Mantel and Table is One Year Old – Time to Celebrate!

Happy Birthday Mantel and Table!

It’s been exactly a year since I launched Mantel and Table – October 1, 2018. It’s been such a wild ride – and more fun than I ever could have dreamed!

Thank You!

The most fun has been meeting so many wonderful people! You’ve become my inspiration, my readers, followers, and friends. I’m so grateful to all of you for sharing this blogging journey with me. Thank you!

Since this is Teacup Tuesday as well, I thought I’d share 12 of my favorite teacups to celebrate 12 months of Mantel and Table. Some of them you might recognize from previous Teacup Tuesdays, and some might be new. But they’re all beautiful and they all have stories.

I’ve already written about some of those stories, so there will be a lot of links in this post. Feel free to wind your way from link to link as you go along. Or just read straight through and come back to the ones that interest you most.

12 Teacups for 12 Months of Mantel and Table

I got this one above, at a great vintage shop on the Long Beach Peninsula last winter. Because of that, it reminded me of the ocean and that lovely trip for a long time. But I took it to the Petals & Props Workshop I attended recently, and now it will forever remind me of those amazing days! You can read about that HERE if you haven’t already.

Teacups Evoke the Past

I know so many of you Mantel and Table readers also love teacups, and have your own stories. Teacups are like little portals to the past. A remembrance of a loved one, a vintage treasure, an elegant history lesson.

This little gold demitasse, above, was the first teacup I posted at Mantel and Table and on Instagram ( @mantelandtable ) when Teacup Tuesday started. It was my grandmother’s and I’ve always loved it.

Although it’s beautiful on its own, I really enjoyed finding what I thought was the perfect setting for it. This was last fall and the leaves in the yard were a beautiful color. With the leaves, roses, and silver, it brought back lovely memories of Grammy.

Teacups in the Present

They’re also a touch of coziness and friendship in the present. Who doesn’t love sharing tea in a pretty teacup with a friend? And doesn’t a teacup add some romance to a peaceful moment alone, curled up with a book or some chocolates?

The white and gold stunner above was a gift from SIL for my birthday this year. I’m absolutely in love with it! Another example of kindness and friendship, as represented by a teacup!

And Teacups Into the Future

And they’re also links to the future, as so many teacups get passed down to someone else who loves them. This cup above belongs to one of my wonderful neighbors. A young artist who has embraced teacup collecting, and will carry on the tradition into the next generation. Isn’t it gorgeous?

This one above is a Mantel and Table Instagram favorite, and I can see why – it’s beautiful! I just loved the white of the cup against the softness of the white towels.

I also have another very generous neighbor with an amazing teacup collection! She loaned me her cups and saucers, and I’m still in the process of photographing them all! This is one of hers – a turquoise and floral beauty.

This lovely flowered number is another from my neighbor, and perfect I thought, for a summer picnic! When I photographed this one, the blackberries were just ripening and their heavenly scent was taking me back to childhood!

Yet another from the Neighbor Collection! I love the history of china and teacups, and this one has even another angle for research. It’s part of a set of several castles, and each one has a story.

This color and texture combination made me think of a baby shower. When I mentioned as much in the original Mantel and Table post, I had one friend tell me she was having another baby just so I could throw the party! (You know who you are!) But we decided that might not be such a great idea at this point. So I guess I’ll wait for one of my young friends to give me the perfect opportunity!

Mantel and Table Seasons & Heirlooms

Doesn’t this one remind you of the winter holidays? I usually use this festive linen at Christmas time. And combined with the evergreens in the flower arrangement, it says Holidays to me! The teacup itself is part of a large set I got kind of by accident. I went into the store looking for two place settings, and came out with an entire set!

And speaking of holidays, how about this little gem? It so reminds me of Thanksgiving. Coming home to a little village to celebrate with family and friends. Or cozying up on my own in a little cottage for a quiet holiday with those books and chocolates again!

This cup comes from a little tea set my husband inherited. The teapot is really darling too.

This is an heirloom from my side of the family, but I only have a few pieces left. In my grandfather’s day, it was a full set. I’ve told that sad story before. But this is one of my very favorite cups. It’s hand painted in gold leaf, and it feels wonderful to hold. The fact that I know my ancestors used it, makes it doubly special. Even the little worn spot on the handle makes me happy!

I love this photo! Along with the first cup above, I also bought this one on the Long Beach Peninsula. I was practically the only one on the beach as the sun was going down. It was so beautiful, and I got lots of pictures with elegant shadows and interesting light. Then these two people strolled by, and it so beautifully captured the mood, that I had to take the picture.

And Finally

And finally, we’ll finish with the Mantel and Table Instagram super-favorite! More people liked this one than any other post of my own work. Maybe it’s because the little violets just gently whisper springtime. Maybe it’s that fun blurry background.

Or maybe it’s that this is one of the most beautiful teacups I’ve ever seen! Once again, my neighbor generously loaned me this from her collection.

China really does bring people together! Besides being able to borrow such lovely cups, another wonderful friend gave me a set of two to keep! I also received a gorgeous tea set from my best friend. And I’m now the caretaker of several pieces of flatware and beautiful place settings from family members across the country. These collections are both repositories of memories and trust in the future.

Plus they’re pretty and really fun!

Mantel and Table Into the Next Year

Did I already say Thanks for sharing this first year of Mantel and Table with me?! Well I’ll say it again – THANK YOU! It’s been wonderful sharing all these things I love! Not only teacups, but table settings, mantel decorating, and all the other aspects about living a fun, warm, and welcoming life!

Here’s to the next year and beyond!

———- Teacup Shopping with Mantel and Table ———-

If you love teacups as much as I do and want to start or add to your collection, Click HERE for the Shopping Page. Then scroll down and click on the picture of the teacup.

Please leave a Comment below – I love to hear from you!

This Post Shared With

• Metamorphosis Monday #561 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch