Tabletop Royalty

For those wondering what to get the royal couple, Kate and William have asked guests to make donations to selected charities rather than buying them lavish presents. While I applaud that noble gesture, I couldn’t resist making some registry-like tabletop selections for their new home in conjunction with the furniture that is being chosen for our Royal Wedding contest. And where better to find place settings fit for a Princess than my local upscale venue, Hoaglands of Greenwich. Since 1937, Hoaglands has been a singular destination for brides of all ages. Susan Lukralle, the store manager mentioned it is not unusual to have multiple generations of brides who have placed their registries at the store. While bridal registry is a large part of their business, they also offer a wonderful selection of casual tabletop pieces as well as wide variety of decorative home furnishings. The vignettes in the store are always fetching, from traditional to more contemporary. I love that they don’t try to be too uber hip – they know their market and customer base and do a wonderful job filling that niche in a very stylish way.

With the able assistance of bridal consultant Suzi Gerosa, we chose some place settings, based on British brands, that we felt would be appropriate for Kate’s traditional yet modern sensibility. The bride will be receiving, as a gift from Hungary, a set of custom Herend china inspired by the Queen Victoria pattern. Introduced in 1851 at the First World Exhibition in London, the Chinese influenced pattern was purchased by Queen Victoria herself and subsequently named for her. Each plate in Kate’s 5 piece custom place setting will have a different design. Here is the Queen Victoria pattern shown with Chambly‘s Empire silverplate flatware, a Juliska charger, William Yeoward Fanny crystal, a Scottish Lindeen Mills glass, Kim Seybert napkin and Julian Mejia placemat.

We made two selections based on the china of very different but both venerable British manufacturers. Royal Crown Derby can trace its roots back to about 1750 with the present factory dating to 1878. Still privately owned, they produce many iconic patterns distinguished by rich colors and intricate gilding. Blue Aves has always been one of my favorites. Although this timeless pattern now comes in other color ways, the blue and white seemed the perfect combination of fresh and classic.

We paired it here for a casual chic look with a gold trimmed blue charger, also from Royal Crown Derby, Chambly Louis LVI flatware, William Yeoward Celeste glasses, a gold woven mat from Sybaritic, navy lettuce edged Dransfield & Ross napkins with Julian Mejia gold napkin rings. I’m afraid my photograph does not do the lovely assemblage justice.

Just change a few accessories and you have a totally new look. Are you surprised that I chose an orange charger to pair with the blue?

Of course the Blue Aves is also perfectly suited to more formal functions. Add a tablecloth, Splendid stemware from Moser,  and a lovely silk arrangement from Diane James and you could be entertaining heads of state.

Originally designed in 1911, the exquisite Splendid pattern is Moser’s masterpiece. The collection consists of intricate hand crafted cross-cut crystal with wide wide bands of 24 carat gold gilding. Owners have included monarchs around the world including Queen Elizabeth II who received a set from the President of Czechoslovak Republic Edvard Beneš as a wedding present in 1947.

For a more modern British offering we chose William Yeoward’s Giralda. I have lusted after this pattern for years and was thrilled to see how fabulously the orange gold trimmed Avington plates worked with this pattern.

I love the woven leather mats from Deborah Rhodes with the tailored Julia Mejia napkin. The flatware is again from Chambly – this time the Seville Gold and the wonderful tortoise crystal is from Mariposa – although not English, gorgeous nonetheless.

In addition to her beautiful Herend, I think Kate would find tons of way to mix and match these versatile English place settings. I was so pleased Hoaglands had some time to work with me on this mini project. The store is a treasure trove of temptation. Besides their amazing collection of fine china

they have beautiful accessories

gifts

and a full children’s department, with its own registry, carrying sizes from infant through teen, under the able direction of Christine Brennan. Don’t you think your little princess deserves a royal wedding dress?

Perhaps at some point we will see the inside of Kate’s butler’s pantry, but in the meantime, I think these picks from the homeland will stand her in good stead here in the world of virtual reality!!

32 thoughts on “Tabletop Royalty

  1. I can tell you had alot of fun. They’re are so many beautiful goodies in that shop. What a way to spend an afternoon, and then go out for tea and a scone!

  2. I think Kate would be very happy with your choices as they are quintessentially English! What a wonderful store carrying some of my favourite things!

  3. I too love William Yeoward’s Giralda and it looks great with your favorite orange! And, the sweet dress…. oh my, I just love it. ox

  4. It’s obvious you were the venerable “kid in the Candy Store” at Hoaglands. Giralda is beyond perfect…makes me want to pitch my china out the window. It was fun to see how different accessories completely transformed the look and formality of the china. We see examples of this all the time with clothing, but not tabletops. Thanks for the inspiration to change things up!

  5. Hoagland’s is the perfect setting for displaying elegant china! I love what you’ve put together.

    I featured your blog today at stylesson.com.

    And I look forward to seeing who will be the winner of the handbag!

  6. What fun! I like your choice of Giralda, in part because it is both formal and modern, and in part because so many different colors (chargers and napkins) would go well with it. Enjoy the wedding.

  7. love the Blue Aves…I could see a gorgeous setting of blue, white and silver being perfect for the royal couple or even some of us commoners…
    maureen

  8. Thanks for taking us along on your virtual shopping trip. I love your choices. The Blue Aves is especially beautiful. I would love a set myself to blend with my Herend.

    Can’t wait to see the wedding!
    Jeanne

  9. This is such a pretty post! I have long been a fan of Herend, and we actually looked at Moser for our crystal before ultimately selecting a much more contemporary Orrefors pattern. There isn’t a thing here I wouldn’t love to own, but have to say the real “wow factor” came when seeing the Christine Brennan dress. I actually gasped aloud when first seeing the photo.

    Thank you for the lovelies!
    tp

  10. q-
    I would go crazy in this shop! I love china too, and you have made beautiful choices. I love anything Juliska and William Yeoward. Add this beautiful china; wow!
    Hav ea great day, and thanks for sharing. Can’t wait for the wedding.
    Teresa
    xoxo

  11. What a wonderful shop! I could spend the entire day there, I’m sure. People who arrange these beauties in visual-ness are really special & uniquely talented.
    This is just so much fun seeing all the pretties. xx’s

  12. I really heart the William Yeoward Giralda pattern with the orange! Your posts are always full of inspiration and exquisite taste. This one make me want to try my hand at table top!

  13. Every woman should have a Hoaglands. You always feel so confident that you’ve made the right choice. I love all your choices by the way. Queen Victoria is my pattern too!
    Early to bed. Early to rise…. To watch the wedding!
    Best,
    Lisa

  14. Why did you have to show me that William Yeoward pattern????
    Just when I thought my heart had settled on my dream china and I’m in the midst of building a collection…….harumph. Two patterns isn’t terribly indulgent though, is it?

    And the Moser crystal stemware is DIVINE.

  15. OMG this store is amazing as was this entire post. One of your best ever.
    If I had the space to store them, I would never tire of acquiring china. Loved it all! Lynn

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