Thank you all for leaving such wonderful and positive comments on my
last post about the new shipment. Tom and I are grateful for your support and
feedback! All of the new inventory will be posted to the website
soon. I’ve been busy cataloging, pricing, and photographing each piece.
Recently, I hosted a casual luncheon at home
for Bethany Brower, Nancy Powell, and Kerry Steele – all friends and
blog authors I met last summer.
Nancy
and Bethany are a talented, creative, and dynamic design team, and they write daily
about design, art, and more on their site: Powell Brower. They are also mother and daughter.
Kerry is an amazing artist, and author of Design du Monde. Her abstracts on linen are quite lovely! Check out her new site here.
As I
do not cook much (at all :), I enlisted Tom to prepare lunch. We enjoyed his Chesapeake Bay crabcakes, tomato, mozzarella and basil salad, and simple mixed greens. Many thanks, Tom!! For dessert, I picked up a
summer fruit tart and macaroons from a local French patisserie.
Setting the table can be so fun! In my china
closet are antique and new creamware, ironstone, and other simple
dishes.
Above photo: French creamware pieces in an unusual pale blue color by Creil (top row). Creamware and ironstone serving pieces (second row). Dinner plates, soup bowls, dessert and salad plates, and other small dishes (bottom row).
I ended up using these vintage Swedish ironstone plates with beaded rim. They are the perfect luncheon size. (The little footed bowls are French coffee bowls from the early 1900s.)
Also in this closet are linens, trays, and vintage baskets stored in old French laundry baskets.
For a casual look, I selected French olive wood flatware, rustic washed linens, and abaca woven place mats. Both the flatware and place mats are from Crate and Barrel.
Here is the table all set up! The footed cakestands are French from the end of the 1800s. In the photos at the beginning, you’ll see a stack of three, which I assembled over a period of time. Limelight hydrangeas are from our garden.
Here are Nancy, Bethany, and Kerry in the family room. Thanks for coming over, ladies. I had a great time 🙂
And now is a good opportunity to share our new Swedish Mora clock from the end of the 1700s. Just over 100 inches, this is the tallest Mora clock I’ve come across. To read more about Mora clocks, please visit this
post from last year. The antique coffee table is from Belgium, and is slightly taller than today’s coffee tables.
That’s it for this post. Hope you’ll visit my friends’ sites.
Bye for now!
Loi
Hi Loi,
What a lovely luncheon you organized! Your china closet, with the arrangement of plates and crockery, is very pretty and so neat! Everything has its place and the set up is, indeed, practical! Your new addition, the slightly taller coffee table, is, in my opinion more convenient and ergonomic for taking tea or having a light snack. We had ours made higher a few years ago and it has proven most comfortable.
Thanks for sharing this special luncheon with us and look forward to visiting your friends' sites.
Poppy
Oh my word! Such gorgeous creamware and ironstone!! I love your footed cakestands! I have a collection of them as well and truly love them! I have to admit I am a little jealous of those three lucky women getting to eat in your home and spend time with you! What fun! You are such a gracious host and person and I'm sure they loved every minute of it! Your home is truly gorgeous and so tasteful! And the menu sounded delicious as well! What a fun post to read on this dreary Saturday morning in Birmingham! Hope you are doing well and enjoying the weekend!
Wow Loi, your home is so beautiful, elegant and super neat. I love how your China closet is so organized. You are presenting here some great ideas for organizing China wares. The menu sounds delicious and your table setting so stunning. I am sure everybody had a fun and memorable time. Have a great weekend! Pamela
Hello Loi, That seems like a fun lunch–of course, everything was perfection considering that it was you who arranged it. It must be nice to have everything neatly arrayed and accessible like that. I have tons of stuff, but it is now all put away. This post makes me remember the fun of arranging dinners at my old home in Moreland Hills, Ohio.
–Road to Parnassus
Thank you, Jim. I heard you are in Ohio. Have a wonderful time, and safe travels back to Taiwan!
I can't thank you enough for such a lovely afternoon. Our chats were such fun. Your house and garden are even more delightful in person. It was great to meet Tom too!
So great to have you! Thanks for making the trip over, Kerry. Sorry about your long drive back.
That clock is amazing! And I wish I had those hydrangeas.
Loi, I just noticed that you put me on your blogroll. Thank you; that is so kind. I am really hoping to be able to visit the shop when we're home this fall.
My pleasure, Cindy! Hope to meet you soon!
Everything is so pretty, Loi. I am sure they had a very good time. Love that clock!
