Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Lovely Afternoon Tea~Tablescape Thursday



Some days, you need to take a few minutes, pour yourself a cup of tea and let the sun shine in. For an "Afternoon Tea", I am going to use one of my favorite teapots. I started collecting teapots in 2006 after going to a teapot show in Chicago. I was so enamored with them, that I thought I would start a collection. After all, every good home needs a collection of something.
This teapot is very special to me. I found it in the gift shop at Big Academic Medical Center in 2006. My Dear Son was hospitalized and on a ventilator with a MRSA pneumonia and nearly died. He was hospitalized for over three weeks and vented most of the time. He came home for a week and was re-admitted but I'll never forget it. I was very fortunate to have some wonderful people who saved my Dear Son's life and allowed me to see him grow up.


I always stay with my Dear Son when he is in the hospital or when he goes anywhere. He is on multiple medications several times a day and requires total care. When he was on the mend, I went into the gift shop and saw this lovely teapot. I purchased the teapot, cup, saucer and biscuit holder.

Here is a closer picture.


I decided to use this ornate mirror, that normally hangs in my foyer, as a beautiful tray. The detailing is not only feminine but pretty. The mirror reflects all of the light coming in through the window. Using the mirror as a tray is a great way to add a little drama to an ordinary day. It's also a wonderful way to make things more special, if you are having a guest over.

Another view of the tray and the linen monogrammed napkin.

Here is a close up of the tray.


The faux bearskin rug adds some luxury to the tablescape. You can see the biscuit holder next to the tray. Does anyone really store biscuits in there? I store my iPod accessories in there for my workouts.

I love the way the light filters in on the crystal lamp. I originally saw a crystal lamp in a magazine and cut out the page and put it in my home file. The one I saw was an antiqued brass and fluted crystal floor lamp with a solid crystal base; it was made by Decorative Crafts. When my sister died, I found this lamp in her apartment, hidden away. It was nearly identical to the one I had saved in my home file. The only difference was that it had a long, tall shade and the base was giltwood, not crystal. I have since replaced the shade and at some point will probably have a custom silk shade made for it. What a nice find and a nice memory of my sister. Also, if you look closely, you'll see some black and white fur behind the floor lamp~that's my cat lying in the sunshine.

A larger view of my living room.


In this last photo, you can see the botanical print on the wall; it is one of a pair. I purchased the teapot because it matched my prints. My two favorite things in the world are flowers and children. Nearly every print in my home is of flowers, with one exception, the print over my bed. I started collecting botanical prints many years ago for my birthday.

I hope you have enjoyed my "Afternoon Tea" tablescape. Perhaps you can join me next time. In the meantime, be sure to check out other lovely tablescapes here at Susan's blog, "Between Naps on the Porch".
Note: I work part time as a Home Stager and Professional Organizer. I run a business called, "Dream Organizers"; my motto is, "Keep it simple. Get organized. Make it beautiful".

25 comments:

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

Very nice - gotta love monogrammed napkins. Happy tea!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Really beautiful, I love the teapot, they are wonderful to collect. Pretty living room too, Cindy

Stacey said...

What a pretty idea. I love the mirror underneath everything.

Anonymous said...

Oh, you've set a gorgeous tea tray, well, uh, mirror! :) I know you do have memories flooding back to you every time you use your pretty tea set!
Be a sweetie,
shelia ;)

Joyce said...

Pretty and creative!
Joyce

Unknown said...

I love the teapot tablescape. The teapot is so sweet, I love the handle. I like how you used that beautiful mirror as a tray. It looks wonderful! I love monograms, they are really back in style this year.

Michelle said...

Darling tea set and so cool that you purchased it because it matched your print!!!

Your house is so clean...by comparison mine is a total mess.

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Hi, I will be right over! This is lovely and I love afternoon tea!
Blessings,
Debbie

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

Simply lovely! I love your "tray."
The teapot is gorgous. Thanks so much for sharing this special tea.
Blessings, Barb

susan said...

What a great idea to use the mirror as a tray. I would love to collect teapots but just don't have the place to display them. Hope you'll show us more!

ellen b said...

I really do like how you used this framed mirror for your tea scape! Great idea! Happy Tablescaping...

Martha said...

Nothing like pampering yourself for tea! Love the teapot -- it's a very pretty one!

Scribbler said...

Sweet story and pretty tea tray.

Scribbler

Unknown said...

I did enjoy your afternoon tea, thank you very much for inviting me!
~Really Rainey~

Chandy said...

Great tea and teapot! I love the colors on it and the mirror is a great touch!

Happy Thursday!

Mary said...

That pretty teapot is certainly the star of a very elegant tea tray! Love your monogrammed napkins. :)

Bridget said...

How elegant! I feel like an honored guest!

Diana LaMarre said...

Beautiful setting for an afternoon tea. Your special teapot is lovely.

Fifi Flowers said...

Your tea set up is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Blondie's Journal said...

Your tea setting is just so pretty, and it helps that it is in your beautiful living room! The use of the mirror really inspires me. I'm sorry you purchased such a lovely tea set under sad and nerve wracking circumstances, but all is better now, I hope.

Thanks so much for sharing this and have a great day! :-D

xoxo
Jane

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Your afternoon tea tablescape was just lovely. I love that you store your Ipod accessories in the biscuit jar. Too funny!

imjacobsmom said...

Boy, I bet that was a scary time for you and your son. I'm glad to hear that he is doing fine. Your lucky to have such a nice momento from that time and you have it presented so lovely. I bet that each time you use it you feel the "love" that you have for your son. ~ Robyn

Terri said...

Looking at your lovely and peaceful room and envisioning that cup of tea (in silence or with light music in the background) is a retreat in itself. Lovely.

Robin said...

A lovely tea set, and so the mirror.

Happy May Day....hope your day has been beautiful.

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

A lovely tea tablescape! I'm a tea time lover and enjoyed seeing all this! I'm so thankful your son is doing well now.

Katherine

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