Just Because

Sparkly Dinner Setting

I just realized that none of the four Venetian wine glasses made it into this frame. The following photos will prove that the proper wine goblets are there. What you’re seeing here are the water tumblers.
I just realized that none of the four Venetian wine glasses made it into this frame. The following photos will prove that the proper wine goblets are there. What you’re seeing here are the water tumblers.

I had real guests over last night for my first dinner party in my newly redesigned dining room. The best part about the preparations was that one of the guests was doing all the cooking, allowing me to go all “Martha Stewart” with the ambience and table setting. The key to the look was the wonderful domed putz castle purchased through Anthropologie, which I then placed on an antique glass cake stand. By setting this whole arrangement onto a silver charger, I was able to maximize illumination by placing glass votives on the charger’s level rim.

Since I have already written about the porcelain,Venetian goblets, linen, and sterling flatware, I will instead explain the reason for the crazy water glasses. They’re vintage highballs featuring turquoise and gold Persian horsemen waving mallets in a lively game of polo. Over the past twelve years, I have managed to break most of my larger Venetian goblets and lacked two to make four complete place settings of one water and one wine goblet each. And I keep forgetting to order more from the original Murano source, Vetreria Colonna Fornace. Hence the crazy fun tumblers. To see the complete table setting, click the link below.

Film: Design & Architecture

The Age of Innocence (part two)

In Edith Wharton’s day, those who had extensive collections of silver flatware patterns, a catalog such as this one, would have been extremely helpful in planning a dinner party.
In Edith Wharton’s day, those who had extensive collections of silver flatware patterns, a catalog such as this one, would have been extremely helpful in planning a dinner party.

This film is a visual feast of details with the dining experience playing a major role. From the table settings to the multiple courses, Martin Scorsese has meticulously recreated the lavish displays of Old New York society in the late Victorian era. When comparing Edith Wharton’s text with the film’s visuals, I was unable to identify the porcelain, silver, and crystal. Perhaps someone out there, who has happened to stumble onto this blog, will be able to identify some of the pieces and leave a comment with clues to their identity. Otherwise just enjoy the visuals.

Interior Design

Table Setting (version two)

Another dress rehearsal with three new elements.
Another dress rehearsal with three new elements.

What’s new and different in this table setting are the Venetian goblets, the Mottahedeh porcelain, and the silver mint julep cups. I ordered my goblets while on vacation in Venice, and they are by far my favorite. But unfortunately, after eleven years of use, I only have a few left. I am currently trying to reconnect with the Murano shop where I purchased them and my chandelier, but their website has disappeared.

Interior Design

Table Setting (version one)

Detail view showcasing my new William Yeoward crystal goblets purchased through Neiman Marcus.
Detail view showcasing my new William Yeoward crystal goblets purchased through Neiman Marcus.

This dress rehearsal had been long overdue. Mixing the old, the inherited, and the new on my new forty-eight inch round dining table has worried me for quite some time. I knew it would be a challenge. And after setting up this first arrangement with place mats, it’s now obvious that only four guests can be accommodated. If I were to have five or six guests, I would need to use a linen tablecloth with one or two additional and much smaller chairs, and limit the number of items at each setting. But since I don’t own a tablecloth or the two smaller chairs, I’m only allowed to have three guests for now. If you feel inclined to see more and read up on the details, continue on for more.