During the week leading up to New Years Eve Mom and I had been debating as to whether or not we wanted to do a table setting and decided against it. When we spend it together and at home we usually throw some frozen Hors d’oeuvres in the oven and snack on them throughout the evening. So it didn’t make sense for us to do a table setting for New Years Eve. We had also discussed a few ideas for a table setting for New Years Day but really hadn’t pinned it down. Nor had we decided what to have for desert after our roast dinner. That all changed when mom decided at 7:00PM on Thursday night to make a mixed berry pie for dessert.
Mom has wanted to do another post for a pie recipe and has been thinking about the mixed berry pie for awhile. So when the mood hit she decided to try baking one. It still needs to be workshopped but once we have it perfected we will be doing a post on that. Although not perfect it ended up being her inspiration for a table setting. The deep colour of the berries reminded her of an antique dinnerware set she recently found while thrifting. It proves that anything can be a jumping off point and mom jumped.
From what we have read these Boseck Haida Bohemia hand painted plates from Austria were in production from 1890 to 1920. I must admit I was really excited to learn that they were antiques and not vintage pieces, it made us wonder how many other new years table settings these plates have adorned. They are made of bright white porcelain decorated with an overglaze pattern of hand painted crimson, dark green, black and outlined in gold. As we only have 8″ plates mom added layers with a charger, two gold and white plates from different settings and topped it with the antique plates to act as the focal point. She brought out the deep crimson from the plate by using a table napkin in the same colour and placing it under the first dinner plate.
Although we do collaborate on almost everything we do, this was really mom’s doing. While I was writing up our last post of the year, a review of our accomplishments, mom was designing the table. She decided on a black table cloth to add some drama and to allow for the place setting to really pop. For the wine glass and champagne glasses she chose 24 carat lead crystal, and a beautiful ornate set of cutlery.
As this table setting was fairly last minute and because neither of us wanted to brave the elements and pick up some flowers, we decided it best to find something else to act as a center piece. A sparkly candle recently gifted to her by a friend was the first piece to make in on the table, mom then spotted a candelabra and two burgundy Avon candle stick holders. Lastly she found a brass tray for everything to sit upon. And because we just couldn’t help ourselves we took some sparkles that had fallen from the candle and spread them around the table. Made for a very decadent and festive table setting! We hope that you had as wonderful a start to the New Year as we did. Mom and I are brainstorming what do do next so keep an eye out for our next post!
