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47 Comments

  1. Gorgeous Lory!! I love the Glen Plaid too:) It is romantic, beautiful and so elegant…thanks for sharing!

    1. Thanks, Tina! I’ve always liked to mix English and French Country together, as to me they are quite similar… 🙂

  2. Your tablescape is gorgeous. I love all the China. I have a question I hope you can answer for me. I have noticed in a lot of the bloggers post the forks are now on the right of the plate. When did this become acceptable? My Mother, and High School , Home Economic Teacher, would roll over in their graves if they saw this on a table.

    1. I’ve been asked this before and I can’t speak for others, but will answer for myself. For me, setting a table is about beauty and creativity and if I allow myself to be shackled by rigid constraints, I won’t be able to create something unique and fresh. I am a trained artist and I’ve always been taught to think outside the box, so I apply that to all my creative endeavors. The simple fact is, the table looks better with the flatware on one side and the napkin cluster on the other. It’s also more fair for left handed people… 😉 Life is short. Set your table the way it makes your heart sing!

      Thanks for stopping by!!

  3. Lory, Your photography is exquisite! The flowers are gorgeous as is the china and those amazing napkin rings.
    You should publish a book since everything you do is beautiful.

    1. Wow, thanks so much, Bonnie! I actually had thought of doing a book before I started blogging and that’s what led to the blog!! But if a publisher wanted to contact me… I’d be delighted… 😉

      1. A coffee table book would be so nice. You have a captive audience.

  4. Lory, this is such a stunning table. You brought some gorgeous old and precious items back to life! I love that! The china and crystal play so so beautifully together! And little bling is over the top! What a beautiful post!

  5. MARY-ANN FROM CANADA! says:

    Lory, your table is just beautiful! Just love your vintage china! And those flowers are absolutely gorgeous! I always enjoy setting a nice table for our guests! It’s almost a lost art these days!

    I really enjoy your posts!

    Thanks, again, Lory!

    1. Thank you so much for the kind words, Mary-Ann! I can’t tell you what it means to me when someone takes the time to tell me they enjoy my posts… 🙂 It sure makes the work easier and more pleasant!! Thanks for visiting!

  6. bobbi duncan says:

    Exquisite in every way, Lory!!!!!!!!

  7. What a beautiful table! I’m curious – do you create your table settings for meals or are they just for display/posting? Most of the meals I serve don’t warrant as much china and crystal as I would like to use. Also, with so much decoration on the table, where does the food to be served go on the table? I’d rather not have to keep getting up from the table in order to serve the food.

    1. Thank you Judith! Actually, my blog got started because I used to post my actual table settings on Facebook and everyone kept telling me I should “do something” with them. That something became the blog. So yes, many, if not most, of my table settings are for real events, but now that I post more often, sometimes they are set just for a photo shoot.

      I do always set a full table like this when hosting a dinner, holiday or party. I always serve buffet style because I don’t really love to have platters sitting on the table anyway, so the guests usually serve themselves. For a more formal event, I would probably have servers, although I’m not often that formal. In fact, while I make a huge deal about setting things up before guests arrive, I’m actually an extremely casual host once the party gets going… 🙂

      1. Teresa Snipes says:

        Like you, I keep tables set in my dining room and in my breakfast according to the season. I’ve done this for years and years because, like you, it makes me happy. I love using the passed down silver, etc., because I handle and use the things of people I loved who are no longer with us.

        My mother gave me her silver when she downsized to a retirement home and loved seeing me use it before she passed away. When I use a platter or china set belonging to a long gone grandmother it brings back wonderful memories and pays tribute to their lives. I’m all about legacy, so this is my way of honoring theirs.

        I can tell that you are honoring your loved ones in using their loved pieces as well. It’s our way of “spending time” with them and keeping them in our lives.

        Blessings,
        Teresa

  8. I can understand how it would make you smile, as I smiled too, when viewsing this lovely setting! What beautiful china…from PARIS!! Thanks for sharing!

  9. Such a lovely table! I used to use bobeches but got away from them. Your tablescapes have put me in mind of using them again. One question, Lory: is the salad plate a variation of the Old Country Roses pattern? It’s so pretty and those roses look familiar. I, too, like the buffet style serving. It doesn’t clutter up the table and also keeps spills off the tablecloth!

