A Winter Tea- Tablescape Thursday

I am an old fashioned girl at heart. I love pink cashmere cardigans, pearl earrings, my mother's English China and high tea. So when I was recently asked to host a ladies luncheon, I jumped at the chance to have a tea. Because there were more ladies on the invite list then I can accommodate around my table, I opted for a more casual tea/buffet. Thanks for joining me as we join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for this week's Tablescape Thursday.

The menu was adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Parties Cookbook: 

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches
Lemon Bars
Carrot Cake Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese frosting
Chocolate Ganache cake
Shortbread cookies with Silver Dragees
Lemon honey poundcake w/ fresh strawberries 

Assorted hot or Peach ice tea
Sparking Water


Assorted cake pedestals collected over the years from Potterybarn,  Crate and Barrel and Ebay, create an easy, yet stunning display. The most frequent mistake hosts make when arranging a buffet is creating a "flat" table.  Remember that presentation is key.  Keeping an assortment of glass or white porcelain pedestals on hand will guarantee you'll have a beautiful table, no matter what you're serving.  Another trick is to keep a few sturdy, but shallow boxes or books that can be easily wrapped in a matching cloth napkin to use as a riser.  Think anyone will notice if I sneak a cupcake?
Even paper napkins can be pretty if they are displayed in a pretty container.  This one is the bottom if a decorative shell box.  Don't forget to set out a few extra plates for second helpings.

 My mother collected this china each time she and my dad would visit England. As a child I fantasized about entertaining with it in my own house.   

The final touch is always votive candles and fresh flowers. I chose white and pink roses that echo the colors in the china in a simple cylinder with smooth rocks at the bottom.


Thanks for having us Susan, and thank you readers for joining me for Afternoon Tea.  

   

All pictures property of One Pretty House Interiors                                                  

5 comments:

  1. This is my kind of table. Loaded with lovely and delicious looking goodies! Very beautifully displayed. And that tea service is so prim and proper and very very ladylike! Love it!
    YVonne

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  2. You have a wonderful collection of cake pedestals, the tea set is beautiful. Love your whole table, everything is perfect. Thanks for sharing and for visiting.
    Sandy

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  3. I, too love afternoon tea and yours looks fabulous! The menu sounds/looks delicious. Wonderful "elevation" using the different cake plates - so important for a buffet!

    DD

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  4. The table is just beautiful, not because you have all of those delicious looking goodies on it (although the look yummy), but all of the cake plates at different heights and the pink cloth..it is all wonderful.
    Susan

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  5. Oh what a beautiful tea setting. And your goodies sound perfect -- you've set a very inviting table (as if anyone would need to be "tempted" with all those wonderful goodies!)

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