Rumpled Chic! For Valentine's??

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! This week, I’m sharing a romantic table for eight. Yes, I know it’s traditional to set a table à deux for this particular holiday. I’m speaking here in terms of romance that evokes a mood that’s fanciful and extravagant, one that offers pleasures for all the senses.

The “table linens” I used were inspired by Joni of Cote de Texas. She did a post HERE that began with images of Lit a la Polonaise (a whimsical style of canopy bed that has a fabric dome on curved stretchers and elaborate upholstery details). She went on to talk about the less expensive, but equally appealing, Italian Campaign beds. She shared several examples of the metal-framed canopy beds draped in various types of fabrics.

It reminded me that I once draped my canopy bed with yards and yards of gauzy crinkled cotton (which I had dipped in strong tea to give it an aged look). By some miracle, I remembered where I had stored the box of fabric.

Is rumpled chic a term we could apply to table setting? If so, that’s what I set out to accomplish today. There was also an old cotton duvet cover in the box (folded inside a plastic zipper bag). I decided to use it on the table as well (the duvet, not the plastic bag). I definitely didn’t want to spend hours ironing everything, so what came out of the box is what you’ll see today.

It's 65 degrees and sunny on this Valentine's Day in West Tennessee. Yesterday, however, there was still snow on the ground. Folk wisdom used to say it was "hanging around, waiting for the next one." I hope there is no "next one" anytime in the near future -- I'd be OK with waiting until Christmas.

It's been COLD here. Even the neighbor's little garden angel seemed to be suffering from the low temps and freezing precipitation. At least the sun was warming her face ...



I keep telling Susan of Between Naps on the Porch that the house below is going on the market. Wouldn't it be fun to have Susan as a neighbor? Imagine how great if would be if several members of the tablescaping community lived in close proximity -- think of the potential for creative collaboration, the neighborhood theme parties, the progressive dinners ... sharing dishes and serving pieces! We'd be so busy decorating, we might have to order take-out or call in the caterers. But wouldn't everything LOOK great???

The Italianate home below, Edgewood in Natchez, Mississippi, was the inspiration for the house above. See the similarities?

The Valentine's Day table is set below in the den. I used mis-matched side chairs.

And mismatched wine glasses.

And mis-matched tall sherbet/champagne glasses as tealight holders. First I filled the glasses with ice cream salt -- to protect the glasses and add to the icy, transluscent effect.

The Lenox dishes are two different patterns: Monroe dinner plates and Bellevue salad and bread plates.

I recycled last week's flowers by cutting the stems short and adding aucuba (yellow/green variegated leaves) and a variety of holly.

The brass hurricane lamps are thrifted. The candles were too tall, but I didn't take time to shorten them (burning them will take care of that problem!).

I do like the effect of a mix-and-match table. Mixing (with a modicum of discretion) adds interest and variety.

The vintage flatware is King Cedric by Oneida. I also have King Cedric butter spreaders, but decided to use a different pattern at each bread plate.

A few of the roses were well past their peak, but their scattered petals added color.

A "silent butler" for brushing away crumbs between courses is a practical idea. You know, of course, that I just thought it looked pretty on the table!

I'm always on the lookout for discontinued/clearanced crystal stemware at department stores and gift shops. Estate sales and thrift stores can also be great sources for beautiful glasses at surprisingly low prices.

I alternated between two styles of silverplated napkin rings. The napkins are thrifted restaurant linens.

The light is fading. Time (naturally!) to light the candles .....

A glimpse of the L'Heure Bleu (or blue hour), the period of twilight each morning and evening where there is neither full daylight nor complete darkness....

The image above was going to be the last one for this post, but I wasn't happy with the daytime photos. I left the table set overnight, and tried again. The candles are no longer towering over the hurricane lamps. Unfortunately, the rose petals are gone. I didn't want them to stain my expensive tablecloth! ;)

Happy Valentine's Day! Thank you so much for your visit.

Please join Susan of Between Naps on the Porch each week for Tablescape Thursdays.