blue plate special

20 times blue plates stole the show      

As you may know, I love blue and white plates. They’re my “go to” item when setting a table, so today I’m sharing twenty of my favorite ways to set a table with blue and white dishes, mostly transferware.

You often see me layer plates of different sizes at a place setting, and my preferred way is to highlight a pretty plate right on top.

                     

Typically I use an interesting salad plate and place it on a plain white dinner plate. That way the pretty plate is framed out and sitting right on top where everyone can see it.

When I do change it up a bit, it’s fun to experiment with different blue and white patterns or mix in different colors of transferware.

I also love interesting borders on dinner plates. You can reverse the look with a white salad plate, and frame it out and just show the pretty pattern along the outside edge of the larger plate.

I’m thinking about starting a series of blog posts about using blue and white china with other colors like green, turquoise, yellow, orange or pink, and highlighting a different color combination each week. 

Would you guys be interested in this?

To further accentuate this look, I love using a natural texture as a base for the plates. I have a small collection of round and rectangular raffia placemats that work perfectly with the blue and white.

Wooden charger plates also do the trick and bring the perfect amount of texture to the table.  

We can’t forget about the napkins! Typically, I love a graphic pattern like a stripe or gingham as a juxtaposition to the mostly floral patterns on the plates, but simply textured and luxurious linen napkins are my latest obsession!

Table runners are more versatile than tablecloths, and I love how they let a little bit of the table show through. It’s a great look to add naturally textured placemats or chargers with your choice of fabric for the table.

And of course glassware is the final glistening touch to any table. I just love vintage colored glass, especially the goblet shaped variety. (Stay tuned for a blog post on glassware soon!)

With blue and white on the rest of the table, it’s just so pretty to continue the look with the blue glasses as well, but sometimes it’s fun to change it up a bit!

I love the look of this fuchsia colored orchid with the bright cobalt blue of these vintage plates. This castle adorned plate is the only one I have, but it works flawlessly with lots of other blue and white patterns. 

  

Teeny weeny bread and butter plates also look exquisite stacked on top of the larger plates. Don’t be afraid to layer, layer, layer!

Utensils can be an unassuming accent, or really make a bold statement… it’s up to you!

Blue and white pattern-on–pattern is a fun look. It’s almost like selecting pillows for your couch, haha. See how the stripe in the table runner, the intricate design in the plate and the mini print of the napkin all play off each other?   

These Blue Pheasant plates and napkins designed by Mark D. Sikes totally coordinate for a whole different look. 

It’s always s fun to have a little coastal accent on a table, either with the plates or placemats, or in the centerpiece. 

Blue and white works flawlessly for any holiday or celebration, and it’s simple enough to use in everyday life too.  

I’d love to hear your favorite way to set a table with blue and white plates...

Do you mix it up or do you like everything to match?

ciao! fabiana

personalizing my home for summer

Do you restyle and refresh your home for each season? 

Well, summer’s definitely here, and it’s probably the easiest season to incorporate into our décor. I love to play up the summer motifs in my own home with fun accessories and other things I love. In my foyer, I’ve created a beach-ready coastal look for summer.

Summer hats are on standby with our favorite beach tote and towels. A rustic sea fan mounted on a distressed wood panel plays nicely with our vintage turquoise hall tree, and an inexpensive Jassa seagrass rug from Ikea brings in another natural element, and can be easily changed out in the fall.

In the family room, I updated one small wall with a few of my favorite blue and white plates mounted in a free-form display. Blue and white decor is a one of my favorite ways to brighten up my home for summer. 

The classic combination of white and vibrant blue reminds me of summertime at the Mediterranean and conjures up visions of the iconic white and blue architecture in Santorini, Greece. Nothing says summer like the blue of the ocean, so why not incorporate it where you can? 

I’ve been collecting plates since I was a teenager. I think I have an innate passion for pretty transferware plates and love to use them to set a lovely table or to accent a wall or vignette. Once in a while I do swap out a few so my collection doesn’t get out of hand. The key is to collect what you love. It’s so fun to play with different patterns and tones of blue, especially for a tablescape. 

Collecting plates and dishes is a great start way to start collecting blue and white. You can find them virtually anywhere, from estate sales, to Ebay, to Home Goods, to high-end boutiques and department stores. I'm always on the hunt! 

It's really fun to mix and match elements and create that perfect "summer" look.

For this table setting, the casual stripes and gingham remind me of summer picnics and barbecues. A fun succulent arrangement and seashell accented placemats bring to mind fun times spent at the beach. Remember to decorate with what you love and what makes you smile! 

Blue and white is a tried-and-true combination, and so versatile. It can be styled as super-fancy or casual, and it's really a stunning look all year long!  It’s practically a new neutral, like denim. 

The great thing about blue and white is it pairs beautifully with just about any other color. Sunflowers have just come into season here in Southern California, and pairing them with blue and white is a match made in heaven!

If you’re not sure of your sense of style, it’s ok to copy people you admire. There are also great resources, such as Havenly and their group of interior designers, that can help to find your favorites! A little bit of one or two of your favorite designers combined with a little touch of your favorite blogger, and you’ll come through with your own personal style. Just remember to follow your heart!

ciao! fabiana

💕

While I’m here today, I wanted to share some of my "Tablescaping Essentials" with you. I have a whole page on the Amazon website with my favorite picks for setting a beautiful table.

Quite often time is of the essence, and I have last minute projects or events to work on, so I turn to Amazon for one or two day delivery. You’d be surprised at how many amazing items they have to offer! And I'm constantly updating this page with my new favorites. 

You can check it out here, at “Tablescaping Essentials”.

collecting : blue and white

Blue and white objects 

are one of my weaknesses.

