by Helen Kain | Jan 3, 2012 | Ballgown, Christmas, Cobalt, Family & Friends, Pink and Red, White, Winter Tablescapes
What better way to ring in the New Year than a lively dinner party for six special friends with whom we share a love of food and travel? For days before the event, humorous e-mails flew back and forth discussing the menu, so the eager participants could budget...
by Helen Kain | Dec 31, 2011 | Antiques, Ballgown, Family & Friends, White
We recently had a small dinner party for close friends whose company we enjoy tremendously.Their interests are so broad and conversation so fascinating that as hostess, I plan the menu to facilitate an extended evening with a minimum of last minute...
by Helen Kain | Dec 5, 2011 | Antiques, Ballgown, Christmas, Cobalt, White, Winter Tablescapes
Setting the table for Christmas dinner is one of my favourite things to do. Some years I have it planned weeks in advance. Other years, inspiration strikes only as I’m dressing the turkey to shove into the oven. Last year was one of the latter...
by Helen Kain | Sep 20, 2011 | Accessories, Antiques, Ballgown, Fall Tablescapes, Green, Thanksgiving
Although The Hunt has largely gone out of fashion, to the relief of foxes everywhere, it has left a legacy of very beautiful fall-themed tableware originally used at Hunt Balls, Hunt Breakfasts, and the like. I found these hand-painted service plates a number of years...
by Helen Kain | Sep 17, 2011 | Ballgown, Desserts, Fall Tablescapes, Green, Soup
When collecting antique tableware, it’s often not possible (or desirable) to purchase an entire dinner service. Instead, by selecting within a given colourway, you can build your own service with a variety of complementary patterns that form a much more varied,...
by Helen Kain | Aug 6, 2011 | Antiques, Ballgown, Blue, Green, Summer Tablescapes
The idea for this tablescape started with the French blue herringbone pattern glasses I spotted at Elise Abrams Antiques on one of my visits. Nearby was the tablecloth with embroidered topiary trees in blue and green, an unusual combination. Elise doesn’t carry...
