It’s still high summer, so time to let the blue hydrangea take a bow.
I gathered the somewhat electric blue optic stemware to share the stage. Included are the large water, the smaller wine and the tall, thin cordial goblets. Might as well let them all enjoy an outing.
Modern Hartley Greens shell edge soup bowls sit atop vintage Jewel creamware dinner plates by Spode.
Also enjoying an airing is the embroidered tablecloth and napkins I picked up from Elise Abrams Antiques many years ago. I was tickled by the combination of blue and green in the embroidery.
They came home at the same time as the optic blue glasses.
The linens are actually linen, so crumple quite easily, no matter how carefully one plies the iron. In the old days, one might have had “people” to help wrestle the thing to the table without incident, but it was just us chickens on the day I set this table, so a couple of wrinkles ensued.
I had Tigger to help out, but as you can see, he was lying down on the job.
Oh! Sorry, Mum. Did you need my help? More on Tigger in a minute, I’m afraid.
The clear blues popped against the creamy white background of the tablecloth.
The napkins have a crenellated edge, just like a castle wall, and coordinate well with the blue edging on the soup bowls. The soup bowls are from Hartley Greens in Leeds, Yorkshire, UK. They’ve been discontinued, unfortunately, but you can sometimes find stock kicking around on eBay or on one of the tourist sites. It’s also called “Leedsware”. making reference to the city from which it hails.
The corners of the tablecloth have big, puffy renditions of the topiary trees.
A pair of birds from Pier 1 this year snuggles in a little wire nest.
A sunny summer table in clear blues and greens.
Now for some sad news about Tigger. I’ve been delaying and delaying sharing it, as it makes it all too real. After eighteen years of faithful assistance, Tigger has passed on, and I miss him more than I can say. His lounge lizard tendencies were always at the forefront. We used to joke that he channelled Frank Sinatra; we could just see him in an iridescent suit, cigarette in paw, oozing over a piano in a dive bar.
His unending mooching; never did we have a meal without Tigger looming.
From the minute he arrived as a kitten, he was incredibly special. He would snuggle up for a nap, always confident of his welcome.
And I will always remember him thusly, peeking around the corner of our dining room in the Cape “Are you bringing some new food soon?
Thanks for everything, Tigger. You are very, very much missed. Much loved, you will always live on in our hearts.
I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.
Sorry for your loss.
Thanks Deanna. He was a real character and leaves a big hole.
I’m so sorry to hear about Tigger. They have a special place in our homes and in our hearts. After a year and a half I still miss our cat terribly.
It’s just not the same, is it? They play such a big role in our lives.
Lovely table enveloped in blue and blue. Tiger was always there waiting for left overs when we were at your house for dinner. Very special character. We’ll miss him
If only he had waited for the leftovers, rather than demanding his own meal from the outset! So glad you liked the table, Maura. See you soon.
So sad to hear about your loss of Tigger. Those sweet creatures have such a way of weaving themselves into the very fabric of our lives. I am a great fan of this lovely tablescape. It certainly made for a dreamy summer’s evefor your guests. Hartley Grees Leeds is one of my favorites. Thank you for sharing a peek with us. CherryKay
Thanks so much, Cherry Kay. I miss Tigger more than I can say. It’s one of the sad facts of life about owning pets: we outlive them! He had an extraordinarily long and lovely life, but it’s still an awful wrench.
Glad you liked the table! And thanks again for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate it very much.
Lovely table. LOVE that shade of blue and it looks awesome.
Beautiful job well done.
Sorry about your sweet kitty passing. Many memories made and many will come to mind as time passes. Pets can be precious.
Blessings,
d
Thanks De. It’s a bit of a weird shade of blue. The linens can take it, but the glasses often overpower the table. I was happy to use them in this setting. Thanks for your kind remarks about Tigger. He will live on in photos and memories, character that he was!
This is such a heavenly colour…pun intended. With this wretched heat, it’s cooling just to look at it. I wish I could find glasses like that. Do you know what they are? I’m not usually a fan of matchy linens, but this set is an exception; so crisp. Tigger looks like he had a good innings, RIP old fellow.
Hi Beatrice. The glasses are “optic” which I believe refers to the diamond pattern. That’s all I know about them, other than they’re that strange shade of electric blue. I can make further enquiries through Elise if you’d like more history. She’s always happy to help.
Helen, I think finally found them…at least the tall water goblet, 11 oz, 9″ tall, coloured wafer stem and foot. Diamond optic manufactured by Fry in PA in the 20s-30s The wine glass is even nicer, though. I can’t find any for sale *anywhere*. Booo hooo!
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/diamond-optic-fry-blue-11-oz-water-66313985
Those certainly look like the same glasses, and they’re the right era. Ok, so Fry is the producer. I’ll keep my eyes peeled and let you know if I come across any.
Sorry for your loss of Tigger. He seems like he had enough personality for 10 cats!
We have a 20 year old, 18 year old, 17 year old and 10 year old cat. We have to give IV saline to the oldest one (kidneys failing) and twice daily insulin shots to the diabetic 17 year old. The other two are perfectly healthy. All of them were rescue/shelter kittens. We love them all, and will take care of their special needs as long as they are not suffering, in pain.
Beautiful table! Peace be with you.
Thanks Elena! Sounds like you know the story with geriatric cats. We love them and do all kinds of things to ensure their comfort, from saline infusions to insulin injections to staying up late to ensure their safe return to the house. They give so much more than they take, though. Thank you so much.
Beautiful table, love the linens especially. So sorry to hear about Tigger. Cats have always been my choice for pets and even though they can live for twenty or so years, it is never easy to let one go. He does look like he has had a great life. What more can any of us ask?
Thanks, Darlene. That tablecloth with matching napkins is one of the very few I have in that genre, but I loved its cheerful informality, while still being elegant
I also very much appreciate your kind words about Tigger. He did indeed have the life of Riley!
Oh, I love this table! The blue of the hydrangeas is my favorite color, and the glassware and table linens are just perfect with them. I’m so sorry to read about the loss of your dear Tigger. Our pets do take hold of our hearts, don’t they?
Thanks, Joy! I love that shade of blue, also. It’s such a cheerful colour, isn’t it? And thanks for your kind words about Tigger. He was the best.