A Key to the Armoire - A Personal Style Blog by Susana Fernandez

One of my passions in life is to create beauty for the people around me. Setting a table is a simple way to do that every day. I am a firm believer that even the simplest of meals tastes better when it is presented in a beautiful table.

Just like with clothing, a table needs layers and a sense of proportion, and I approach it in the same way. As many of you know, I usually start my outfits with one piece, be it a pair of shoes or a necklace. With a table, I do the same. 

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

For this table, I had a vision of an elegant Thanksgiving picnic in the Scottish Highlands. For many people, Thanksgiving is a more casual affair, but in my house, we are rather formal, so my “picnic” idea, attempted to reconcile our formality with the inherent coziness of the Holiday.

What was the starting element? Aside from knowing I would use a tartan throw as a table cover, I knew I wanted to use lots of gleaming sterling silver, in particular, my vintage Redlich wine glasses with screw-in, needle-etched crystal liners. In the early 1900s, they were meant to be water glasses, since they are the largest of the set, but giving them new life as wine glasses, made them seem more modern now that goblet sizes have increased, and are not as dainty. If you are on the hunt for vintage or antique glassware for your table, you can simply purchase the “water” glass, and use it for wine. It will not look out of place when mixed with more modern (and larger!) glasses.

To keep the proportions in check, and give it a less formal touch, I used an Art Nouveau, sterling silver overlay tumbler, made by Heisey, for the water. These tumblers were commonly used for afternoon lemonade at tea parties, so they would have never made an appearance on a dinner table, but switching its use to adapt it to modern times is what keeps the table fresh. I set them over tiny sterling silver and cut glass coasters and also used the matching pitcher, which I set over a nineteenth century sterling silver overlay trivet. At the other side of the table, I set a crystal and German sterling silver wine decanter over a Whiting, Talisman Rose, cut glass and sterling silver coaster.

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

We always love to drink a sparkling wine with dessert, so champagne flutes or coupes are de rigueur! In this case, I chose my absolute favorites from the late 30s! They are the Frontenac pattern by Libbey-Rock Sharpe.

On to the flatware! For a modern look, I mixed three sets: an American, turn of the century, mother-of-pearl handle and sterling silver ferrules, fruit or dessert set by 1847 Rogers Bros.; a Sheffield sterling silver overlay knife set; and the ever-popular 1940s Grande Baroque pattern by Wallace Silversmiths, which has been my family’s pattern since forever.

The sterling silver chargers and bread plates are a set from the 1900s and are by R.W. Wallace & Sons. The sterling silver bouillon cups are by Frank M. Whiting and have porcelain liners by Lenox. I set them over Wallace Rose Point salvers. Instead of bouillon, I served a small portion of cream soup in them. Again, don’t be afraid of giving old pieces new uses!

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

The dinner plates are Spode Delamere in brown, which I think is a very versatile pattern to mix with other patterns and styles. The porte-couteaux or knife rests are French cut crystal from the nineteenth century. The Point de Venise or Venetian Needle Lace placemats have been in my family forever, and I paired them with Madeira embroidery orphan napkins. I chose them because if you notice carefully, the peony design matches that of the Delamere border. 

The centerpiece is what gave the name to the table! Because it was Thanksgiving, I had to add some pumpkins, don’t you think? Therefore, I gathered my glass-blown pumpkins and arranged them over, and around, a brass antler base, and added faux hypericum berries and real magnolia leaves that I plucked from the parking lot of the local Aldi. I asked first, of course!

With so much silver, I needed to—at least—add a bit of gold to match the rim of the Lenox liners, so instead of sterling candelabra or candlesticks, I used brass candlesticks with candle chasers or followers holding the vintage, green glass shades. I used the sterling silver candlesticks as tazzas or compotes. I LOVE how in the 40s designers made pieces that could be used for different purposes, so these sterling silver candlesticks can be made higher or lower, and multiple glass inserts turn them into tazzas or compotes. They are the “Lego” of hollowware, and are a great way to add heights to a centerpiece. 

If you have made it this far, I have to tell you that I tried to find many of the same or similar pieces on Ebay and Etsy for you! You could also shop at Replacements, LTD, but their prices tend to be a bit higher.

Because of the tartan, I feel that this table could work well for Christmas. You simply could change the pumpkins for glass ornaments or pinecones and you would be set! I certainly hope to have inspired you to create your own beautiful table this Holiday season!

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

Susana Fernandez | A Key to the Armoire

You also can shop same (or very similar pieces!) at a variety of price points by clicking on the links next to each item! When you do, I receive a small commission for helping you shop.

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH! Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest

Previous Post
Next Post
Don't miss the latest news about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle from "A Key to the Armoire"! Subscribe to get them directly to your inbox!
Verified by ExactMetrics