From 2013 to 2016, Williams Sonoma gave us this classic combination of rich red berries and winter greenery, Botanical Wreath.
I must have been asleep at the switch because it completely passed me by at the time. But when a couple of plates in the pattern swam into view last year on eBay, I began to search it out in earnest. I registered a search for Botanical Wreath salad and dinner plates and waited to see what turned up. First, dribs and drabs of one or two plates appeared, but finally, I could snag a dozen salad plates and eleven dinner plates from a couple of sellers. Bingo.
All the plates are touched with a subtle old gold rim, providing a visual container for the exuberant flora.
Glenn’s birthday is in early November, but we were still in Cape Cod. So by the time the family got together to celebrate, it was well into the “Christmas china zone”. Himself is the most tolerant of spouses—his only concern was what was being served for dinner—prime rib with Yorkshire puddings. So a Christmas table was just fine with him.
I’ve had these little houses for years; you’d think they’d been designed with this pattern in mind.
I have five green cut glass open salts, picked up on Chirp years ago.
The botanical napkin rings are from Pier 1 and hold burgundy “faux silk” (read polyester) napkins I had made by Chintz & Co. in Vancouver more than a decade ago. They wash like a dream and have adorned many a holiday table.
Two branch and berry garlands from Etsy twined their way down a cream linen runner from Pottery Barn. The runner is exceptionally wide – at least 18″. It miraculously survived dinner with four children under eleven, at which lashings of gravy was served, cascading over Yorkshire puddings. I was amazed to find nary a spot on the runner the following day. My mother would be proud!
For dessert, Glenn requested Carrot Cake. Perfect. The cream cheese frosting is a lovely blank canvas. I dug around a bit on Pinterest and came up with garnishes to complement the table.
The dried orange slices are a snap to make—sliced thinly with a mandoline and patted dry with paper towels; they take about two hours to dry in a 250°F oven. Simples.
We are two weeks from Christmas. It snowed here overnight, so we have a few inches on the ground, and the trees have a beautiful dusting of snow—not so thick as to weigh down the boughs but enough to coat them in a magical white powder. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
This afternoon, all the girls are heading to see A Christmas Carol at the local theatre, and we have Beef Stew Braised with Guinness ready for dinner afterwards. When preparing the stew this time, I decided to omit the potatoes and serve mashed potatoes and steamed Brussels sprouts on the side. If I have time today, I’ll make a Doughnut Hole Croquembouche for dessert (stay tuned). If not, it’ll be two-bite brownies from the grocery store. 🙂
One more look a the table.
Have a great day, all.
Although we are basking in the 80 degree sunshine, this beautiful table setting made me realize that Christmas is only 2 weeks away. The dishes are almost too pretty to cover up with food but I’m sure anything you put on them will have pride of place. Carrot cake is one of my favorites and Hard to get in St Lucia! We’ll look forward to seeing you after Christmas. Happy holidays
Hey Maura,
I hope you guys are continuing to enjoy the warm weather. It’ll be quite a shock to get back to frigid temperatures in the NorthEast, but Christmas beckons! Like you, I can’t believe it’s only two weeks away. Yikes! See you guys soon.
What a beautiful table! I love the dishes and don’t remember ever seeing them at Williams Sonoma. The carrot cake sounds delicious and looks SO festive. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi Lauren,
Glad it’s not just me. I don’t remember seeing them at all at W/S, either.
Hope your holiday preparations are going smoothly. Thanks for stopping by!
Helen
Dear Helen, What a lovely pattern…I must have been sleeping too, as I’ve never seen it. It’s one of those patterns that cries out for using both salad and dinner plates–they compliment each other in a way that mix-and-match wouldn’t. The wine glasses are to die…what are they? I’ll set my table with a red/green/white colour scheme, with 1947 Walter Duff Fondeville Yule plates and red cut-glass tumblers repurposed as candleholders. Cornell’s Merry Black tablecloth makes a gorgeous statement underneath, and my old Rogaska Gallia glasses provide sparkle, along with Shannon crystal lotuses and a Revere bowl of white roses. We’ve had our first snow here also, along with bitter cold -11C and blazing sun. The blackbirds are still gorging on berries; more snow expected this week. I think I’ll try a mini version of your cheesecake, but with lingonberries subbed for cranberries. Thanks for the ideas!
Hi Beatrice,
It seems none of us saw this pattern when it came out! And I’m with you – both the salad and dinner plates are acquisition worthy. I love both.
The glasses are Belle Epoque by Nachtmann. They’re really delicate but surprisingly durable. I’ve had them for a decade or more and used them in a couple of tables before. This one has the red wine and water glasses. (re: Managing the Overblown Ego of the Parrot Tulip
There is also a tulip-shaped white wine glass that we use a lot—it came in both a conventional size and a port size.
I just searched for the 1947 Walter Duff Fondeville Yule plates – what a jolly, happy pattern! I can quite see how it would absolutely shine on April Cornell’s Merry Black tablecloth. The Rogaska Gallia glasses remind me very much of my wheel-cut antique glasses, with beautiful etched and cut detailing. They will be the perfect finishing touch. Please send pics of your table when it’s done. Such inspiration.
When I had the grandgirls last weekend, we borrowed an idea from Home is Where the Boat is and each of them coated a plain wooden birdhouse with edible “glue” and birdseed. The girls took their creations home and put them outside in their backyards. The squirrels (if not the birds) had a field day; the family was startled to discover one of the houses missing entirely the next morning. Did the squirrels carry it off? Something did…
Stunning table setting. The plates are gorgeous and perfect for a wintry, Christmasy meal.
Wishing you and yours the Happiest of Holidays and the Merriest of Christmases.
Hi Rachel,
Thank you so much! Sorry for the delay in responding. Mary has been busy moving the site to another host, so a lot has been going on at the back end for the last few days. 🙂
All the best to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas!
Helen, your table is beautiful! I saw this on my phone but knew it wouldn’t do the pictures justice. The WS pattern is so pretty – its not one that I’ve seen before either. The green lanterns are perfect and the little bird houses are so pretty! I hope Glenn had a lovely birthday and wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas!
Hi Kim,
Thank you very much for your kind comments. I apologize for the delay in getting back to you – we’ve been migrating Entertablement to another hosting site, which hindered making any changes (including responding to comments) while in progress.
Wishing you and yours all the best for the loveliest of Christmases and the happiest of New Years.