Lunch in a Tudor Garden

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.

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I'm guessing that the grand majority of us spent at least a modicum of time last week paying attention to all things British, in particular William, Cate, and Baby George. With that in mind, I was contemplating Jolly Olde England as I set about to design my contribution to Cuisine Kathleen's White Challenge for this week's Let's Dish. The image that kept invading my brain was of the formal gardens found in some of the great castles through Great Britain...Blenheim Palace and Hampton Court. They were known as Tudor Gardens, and they were the inspiration for my tablescape this week.

Bringing the outside inside...white with touches of green. I made the green tablecloth. Tip: I think that it's much easier and quicker to sew a fabric cording around the hem of the cloth than to hem a round cloth. Give it a try!

The creamy white matelasse cloth was an inexpensive eBay get. I often like to create a white-on-white color story. It adds movement to an all white table...and interest.

The centerpiece is highlighted by elements that reminded me of shapes that we might find in a formal English garden...

The Rosenthal Sansoucci tureen was reminiscent of lovely marble sculptures. To elevate the tureen, I used the Fenton Silver Crest cake pedestal...I was thinking fountain...or maybe birdbath. Both were eBay acquisitions.

My "go-to" Lenox white urns each held a topiary ball made of dried and lacquered Hypericum berries...both are classic forms suitable for a Tudor garden.

The whitewashed carved finials reminded me of the sculpted evergreen trees found in a formal garden. Of course, come autumn, I'll probably tell you that they look like pinecones. I bought them from a local antiques store. I like the texture and organic feel that they add to the design.

The green glass Bormioli charger plate was bought on clearance at Gordman's. I'm still thanking Alycia of Tablescapes @ Table Twenty-One for telling us about these. Tidbit: Remember to keep Alycia in your heart and prayers as she recovers from a major shoulder surgery. She had her surgery last Friday.

Next...the Maryland China Company Bernadotte charger plate.

To add another small touch of green, I chose the Bernardaud Limoges Artois Green dinner plate...

...topped with the Haviland Ranson, Schleiger #1, luncheon plate. Tip: I adore the Ranson pattern, but I if you happen to contemplate collecting it, I want to warn you that those delicate double-ruffled scallops take a bit of special care when washing. I chipped a few before I figured out a system for cleaning them...and I always make sure that I'm the one to wash them. If they are going to be chipped, I need to be the one who chips them.

White with an accent.

And a crown jewel...the Mottahedeh Musee Decoratif Strawberry pot de creme. I set it on a small unmarked reticulated plate that I picked up at an estate sale...$10.00 for a dozen.

A pair of lovely blossoms for my garden... the Vietri optical acid green goblet was paired with the Rosenthal Iris goblet, one of the patterns from my wedding crystal.

Finishing touches...the green hemstitch napkin was caught in the Coalport Countryware napkin ring. The gold bamboo flatware was a garage sale find....maker and pattern unknown. The butterpat is also Haviland Ranson.