A Softer Side of St. Patrick


I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but here in East Tennessee we’re having Spring-like days … and I’m loving it!  Renaissance Man’s tulips are just beginning to bloom, and I cut the first ones today.  They were just what was needed while playing in the dishes!

Several months ago, I found three of these sweet plates in the bottom of an auction box.  Has anyone ever seen this pattern?  I guess you can see why I’ve been saving them until now …

Update:  A big thank you to Cherry Kay at Entertaining Women who identified this pattern as Haviland Schleiger 113A. Its makers mark signifies it was made from approximately 1895 to 1931.

The backstamp says they were made by Haviland France for Chas. C. Cullen & Co. Inc. in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Cullen … Now there’s an Irish name for you.  A quick internet search confirmed that Chas. C. Cullen & Co. was a downtown Knoxville business specializing in importing, wholesaling, and retailing high-quality merchandise at least as early as 1905 and as late as 1926.

Rather than setting a table for us during this crazy-busy week, I just pulled out some pretties that I would use IF I were setting a St. Patrick’s Day table today.  Although I do have some of the Irish in me, I don’t do a lot of “wearin’ o’ the green” when it comes to my wardrobe.  Perhaps that’s why I also don’t have a lot of green vintage linens … but I do have a few.  The pale green silk square with fringe isn’t in great condition, but it’s far too pretty to get rid of.  You’ve never seen it before.  The unusually pale color palette is beginning to grow on me …
Click any picture to enlarge.


What do you think of using pale green in a St. Patrick’s Day tablescape? Does it work for you, or do you prefer the “typical” darker green?
 

I hope you all have a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day weekend … and may the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty!


I’m joining the 4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Blog Crawl at Cuisine Kathleen … and partying at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday … and joining Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound (where it’s all pink AND GREEN this week) … and playing on Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper.
 

Comments

  1. Oh my goodness, Susan! These dishes are stunning. I like what you did with your post today, and the soft green is such a refreshing, lovely change from all of the demented looking leprechauns on dark green that I’m seeing everywhere.
    Linda

  2. I love it, pale green is lovely! Come link up to the St. Patrick’s Day Blog Crawl.

  3. Simply breathtaking, I absolutely adore this. Thanks for sharing!!

    • Those dishes are splendid finds, oh I just adore them. Your linens are beautiful, they look like something Rachel Ashwell would decorate with.
      Enjoy your week.
      Ann

  4. Oh my goodness, those dishes are a treasure! I love them. You are so lucky having the warmer weather. As I look at snow on the ground I comfort myself that the summer for the rest of the country will be awful and we will be basking in cool temps.

  5. I think it is gorgeous with all the pale green. I love it…and those dishes are just beautiful! What a fun thing to have found. xo Diana

  6. Beautiful! Wow, I love that tulip and that plate! Thanks for sharing!

  7. What a find! They are really beautiful.

  8. Beautiful pattern, Susan. I hope you will find someone that can tell you something about it.

  9. Very pretty! Thanks for sharing

    I’m you new follower on Linky and hope you can follow me too 😀

    Thanks
    Witha @ http://withapinkie.blogspot.com

  10. Those dishes are quite a find – gorgeous! I much prefer the softer greens, I think it plays into spring much better than the dark (or paraphrasing Linda, demented Leprechaun) green. My sister visited Ireland (lucky girl!) and said that the island seemed to have every possible color of green, so you can’t really go wrong!

    Patty

  11. Susan, I think this is just about the most elegant St Patty’s Day table I have EVER seen!!!! I just LOVE those plates with dainty flowers and sweet little shamrocks. Wishing you many Irish Blessings this St Patrick’s Day and all year long…

  12. Beautiful, totally beautiful…your girl’s world is so reflected in all you do with such beauty

  13. Someone pointed out on a post this week that there are “40 shades of green in Ireland”, so I think any shade works! The traditional Kelly green is kind of strong, so I don’t have much of it in my inventory. I love mixing all shades of green, though, and adding the soft pink as you demonstrated here just makes is super special. Have a great St. Patrick’s weekend!

  14. OK, this is hand’s down my favorite table or decoration that I’ve seen so far. I love the dishes. The pink is just the perfect whimsical touch, and everything is simply beautiful. As for shades of green, I think I like them all. I’m particularly fond of paler greens so I’m always in favor of using them. I have very little “St. Patrick’s green” so I have to make due with what I have.

  15. Your dishes are gorgeous and what a fabulous find! I think ALL shades of green are perfect for St.Patrick’s Day…or any day. Your choice of soft green with the pink tulips, is lovely and refreshing.
    Babs

  16. Are there 8 lobes or large scallops on the plate? If so, then the blank is Haviland, “Ranson.” The pattern is known as either “Shamrock” or “Clover”…I can’t remember. It is still highly collected, and it can sell for a pretty penny. I would think tha they would show it on Replacements. I love your soft take on St. Pat’s Day. Your comment made me giggle. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

  17. Such a beautiful pattern! and your tulips are just gorgeous!!

  18. That china pattern is simply gorgeous!!! Love the pink and green together. Hope you can find more pieces to add to the ones you found.

  19. Everything is so beautiful! Love the soft colors and the photo collage. Happy Pink Saturday!
    -Lynn

  20. What a gorgeous platter. It is so soft and sweet. I’d love to have you link to Seasonal Sundays.

    – The Tablescaper

  21. Wow, I love those plates-enjoy:@)