I’m getting ready for Valentine’s Day, and have some ideas for you today.
Shrek said that he was like an onion, that he had layers. Yes I am quoting Shrek, because I’m fancy. A delightful table often has layers too. Layers and layers of plates make the table so pretty. The secret is to consider the colors. Two color plates mix much more easily than multi-color plates.
This stack starts with an oversized white plate, topped with my lavender Italian plates, then I used these charming Crown Ducal Bristol Mulberry plates (made in England) layered with green plaid heart shaped plates (made in Japan) and topped with a lavender cabbage bowl made in Portugal. I think it’s really easy to mix plates if you stick with a limited color palette. You can use plates with lots of colors, but they are much more tricky to work with. Here I have 3 colors – one, green, and purple. The eye is drawn to the simplicity. If you have too much going on, it can feel confusing. When it looks confusing, it is no longer pleasing to the eye. Once again we are reminded that simplicity is at the heart of good design.
Before I go any further I want to thank my dear friend Barbara Jacksier for the Crown Ducal Bristol plates. She’s such a talented writer. She wrote the article about my farm for Prairie Style magazine and she is writing the article for French Country Style magazine about my house, and that issue is coming out this spring. She sent me an entire set of these gorgeous dishes. Thank you sweet Barbara!!!!
You may know about my love of lavender dishes from this post, CLICK HERE.
I added these charming little chocolate heart boxes for the table. These were under $2 each. They came with 3 chocolates in each one. They may or may not be missing their chocolates today. This is, after all, a Valentine’s Day table.
The Bristol cups and saucers are so pretty! I thought we might need a bit of pink lemonade as well for our Valentine’s Day celebration. The lemonade is from Sprouts but they don’t carry this any more according to my store manager. Did you see? It’s imported from France. It’s like they know me! (This is not a sponsored post, BTW.)
My sweetheart brought me this chocolate Eiffel tower for Valentine’s Day. It was delicious!!!
I even added a lavender throw to the room.
I used an old vintage sheet for my tablecloth, and sweet little roses for my centerpiece.
Lovely! Have always wished to have a collection of plates for every occasion. Those mulberry ones are gorgeous.
This is a very fresh and pretty alternative to the standard red & pink Valentine’s Day colors! These plates are beautiful, but I especially love the little green heart plates! Thank you for a bright pick-me-up on a Monday morning!
There is nothing that makes you feel more special than a beautiful tablescape. It tells your guest you couldn’t wait for them to arrive!
Oh, Anita, those mulberry plates! Lucky you!!! Of course, I’ll be in search mode. And the green heart plates are too cute. Can’t wait to pin this! Again, killing me with cuteness…….??
Ginger
Beautiful! Love the throw too. Thanks for sharing.
It’s so funny that we actually import pink lemonade! But they look terrific on the table!
Loving the lavender accents!
beautiful table !!
I absolutely love the table setting and the gorgeous throw is icing on the cake.
Lovely lavender Anita! Your table is beautiful. How kind of Barbara to send you those dishes. And you promptly put them to good use. x
Great post, Anita
Glad you are enjoying the dishes. They look beautiful in your setting. It makes me happy to know they are being used instead of sitting in a box in my garage!
I am Barbara, they are beautiful!!!
That lavender is just perfect! Such a gorgeous scape!
A phenomenal mix of colors! Gorgeous table!
A beautiful take on Valentine’s Day! Your photos just spiked my creativity. I’m sure my husband would roll his eyes now at all the ideas floating around up there!
I love your beautiful touches! I’m using some lavender for my table too but I love your gorgeous dishes!
Your use of lavendar and green for a Valentines table setting is a refreshing change from the traditional pink and red overload we usually see this time of year.
I absolutely love how you incorporate so many beautiful dishes into one table setting, however, I have a practical question for you: how do you use them all during a meal? Do you serve more than 3 courses? Do you clear away unused plates during the meal? Please share your tips for usage.
Thanks so much for your continued inspiration, Anita!
Hmmm, I am not sure how I would actually use this in real life. I think you are supposed to remove all of the dishes in-between courses, so I’ll have to do some research on that.
LOVE the new dishes! They are so you! Love the table setting – gorgeous.
Gorgeous!! I love how you mixed the colors and patterns of your dishes – so stylish!! Love that throw on the bench too – how perfect for your table colors 🙂 xo Heather
Gorgeous!! These are two of my favorite colors–I use them in my bedroom and master bath…..
