Chinoiserie by Pottery Barn

by Helen Kain | May 1, 2018 | Blue, Green, Pink and Red, Spring Tablescapes

There is something so elegant about chinoiserie whether on a fabric, or in this case, a set of plates by Pottery Barn. The soft shade of rose in the pagoda and on the flowers with the counterpoints of vivid teal on the edging and in the foliage is both soothing and...

Williams Sonoma Asparagus Plates

by Helen Kain | Mar 22, 2018 | Blue, Green, Pink and Red, Spring Tablescapes

Asparagus and artichokes. Pointy, nobbly, sporting a particular shade of green tinged with lavender. That spells spring to me! Leave it to Williams Sonoma to produce a set of salad plates to celebrate the humble asparagus. The design is clean and simple. Each of the...

Bunny Bowls by Fitz & Floyd

by Helen Kain | Mar 15, 2018 | Blue, Easter, Spring Tablescapes, White, Yellow

These little rascals tell an amusing story. Who, me? Yes, you. And your brother, diving into the centre of a bed of flowers. Aaaannd … coming out the other side. Before we bought the Cape House in 2009, Glenn and I used to spend the occasional night at Blantyre,...

Classic Blue & White for a Romantic Table

by Helen Kain | Mar 12, 2018 | Blue, Spring Tablescapes, Summer Tablescapes, White

Classic blue and white. Suitable for any season, it seems particularly appealing in the warmer months. It is because it reminds us of pools of cool water below a soaring blue sky?  This pattern by Royal Doulton (romantically called RD78) reached out to me...

“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...

Highclere Castle Dinner Preparations Update #2

by Helen Kain | Feb 23, 2018 | Antiques, Blue, Cobalt, Winter Tablescapes

I’m off to give a presentation this afternoon (my other life…), but I thought you might like to know how things are shaping up for the Great Dinner tomorrow. We have set out the plates, bowls and glassware in the order in which it will be needed tomorrow,...