Stylish entertaining is an art. For Michelle Pangallo, my good friend and client, setting a gracious table, creating beautiful floral arrangements and whipping up mouthwatering courses all come naturally. Together with her husband CD, they are the ultimate hosts!
I recently attended a splendid luncheon at Michelle and CD’s Swedish style cottage. Yes, I devoured every delectable morsel 🙂 I want to thank them for a glorious afternoon, and for allowing me to share the luncheon with my readers. Their hospitality was truly world class.
By the way, if you recognize the house, good eye! I’ve written about it here and here. There are some new acquisitions, tweaks and seasonal changes. Shall we revisit Michelle and CD?
Guests are greeted by an abundance of roses climbing over the white picket fence.
Such an inviting Swedish style dining room! No one sets a prettier table than Michelle, who confidently mixes garden flowers, seasonal fruit, humble pottery, new and old pewter along with antique silver and china. 19th century English Spode transferware, white ironstone jugs and creamware jelly molds are from
Tone on Tone. The pewter chargers are from
Match.
Appointed with Swedish furniture from the 1780 – 1810s, the dining room feels fresh and airy thanks in part to the bare, bleached floors and light-gray walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s Classic Gray. The Gustavian chairs are from Tone on Tone, and they are upholstered in Palmerstone by Classic Cloth, Dessin Fournir.
For the first course, a velvety tomato-basil bisque with a dollop of creme fraiche. Michelle rolled the linen napkins with roses and marjoram – the scent was heavenly!
Are you ready for the main course? A lemon-basil shrimp salad in a Parmesan basket with fig jam and St. Andre cheese crostini. ABSOLUTELY divine! So light, too! Michelle shares the Parmesan basket recipe from Southern Living. Here’s the recipe as found on
SL’s website:-Wrap outside of an inverted 6″ terra-cotta pot in aluminum foil. Use a clean pot, of course.
-Coat foil with vegetable cooking spray.
-Place a 12″ square of parchment paper on baking sheet.
-Spread 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese onto parchment paper, patting it into an 8 1/2″ circle. Grated cheese will not work for this recipe!
-Bake at 375 degrees for 5-7 mins or until pale golden.
-Remove from oven, and let cool 10 seconds.
-Carefully lift parchment paper off baking sheet.
-Working quickly, invert Parmesan circle over the prepared pot.
-Carefully remove parchment from Parmesan circle.
-Gently press cheese over inverted pot into desired bowl shape. Tip: If cheese circle is too hot, it will slide down the pot, causing small tears. If this happens, gently press the cheese together to seal any large gaps.
-Cool basket completely (about 5 mins), and remove from pot.
-Repeat to create as many baskets as you need. It’s important to work quickly to shape them when they come out of the oven, so make one at a time.
You can bake these a day ahead, and store them individually in Ziplock bags.
For the lemon-basil shrimp salad recipe, go here.
Let’s pause before dessert and check out the latest addition in the room: a 19th century American child’s quilt in a log cabin pattern – notice how no two squares are alike. Also, look at the vivid colors and graphic lines. It’s what I call folk art with a modern spirit. The quilt came from Beverly Norwood Antiques in Maryland.
Another new piece is the 18th century French trumeau mirror from my current shipment. When I found this mirror, I knew Michelle and CD would understand and admire its stripped down pine surface and patinated mercury glass. I suggested it for the living room mantel, and we all love it! The mirror’s humble charm is an unexpected contrast to the richly carved Swedish tea table, also from
Tone on Tone.
A sweet arrangement of hydrangeas with hyacinths. Michelle likes to use antique Delft tiles as one-of-a-kind coasters. It’s always great fun to select just the right one!
For dessert, refreshing mango sorbet served in an antique champagne glass with mini cupcakes on a reticulated creamware plate. Yes, please 🙂
My warmest thanks to Michelle and CD for a special afternoon filled with delicious food, lots of laughter and many lovely moments.
Loi
Oh, my…what a lovely home! Thanks so much for sharing.