Dearest Loi, I am smiling so hard right now, as I know Nancy (from blogging) and to think that you are over there, she is too, and I am here, able to view your time together. Isn't this fun? What a joy to unite with friends with whom you correspond and share so much beauty. I have had the opportunity to meet blogger friends over the years, and there is nothing like that thrill to finally put a face to the words!
OK NOW FOR YOUR HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whew….your table, oh dear. What gorgeousness; I love using only white plates to present the colorful foods I enjoy serving. What a great table you have here. I love that olive wood cutlery set Loi; this adds so much organic feel to an elegant and rustic/chic/elegant décor. That Belgian coffee table and Swedish clock! OH MY! Along with your drapery and lovely windows, you and Tom have created a nest of comfort. Thank you for posting as you have made my day!!!
Love those hydrangeas, too! Anita
Such lucky ladies to have been invited to a luncheon at your home! Everything looks beautiful. I love your super-organized china closet (but I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Loi).
Claudia
I wish it was me!
Your china cabinet is to die for 🙂
Di
xxx
Wonderful to hear from you, Inga. I miss your posts and beautiful photos. Hope you'll return soon!!
Did you roll out the red carpet? Just kidding…Lovely setting! How much more welcome can you make your guests feel; you are so talented. I have been thinking about reorganizing my china closet/pantry; yours is a perfect example!
Have a great weekend!
Wonderful to hear from you, Inga. I miss your posts and beautiful photos. Hope you'll return soon!!
Can I just tell you how much I love those ironstone plates with their beaded rims? They'd be right at home in my house if you ever need to turn them over! Wink! Love the peeks inside your home, too.
Quanto buon gusto…mi piacciono tanto queste bellissime foto e questi meravigliosi oggetti.
Ciao caro Loi,e lieta domenica!
Ti abbraccio,
Luci@
Such lucky ladies to have been invited to a luncheon at your home Loi Everything looks beautiful. I love your organized china closet
Beautiful! Everything in your home is so BEAUTIFUL!
Hi Loi, your china closet is really beautiful, both the organization and the contents. I know your guests were enjoying their visit in your pretty surroundings! I bet they were pinching themselves. What a beautiful summer table you set and Tom's menu sounds delish! Our limelights are putting on quite a show this summer too.
Loi, Thank you so much dear one. We had the most amazing time and it was so fun to chat about our design businesses and blogging over a fabulous 5 star lunch! Thank Tom for the fabulous menu so beautifully executed–and macarons to culminate the meal, I was in heaven! So great to see you, Tom and your dogs in your spectacular home. Now it's time for me to return the favor so I hope you come west soon! Your grounds and home and your hospitality are perfection. I felt so inspired and spent 8 hours today trimming bushes and doing yardwork! Your place is a piece of heaven. See you soon, have a great weekend. Thanks to Mocha for letting Gibbs interview him on our Sunday post!
xo Nancy
Nancy, thank YOU! Totally my pleasure!! I can't wait to see you again 🙂 Hopefully, soon!!
Dear Loi, the table looks perfect. Seeing my blog friends with you is so rewarding!
Love, love the antiques when I get to see more and more! That coffee table is amazing!
All the Best!
Karena
2013 Designer Series
The luncheon looks like it had to have been the EVENT of the Century! Your home, and table are stunning!
I can only imagine how fabulous the day was!
Hi Loi – How nice to have delicious lunch with friends in your beautiful home. The new clock is so tall and stunning. It looks perfect in your family room.
xo,
Deborah
HOW Fun!! You have a lovely china closet and set a beautiful table…your guests are favorites of mine.
Gorgeous Loi!!!! Sorry i missed it. Haha.
Xo Terri
Amazing!! Love your home Loi!
Have a lovely weekend!
Blessings and hugs,
Vesna
Good morning dear Loi!!! Oh how nice to see you come visit me! I am NOT quite ready for fall, NO! But tomorrow, I go in for an entire day of new technology training at the high school where I will be teaching one senior French class. I meet with new colleagues on Wednesday, then NEXT WEEK the whole week will be classroom prep, new curriculum overview and more meetings. Then "fall" kicks in for us!
I love to see the garden at this time; the long shadows, the cooler nights….it's all gradual, until suddenly the frost comes and changes our lives. I look forward to seeing your world under the icy but BEAUTIFUL world of fall and winter.
LOVE ON! Anita
Hello Loi
How exciting to meet and host your new friends, through blogging. Tom certainly knows his way around the kitchen. I love the menu.
Lovely to see your dining room
Helenxx
Hi Loi,
New clock is beautiful as is your whole home – very "tone on tone" and serene. We are kindred spirits in another way – I love setting the table. It is one of the joys of entertaining, but your china closet is so organized. Mine on the other hand are sundry – corner cupboards for china, highboy for linens, and front hall closet for overflow. As always, you remain an inspiration.
