When David and I were newly weds we loved hosting dinner parties, from 22 person sit down dinners in our Manhattan studio apartment a few months after we were married to big Easter feasts for our whole church when we lived in San Francisco. Like many, we stopped entertaining during the pandemic and feel like we’re still getting back in the swing of things, but with a constant flow of house guests this summer we’ve found ourselves putting together many simple summer dinner parties over the past few months.
Nothing makes a simple meal feel special like a beautifully set table, so I wanted to share one of our go-to tablescapes from this summer to inspire your own gatherings. The star of most of our tables is our Royal Copenhagen wedding china, which we’ve enjoyed for almost 10 years and we’ve never had a plate chip! Their blue fluted lace pattern has been in production for over 225 years and is the definition of timeless. If you want to invest, buy it from Selfridges, which offers it at about 30% less than US retailers, then buy in multiple orders each totaling less than $800 so they won’t be taxed with import duties! Selfridges one year flat rate global shipping package is worth it if you’re stocking up. You’re welcome!
I think a lot of what makes a table beautiful are personal pieces with sentimental value. I love settings the table with the celadon chargers we bought in Vietnam on our world trip, salt and pepper shakers I sourced after seeing them at GHT on Lake Como, antique spongewear purchased on a vacation in Maine, and my prized white opaline goblets. Just add a delicious menu and people you love for the perfect evening!
Royal Copenhagen Princess Dinner Plates
Royal Copenhagen Half Lace Salad Plates
Simon Pearce Vintner Red Wine Glass
Cutter Brooks Tablecloth (old, similar here, checked version here, and similar fabric for custom sizes here)
Parterre Napkins ( also available in blue)
Celadon chargers (purchased in Vietnam on our world trip)
Antique Spongewear Pitcher (similar here and here)
Charungi Salt and Pepper Shakers (one secondhand pair here!)
Tory Burch Cabbage Candle Holder
SHOPPING LIST:
Royal Copenhagen Princess Dinner Plates
Royal Copenhagen Half Lace Salad Plates
Simon Pearce Vintner Red Wine Glass
Cutter Brooks Tablecloth (old, similar here, checked version here, and similar fabric for custom sizes here)
Parterre Napkins ( also available in blue)
Celadon chargers (purchased in Vietnam on our world trip)
Antique Spongewear Pitcher (similar here and here)
Charungi Salt and Pepper Shakers (one secondhand pair here!)
Tory Burch Cabbage Candle Holder
This is a gorgeous tablescape, Stacie!