I love those roses spilling over the picket fence! And those blue and white plates are gorgeous! It's all beautiful, thanks for sharing it and thanks to your friends for letting us see so much beauty.
It all looks and sounds wonderful. Beautiful home.
What a gorgeous home! And lunch looks very good too.
What a perfect summer day! Such a pretty tabletop and the menu looks yummy. Your hostess Michelle is stylish and lovely. Thanks for sharing, Loi.
OMG what a charming home! And … the perfectly set table! The food looks pretty delicious also!!!
I have a few tiles that would make perfect coasters. Great idea….Thanks.
Oh Loi, tell Michelle and CD, that they are living in my dream, I could move right in with all my pieces and merge them seamlessly. There is not one piece I would not have in my home, yet a bit Colonial with a twist makes for her cottage of Swedish blending a home to love.
In fact I even cook like her, I feel like I could also cook a meal like this for you and your partner :))
I love that dinning table, looking for one more with this patina and size, the Norwegian folk art painted chairs, love her mirror, that side table turned coffee table what can I say other them if I did not have my vintage Baker Milling Road chest of drawers I front of my sofa I would so be asking you to hunt down Michelle's table down for me! 🙂
This home Is a home with your design stamp all over it, and can see why you are so comfortable visiting.
Thank you for this share, would love to see bedrooms/ guess rooms, bath and powder rooms maybe next times visit.
Beautiful June and all it will inspire from you.
Xoxo
Dore
Thank you, Dore. Tom and I would love for you to cook for us 🙂 Cheers!
Beautiful home Loi! Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Vesna
Hello Loi, A very elegant house, which is a perfect setting for the way they live. I love the way all of the old pieces are brought into practical use, something I especially like doing. I do perhaps miss a bit of clutter here and there.
–Jim
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Hi Loi, What a beautiful home. Is the dining room ceiling B.M.'s "Classic Grey" as well? (Thanks for the recipe.) — Cindy
Cindy, no the ceiling is not Classic Gray. It is BM's ceiling white. Thanks for asking.
WOW! beautiful home- love the dining room and that dining table so much! thank you for sharing!
Such refinement and class here Loi. And your art and style are part of this most magnificent home! What I am enjoying through following you are the following:
1. You are ultimately kind.
2. You have a style that captures the eye AND heart.
3. Following you, I have been able to weed away some of the things in my home that add to much clutter and take away from the peace I seek in my environment.
4. Every time you post, I run over here, excited, and never, ever disappointed.
How I love the way she added that extra touch with the greenery on the napkins!
Thank you Loi, for shining the bright patina of beauty. CHEERS!
Merci, Anita! You are the best!! xoxo
Wow….amazing. I love everything about this wonderful get together, the home, the table, the FOOD! That looks soooo divine, I must try it. I once made mini parm cups for an appetizer but ended up eating almost all of them so they never made it out 🙂
From the inside of this home, I thought it was yours. People with good taste have friends with good taste. I pinned that recipe for the cheese bowl…it's a must try! What a lovely lunch. Of course I am dying over those roses on the fence. Perfection.
Love Michelle's simple yet elegant tablescape. This girl's got a lot of style!
Hi Loi – Such a treat to see your friend's beautiful home again. There is nothing like sharing a delicious, home cooked meal with friends.
-Deborah
What a gorgeous home and amazing luncheon! Your friend is a talented hostess. I don't know what's prettier, her table setting or the food. Every detail is just perfect – I especially love the idea of wrapping roses and herbs in the napkin. Lovely! Thanks for bringing us along, Loi!
Dear Loi, thank you for sharing your friends with us and this wonderful luncheon! Everything looks delightful and delicious!!
Xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Loi, what a special afternoon with friends….everything looks amazing including that salad. YUM!
An exquisite, earthy and elegant lunch! How pretty the table is set, with such attention to detail; I love the scented napkins! A scrumptiously appetizing meal, wonderful company, and beautifully artistic bouquets; sounds like the perfect Sunday outing. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Have a lovely week!