Happy week-end-
b
PS. But like Tom, I love to cook.
OK I am a bit jealous of that super organized pantry..looks more like a store with beautiful things for sale:) How fun to walk into such an orderly space!! The luncheon looked beautiful and of course your home a perfect concoction of elegance, understated beauty and warmth. Beautiful!
What a beautiful luncheon for 3 of my favorite blog friends – it must be such a treat to be in your amazing home with great attention to detail in every space. So now, not only do I want your decorating skill, but after seeing your china closet, I need your organizational skills, too!! Happy Sunday ~
dearest loi
even your pantry is serene and soothing. the table-setting, that exquisite mora clock to the beautiful bolster on your sofa is a feast for the soul
you may not cook but your aesthetic is unparalleled
cheers
debra
Loi…Sounds wonderful…your iron stone collection is impressive and so is your closet! Everything is placed beautifully…Toms menu sounds yummy… Your home is gorgeous!
Your style is so beautifully executed and an inspiration for my decorating. Thank you for sharing. Cheri
Loi, I love your linen closet/dish room! So many beautiful treasures and so many wonderful stories all of these items could tell if only they could speak.
Your lunch sounds lovely as do your companions. I love their blogs!
Your new clock is beautiful, I have never seen one so tall. Sometimes it is hard to believe that these beautiful pieces have been around for so long. Thank goodness there were people who loved them as much as you and preserved them for the next generation.
Have a great week Loi. Looking forward to more of your beautiful posts!
Oh my goodness, what FUN!! I would be so thrilled to get to meet blogging friends in person and you all got to enjoy spending time together in SUCH a lovely way. Besides the fantastic company, I know that your guests enjoyed soaking up all the beauty that is your home! The clock is incredible!
How fabulous this all is…Would love to come to your home for lunch. Every detail perfection…and I know the conversation was great too. Have a great week and thanks for sharing. Mona
Wonderful!! Love to come over for a lunch at your beautiful home!!
How nice to share this with you!!
I just love to see blogposts about your home!
Have a wonderful Sunday Loi!
xx
Greet
Loved seeing your china closet Loi! Beautifully organized. Love the all white! Lucky ladies to be guests in your home- how fun!
xxojoan
What a wonderful, wonderful way to spend a day! Your choice of ceramics, tableware, table setting…and even food, is impeccable (of course). Your house is just so serene and peaceful. Thank you for opening this up to all of us Loi: it is a treat to enter in.
Omgosh Loi! Your dish/linen closet is a dream come true. Oh to have that space!! Perfectly curated just like everything in your lovely home. What lucky ladies to have spent time with you and Tom in your beautiful home. Always fun to have another peek inside your beautiful home.
xo Kathysue
everything looked lovely! your home is so beautiful and welcoming, and so are you! 🙂
Hi Loi! Wow.. I wish I could have joined you all!! 😉 your home is stunning and your table looks gorgeous with those beautiful dishes! Your Mora clock is such a great piece:). xxL
You are as neat and tidy as I am. It's almost a disease isn't it? Everything looks beautiful and I can tell all the girlfriends had so much fun. There's nothing better than girlfriends!!
Wow, a mini blogging conference. How fun for the three of you to be able to do this. It looks like it was a beautiful lunch. Loi, you set the most impressive table.
Hi, Loi,
I just noticed that super-long pillow on your sofa — that's so neat! Did you have it specially made for you?
i'm so in love with the organized china pantry. and inspired. now that we are emptynesters, i will have a little more time and incentive to follow suit. i'm so jealous of a blogger lunch! and macarons! the only excitement here at the moment is i am dogsitting (so 2 shihtzus in the house that i hand-feed like royalty).
have a wonderful rest of the weekend, loi.
michele
Loi,
Simple and lovely. What a pretty table setting and the meal sounded delicious. As always, I loved seeing your pantry and the display of the pretty creamware and ironstone you have collected. The mora clock is wonderful and so perfect for the spot you've placed it in.
xo,
Karen
What a beautiful collection your pantry holds, Loi. It truly must be a lot of fun to set the table with so many lovely pieces to choose from. And the clock is a stunner. xo, Phyllis
What a wonderful afternoon! Your china cabinet is beautiful Loi, you have a lovely collection. The clock is stunning, what a presence!
Hi Loi, what a wonderful post…I think one of the joys of blogging is when we get to meet our fellow bloggers we admire in person….it is the culmination of like minds and hearts who have discovered one another…just the best thing! I can only confirm all of the above, beauty, organization and style in your home, collections and gardens…I am looking for a coffee table Loi, I think I found it….beautiful!! It would look perfect here….N.xo
Hello Loi!
