Thanksgiving at the Junction

Sunday, January 16, 2011

The Blue Willow Luncheon

Welcome!
Today marks a special occasion today for me.
I actually won a wonderful Giveaway drawing in celebration of the 200th Tablescape by The Quintessential Magpie!! I am one of those people who never win anything, so this was such a wonderful surprise. Thank you Sheila! 
I always find her posts to be fun and entertaining in addition to being beautiful - her personality just seems to jump off the screen.
I can't wait to share my prize with you!
And well, like the rest of the country I am also up to my ears in snow. I actually heard that there is snow on a mountain in Hawaii! Is there any better time to hunker down and do a tried and true, traditional tablescape? Is there any pattern more recognizable than Blue Willow? 
I consider this post my blogging rite of passage.
I have seen so many amazing posts featuring this china, so the task of putting together something that was at once original, reverent to the history, but also current and functional was somewhat daunting. However, I felt the need to include this setting in my catalog of tablescape posts.
I hope you like it!


The Blue Willow Luncheon


My collection of Blue Willow began over two decades ago
while I was living in Connecticut


The collection was readily available and was well suited
as a companion to my Colonial decor.
How else would you decorate an old
 center hall colonial home
in Connecticut?


Like any other avid collector,
I bought as much as I could find


One of the serving pieces in the collection

The butter dish -
so much detail on this one little piece


When I purchased this set of 12 settings complete
 I never paired it with anything but
Blue Willow - as you can see here -
I got a little carried away!


Under the Blue Willow cereal bowl
 which I used here instead of the soup bowls,
and the bread plate
is a white Mikasa stoneware called
English Counrtyside.
I thought the pairing was an appropriate one with the
English Staffordshire Blue Willow


The Dinner plate is shown here sitting
atop my favorite Home Essentials
Madison Collection Charger


The entire stack rests upon
 this really huge charger
 I just found this year in
HomeGoods



Edge view of the entire stack


I have to mention the little Pagoda Centerpiece
I just knew when I saw it, that it would be
 the perfect accent to this tablescape
What do you think?
The crystal pineapple was a gift from my first born
and its' symbolism in colonial times meant
'Welcome'



I recall that this was a very
inexpensive find that I just had to have.
Maybe next time I'll include some flowers in the little windows.


I included my Oneida silver plate for a
touch of formality
and a simply folded
napkin sans ring


Here is a better pic of the wine and water glasses
 purchased when I fell in love with
the Blue Willow so long ago


As always I try to include the buffet
in my settings


All ready for coffee and dessert!


The soup tureen featured here is obviously not
part of the Blue Willow Collection
however, it was blue and white and
has a plug in cord that keeps the
soup piping hot!
The little candle was from Bombay Co.
which we all miss dearly!


One last view


Okay, maybe one more -
I loved doing this table!

Thanks for visiting The Junction this week!
I am linking to
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
Happy to Design for Sunday Favorites 
and
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch
Please stop by to see other beautiful tablescapes and creative ideas
 by clicking on the links to the right
Have a wonderful day!




23 comments:

  1. I can never tire of the beautiful Blue Willow, and your display looks very fresh. You have some nice pieces and I particularly like the pagoda centerpiece. I am forwarding this to my daughter who has her great-grandmother's blue willow set. She also will enjoy your tablescape.

    Pat

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  2. One of my favorite patterns...your table is breathtaking for me.

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  3. What a stunning table and awesome collection of Blue Willow. I love how you mixed the white in with it. Congrats on your win!
    Cindy

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  4. OMGoodness,
    your tablescape and Blue Willow Collection is absolutely stunning !
    Thank you for sharing

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  5. I love blue and white, and consequently, I adore Blue Willow! This is just stunning, and that pagoda centerpiece is the crown jewel. Perfect for Tablescape Thursday.

    Speaking of tablescapes and china, I am going to need to get an address where I can send your china, and we need to talk so you can tell me whether you want the ramekins or the place setting. More on that when we discuss. In the interim, I am unable to click on your email address and email you because some thingamabob was never installed correctly on this computer, and Mr. Magpie isn't home with his. So if you don't mind, please go to my profile page, click on my email address there, and email me. I'm so happy for you that you won!

    Thanks...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  6. Hello...

