We are just on the cusp of summer when cool blue and white reign supreme.
Estelle byHutschenreuther (I always have to look up the spelling of that one) is among my favourite patterns. During our early days vacationing in Cape Cod in the late 1990s, the Tabletop Shop in Lemontree Village (now defunct) had some of it on display. I was smitten but had not yet embarked on the tableware collection path, hard as that is to imagine today. Besides, the van was already packed to the max with four kids in tow. And I do mean to the max. Glenn is a master of packing and has the patience of Job when it comes to getting everything in. But there are limits…
The same shop sold the book At Home with Carolyne Roehm. Intrigued, I purchased a copy and spent the next few days devouring it as my beachside reading.
Estelle was still there when we returned the following year. The china bug had bitten by then, and I was dipping a toe into the water. I started with six place settings, including the soup plates.
Over the years, I’ve added to the pattern; it has the most gorgeously shaped pieces, including fruit bowls, teapot, cream & sugar, and egg cups.
The quail shaped salt & pepper and the candy dish came from the Tabletop Shop. I picked them up on the first foray into Estelle.
The whimsical duck napkins are a recent addition from an Etsy shop.
You may already have guessed that they were an enormous hit with my duck-loving granddaughter, Juliana.
The wine and water goblets are my often-used antique wheel-cut pattern from an unknown manufacturer. They are from Elise Abrams Antiques.
The blue Venetian glass dolphin vases are also from Elise Abrams Antiques.
Endless Summer Hydrangea in a soft pastel mix of blue and pink made charming, softly coloured arrangements for the table.
It never ceases to amaze me how many differently tinted flowers can appear on one plant.
Almost here, summer! I can’t wait.
I hope everyone is having a relaxed Sunday. We are planning a low tide walk in a little while, but unfortunately, it will be without the pups. Marigold got a little too enthusiastic and is currently grounded after a trip to the vet for cleanup and some preventative antibiotics. It’s all healing nicely, and we are pretty confident it won’t leave a scar.
As the saying goes, “it’s all fun and games until someone ends up in a cone”.
She was a bit subdued when first fitted with The Cone of Shame. That lasted about three nanoseconds; she’s now using it confidently to bash her brothers or snowplough her way through any obstacle. A couple more days, and she’ll be back romping on the beach.
It’s always something! 🙂
Beautiful tablescape! The napkins are precious. I need to physically visit Elise Abrams shop. I believe (haven’t done Waze yet) I may be close enough to do a day’s visit. I live in the Albany,NY area. Her website highlights some beautiful china and accoutrements!
Thanks Maureen! Elise Abrams Antiques is a real Aladdin’s cave; you’re in for a treat. Definitely worth the drive.
Love your description of Marigold and the cone…”she’s now using it confidently not bash her brothers or snowplough her way through any obstacles.” Very visual!
The embroidered duck napkins are so sweet and add a perfect whimsical touch to the table setting.
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Wishing you and yours a memorable Summer.
We’re calling June “Junuary”, and May was “Mayvember”. May was cold and blustery. June so far has been warmer, but raining everyday. Anywhere from sprinkles to severe storms. Our flower gardens are almost a month behind. Peonies are just starting to bloom which is so late for here.
It’s been unseasonably cold here, too, Rachelle. We’re all quite tired of it, as I can imagine you are. I can’t recall a chillier spring, at least in recent years. Enjoy your peonies! Such a short season, but what a glorious display while they last.
Beautiful summer table and I especially love that tea pot, creamer and sugar. Very Regal looking! Something the Queen might even use? Glad Marigold is on the mend in her cone. Happy Sunday
Thanks, Maura. It’s been a hoot watching all the tea parties for the Jubilee, hasn’t it? Did you catch the Paddington video? I think it was the best part of the entire show.
Lovely table Helen – what a pretty blue on the dishes and placemat! And the duck napkins and quail S & Ps are so cute, It all really does say summer, doesn’t it? Along with Marigold’s cone of shame lol. Thanks for sharing and hope you are having a great beginning to the summer!
It’s still chilly here, Kim, but that’s extending the peonies a bit, so I’m grateful. Once they’re past their prime, I’m fine with bringing on the heat of summer. I hope all is well with you and yours.
Dear Helen, Notifications of new posts have stopped, so I’ve missed the last two. ?? This pattern is lovely and has a name close to my heart. Endless Summers come in a number of colours–The Bride (huge and white) followed me home this week. But I like the hint of greens and pinks in yours; it sets off the blue-and-white table in a nice way. I always swoon at the sight of those wheel-cut glasses; only your Venetians are more beautiful. Better keep the cone on hand; these two look like boisterous is their middle name! Hope they are mending your hearts.
Hi Beatrice,
I think the issue may be I’m adding some posts to the blog without necessarily sending out an email notification at the time. Instead, I’m trying to summarize with a once a week email, rather than inundating my readers with too-frequent communication. I don’t know about you, but I get very tired of the thrice-weekly notifications that Google seems to demand of its bloggers. Happily, I’m not in a position of trying to make a living from this, so can avoid the dreaded SEO metric demands.
So glad you enjoyed this latest table. The hydrangeas in Canada perform so much differently than the ones in the Cape. In Canada, they’re in the shade, so the colours are more muted. In the Cape, they’re big, bold and colourful.
The cone has now been removed and as you say, stored for the inevitable next time. I’ve been very impressed with the improvement in cone technology! Now there is a velcro strip that is adjusted to fit the canine, rather than the horrible arrow-shaped plastic tabs of yore.
Best,
HK
Hi Helen! Another beautiful table setting! Your accessories are whimsical. It all looks very inviting.
Sorry for your pups issues. Seems like it’s a bump in the road! Hopefully!
Thanks, Barb. Those duck napkins seemed like a keeper.
Marigold is on the mend; cone removed. She is not a whit abashed by her experience but is tackling her brother with vim and vigour. Sigh…
Marigold is adorable and I’m glad to see she’s out of the cone now. I love your blue and white tablescape. It’s very warm (i.e. hot!) down here in Georgia today and I’d gladly send you some of the heat.
Thanks, Joy! I think we’d take some of that heat. It’s still unseasonably cold here.
Marigold sends her regards. She says she’s thrilled to be out of the cone, too. The wound has healed, how we’re just waiting for her fur to grow back where it was shaved.