The inspiration for my Valentine's table began with a tablecloth. I have a collection of vintage tablecloths that complements my dish collection. I'm particularly fond of the borders and vibrant colors found in tablecloths from the mid-1940s to 1950s. Brands like Wilendur, Startex, and Handprints are highly collectible. Vera Neumann, one of my favorite designers, created stunning abstract flower prints. The tablecloth that inspired this table setting is unfortunately unmarked, but I love its colors.
I'm uncertain whether the flowers are roses or poppies, but they are a beautiful red color with grays and gray greens in the background. I purchased the tablecloth on Etsy around a year and a half ago and hadn't used it until now. As I began planning a Valentine table, I rediscovered my love for it! Many vintage tablecloths are smaller or square, and rather than placing another cloth underneath, I preferred to let my grandmother's dining room table be visible; the lovely wood adds a touch of warmth to the setting.
When I began setting the table, I knew I wanted to use Fiesta. I've already switched my "January Blues" for February Valentine's reds and pinks. Currently the dishes in the cabinet rotation are: Scarlett, Rose, Peony, Flamingo, and Cinnabar. My dear friend Kissy was visiting, so we got to work!
I'm always amazed by the amount of pink glass and tableware I own. The first items we picked up after the tablecloth and Fiesta were red chargers. We immediately started arranging the different Fiesta colors on the chargers on the tablecloth. We quickly decided against the Scarlet; then, the Rose and Peony were set aside, and we chose Cinnabar and Flamingo.
Building the plate stack and determining the next plates on top of it was so much fun! I have several different red transferware patterns on bread and butter or appetizer-sized plates.
We loved the Royal Doulton Pomeroy pattern on the Flamingo Fiesta. The plate matched the size of the Delamere plate, so that wasn't suitable as an underplate. We tried using some Fiesta bread and butter plates, but the setup lost its charm. Kissy recalled that I had pink depression glass, and then I remembered my cranberry glass, which we realized would be ideal! The Cinnabar Fiesta complemented the Spode Delamere plate beautifully, with a Homer Laughlin Harvest plate layered on top. It was just a coincidence that both accent plates and urns with fruit and flowers in them.
After diving into the depression glass, we added cranberry glass iced tea glasses and Jeannette Cherry Blossom fruit bowls. The napkins feature a burgundy brocade design with a straw rose napkin ring. Our everyday silverware is Mikasa Harmony, I love that its lines that mirror those in the Fiesta. The depression glass theme extends to the centerpiece, composed of various stacked bowls filled with candles and ornaments. Ornaments?!? I had a box of mini Shiny Brite ornaments in silver, pink, aqua, and gold tucked away in the buffet and thought, why not use them? Why did I buy these? No idea... but they fit perfectly!
When I thought about setting a Valentine table, I was eager to use my Fiesta collection. So, while we were "unsetting" it, I incorporated more Fiesta pieces and created a second table!
We removed nearly all of the patterned dishes and incorporated more Fiesta, and voila! A new, equally beautiful table. For the centerpiece, we included a Fiesta Presentation bowl. The Art Deco lines on this bowl are stunning! Kissy placed the candles in berry bowls, and we were all set!
Two tables, twice the fun and almost, but not quite twice the dishes!
