Entertaining, at its best, is pure art. No matter how formal or casual the occasion, memorable events are borne of the attention we pay to detail. Ever since I was in high school, with a side gig arranging crudité, I've nurtured a passion for entertaining and all its many joys and pitfalls, stumbling blocks and triumphs. But isn't that the process by which we learn? Aren't the mistakes we made this time around valuable lessons for the next? Good parties, I've learned, take good planning. It's about knowing what can (and should) be done two, three, thirty days in advance and doing it. But just as important as good planning is even better execution. And that's where the little things—the details—come into play. It's having the right vase for the flowers and the perfect platter for the side dish. It's about assembling a mix of objects on the table that express your style. Pair IKEA chargers with antique Wedgwood plates, dollar store platters with sterling silver spoons. But whatever the occasion, think carefully of the details. And to help, this week we've assembled another eclectic mix of objects on Etsy, some modern, some traditional. Every object I selected myself, and every one of them I would happily use on my own table. This one I set for tea, but not fussily so by any means.
There's a mix of casual and formal elements—daffodils and Paris porcelain, a five-dollar pashmina and embroidered antique linens. An elegant glass cake pedestal holds tea sandwiches, while a footed crystal compote is for sugar. And to sweeten the mix even more, there's a milk glass vase and plate perfect for scones and jam. Now, excuse yourself from the table, and head to the powder room, where a collection of antique linen hand towels lends instant elegance to the experience of powdering one's nose. For an eclectic and sophisticated look, I've layered one towel upon the other, each in varying but similar patterns. The milk glass covered compote, intricately detailed with a strong, almost masculine geometry, conceals unsightly essentials.
And so, however you like to entertain, whether casual or formal, intimate or grand, be mindful of the details and your guests will remember you all the more.
DON’T YA JUST LOVE WHITE!!! LOVE YOUR BLOG!
HUGS FROM MAINE
http://sophie4me.blogspot.com/
You have a touch for elegance and know how to put it together! There is so much to look at in each setting you do. For 20 I have done a talk on Hospitality from A-Z and am putting it into a book… your last statement says it all. Serving others is a gift and when you enjoy putting it together, creating a relaxed atmosphere, your home will become a haven for them to return. You will always be remembered for your serving with creativity and love for people. I look forward to your ‘lessons’ every day, thanks!B. Wagner
What time is tea? I’ll bring the clotted cream.
pve
Beautiful as always! I think I need a stylist.
Such a pretty picture. Thanks for the reminder.
Your tea sandies look delish!
So true, the vintage pieces and tea towels in the powder room I love!
The towels are darling!
Having a party next week- cant you just pop down for a visit and help me! Absolutely Divine–
One of your loveliest layouts yet.
Clearly the country air is doing wonders.
I love using those $5 pashminas on top of my dresser. Awesome!
Coming over from Patti’s blog to check out your wonderful ideas! I love your perspective on decorating and will return often for more fabulous tips!
Hugs,
Debbie
I am obsessed with tea towels, I tell you!
I want that lemon fork. You didn’t put that on Etsy!
The white/gold combination along with the golden daffodils makes for a striking display-a touch of class! I love the almost Victorian aspect of the “gentlemen’s boudoir” with is “variations on a theme” hand towels. Really nice Eddie. I like the whole scheme of things!
Thanks Eddie!
Ciao
just so pretty. i love all the details & of course all the white.
xoxo,
lauren
have i told you lately that i love you? no?well, it is my first time to comment, and you should know… i love you! xoxo
Some great tips and advice. Love the pics!
This is such a beautiful table setting — perfect for afternoon tea.
(“First things first”, my friend! SO, WHERE does one FIND a PASHMINA for $5?!?!?!)~~~ And Eddie, I sooo love your unerring sense of style~~~ you add “just the right touches”… never TOO much, and JUST ENOUGH to make it quietly elegant & classically glamorous in its own right, ALL withOUT FEEEEEELING “fussy”!!! I ALWAYS sooo look forward to your “postings” (“blog” just doesn’t “sound like Eddie” to ME!). These pics make me think of your new home in the nicest, warmest, most welcoming way! Can’t wait til you can share more of it! Best, Linda
So very true, details are the icing on the cake.
I am quite tickled that you made it over to my little website to give gratitude…I actually got butterflies thinking that such a classic, chic, design genius like yourself would look at my site! I was star struck! Anyway you know I am a fan, and love love reading your posts! Thank you.
Hey Eddie,
I love your blog and the way you present everything, your kind and warm personality shines through in your writing. It makes me come back to your blog over and over again. All the best, and greetings from Finland!
-Teresa
What a sense of STYLE you have! STYLE should be your middle name, in fact! Everything you do has just the perfect touch, never too much. I love getting the notices that you have a new post…the highlight of my day. And, like Linda said: WHERE do you find a pashmina for $5.00????!!!!!!!!!!!! Best, Pinky
fabulous setting, love the Paris Porcelain and Victorian Gilded Cups. 🙂
Ready for tea and spring.
Lidy
Would you mind if I used your tea photo for a painting? It is quite lovely!
Hi Eddie,
Greetings from Indianapolis! Thank you so much for the towel layering idea…I’ve got a few and I’ll be raiding my grandmother’s stash for the rest. They’re going on the empty towelbar in my new half bath on the first floor of my 1923 Arts and Crafts home.
I’ve been a big time lurker here and just wanted to let you know how much I love your style and ideas. I grew up in a family of amateur seamstresses, upholsters, and interior decoraters. My earliest memories were of my mother and her best friend decorating the friend’s living room by covering the wall above the sofa with 20 of the same black framed black and white floral prints pictures that cost $1.00 each. Then they took her round dining table, cut the legs down, sanded and painted it with black enamel spray paint and turned it into a beautiful coffetable! That set me on a path that I’ve continued to follow. Virtually every stick of furniture I own was previously owned. I consider it my own way of caring for the environment. 🙂
I’ve been living in my fixer-upper, busily working more on the bones than the cosmetics, and my arranging muscles have atrophied…Keeping up with your blog has helped tremendously!
When you set up a shopping trip in the Midwest (say, Chicago or St. Louis), count me in. It’ll be wonderful going shopping with you!
LOVE the daffodils – used them as my wedding flowers – they bring such cheer!
As William Wordsworth wrote:
“I wandered loney as a Cloud”
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales & hills
When all at once I saw a crowd
A host of dancing daffodils;
Along the lake, beneath the trees
Ten thousand dancing in the breeze
The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee –
A poet could not but be gay
In such a laughing company:
I gazed – and gazed – but little thought
what wealth the shew to me had brought:
For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood.
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude.
And then their heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils!
How cute are you with your little tea sandwiches! Everything that you touch turns to gold:)
Hugs
Aline
yummy looking post !!
I thought i would share with you you how I have been using tea towels that you might enjoy. I have some small windows that I put a pressure curtain rod in and then hang layers of tea towels over it starting with my bigger ones and ending with the prettiest design on the top layer. Super pretty and you can just pop them in the wash when they get dusty.
Hi Eddie,
I have tried to use my upstate NY family antiques with modern easy care things around our pool but I need lots of help now. We’re retired which means we are getting older and less able to do the heavy work so we want to go green and maintenance free as much as possible. We have more time and less money to keep repairing things too! We need to incorporate the flagstone patio, the concrete steps/walkway and the wooden deck around the pool into one unifying look. I love the old weathered Nantucket gray and have used it on the deck and pool house. Any suggestions?
I applied for the trex makeopver and thinikk sucha deck would be fabulous and solve all of our problems!!
We love your style and elegance!!
Cudos on your great ideas!
Marsha Jaenke