I’ve always loved a blue table setting! Up until recently though, I never had any blue china. I did make some pretty blue and white salad plates a while back, and I got a few casual dark blue plates for a party once, but not real china.
So imagine how thrilled I was when my wonderful cousin offered me her set of Noritake Blue Hill china!
It’s been in her family for a long time, and I’m so honored to be its new caretaker!
A while back, another lovely and generous friend had given me these gorgeous cobalt glass chargers. And as soon as I saw the china, I knew they had to go together.
Don’t the chargers make a bright – and kind of unexpected – blue table setting? I love how the delicate florals on the china contrast a little in style with the deep cobalt of the chargers.
Pink Flowers for a Blue Table Setting
I’ve also always loved pink with my blue and white. It’s just so fresh and cool and inspiring, I think. These lilies were pretty closed when I got them at the grocery store. So I let them sit in some warm water for a couple days to open up before I trimmed the bottoms and arranged them.
(As much as I only sort of arranged them! I just clipped them short and put them in some lovely crystal vases I got from my mom. Seeded eucalyptus is another favorite, so I put a few stems in each vase. That’s all the “arranging” I did!)
I don’t know about you, but I really hate lily pollen stains on my white table linens, so as soon as the lilies opened up enough, I clipped the stamens off so they couldn’t mess things up. You can see the lily in the bottom right of the picture below was still too closed for me to clip its stamens. I’ll go back with my paper towel and scissors and trim those off too.
The rest of the blue table setting
But as you know, there’s more to a tablescape than just the plates and the flowers. Since the china had silver rims, I used my favorite sterling, Wallace Rose Point. This is the silver my mom started for me when I got my hope chest as a teenager. She and I have both added to it over the years and now I have enough for a good sized dinner party.
(This is kind of a weird picture – the bottoms aren’t really that dark.)
The glassware you’ve seen a million times before (if you’ve been here before.) My usual crystal water glasses and Riedel Pinot Noir glasses.
Fun with knives!
Another really fun thing is the crystal knife rests. I was gifted these also, from another wonderful cousin. (Since all my older cousins are now downsizing, being the youngest in the family is finally paying off!)
These are so pretty! And you can see how they reflect so much light on the table.
Now, you know I love to set a formal table, but I’m not above bending or breaking “rules” when I feel like it. For instance, it’s not strictly accurate to have the knives on the rests at the start of the meal.
They’re “supposed” to be in their normal place, and only laid on the rests between courses. But I like to do it this way for a couple reasons. One, it lets people know what they’re actually for! Most of my friends have never seen a knife rest before and wouldn’t know what to do with it, sitting up there above their knives.
Also, what the heck – it’s fun!
And fun with candles
And I got some fun silver glitter candles at some point, that I thought would be great to use in this blue table setting. They were pretty drippy, though, so I’ve recommended some dripless ones down below.
I don’t often use colored candles, but these were fun and different, and got a lot of comments.
The blue table setting equivalent of my 13 year old dream
And now we come to the dream of my 13 year old self. The summer I became a teenager, I came down with chicken pox, and I was stuck in bed for quite a while. One of our family friends brought me some goodies and *gasp!* my first copy of Seventeen magazine!
One of the articles in that magazine was a makeover pictorial called “Barbara Bright & Pale.” Wow! I was so excited that this lovely girl – with MY name – was in my magazine. As you can guess, it showed the same girl with two different makeup looks, one with deep colors, and one with pastels.
I dreamed of the day I could wear the same kind of grown up makeup, and look any way I wanted! It made a huge impression on me, and ever since, I’ve loved making just one or a few changes to something for a whole different look.
Of course, you see where I’m going with this.
Changing the chargers
Obviously, the cobalt chargers in the blue table setting were what made the first table the Bright one. All I did was switch out those bright chargers for these lovely silver ones, and voila – the Pale blue table setting!
I really love this setting and the muted elegance of the lovely blue china with the silver charger.
Two blue table settings side by side
So, here’re a couple photos that show you the differences in these blue table settings side by side. I always love to see the contrast!
First the place settings themselves.
Then the whole table.
