White & Black Classic Christmas

Thanks to my blogland buddies sending me suggestions (especially the ever talented Cherry Kay of Entertaining Ladies), my Christmas day table received great reviews from my beloved family (of course they are my family....).  I had a blast reading your comments about which tablescape would make the cut for Christmas day, and then shopping to find the last minute details.  I'm happy with the results. Thanks again for all your encouraging and inspiring comments.  Cherry Kay, you are a bossy, but exceptionally talented and generous lady!

Message below from Cherry Kay prompted me to search for black chargers and plaid ribbon. Southern California doesn't have the renowned Hobby Lobby, but we do have 99 Cent stores, where I found enough chargers (but had to visit 6 different stores...totally worth it!) Now I have twenty fabulous black charger to use in a plethora of ways in 2012.

 Oops! didn't realize I used different silver patterns on this setting.

Entertaining Women comment:

Now you need to know that I can be biit bossy. Mama used to say, "Nobody likes a bossy little girl." And I would reply, "But Mama, they'll like me.". That said, I think that you should definitely go with the white elements and those glorious hydrangeas. But how about amending it all with black charger plates and a touch of plaid ribbon in your centerpiece and as napkin rings. Black chargers can be found at Hobby Lobby for $1.99 each...if you have a Hobby Lobby. All white will be gorgeous, too with silver & crystal to add a touch if shine. I'm excited to see your final result. Merry Christmas! Cherry Kay 

I love bossy girls, and am one myself!

I love the classic simplicity of the black and white with accents of silver and candlelight.

 Fireplace in the dining room, bedecked with Christmas morning stockings.

Along the way, I sent Cherry Kay an update, and she wrote back with even more ideas!

Okay, I'm liking it a lot!  I like the silver/grey napkins, too. I think that it's going to be a very sophisticated design, and the plaid ribbon is going to add just the right mix of masculine and whimsy that's going to make the men feel really comfortable at the table. Such fun to see the process; I'm excited to see where you go from here. A thought: pull some of the greenery into the plaid ribbon "napkin ring." Will help keep the eye moving across the design...will be a good balance technique.

How smart is she?!

 The hallway mirror used for the centerpiece need wax cleaning from the dripping candles, but it didn't take long with a razor blade.

No amount of coaxing could get the one candle to stay upright (melting wax into the holder or melting the end of the candle), so I just gave up and went for a less-than-perfect look to make everyone feel more comfortable......Ok, I gave up, period.

The large stockings were embroidered for my two boys twenty years ago by their grandmother.  I purchased the boot stockings for their future wives one year when I saw them at Pier 1 and feel in love, but in comparison to the size of the others, they are unfairly inadequate, so I may have to purchase or make new ones for my wonderful daughter-in-laws.  The Reindeer, Santa, and Snowman stockings were 99 Cent store purchases for guests that are staying with us.  The old knit socks are ones my husband and I purchased for our first Christmas 33 years ago.  They have holes in the toes, but we don't look the same either, so they stay!

What a labor of love!

Hope your Christmas was filled with family, friends, love and celebration!

^{Luke 2:9} An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Plates, Pope Gosser Rose Point, 1942, antiquing and eBay

Linens, 3 Irish Linen table cloths, antiquing and eBay

Silverplate, Community White Orchid 1953,  Morning Star 1948, and Wm. Rogers Avalon

Chargers, 99 Cent Store

Plaid ribbon, Michael's Crafts

Champagne bucket and Silver Candelabra, Goodwill

Mirror, Home Goods, years ago

Napkins, Bed, Bath and Beyond, years ago