I am sooo jealous of all your dishes! LOL You have inspired me to begin collecting them. Of course, it would take me decades to have a collection as nice as yours.?
The Valentine’s Day table is sooo pretty. I started collecting the Crown Ducal Bristol Blue dishes when I sold our Currier & Ives blue dishes that were our everyday dishes since the late 1970s! I also throw in Johnson Bros. English Chippendale and Myott white ironstone for our everyday use now. It was so fun to see the beautiful table set with the lavender Bristols.
This is so beautiful!
Anita, I adore this color combo and the mix of your dish stack. I have one of the heart shaped bow plates and have long wished I could find more to add. Love it with the lavender plates! If you know of a source for more of these, please share. ‘-)
Anita, this is my favorite kind of table! I just love mixed dishes, especially with vintage pieces. The Crown Ducal Bristol plates are gorgeous!! Lovely setting… 🙂
Love the valentine lay out w the different uses of purple/lilac. I have your book & I just loaned it to a friend that is building a French country house. I told her I wanted my signed copy back. If I win I’ll give the book to her. Love your post I’m native houstonian but live in San Antonio & I flip
Houses. So love looking at all the design ideas.
I love the use of soft lavender and green. Those little purple cabbage bowls are absolutely gorgeous!
The table setting is so pretty. I especially like the heart shaped plates.
I love the lavender themed table for Valentine’s – much more peaceful than red. I looked forward to reading your posts.
I love that you used a vintage sheet for your table cloth. Love the touches of lavender, too.
Thank you Barbara for giving Anita these gorgeous lavender dishes. They are one of my favorite colors. Who says you just have to use pink & red for Valentines….this color combination gave your table a WOW statement!
I love your look it’s so fresh and full of a spring look. It gives me hope that spring is on the way some day. Thanks for this fun fresh look.
Your Valentine’s table setting is beautiful. Thank You for sharing.
Marion
I like how you mix the dishes.
Very nice.
Marilyn
The Russell Stover box adds a right touch.
Joan
What a lovely table Anita! Your combination of plates is simply stunning!
I love layering dishes, to, all though mine are mostly Fiesta, I love mixing in other pretty plats to go along with them , It is a lovely tablescape,
I love Valentine’s Day! It always serves to pick me back up after the Christmas-is-over blues. I host a girlfriends Valentine Party every year where we bring valentines for everyone with a small treat. In the past we had a goody exchange too but we’re all trying to be a little more health conscious these days. We also do a Valentine craft of my choosing. It’s always so much fun and everyone has a wonderful time reliving the Valentines Days of our youth. I love your ideas for a beautiful table. You always give me such beautiful inspiration! Thank you so much!
I love the purple!!! Well done! xo
The table looks great! I love your lavender dishes, I’m jealous! I’ve never thought about using a sheet to cover the table, great idea. Where did you get that paisley throw? It’s amazing.
I love this tablescape. It is so fresh and pretty. Now I need purple cabbage bowls!
What a gorgeous table!! Your mix of dishes is just stunning. What a beautiful collection you have 🙂
Anita I’m visiting you today from Lidys blog, I also visit you from stone gable blog. I love your style and the purple dishes are so beautiful if I ever see any I too would like to collect them !!!please enter me into the give away!
Thanks, denise
Thanks Denise! So glad you are here.
Anita, thank you for sharing! like other ladies pointed out, I love this alternative color you chose! looks gorgeous!
Beautiful colors combined to perfection! Love the lavender! Any guest would feel honored here! Well done! Blessings, Janet
Your dishes are gorgeous, and I love the way you mixed the colors and patterns.
Your plate combination is JUST BEAUTIFUL! You are a wonderful inspiration to get me going in creating a beautiful home! Thank you.
Perfect lavender loveliness! ❤️
What a fantastic choice of plates:-))))
Anita, I love every detail! The plate stack is fabulous, and how lucky to receive a complete set of those gorgeous lavender plates. I love the idea of mixing in the green with the lavender. I often do it with pink as well. The heart shaped green plate is like one I have in my stash. I’ve looked to add more, but none have come my way. I’m a patient dish addict though. ?
Happy Valentine’s Day!
PS
Love the chocolate Eiffel Tower!