I actually love them both! I’d use the bright one when I wanted to be more playful, and the pale one for a more classically elegant look. Just like the Barbara from all those years ago – I can do whichever look I want!
Do you prefer one or the other? Let me know in the comments – I love to hear what you think!
Shop the blue table setting post
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Just lovely Barbara! I am going to use your ideas for my Steak Night Dinner Party tonight! Even though it is raining we are throwing steaks on the grill! lol Setting a beautiful table is always part of my preparation for Gatherings at my house. I so enjoy elevating meals with a nice table and it really impresses the guests. Thanks for your inspiration!
Oooh Steak Night – one of my favorite nights ever! 😊 Grilling is great any time, rain or not, and I wish I could zip down there and sit at one of your lovely tables with my steak knife in hand! Thanks so much for stopping by, and Happy Easter weekend!
Barbara, I don’t know how I missed this post! I love the two different looks, but I am drawn to the “pale” and more traditional one. But the message of your post, is that you can use antique or vintage china and create a more contemporary look too! Your silverware is just gorgeous! I do not have any crystal knife rests and they do add such an elegance to the table. Thanks for sharing your story and two beautiful tables. Lucky us!
So glad you like them both Mary! The knife rests sure are fun, and of course anything crystal and sparkly is great right?! 😊 Thanks so much for stopping by – hope you’re having a lovely weekend in the sun!
What a stunning table Barbara! I always love blues and pinks together. Thank you so much for the inspiration, my friend.
Aww thanks so much Kim – any time! 🙂 Hope you’re having a lovely weekend up there!
Gosh, this is pretty!!!!!! We all have our dream tablescapes, and I can plainly see why this one would be one of yours! My goodness!!!!!!! Just lovely!
I’m really late to the party, but I wanted you to know that this is just gorgeous!!!!!!!
You can come to the party any time – I’m so glad you like it! 😊 Thanks so much, it’s always so sweet of you to stop by! Hope you’re having a great week and staying warm!
Hi, Barbara! Your post is so wonderful! I was super inspired by your design eye. I would love to invite you to link up your project at Whimsy Home Wednesdays to inspire others and have a chance to be featured – find the party here -> https://fifthsparrownomore.com/whimsy-home-wednesday-blog-link-party-no-14/
Thanks so much Kristin! I’ll go check it out – I really appreciate the invitation! And thanks for stopping by! 🙂
You are so sweet. I loved your story about chicken pox and your first Seventeen magazine. I loved that mag. I had a big crush on Donny Osmond back in those days. Used to love their posters, and yes, I had him plastered all over my walls. LOL. Just wanted to say both those tablescapes are absolutely lovely. You always do them up so beautifully, Barbara. ♥
Michele! I was just thinking about you the other day – I hope you’re well over there. Ahhh Donny Osmond! I had a similar crush on his Partridge Family counterpart, David Cassidy! 🤣 SO glad you like the tables – thank you so much for being here and sharing my tablescaping joy! 💙 Hope you have a great weekend!
Hi Barbara!
I loved Seventeen too. I haven’t thought about that mag in decades.
And the lilies are my favorite flowers.
I like the pale setting on the right.
Gorgeous, not gaudy. 🙂
Wendy
Thanks so much Wendy. Even when I try to do something more exciting, I always seem to gravitate back to the “pale.” I know – wasn’t that Seventeen a blast from the past?! I thought I was so grown up, but my mom almost didn’t let me keep it – she thought is was a bit “mature” for a little 13 year old! 🤣 Hope you’re having a lovely week. Take care down there! 💙
Loved both of these table setting, Barbara, and the lilies set them off beautifully. I’m partial to the silverware as I have the same pattern started by my Grandmother when I was born. It is always a pleasure to use it as it brings back so many fond memories.
Lynne
Oh that was so sweet of your grandma! It’s such a beautiful pattern, isn’t it? I’m glad you still love yours and have such wonderful memories! That’s one of the things that makes setting a table so fun. 💛 Thanks so much for stopping by Lynne. Happy Thursday!
