Ivory and Gold

Ivory and gold … I told you in a recent post (click HERE if you missed it) that — besides the “memories attached” ornaments, these are my very favorite ones. I’m glad you stopped by again today to see the tablescape I did to complement them. I do love the combination of ivory and gold!
 
I set the table knowing ahead of time that it would need a little something to give a “punch” of color …
 
What should it be?
 

Click on pics to enlarge

 
Aaah … Much better!  The simple holly candle ring gives just a touch of color …and makes all the difference.

I filled a favorite ivory and gold centerpiece bowl with vintage glass beads. Then I tucked in a vintage ornament, a just-purchased-at-Dollar General Hope ornament, and a gift-shaped Lenox lidded box to which I added a fresh white rose. I think it coordinates beautifully with my vintage gold damask tablecloth.

Then I surrounded the bowl with a capiz shell nativity set I found at Hobby Lobby several years ago. Take a look at that angel…  She’s holding a banner that says Glory.
 
I just love that!

Click to enlarge

 
Along with the 24K gold candleholders (an auction box surprise several years ago) I included votive candles in a pair of monogrammed brandy snifters I found at Goodwill. For someone who doesn’t drink brandy, I sure do have a thing for cute little glasses!

I also included a set of vintage salt and pepper shakers that my husband’s grandparents received on their Golden wedding anniversary.
 
Finally, I laid out the place settings.

Inexpensive gold chargers, Lenox Stanford dinner and salad plates, and Lenox Hanover bouillon soup and saucer …

Vintage gold-rimmed glasses …

… gold flatware purchased inexpensively on eBay several years ago … and a simple ivory linen napkin.

As the evening wore on, the table just glowed …





And as I promised in my recent post, here’s a closer look at the ivory and gold on my sideboard … The church is from Home Goods this year. (I saw it at T.J. Maxx last Christmas and didn’t buy it for $12.99. What was I thinking?!!! I kicked myself every time I thought about letting it get away. And then I saw it again this year — and for the same price no less! Never make the same mistake twice …) The lidded box nativity was a gift from a dear friend 12 years ago. The beaded wire twining on the lamp and the beaded ornaments were auction box finds. The statue I’ve had for years — and she really gets around! You never know which room in the house you’ll find her in …

Click to enlarge

 
These Lenox Santa musicians were given by a friend and co-worker of my husband.  We received them one at a time over four Christmases. The conductor was the last piece … and he just pulls the set together, don’t you think?  He looks so joyful that I always love unwrapping his smiling face each Christmas. But the memories I unwrap along with him are bittersweet ones because our friend passed away three years ago this Christmas. I think she’d love the way I stood my Santas on turned-upside-down Lenox votive holders and placed a mirror behind them. They are so beautiful from all angles that they just seem to require a reflection to be fully appreciated — and enjoyed …

Click to enlarge

 
These little NOEL angels are actually candle holders. I found them many years ago at Big Lots. Some years they hold candles; some years they sit atop a door frame; this year they are tucked in on quiet display …


 
I’m linking up with these great parties …

White Wednesday at Faded Charm and Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

I’m so glad you stopped by to visit during this busy time of year.  I hope you’re taking time to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

The greatest gift ever given …
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
–John 3:16

Comments

  1. Oh, my…so very, very gorgeous! I am pretty sure ivory & gold is my very favorite 🙂

    CHRISTmas Blessings!
    Gail

  2. I love all the ivory and gold on your sideboard, it is so classic and elegant. Your china is very similar to mine. At first glance, I thought we had the same, but mine is called Westchester and it is from Lennox also. I wonder if they didn’t just change the pattern slightly and the name. I’ll have to look at the edges more closely to see if they are the same. Beautiful!

    • Anonymous says

      Lenox Westchester has the M139 wide gold band – the design has scrolls and grecian urns. The design is actually enlarged on newer Westchester pieces (accent salad plates, mugs, etc). In 1915, Lenox produced “Westchester Cobalt” – it has the Westchester band and a wide band of cobalt. It is sometimes known as “M139k” or “M139b”. I inherited Lenox R8B, a 1918 pattern that has a wide cobalt band sandwiched between two Westchester gold bands. If you google “Woodrow Wilson White House china service” you’ll see the china that is still in use today at the White House (1700 pieces delivered in 1918). President Wilson’s wife, Edith, wanted American made china for the White House (until that time, French china was considered the finest & that’s what the White House had). Lenox was an up & coming American made china, so she visited Dulin & Martin, a high-end china store in D.C. – she probably saw Westchester cobalt (M139k). The Wilson china service has the Westchester band, a cobalt band, and then the smaller inner gold band has 48 stars, and then there’s a raised gold presidential seal in the center. One look at the Wilson service and one can tell it’s based on Westchester cobalt. Today’s Westchester pattern is part of the “presidential series” of Lenox patterns.

  3. Beautiful vintage glass beads and they look great! Gorgeous table setting, too 🙂

  4. Your table is stunning. The gold accents all over just make everything sparkle. love the centerpiece also. You whole dining room looks so elegant.
    Happy Holidays,
    Carey

  5. I absolutely love all of your gold rimmed china and crystal. It just can’t be anything less than stunning on a table, especially a table like this one.

    Your centerpiece is beautiful too.

  6. Oh your tablescape makes me feel merry and bright!

    Seasons greetings to you and yours.

  7. How beautiful your table is with it’s golden glow. So glad that you did end up with that beautiful Church.

  8. Your tablescape is well put-together. Btw, your framed quote about Christmas is sooo true – love it.

  9. Your tablesetting is stunning. You have such a beautiful home. I enjoyed my tour, thanks for having us. hugs ~lynne~

  10. Your tablesetting is stunning. You have such a beautiful home. I enjoyed my tour, thanks for having us. hugs ~lynne~

  11. Oh my goodness, what a strikingly beautiful table!

  12. Absolutely gorgeous! The Lenox Orchestra touched my heart because of the memories that they hold for you. Thank you for sharing your charming designs. Cherry Kay

  13. Please can I ask where you purchased the gold rimmed drinking glasses from? They are so lovely. (Also a fan of gold ivory/gold cream; my bedroom, my Christmas tree, my dining room )

    • My gold-rimmed glasses are vintage and were purchased at auction. I don’t know their maker, but you might be able to find them at Replacements Limited or some other china/crystal replacement service. Thanks for stopping by — and Happy New Year!

  14. Please can I ask where you purchased the gold rimmed drinking glasses from? They are so lovely. (Also a fan of gold ivory/gold cream; my bedroom, my Christmas tree, my dining room )

  15. Mignon Raglin says

    Absolutely STUNNING!!! Did you purchase the bowl from Kirkland’s? I believe that I have the same one. You just gave me an idea for my table setting for my wedding in October!:-)

  16. Hello! I have question. My soon-to-be daughter-in-law loves my Westchester Lenox and my husband and I offered it to her and my son for their wedding gift. I would like to buy the serving pieces for her. Is today’s
    Lenox Westchester a match to the original Westchester china?
    Thanks so much for responding. Your tablescape is stunning!