Peony season is just winding up, much to my abject sorrow.  When we left the Cape to return Canada earlier this month, I was still waiting for the much coddled and supported peonies down here to do their thing. Nope.

Happily, Whole Foods had some gorgeous blooms and they made a cheerful display together with a Minton & Boyle dessert set I acquired several years ago when Country Dining Room Antiques was still in operation.

The grey/blue edging is an unusual shade, and it sets off the deep colours of all the floral sprays very nicely. I styled the plates with very simple gold-rimmed dinner plates and gold chargers, both from Pier 1.

Each dessert plate has a different floral centrepiece, nicely depicted in stunning colours.  As always, when I put together this collage, I roll my eyes at how crooked the cutlery looks.  Honestly, you’d think I could get this right, wouldn’t you?

Minton & Boyle footed compote with under plate.

Minton & Boyle Square serving platter

One of four Minton & Boyle oval serving platters

The set comprises eighteen dessert plates, two footed compotes with under plates, four small oval serving platters and one large square platter.  Of the eighteen dessert plates, there are twelve different patterns, and six repeats.

Not all the pieces are marked, and for the longest time I wasn’t sure who the manufacturer was. But a little internet research on “Felspar Porcelain” turned up Spode and Minton & Boyle as likely candidates.  I looked more closely at the mark and sure enough, M&B is displayed just above Felspar Porcelain.

The linens are a tablecloth from Homegoods and napkins from Williams Sonoma, last year.

I used my Venetian gold glasses from Elise Abrams Antiques and pink Hoffman thumbprint glasses from Laurel Leaf Farms to round out the table.

The blue & white open salts were an Etsy find several years ago

So long, peonies. See you next year!

I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.