Poppy
Absolutely lovely! I adore how she put the marjoram and rose in the napkins, I'll bet the table smelled so fragrant as they were scattered about as the napkins unrolled. The house is beautiful, how nice that to have a kindred spirit when it comes to your lovely rustic~refined pieces. The bouquets have inspired me. I need to bouquets for an event tomorrow night and I just happen to have all those same flowers in bloom! Thank you for sharing Loi!
What a beautiful home and lunch! Simply perfect in every way.
xoxo
Oh, dear…and I had to read this at lunch time and the cupboards are bare………..franki
Yum! I am pinning all of these recipes as I am preparing my menu for Father's Day Brunch! I adore that mirror above the fireplace. What a wonderful unexpected touch!
You had me at St. Andre crostini!
Good grief…………..I am out the door to NEIMANS for a birthday lunch with a friend.I will be dreaming of that POT BOWL SALAD!
Gorgeous home and gorgeous food……..and am certain gorgeous people too!
That's the sort of home that makes me want to start anew–with an emphasis on Swedish antiques! Thank you for the beautiful tour–and for sharing your gifts with each of us! XOXO–Amanda
Just lovely! And that salad, sublime!
Loi,
Wow! I love Michelle and CD's house. It is so beautiful. I've printed the recipe for the Shrimp Salad in Parmesan Bowls, it looks delicious. What a fun afternoon you must have enjoyed. Good food, good friends and a beautiful setting. Thanks for including us in this special luncheon.
Karen
What a lovely and inviting home! So fun to see another beautifully appointed home with Tone On Tone pieces. I pinned the recipe, YUM!! Thanks for sharing and thank you to Michelle and CD for allowing all of us a little peek inside their home,
Kathysue
Loi,
I do remember your other posts of Michelle and CD's charming home. There is a relaxed and lovely vibe throughout their interior. Having such beautiful pieces from "Tone on Tone" just graces their place where one wants to linger. The menu both creative and yummy in a summer lighthearted way. Every detail was splendid as I am sure you enjoyed a most delightful day.
Vera
Delightful! What a lovely setting for such a lunch. The mirror is really stunning: and so perfect for that mantle; a perfect choice, of course!
What a lovely house, and it's a pleasure to see the interior again. And thanks to you and Michelle for sharing the Parmesan basket directions! This is a recipe I'll definitely give a try.
Loi, What a stylish woman and I adore her home and style! She has some gorgeous pieces and I love her fun use of flowers, fruit and even the Delft tiles! The meal looks like a treat and delicious, but beautiful too! I'm going to try to make those bowls. You have some fun friends! Thank you for sharing Loi! xx
I loved this house before, even more now, especially with the mirror over the mantel. Thank you, too, for the luncheon menu. I plan to try it; it sounds delicious. Hope to see you soon in your shop, always a stop I look forward to making when in the area.
What a lovely home and lunch! Loved these beautiful and inspiring photos. I caught a glimpse of this post this morning and then had to return to study and read more. Thank you for sharing!!!
What a beautiful and elegant home to sit and enjoy such a delicious meal in – good company, lovely surroundings, and great food sounds the perfect combination.
Hello my friend Loi! Wow, Michelle and CD are truly an elegant couple. The food look so divine and delicious. The table setting so splendid and their house so elegant. So stylish. They are fabulous friends of yours Loi.
Utterly charming home and owners Loi. Michelle is a hostess extraordinaire from the looks of things. The meal looks divine.
Hi Loi- this home is really special! I have one of your other posts on this home bookmarked as a favorite :). I so appreciate the mix of folk art with the swedish pieces. The mirror is a WOW and a fantastic addition to the living room. Thank them for sharing :).
Sarah XO
What a lovely luncheon in a beautiful setting! Their home is gorgeous and I can see hints of you all throughout by way of their beautiful furnishings!
xo Kat
Oh Loi, It all seems like a fairy tale to me… Do y'all eat like that every day? I'm usually scarfing down a tablespoon of peanut butter washed down with day-old coffee.lol and my little rose bush is completely annihilated now, by Peaches. I was thinking of taking a photo of it and watermarking it as a gag. Anyway. This home! It's even more gorgeous than the last time I saw it. A true gem of exquisite taste [in all ways!] and the colors! You should be styling for magazines! [in your spare time. haha!] xoxo, Laurel
Yes, I eat like this everyday 🙂 Just kidding! This was a real treat!! Thanks, my friend! xo
Hi Loi, Everything is so beautifully green–a treat for those of us in SC! And the luncheon–yummy and beautiful.