Barbara, I love both tables and would be hard pressed to choose a favorite. I think it would depend on my mood. What a fabulous gift of the Noritake china and you will find many ways to use it. I love that you shared your personal story, my friend. As always, it is a joy to visit with you!
Pam you are so sweet! I hope you’re feeling better and back to your old tricks! 🙂 It always makes me happy to see you here! Take care and Happy Wednesday! 💛
Oh how fun, Barbara! Both table settings are beautiful – and changing the chargers does change the whole mood for different occasions. Gorgeous silver too. And I’m glad to know I’m not the only one decapitating those pollen-laden stamens on their lilies 🤣…
Ha! You are totally not the only one! 🤣 SO gald you liked the settings – it’s fun to have lots of options! Hope you’re having a lovely week, and thanks so much for stopping by my friend!
Beautiful place setting(s) and I love both versions of the tablescape. The knife rests are a nice addition and really a great invention. The cobalt blue is absolutely amazing and love the China. Great that you can mix it up by adding a different charger. Always enjoy your blog. Thank you.
Janice
Thanks so much Janice! And I always love a visit from a fellow entertainer and tablescaper! 💙 Hope you’re having a lovely weekend my friend!
How fortunate you are to have acquired such beautiful dishes from others! Both of your tables are lovely! I hope you have a wonderful week!
Hi Donna! I know! I’m so grateful to have such sweet friends and family! 💙 Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you have a wonderful week too!
Simply beautiful table Barbara! The china is gorgeous and what a lovely gift from your cousin. I love the cobalt chargers too – such an unexpected pop to the table. The china with the silver charger is really pretty too and is a completely different look but I think I like the cobalt one just a tad better. Both are beautiful though and you get two different settings by just changing the charger. Veryl’s idea with the hydrangeas and blue candles is intriguing as well. I think you’ll have lots of fun thinking up different looks for your new china. Enjoy it all my friend!
YES! I’m loving Veryl’s idea – can’t wait to get some blue candles! 😊 I do feel so luck to have such kind and generous family and friends. Even though they live so far away, I’m hoping to have them over to have a dinner on their beautiful gifts! And the friend who gave me the chargers also gave me a vintage cookbook – and told me her favorite recipes! That makes a Thank You dinner party even easier! I see you’re reasonably warm up there today – hope you get to do something fun! 💙
I vote blue but both are lovely. I never thought about clipping the stamens out. What a great tip! Thanks.
Yeah – it only took one ruined tablecloth for me to figure that one out. Plus it’s kind of a fun little game! 😊 So nice of you to come visit, Andrea! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
I think I like the blue charger one the best and then I wondered what it would look like with blue hydrangeas and light blue candles… these tables capes inspire me
Oh Veryl! That sounds absolutely stunning!! I’m definitely going to try that next time I get blue hydrangeas. I like your inspirations – keep them coming! 💙💙😊
Both are lovely. I enjoy seeing dressed up table with white linens. Reminds me of Mom’and nominee. I do pull out all the sstops on occasion. I try to semi regularly when the grandkidsare here with parents too. Extra nice and elegant is not just for grownups
That’s so true! In fact I’ve found that kids really love to get fancy! 😊 I bet your grandkids love hanging out with you! Thanks so much for stopping by, Linda!
Love your articles. It seems I learn something every time. Thank You!
Aw thank you Sean – that makes me really happy! 💙 I’m so glad you stop by. Have fun till next time!
Absolutely gorgeous, my friend! My 13 year old self would definitely approve. Hugs to you.
Ha! Too bad we didn’t know each other when we were 13 – we could have gotten into all kinds of projects! 😊 Have a lovely weekend over there!
That is just stunning Barbara! I absolutely love it.
Chas – thank you! I’m so glad you like it. 💙 See you soon my friend!
Although I love contrasting elements when styling a tablescape, I admit, this time I like the paler look with the silver chargers. What a lovely gift that beautiful china is!
Hi Chloe! Wasn’t that sweet? I’m so lucky to have such wonderful cousins and friends! Now if I could just tidy my china storage! 🤣 Thanks so much for popping over, and hope you’re having a lovely weekend!