    Ohhh my goodness...your Blue Willow table is absolutely gorgeous!!! I loved each and every little detail! Love, love, LOVE how you layered all the beautiful plates in your place settings! I have admired the Blue Willow pattern for some time now...you have a lovely collection of it! Ohh...and I also really like the Mikasa English Countryside pattern. In fact, I have considered purchasing a set. Your table linens, silver, and centerpiece is exquisite! Love the blue and white pagoda...it is the perfect centerpiece for your Blue Willow luncheon table!!! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely table with us for the Sunday Favorites repost party...this was such a treat!

    Also, congratulations on your win for Sheila's giveway! I'm sooo happy for you, my friend!

    Warmest winter wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  7. OMG this is GORGEOUS!!!!! I love blue and white. It's all over my home and you have done a FABULOUS job. I LOVE how you layered. It's not over the top, it's PERFECT. The white set has enough detail and the chargers are AMAZING. Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing your gorgeous tablescape to Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  8. This is beautiful -- I love your Pagoda. My mother had Blue Willow -- I believe my sister must have gotten it -- brings back happy memories of my childhood dinners.

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  9. Howdy
    Congratulations on your win :)
    Thank you for sharing this amazing Blue Willow collection . Blue and White are some of my favorite colors together .
    Your tablescape is simply drop dead gorgeous !
    Thank you for the eye candy today .
    Happy hugs coming your way
    Until next time
    Happy Trails

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  10. I was so happy when I saw over at S's that you won!
    I love this table. I do not not have much of Blue Willow, just a few place settings. I would love to collect more.
    You have set a beautiful table, just stunning!

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  11. JUST BEAUTIFUL!!! Blue Willow is a favorite pattern of mine. My mom has a wonderful set which I can't wait to play with some day. Yours is lovely, and I think the use of the English Countryside plate with it makes it yet more so.

    Love the pagoda too!

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  12. This is a beautiful tablescape ... love Blue Willow and I think your "stacks" are fantastic! Love the combination. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. I'm back to admire your tablescape again! And I want to thank you so much for your sweet words! This tablescape is superb, and the layering just makes it. Love it SO much, and I want that pagoda! Lovely!

    If you get a chance, please email me at my blog. We need to figure out whether you want the place setting or the ramekins, and I need to get a mailing address where I can send the china. Thanks so much!

    Happy Tablescape Thursday to you...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  14. First of all, Congratulations on winning the china from Shelia! Lucky-Dog! LOL

    This tablescape is just perfect in every single aspect. I only have a tea set & a few additional pieces but have wanted to "do" a blue willow table for a long time. Yours is just beautiful!!! GORGEOUS accessories, too! ♥ that pineapple!

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  15. LOVE LOVE LOVE your table! I don't know why I don't own any blue willow because I am always so drawn to it! Your pieces are just beautiful!

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  16. Well you had my attention the second I started to scroll down and caught a glimpse of the blue and white. I'm such a sucker for all of it. Your table looks beautiful, thanks so much for sharing. Oh.....and congratulations on your win!

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  17. What a beautiful table you've set with your wonderful collection of Blue Willow! I also love the pagoda and the blue candles you've included. Stacking the Blue Willow with English Countryside was a gorgeous idea!

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  18. Hi lovely lady.
    I love your Blue Willow collection and your Tablescape is Beautiful !! I also have this English china,, I put a Tablescape on three weeks ago with Blue Willow you need to come see. Im all ways looking on Ebay to add to my collection!!! Im one of your newest folllowers on your Blog. I hope you have a Great Day ~~~

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  19. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!! Connecticut has a way of enticing one into the Blue Willow, doesn't it? Hooray! It's such a classic, pretty look that pretty much everyone can relate to. I love it! The pagoda is SO great, and the crystal pineapples...wow!!! Beautiful!!! That's a table I would want to keep up forever! Enjoy your weekend!

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  20. What a breathtakingly beautiful table. Love all the blue, but adore those countryside scalloped plates they are so very pretty. and look great with the blue willow. Everything is gorgeous, enjoyed seeing it very much,
    Blessings, Nellie

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  21. I love this whole setup. My mom had just a few blue willow plats in her mismatched dishes, and those were always my favorite. I loved the detail in the design and that it seemed to tell a story, with the pagoda and fishermen and people on bridges. One of these days I will have my own set, for now I'll just sigh over yours.

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  22. Going right along with my complete passion for blue and white...this tablescape is perfection in my eyes! The pagoda, or something like it, is now on my search list! Wonderful! Thank you for sharing your beautiful design and for stopping by my post. Cherry Kay

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