Thanks for sharing. xoxo
Mary
Yes, I remember reading about this home in a prior post! Thank you for sharing your photos Loi. Stunning property and interior. Looks like a wonderful luncheon and the BEST company;) The lunch looks delicious and I think several readers here will be trying the recipe you kindly provided:) xxleslie
I'm totally in awe of Michelle's amazing style – both in her home and with her recipes. What an amazing luncheon! I think you need to convince her to start blogging 🙂
Olá
Michele é uma linda e encantadora anfitriã. A casa é linda e a mesa amei cheia de carinho e delicadezas.
Adorei as maravilhosas dicas.
Bjos tenha um ótimo dia.
could the lovely michelle possibly want a new friend?
i can see your hand in their inviting home loi. in my fantasies i could entertain so beautifully, that tablescape is divine and will be copied at this house, and if feeling energized will try the southern living recipe.
cheers to the lovely collaboration of michele, cd and to you loi!
debra
michelle seems SUPER fabulous. always lovely to have a friend like that. now, on to the decor. i am dying over the portrait in the dining room and the mirror over the mantle. i might want to sneak into michelle house and bogart these items. they are SUPER fabulous and in my opinion make each of the rooms. thanks for sharing L 🙂
Absolutely lovely! What a quaint and charming home love it!
I do remember your prior post about her home! Such a delightful setting and a very charming home!
sweet mother of Swedes i love coming to your blog. what a treat for my senses to take all of this beauty in. the hushed tones and delicious bounty are truly a divine combination. hoping you and tom are enjoying a beautiful summer, filled with memories just like this one.
love.
michele
There's so much to aspire to here, Loi. Michelle & CDs home & entertaining style is so inspiring. Thank you & them for sharing it!
Keri
Loi what fun! That dish looks yummy and I think I shall try to create it for a summer brunch with friends and of course you are invited!!!
Dear Loi,
I enjoyed this post and I am going to try and make those parmesan 'bowls'. Those two barley twist candlesticks on your friends' mantel have metal tops I believe. I like that style a lot and we have a few ourselves. I also like the two blue and white plates by the fireplace. DO you know anything about them?
Bye for now,
Kirk
Thank you, Kirk. I believe those are antique Delft plates with Chinoiserie scenes.
Splendid is the right word Loi, from the company to the menu and setting, everything was exquisite and delightful! You and your friend has such fine tastes and for sure this comes along with a nurtured and lifelong friendship! Thanks for 'bringing' us along!
What a beautiful home Loi!
And the luncheon looks amazing…We so often forget these days how special such a gathering is. Thank you for reminding me. Have a wonderful rest of the week
Donna
I definitely see the hand of Loi in this beautiful dining room. Love the table and chairs and the flowers are the perfect complement. What a delicious menu!!
Gorgeous… Michelle's home, her presentation of a delicious meal… you two are kindred spirits!
Thank you to you, Michelle and CD for sharing you special day with us… so inspiring!
xo
Brooke
So perfect that it seems unreal, like a painting or something like this…the home, the living room, the food…Oh, the dinning table is so precious, I suppose that behind all those treasures, it's you Loi!
Now how am I supposed to have you over to my house after that? That luncheon, the presentation and her home sound amazing. Such beauty and curating- she is learning from the best! Her home is lovely, inside and out, and what perfect hosts! Such a wonderful outing. Thanks for sharing. xo Nancy
Bit rose bonkers at the moment, so you hooked me at the first photo!
It all looks wonderful Loi – beautiful house, good food , great company. What more could you ask for. But you you know what they say – we get the friends we deserve!!