Your guests must have been delighted to spend the afternoon in such a lovely home with such fine company. The menu held some favorites of mine, I know!! I loved the peek into your pantry! And the clock is certainly very special to have such presence in a home already filled with so many beautiful things!
xo
Mimi
Loi, it was a great pleasure to "meet" your pup over at Powell Bower.
Have a great night!
The white ironstone is gorgeous and so are where you keep it all! Yes, I agree the clock is stunning!
Loi, I'm in love with your dish & linen closet! The place setting for the luncheon was simply beautiful. Your garden flowers, very striking. Wish I were lucky enough to be one of those bloggers! Monica
Wow Loi, just WOW! What a gorgeous and well organized, not to mention sparkling clean linen and service closet you have! What an amazing treat to be a guest at your home, I'm sure. Thanks for sharing. LOVE LOVE LOVE the new clock!
xoxo,
A
Dearest Loi + Tom, such a wonderful lunch + linen closet + clock. You both must be bursting with pride. Love the windows + drapes at your home. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Hello Loi,
Amei sua casa. As louças são belíssimas. Que lindo seu almoço e suas convidadas muito bonitas e alegre. Por favor, diga ao Tom que quero a receita desta maravilhosa torta. Sua casa e seu jardim são lindos e uma inspiração para mim.
Bjos e tenha uma ótima semana.
Loi, you have me speechless. What a breathtaking home you and Tom have created for yourself. It is such a pleasure (honestly) to see these peaks into your gorgeous (and efficient and organized!) house.
It's always so fun to read about fellow bloggers connecting in real life, too!
"Aaah, perfection." franki
Sounds like everyone had a great time and lunch sounds DELICIOUS!
I just discovered your wonderful blog and home thru Nancy and Bethany over at "Powell Brower at home" !!!! And I must say, your style and tastes are exquisite, and your home truly reflects that! I'm a new follower for sure!
Welcome, Vel!!! Thanks for visiting and commenting. I really appreciate it 🙂
What lucky ladies your guests are! Your home looks beautiful and the lunch menu sounds so yummy. I especially love all the attention to detail and a peak into the amazing collection you have stored away. What fun. I've been away for a couple weeks so missed the new shipment and can't wait to take a look!
Such impeccable taste and meticulous attention to details! I envy those ladies:-(. Beautiful! xx
Loi!!
I'm now suffering from "china closet envy"!!! Your creamware collection is amazing and I love seeing photos of your home :). I'm sure it was a great time- Have a great week.
XO Sarah
oh loi – this was one of the best days, thank you so much for having us into your chart-topping home. i loved it!
Thanks, Bethany! I had a great time. Hope to hang out again soon 🙂
Loi…this is a dream!
Those lucky ladies! Your lunch table was beautiful. What a special treat to peak inside your dish and linen cabinet. It is immaculate (as to be expected from you). Your new clock is amazing! What a gorgeous home Loi.
Susan xxooxx
Oh, those lucky ladies!!!! I'll bet the conversation at lunch was so much fun!!!
I literally want to recreate your linen cabinet……Martha Stewart would be proud (dare I say, jealous! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this special day with us!!
xoxo Elizabeth
What a treat to have lunch in your beautiful home! I'm sure you all must have had a lot of fun together. Your Mora clock is amazing!!!
Loi-
Four of my very favorite people all in one place. I know that you had a fabulous time.
Your home looks fabulous, as always.
Happy Wednesday.
Teresa
xoxo
Gosh your house is GORGEOUS and I love tone on tone decorating. I love the idea of changing out flateware/dinnerware to fit the occassion. I only have one set of nice flatware that comes out when we have guests…I'm going to have to change that! And I never knew Bethany and Nancy were mother and daughter! Which one is which? I'm not trying to be flattering, I seriously can't tell, they both look like either one could be the daughter! New follower here! You're going on my sidebar!
-Khammany
Hi Loi,
How are you?
We just came back from France and I have a lot of catching up to do. Love your table setting. Your home is so warm and just filled with treasures. Pleasure to visit you every time.
xoxo Rozmeen
I will certainly visit your friend's blogs, but only when I have stopped drooling over your china closet which is a work of art all by itself! X Sharon
This is awesome!
I am quite envious of your china closet Loi and feel I now need to go out a shopping jaunt, your 'casual' olive wood handled flatware are quite yummy!
Could I be more jealous? No. Plus that table was so pretty….I would have to be on my best behavior in that beautiful scene.
Ok I'm also obsessed with your basket collection! I have been looking for some beautiful baskets to use as containers for flower arrangements.. these would all be perfect!
XO
Jan