I really love the classic style

they bring to a space and

their sense of familiarity. 

Blue and white pieces are

the chameleons of the design world.

They literally can fit in 

with almost every kind of décor. 

When I’m in an antique shop or thrift store,

I seem to have a sort of

extra sensory perception for anything blue and white 

and zone in on that object!

I love how you can

mix and match patterns and styles.

In my home,

 I have a few key pieces of

blue and white pottery that I love 

and move around from time to time,

when the mood suits me.

They’re so fun to collect too!

I’m especially on the hunt for

state and holiday plates,

when 

I’m out and about.

State plates or souvenir plates 

can tell such a fun story.

And, there are a lot of pretty ones out there!

Our everyday dishes are blue and white,

but over the years, 

I've collected quite a few different sets. 

They're so easy to coordinate 

with each other. 

We also have a pretty set of

blue and white melamine plates for outdoor dining. 

I love how they look with other colors too,

especially aqua.

There’s something about that

vibrant cobalt and white 

combo that really draws me in…

Do you any have favorite

blue and white

pieces in your home?

Fill me in…

I’d love to know!

ciao! fabiana

a vintage-inspired summer tablescape

 

Five easy steps to help you set the perfect summer table        

A pretty berry tart sits upon a pedestal at the center of the table. 
It sets the tone for the patriotic colors of this tablescape
 and offers a preview to the delicious meal awaiting guests.   

Summer is here, so it’s the perfect time to start planning a festive gathering. Forget the paper plates and disposable napkins and go for something more upscale. 

Gather some of your favorite tableware and collected pieces and set a pretty vintage-inspired tablescape for America’s favorite season.  

 A ticking stripe runner sets the groundwork for the rest of the table,
and softens the look of the rustic farmhouse table.

Wouldn’t it be fun to create a classic-inspired red, white and blue table setting that will surely create a memorable celebration for your friends and family?

Mixing and matching your favorite table linens, plates, flatware and glasses are simplified with these five easy to follow steps.  

 Vibrant blue glassware compliments the ticking stripe table runner,
while sweet little chamomile flowers in white
hobnail votive holders add a cheerful splash of color.  

1. Choose your inspiration piece 

An inspiration piece always sets the tone for any gathering. My collection of red and blue transferware plates were my starting point for this tablescape.

Transferware is so easy to mix-and-match since the various patterns coordinate so well with each other.  

To create that perfect red, white and blue look for this table, I used three different sized plates for each place setting and alternated red and blue plates of different sizes for each guest. 

Vintage transferware plates also look amazing when combined with plain white china, so experiment with what you have and create your own unique look! 

My love for blue and white transferware plates is unmistakable, and
I have a few favorites displayed throughout my home on the walls for all to enjoy. 
This type of collection transcends so many different décor styles.

2. Lay your groundwork

 

Tablecloths, runners and placemats lay the groundwork for any pretty table setting. In this instance, I chose a runner with a blue and white ticking pattern. To me, this delicate pattern evokes thoughts of the stripes on the American flag.  

In addition to introducing a subtle pattern, runners are a great way to add interest to the table and soften the look of a wood table. A romantic vibe is instantly set for the table just by adding a pretty fabric. And to finish off the groundwork, I chose simple white time-worn napkins.  

No need for baking! This little store bought tart was simply embellished
 with fresh fruit set in a circular pattern on top. 

3. Bring together the whole look with a centerpiece

 

A centerpiece visually anchors the whole table. Like the cherry on the top of a hot fudge sundae, the middle of the table looks finished when a unique feature is prominently displayed in its center. 

As you can see, something as simple as a pretty berry tart livens up the table and prepares your guests’ palates for the menu you have planned for them. 

This little store-bought tart was simply embellished with fresh fruit on top and will be sure to please your guests. 

Every guest will have their own unique combination of patterns
 to enjoy as the  collection of blue and red transferware plates get mixed and matched
differently at each place setting.  

4. Add natural elements

 

Organic materials such as flowers or fruit are important natural elements for any tablescape. Sweet chamomile flowers are inexpensive and easily found at the grocery store. 

They have the same look as a mini daisy, and when was the last time a daisy didn’t put a smile on your face? These charming little flowers add a bit of whimsy and nostalgia to the table.

  

If you have the resources at home, forage pretty clippings from your own garden. Oftentimes, I go out to my garden and snip branches and seasonal flowers to add to the table.

It’s always surprising to me how just a simple natural element brings the whole table to life.  

An up-close and personal look at all the details of these lovely transferware plates.
By alternating red and blue colored dishes of various sizes,
these plates take on their own patriotic charm.  

5. Incorporate vintage details

 

Vintage details instantly elevate your table into the “Romantic” category. Grandmother’s treasured silverware is happy to make an appearance at the table and quietly recalls festive occasions of days passed. 

Or perhaps you have a favorite collection of vintage vases or glassware you’d love to share with your guests.  

Grandmother’s treasured silver adds a touch of glitz and romance to the table.  

Put together complementary accents for the whole room

   

Remember to let your personality shine through anytime you’re creating a tablescape. 

For the patriotic summer timeframe that begins with Memorial Day and ends with Labor Day, look for other fun ways to add a little red, white and blue interest to your dining area. 

Gathering books from other parts of the house and incorporating them on a sideboard or table is one of my favorite ways to play off the theme of my table setting.  

A lovely pitcher of chamomile flowers is elevated
with a playful accent of red, white and blue books.

Books are an especially easy way to add color and charm to any room. 

A plain corner of my dining nook was in need of some color, so three appropriately colored books came to the rescue while at the same time helping to elevate a lovely pitcher of fresh flowers. 

Just remember to always incorporate things you love and your personal style will shine through. 

ciao! fabiana 

 

 

 

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