Tablescape Thursday~Gilded Christmas Tablescape

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday hosted by our lovely hostess Susan, at her blog, "Between Naps on the Porch." This week, I created a "Gilded Christmas Tablescape".

This week, I chose my favorite china, Mikasa French Embassy Red to be the star of my table. As you may recall, I chose this fine bone china some twenty three years ago when I first got married. While other brides were choosing white with silver or platinum edging, I knew when I saw this pattern that this was it. I knew that I would never get tired of red and gold for Christmas. Let's take a look around.

I paired my china with a white tablecloth as a base and then added a sheer embroidered gold topper. I made the matching napkins myself.
I chose the stemware for it's simple elegance. I love the swirl on the stem and love the gold edging at the top. The pattern is Lenox Monroe.

I embellished the napkins with these little gold cherubs. My Christmas tree consists of a musical theme with rich cranberry ribbons with gold music printed on them. The ornaments are some variation of crystal and gold. I have gold cherubs playing musical instruments, gilded mirrors on the tree, some blown glass ornaments as well as various crystal ornaments and some more music themed ornaments. I think the pattern looks very regal here.

I think this tablescape could almost pass for a state dinner. If it did, I am sure they would be serving something like this:

• Mary Randolph's Golden Onion Soup
• Sage-Roasted Goose with Bourbon Gravy
• Braised Red Cabbage
• Apple-Cranberry Compote
• Caraway Buttermilk Biscuits
• Twelfth Night Cake
  

This menu was created by Colonial Homes Magazine (now defunct) many years ago. It was based on recipes that were inspired by the 1824 cookbook, "The Virginia Housewife" by Mrs. Mary Randolph. She was related to both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Her Golden Onion Soup looks amazing. During the holidays, I absolutely love making recipes that have been in the family for generations. I think it's important to document those recipes so they live on. For many years, I took holiday meals for granted. It wasn't until a few years back when Dear Son was hospitalized over Christmas that I realized what a gift it is to spend time with our families sharing a meal. I love this photo of the table.

One of my favorite Christmas photos of Dear Son. What a cute little boy he was! He was trying to pull the lights off of the Christmas tree. He never had much use of his hands so it was always a good thing when something interested him enough to try to use them. I can't tell you how many years I had trees with the bottom lights pulled off.

I got the centerpiece years ago. I love the flame at night through the crackled glass. It's very romantic and I am all about romance. I also love very elegant, over the top rooms.

A view of the Christmas tree before dinner. This year I embellished the tree with white roses as well. The room is really quite glamorous when you are sitting looking at the tree.

A little crystal Christmas tree dish.

Lots of votive candles and tealights in cut crystal tealight holders. They really sparkle with all of the candlelight. I love how the red and gold pop in these photos.

The crystal sconces, the gilded mirror and the cranberry embellished wreath.

The gilded mirror, my absolute favorite possession. Over dinner, I will tell you the story behind the mirror. Some day, I will have a proper place for it. It will be over the fireplace, in a really tall room, filled with crown molding, a large gilded, crystal chandelier and other Louis XV antique furniture, which I absolutely adore.

Another view of the tablescape.

One last shot of my gilded, antique, Louis XV mirror.

I hope you enjoyed my Christmas tablescape. You can view more tablescapes here. It's been a pleasure being part of such a lovely group.

Merry Christmas!