French Faience with Don Quixote

by Helen Kain | Apr 4, 2019 | Antiques, Blue, Green, Spring Tablescapes, Vintage china, Vintage glassware, White

The Ingenious Gentleman Sir Quixote of La Mancha is the full title of the Spanish novel by Miguel de Cervantes, but most of us know it simply as Don Quixote, the story of a delusional knight-errant who tilted at windmills. His faithful squire, Sancho Panza,...

Majolica Oyster Plates & Peonies

by Helen Kain | Jun 7, 2018 | Antiques, Grey and Pewter, Pink and Red, Spring Tablescapes, White

Majolica Oyster plates are one of those love ’em or hate ’em tableware items. The typical design incorporates six wells for the oysters and some of them have an additional little round well in the centre, originally for crackers, but we tend to use it for...

Royal Crown Derby Floral Butterfly Plates

by Helen Kain | Apr 19, 2018 | Antiques, Green, Pink and Red, Purple, Spring Tablescapes, Summer Tablescapes

Hello, hello! Sorry for the relative silence over the past few days; I’ve been travelling for business and haven’t had great access to secure wi-fi. Today I want to share a set of Aesthetic Movement dessert plates I picked up a couple of years ago. Soft...

Update on “Come and Dine” at Highclere

by Helen Kain | Mar 16, 2018 | Antiques, Spring Tablescapes

I received a link to Lady Carnarvon’s blog yesterday, giving us an update on how the contest judging is shaping up. They have had some marvellous entries, going by the pictures, and everyone looks to have had a ton of fun putting their dinners together. I...

Our Video for “Come and Dine” at Highclere is here!

by Helen Kain | Feb 28, 2018 | Antiques, Spring Tablescapes, Winter Recipes, Winter Tablescapes

The video is here.  Please enjoy, and let me know what you think. Making the video was a fascinating process. I’m always intrigued with how things work and am often more captivated by the behind-the-scenes operation than the front-stage production....

“Come and Dine” at Highclere Castle – The Dinner!

by Helen Kain | Feb 25, 2018 | Antiques, Ballgown, Cobalt, White, Winter Tablescapes

First of all, thanks everyone for your interest in the event! Your comments were so heartening; I felt like you were right there with me from preparation through to clean up.   Update: Here is the video of the event We had a fabulous time, and judging from the...