    1. Thank you so much, Martha! Sorry for the delayed reply, but my kitchen is under construction and it took me a bit to find the plates. I wanted to give you an accurate reply… 🙂 So yes, I have 3 different plates that are variations on Old Country Rose. The one in the photo is Rose Cameo Pink. I also have Peach Damask and Dusky Pink Lace. I love to mix them up on a table, as you can see from the post. Thanks again for your lovely comment!!

  10. Cheryl Daniels says:

    Beautiful table. I love the glen plaid goblets! I’ve collected the tall water glasses (best on my budget) but hope to gradually add goblets. And I totally agree with napkins on the left (their own spotlight) and silverware on the right (happy company).
    I get to set a table for 10 every Sunday for Family Dinner. I usually can barely wait to start the next table Monday morning as I put away the clean from the day before.

    1. Thank you and what a lovely custom to have a weekly family dinner! I don’t blame you for getting excited for the next table… 🙂

  11. Lory your designs are so beautiful!!! I love every picture you presented! Your work is such an inspiration to me!! Thank you!!

  12. Laura Harrie says:

    Lory,
    What a stunning tabletop you have arranged! Everything is perfect, I would be happy guest at your table!

  13. Lori, your tablescapes are stunning!! Love all your china, flatware, table linens and flowers. Everything is so lovely. I would so enjoy sitting at that table, just admiring everything,

  14. A lovely site and very helpful advice. I love helping people find what they need to set a beautiful table.

  15. Teddee Grace says:

    Absolutely stunning! What a nice change of pace from all the early Christmas. I also collect antique porcelain and think I need to make more of an effort to mix what I have. Thanks for the inspiration.

  16. Cecilia from Georgia says:

    I truly enjoy your tablescapes and so glad someone asked about the silverware because I am always unsettled about where the napkin can go with a ring on it. I’ve put napkins in the goblets but that is silly since we usually want to fill them before sitting down. Good to know!!

    1. Thanks! Yes, I always break the rules in terms of what goes where. I do what looks best to me, regardless of the rules… 😉

  17. Lovely settings Lory! I have a lot of (as in a hutch full!) antique Haviland china collected decades ago and need to start using it. What a coincidence, I have this silverware pattern, First Love! I noticed it in your other recent post and couldn’t help smiling. I polished a few place settings for Christmas and need to use it more. I’ve found that it stay relatively untarnished stored in. A zipped plastic b at. Enjoy your creativity and borrow lots of your ideas! Happy new year

    1. How lovely to hear! It’s so wonderful to use our beautiful things!! I, too, noticed that when used pretty often, I never need to polish the silver… 🙂

  18. Nora Nikkel says:

    I love your comments on French Country Style. I now live in an southern style home which I designed. but will soon be selling and moving. I love France, and have very much enjoyed my travels there. I also have had an antique shop with a tea room for many years, but now it is time for me. In reading about you choices for French Country, I am amazed that I have all the items you have mentioned. I even have the sign “General Store” . Keep up sharing your tastes and design information with us. I am a new subscriber and am happy to have found your site.

  19. Lovely tablescapes! Why can’t I see the source list anymore?

    1. Thank you! And it should definitely be there. I see it at my end. Are you on mobile or desktop? What browser? Please let me know if it still doesn’t come up. Thanks so much!!

  20. Dear Lory,
    I am a true believer about table settings, too. I was born this way.
    I collect china, silver and crystal. I have a question: I don’t own much blue
    china. Is there an occasion when a blue table is preferable over other colors?
    I am very fond of pinks, purples and reds.
    Thank you,
    Jennifer

    1. Hi Jennifer! I think it’s all about personal taste. I do tend to use blue and white for Hanukkah, but if you don’t celebrate Hanukkah, then I’m not sure there are other occasions that specifically call to mind blue and white. It’s just a popular combination that a lot of people enjoy… 🙂

      Best,
      Lory

  21. Thank you, Lory! Yes, I simply forgot. We have hosted Jewish holiday dinners and backgrounded them in blue and white (with platinum and cream china dishes)I’m looking for a good reason to invest in a blue set of china.
    Please keep up this blog. There is still a group of us who adore setting the table even though the younger generation doesn’t think it’s important. As a challenge, I’ve told them (my students) that they can set a beautiful table with melmac or paper plates if they’d try. It makes a meal more festive.

  22. Irene Madrid says:

    Having just remodeled and redecorated my French Normandy home, I added final touches of a variety of mismatched antique plates. I also love my pinks, lavenders but..teal as well;l. I leave a beautifully set table just for fun and decor.