description.

The pieces below have special meaning for me. Their value is strictly sentimental. The dinner plate was my maternal grandmother's, and I remember seeing it displayed in her kitchen. The Lord's Supper tray is a Goofus glass piece (early 20th Century pressed, decorated glass) that belonged to my paternal grandparents. When I was a child, I assumed it had been clear, and someone (my grandmother or my father's sister) had painted it gold. You can read about Goofus glass HERE and see some stunning examples of it HERE.

More azaleas on the "sideboard."

The water glasses are Fostoria Heritage (1979 - 1982). They're from an estate sale (of a former US Congressman from West Tennessee). The tall champagne flutes are an unknown pattern from a consignment shop).

I think it's thoughtful to provide a chair, even a small one like this, for guests. It's nice to have a place to sit while putting on/taking off shoes. Or sipping a nice cup of afternoon tea or coffee.

The cups and dessert plates are waiting to be used after dinner.

The Monroe creamer and sugar, with a Fostoria Colony double light candleholder in the background.

I really like the shape of these cups, as well as the cream background color and the gold decoration on the handles and base.

This heavy crystal decanter's a recent purchase from an "upscale resale" shop. It was only $10. It had a slight rough spot on the edge of the rim, but I smoothed it with a file (from a beauty supply store). I don't think anyone would ever be the wiser. The silverplated covered vegetable dish came from an estate sale ($5 on day 2). The extra-tall etched wine glasses were a Goodwill find at $1.99 each.

Closer view:

Blue time (for Gollum!).

Both tablecloths were purchased at closing time on the last day of an estate sale. I'd be embarrassed to tell you how little I paid for an armful of beautiful vintage table linens that day!

End of day ...

My grandfather's one of the commissioners photographed on the steps of the County courthouse. I remember seeing him walking to his car dressed in a suit and tie on his way to hospital board meetings, never without a hat (tilted slightly ... just so). "A fly wouldn't light on him!" I used to hear said (of him) when I was a child. Is that a Southern expression? I'm not sure, since Southern is all I really know.

Candles are lit ...

The made-in-Italy glass charger plates are from a local junk store. $2 for four.

Silverplated coffee pot from an estate sale.

Silver and azaleas ...

The "dangles" of the lampshade are showing, upper right ...

Time for coffee. Perhaps Dr. Wentworth is in the Blue Room tonight. Eloise will be in to clear the dishes. And then ....

It's time for Tablescape Thursday with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch! Stop by and see what Susan and her talented tablescaping friends have been doing this week. Click HERE or on the image below.


Today, April 14 , 2010, is the last day to leave a comment on "Day into Evening Table, with April Cornell Giveaway" to have a chance to win a bundle of four beautiful April Cornell blueberry napkins. Click HERE to see that post. Thank you!