Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Something Borrowed, Something Blue

No color combination is as endlessly versatile as this dynamic duo. No matter what decade you look at in decoration, there are a few colors that have a staying power that transcends the fads and the trends. Blue and white is one of those timeless color duos that is never old and tired. Blue and white tableware is as fantastic today as much as it was years ago when our mothers and grandmothers loved it. (l to r: White Snow Blu collection, charger, $157.00, dinner plate, $30.00, saucer, $23.00, cup,$23.00, Driade Kosmo; image from Country Living Magazine).

Blue and White is a favorite decorating scheme for interior designers around the world and the color combination has inspired many tabletop designers. I have always loved Spode's blue and white willoware, it is elegant on the top of the table and also looks quite striking in any room in your home, be it contemporary or period.

(above: Sutherland, Octagonal plates, $60.00, Spode; Image from Ralph Lauren Home; below:Image from House Beautiful Magazine; Blue Canton Dinnerware, 5 pc place setting $185.00, Mottahedeh, Bloomingdale's).

So boundless is blue and white that you could decorate your table with it and make it look completely different every time. Here I've shown it change moods, going from crisp stripes to romantic flowers from the bold colors and patterns of Oscar de la Renta to the dramatic stencil-pattern from Martha Stewart:

(l to r: Venezia Essenze, dinner plates, s/4 $230.00; Venezia Essenze Blue and White Teapot $212.00, creamer $98.00, sugar bowl $114.00, Gump's San Francisco).

(l to r: Palmette, cup $30.00, plate 4 1/2" $20.00, late 5" $20.00, plate 8"$40.00, plate 12" $95.00, cup with handle $50.00, bowl 10" $95.00, bowl with lid $60.00, oval dish cresent $40.00, oval dish 14" $95.00, Royal Copenhagen, Michael C. Fina; Image from House Beautiful Magazine).

(l to r: Azul salad plate $56.00, Azul dinner plate $57.00, Oscar de la Renta, Michael C. Fina).
(l to r: Lorraine Stencil Dots salad plate $12.00; vine rim salad plate $12.00, Martha Stewart Collection, Macy*s).


(l to r: Indigo dinnerware $23.80 - $29.65, Z gallerie; "Castellana" Dinnerware 16p dinnerware set $129.00, Horchow).

Blue represents elegance, simplicity and tranquility and tables decorated in an interesting and crisp way using this color are always successful.

(clockwise: Blue Band soup cup and saucer $115.00, open vegetable bowl $200.00, dessert plate $60.00, Tiffany & Co.).

(clockwise: Blue Fluted teapot $295.00, serving bowl $275.00, dinner plate $110.00, Royal Copenhagen, Moss).

(l to r: Library Lane Navy 5 Piece Place Setting $119.00, Kate Spade, Bloomingdale's; Cote d'Azur white and blue ceramic dessert plates, Cote d'Azur blue and white ceramic charger, Ralph Lauren).

(l to r: Mandarian Dinner Service $24.99, mugs s/4 $74.99, Ralph Lauren)

From navy to cobalt to robin's egg to periwinkle, blue is a classic hue that you can turn to everytime and what differentiates blue from other colors is that blues can be mixed together without restraint and blue goes with just about anything.

7 comments:

Liene Stevens said...

I have a serious addiction to tableware and all things kitchen (I think someone needs to invent a patch for that!) and especially for china. I love the Oscar de la Renta piece in the middle-ish of the post! So pretty!

Sue said...

Love the blue and white kitchen. Gorgeous table ware.
Sue

Kim Vallee said...

The Library Lane Navy is not my favorite but the blueberries seduced me.

It is true that white and blue is a versatile color palette. Even with casual patterns, that color combination always has a sense of class. You see it in many cultures and time periods.

Lucky Designs said...

My mother-in-law would love these dishes! Her whole kitchen is blue and white. Very cute!

Preppy Napkin said...

I have to say approaching my eigth year of marriage. I would love some new every day china. Great ideas!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post and blog. I LOVE blue and white tableware...in fact, I lugged home a set of gorgeous painted earthenware bowls and platters from Costa Rica a few years ago and it looks so beautiful with my white tableware.
I also have bright red German earthenware bowls (picked up when I should have been shopping for the holidays from C & B) to throw in when I'm feeling super randy!

l'll for sure bookmark you and add a link as I'm a big fan of brides (visit me at www.bonbonoiseaudesign.blogspot.com!!!)

Sarah Dennis said...

Deb, thanks for the link-in! A fellow lover of "blue and white". Pleased to meet you! Would love to see those bowls and platters from Costa Rica...

Thanks for stopping by Toast and Tables. I'll be sure to check out your blog.