Hope you have a lovely weekend,
Liz x
You've outfitted the dining room perfectly, Loi. When we moved from our old house to our condo I used our round table from our kitchen in our new dining area. It works out perfectly. Our dining set would never have fit in the condo's dining space. My daughter got my old dining set because she was moving into a house with a dining room and needed one. So that worked out.
Colorful Casual Dining Rooms
Loi-
You have the most interesting friends. I love the home and the lunch looks spectacular!
I had to pin the home with the flag image!
Teresa
xoxo
Hi Loi, let's get right to it — that mirror!!! I am just speechless. It is SO BEAUTIFUL! I so love your blog, you always have something lovely to share. Let's meet this summer at Snug Harbour 😉
Oh, definitely! We'll have to include Steve. Thanks, Carol.
so gorgeous I love the roses
Beautiful!
Berta
Greetings! It is a blessing to have friends who know the art of entertaining and with style. This must be a lovely luncheon; a warm beautiful home and delicious food.
Hello Loi,
What a beautiful home. It looks like a wonderful luncheon indeed. Thank you for sharing the great photos. I hope all is well.
Susan
Loi, sorry I am seeing this sooo late + love the recipe + what sweet clients you have. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
I have just arrived home from a cheeky week away to see I missed this wonderful post Loi. I've had such fun following your lovely lunch over my morning coffee. Roses and marjoram are such an exquisite combination and the food looks utterly, utterly scrumptious. I have fallen head over heels for Michelle's silverware against that wonderful dining table. Divine. I am sure you popped a little cupcake in a box for me and that's winging its way to me as we speak. Cheerio.
Splendid indeed! Lovely food, beautiful setting. Lucky you!
Claudia
Loi, this lunch looks as good the second time as it did the first time I read the post. In fact the entire day looks even more magical.
I hope that you and Tom and your pups are enjoying a lot of fun and free time in Maine or in D.C, whatever the case enjoying yourself.
Have a great weekend,
Elizabeth
What a beautiful home and mouthwatering luncheon! A blessing to have such gracious friends….
So many gorgeous ideas….from the parmesan bowls to the tile coasters…and your pieces are stunning….
Good to be back visiting you, dear Loi!
Wishing you a relaxing weekend!
Hugs,
– Irina
My dear Loi, I was just thinking of you today as I was out walking about near the lakes and looking at stately homes. You just came into my mind, then I just see that you have come to visit me!
We are having the most glorious summer. It didn't come easy, however! We've had some bad weather and the lakes, creeks, rivers and ponds are overflowing, but for the last several days, it's been stunning. Thinking about your Maine home and what gorgeous things you must be doing to it!
Thank you again for coming to visit and yes, I'm writing now for a magazine. Pretty wonderful.
HUGS ! Anita
Hello Loi,
What a beautiful home and love all the gorgeous furnishings, flowers, and the luncheon with delightful food.
Thank you for sharing the recipe for the Parmesan baskets.
Happy weekend
hugs
Carolyn
What a beautiful home, and yes, the luncheon is totally delightful in both the table setting and the delicious offerings.
I found my way over from Delores' Vignette Design. How have I not know about Tone on Tone before this. I'm most happy to have discovered your blog and am now following along. I hope to visit often.
Happy Summer to you!
Welcome, Sarah! Delighted you found us 🙂 Thanks for your visit!!
Haaaaappy Summer Loi! It's my favourite time of year so I am soaking it all up! Much love!!
I want to be Michelle's friend! How are you going to top this when you invite HER over for lunch? You will manage 🙂
I would be at a loss at such a luncheon. What to swoon over the most? The stunning house? The lush garden? That amazing menu? Just divine. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for your visit and VERY kind comments, dear Loi! 🙂
Enjoy the weekend, sweet friend…
xoxo
OMGoodness, I wish I had been there! The food sounds exceptional and something I want to try! We love to entertain as well and work on the art os such special hospitality. I, too, LOVE to set a beautiful table and as a floral designer, love to make special centerpiece arrangements. Thank you for taking us along to this lovely luncheon.