It’s getting on for Valentine’s Day, so I thought I’d share a table all gussied up with pink flowers and a Chocolate Mousse Cake with Raspberries (of course).
Famille Rose (“rose family”) Blue by Williams Sonoma is a modern rendition of a group of traditional Chinese porcelain wares whose opaque overglaze featured shades of carmine and pink. The Chinese called these shades yangcai, or foreign colours, as they were introduced from Europe in about 1685.
The new pink palette edged out Famille Vert (“green family”), whose colour range included yellow, blue, red, purple and green, with green often used as the ground colour. Popular during the Kangxi period (1661-1722) of the Qing dynasty.
Williams Sonoma had already produced Famille Rose Green and I had included the charming Easter-themed appetizer plates in a previous table.
I had been toying with adding the Famille Rose Green dinner plates, but it was no contest when they came out with the blue.
The detail of the pattern is lovely—from the delicate Greek key inner edging to the quilted design of the blue background on the outside of the plate.
There are four different appetizer plates, one of which is a blue version of the pink Easter pattern.
Another features a quilted blue pattern background.
The remaining two are smaller versions of the two salad plates. And there is only one dinner plate in blue; it also comes in pink and green. If anyone is thinking ahead to Easter, the appetizer plates are still available, and Williams Sonoma has added a set of pink and green salad plates this year. Adorable. I like the pattern around the edges, especially.
Having found a variety of roses at Trader Joe’s, I settled on using antique Venetian glass goblets with turquoise rigaree and a variety of blue and green candlesticks from Mrs Alice.
The pink-edged scalloped linens are from Rebecca Udall.
The Chocolate Mousse Cake with Raspberries is from the Entertablement kitchen, a recipe adapted from King Arthur Bakery.
Happy Valentine’s Day in advance!
We have another cause for celebration this week. Marigold and Spencer turn one on February 7. Where did the year go?
They’re a little bigger now! Marigold, quite against all rules, has taken to lying on the furniture in the sunroom. So far, I’ve managed to discourage Spencer from doing the same, but she is one determined little girl. Butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, would it?
Her choice of locale is a bit problematic in more ways than one. First, it’s against the “no dogs on the furniture rule”. Secondly, it’s Dundee’s favourite spot.
He’s a little bigger, too!
Happy Sunday, everyone.
Beautiful plates and cake!
Happy Valentine’s day ❤
Thank you! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours.
All beautiful plates and can’t pick a favorite. That cake looks decadent and I’m sure not high in calories! Is this really Marigold on the chair? My she has grown and can’t believe they will be one year old soon near your birthday and Lauren’s. Happy early birthday to all of you!
Thanks Maura!
Isn’t Marigold getting big? Spencer is much bigger than she is, too. Oy! It was too cold to walk yesterday and they were rarin’ today, believe me!
Marigold looks very regal and has a look of you can’t tell me what to do! Dundee is the spitting image of our late beloved Puff .
Your table, as always, looks fabulous. I love your use of colour and patterns.
Thanks Rachelle. Our pets are all characters – wouldn’t want to be without any of them.
Beautiful table Helen! The Famille Rose Blue is such a lovely mix of pattern and color. The appy plates are adorable. Marigold and Spencer certainly have grown – and Dundee is a sweetie. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods and happy Valentine’s day to you!
Thank you, Kim! All is well here; everyone is thriving. Hope the same is true for you and yours!
The pups have boundless energy, and I’m looking forward to Spencer, particularly, settling into his outsized frame. He’s all gangly legs and uncoordinated movements, still. And he is very strong. Happily, he’s also very sweet-natured and strives to contain his enthusiasm. It’s quite comical.
Dear Helen, Lovely table–sweet but not saccharine, and cooled by all those gorgeous blues. With so many colours, this set could keep you in tables for weeks. I had wondered if you were a Mrs. Alice fan, and I thought my vocabulary was fairly extensive, but I’ve never run into “rigaree” before. So I learned something as well as being glassily enchanted. The pups look healthy and handsome, but those magnificent coats must keep you busy! Happy birthday to you all. Looking forward to making that mousse cake myself…
I think you are missing an “I” just before the 5th snap.
Thanks so much, Beatrice. Error corrected, and I very much appreciate your eagle eye! I’m immersed in writing up all the cathedrals at the moment and making good progress, but it is all-consuming!
We recently added a Roomba to the house, proving a worthy combatant in the fur department. Every morning before we leave on our walk, I pick up all the obstacles to its progress (bones, footstools, dog beds) and set it going. The family room and kitchen will be de-furred by the time we return. It then rests and recharges before doing the bedroom. It doesn’t replace a weekly deep vacuuming, but it sure helps.