A Place at the Table-The Art of the Detail

(Herend Queen Victoria All Blue Tureen)

I inherited my love of table details from my Grandmother, like so many gifts she gave me. I still have pieces and pieces of her many sets of china still snuggled tightly in their bubble wrap that I have yet to unwrap---each time I open a teacup it is like opening another gift from Nana... so I suppose it will be a long time before I get through all of those packages.

(Bernardaud Eden Turquoise)

I have more place settings than I do people to invite for dinner, but that doesn't stop me from scouting new patterns and being drawn to the precious details that a pattern can hold.

(Herend Windsor Garden Sugar Bowl)

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Delicate and elegant of course, but the place settings I love best have my family's history ingrained in their wear..holiday dinners and recipes, gatherings and memories It is no wonder then that I am drawn to gracious,timeless patterns. I think china should be used and new memories made as the light shines through and that unmistakable ping is heard when a teacup kisses a saucer.

(Bernardaud Pensee)

I love collecting special pieces and mixing and matching them...when I fall for a plate, I fall hard and then play to put it together to create a table.

(Gien Fleur de Chine)

As much as I treasure pieces that hold history I think it is wonderful that in this toss away world new traditions can be started and cherished. For me the real attraction is the art of the piece and as much as I adore the exquisite hand painting I also am stopped in my tracks by the "architecture" of porcelain in simple white.

(Bernardaud Louvre Coffee)(Bernardaud Naxos Covered Sugar)

There are very few "industries" that I can think of whose names have survived and thrived through not just decades but centuries. China artisans and manufacturers who designed for Kings and Presidents and Czars are still gracing tables. They are also maintaining a commitment to their classics, timeless patterns ,so that tradition can continue, the tradition of art at the table...Meissen, Gien, Spode,Haviland,Herend, Bernardaud,Mottahedeh,Royal Coppenhagen...all surprise with new elements of grace and art while holding to their history of art and detail.

(Meissen Dragon)

(Bernardaud Chateaubriand Creamer)

(Raynaud Cristobal salt and Pepper)

(Gien Mille Fleurs Pitcher)

For me, it is in fact all about the details! How often I exclaimed "I don't need service for 12...I just want the teacups! "

(Rosenthal Butterfly Garden by Versace)

(Anna Weatherley Morning Glory)

(Bernardaud After Dinner Frivole Cup)(Anna Weatherley Fancy Teacup)

I am drawn to the shape of a plate, the accent on the side of a mug, the detailed fluting on a plate, the curve of the handle of a teacup, the accent finial on the top of the coffee pot, the feet of a tureen, the cover of a sugar bowl, the grace of a handle on a coffee pot, the shape of a soup bowl...

(Herend Rothschild Bird Covered Tureen(Herend Queen Victoria Butter)(Bernardaud Constance Teapot)


(Herend Queen Victoria Coffee) (Haviland Amaryllis Coffee)

(Herend Rothschild Bird Soup and Serving Plate)

Dinner plates may be the largest piece at a place but they have a meal to distract. Serving pieces and table accessories have purpose but they most importantly "finish" a service, a service with grace and style.

(Herend Queen Victoria Blue Leaf Dish)