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Valentine’s Day is the day to remind your nearest and dearest just exactly how much you love them. Start this special day off with an extra-ordinary breakfast for those you love the most.
This can mean for you and your love, for you and your children, for you and your girlfriends. A pretty, long lasting breakfast is wonderful for you and anyone. A breakfast party!
{ PS. If you live alone, why not treat yourself special on this day too? Maybe not a full on breakfast party, but breakfast served on your favorite dishes in front of the fire? Or on a tray in bed. Add a little vase with a rose just for you. }
If you are coming over from Sheila at Maison de Cinq, I’m so excited to have those of you who are here for the first time. Welcome!
I know that you have been inspired by Sheila, she is so talented and everything she does is beautiful. To my regular readers, thank you for coming back again and again, you know I love having you here and sharing ideas, antiques, and thoughts with you, I LOVE your comments.
It means so very much to me, so thank you!
Today I’m joining my talented designer friends for the first 2018 Styled + Set Tour for Valentine’s Day. Hosted by my wonderful friend Lory of Designthusiasm, I always look forward to seeing what kind of table setting inspiration these ladies come up with. All of them are breathtaking! At the very end of this post, I’ll link to them so you can visit each one.
Here is a peek at my Blue & White Chinoiserie Valentine’s Breakfast.
I served tea in the big antique silver urn in my living room. Because I wanted to set up a little table in front of the fire, it seemed easier to have a drink station there, too. Ready for self-service, all the little cups, spoons, sugar and napkins fit on the antique French sideboard.
My little “Napoleons” – what these antique mannequins are called – are dressed for the occasion with heart and antique necklaces. A lovely bouquet of pink roses, maidenhair fern fronds and little spicy-scented carnations bring joy and beauty to this corner.
Blue & White is always a classic favorite, isn’t it? There is no reason why it can’t be gorgeous for Valentine’s Day, especially the romantic Blue Willow pattern. I’m an equal-opportunity Blue Willow lover, most of these dishes are Japanese, with a large platter and some cups and saucers that are antique English.
The Blue Willow pattern was produced by Minton, in fine porcelains, as well as several other “luxury” brands, but also by several Japanese makers in pottery for every day use.
You can read about the romance of BLUE WILLOW HERE >
I love the idea of a breakfast party because it takes a little less effort than hosting a big dinner party. It’s easier on your budget, too.
You can serve whatever you love, fresh fruit, little silver dollar pancakes, waffles, bacon and/or sausages, scrambled eggs, croissants, together with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Done.
For my table, I started with the gorgeous Blue & White Paisley Table Linens that just arrived at FrenchGardenHouse. I love these…they look wonderful with everything! But they are stunning when set with blue and white, the more, the more beautiful!
This little table is set up for self-service for four. The English Silver Domed Server holds scrambled eggs and bacon, the little pancakes are served with fresh fruit and maple syrup. So easy!
This way everyone can get a charger and plate, serve themselves, and sit on the chairs and sofa by the fire. I’ll be honest, I almost never serve in the living room, but when I do, I find that a sturdy charger makes it easier for guests to balance a plate on their lap.
I’m almost always more likely to actually SET the table. It seems more intimate, and it allows me to add a few personal touches, like a little favor and card.
Oh….and a few chocolates. because. chocolate means love. {right?} For each place setting, I used one of our Chinoiserie gift tags {coming soon} and wrote j’adore with a pink pen, then placed a chocolate heart on the antique chocolate spoon.
I hope these photos have inspired you to host your own Valentine’s Day Breakfast this year.
For more Valentine’s Inspiration, I’ve listed the links to my friends below at the very bottom. And since so many of you always ask, the links to the sources for this Blue & White Chinoiserie table setting, too!
I had delusions of making you all a lovely little source-list, with everything pictured and linked, but ran out of time! Sorry!
Please visit my friend Sarah at Life on Virginia Street next, she has exquisite taste and her knit table runner is so perfect for this time of year!
Visit my friends on this tour for more Valentine’s Day love!
Monday’s Posts
Shabbyfufu | Town and Country Living | My Soulful Home | So Much Better With Age
Celebrating Everyday Life | Maison de Pax | Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Tuesday’s Posts
Designthusiasm | Maison de Cinq | French Garden House
Life on Virginia Street | Julie Blanner | Setting for Four | Decor Gold Designs
Wednesday’s Posts
Bless’er House | CitrineLiving | StoneGable | On Sutton Place
Taryn Whiteaker | Zevy Joy | French Country Cottage
HOW WILL YOU CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY? No matter how you do it, I hope you tell all the people you love, that you do.
I presume your friends will be impressed.
Absolutely gorgeous and again a great idea.
Thank you so much Anja. It’s more about having a good time, but looking at something beautiful is always a good idea, don’t you agree?
Everything is just lovely but for some reason, I find the “Napoleons” slightly unsettling. It’s just me, I guess, LOL. carol
Carol, the Napoleon mannequins are special to me. Bought on a trip to Europe, they are exactly the same size as my two grand-girls were then. They’re really rare to find these days, once they graced the window of a luxury Parisian children’s shop, showing off the most gorgeous lace dresses for girls and velvet suits for boys.
Lovely post, Lidy. To me, blue works for almost every occasion. Your table has such a romantic feeling, especially with the shades of pink roses. Truly special for a Valentine’s Day breakfast. Which is a beautiful thought itself.
I agree, Sandra, blue works for every occasion! Here’s to romance, and making the people we love feel special.
Lidy, you always have such beautiful things. Everything looks lovely for a delicious Valentines Day Breakfast! I adore blue and white and love the added silver pieces…such an elegant touch. I hope you enjoy your day!!!
Thank you so much, Shannon, you always say the nicest things. Hope you have a special Valentine’s too!
You have inspired me to create a romantic meal for my husband. Thank you Lidy!
I know it will be amazing, and so lovely, Laura. And your guy deserves a special dinner, as do YOU! xo
Lidy, it’s just beautiful!! I always enjoy visiting your blog because you include the most wonderful treats in your posts. Every corner is filled with something wonderful to see! The silver pieces are my favorite, but the blue and whites are pretty too and oh how lovely the floral is!! And all the little details – it just delights me!
Thank you so much, friend. Lory, thank you again for including FrenchGardenHouse in your beautiful Styled + Set Tours, it’s always such an honor. xo
Oh Lidy as always such inspirational and elegant. I love all your decor
Thank you so much Norma, we are kindred spirits!
Lidy,
I have collected blue and white china for over 40 years, and blue and white fabrics. They are all through
my house and I have never tired of them. They have been with me in houses in five different states.
I love the way you have put them together in this issue- your arrangements are always a special treat!
Marianne
Thank you so much, Marianne, I love that we have that in common, the classic beauty of blue & white!
Lidy, your table setting is lovely! Blue and white is so easily incorporated in any season and always classic. I, too, enjoy having breakfast parties, even if it’s just a lovely time spent between my hubby and myself–far better than eating off of tray tables set in front of the TV the way he and I do so many times. Hope you have a lovely day!
I hope you have a lovely day too, Bobbi! Thank you so much, you are so right, blue and white is always in season!
Lidy, your table is so gorgeous! I love the idea of a romantic breakfast, and I just love the non-traditional mix of the blue and white with the pinks.I have so much fun reading your posts, as I always learn more about the antique and vintage elements you’ve used. I love your stunning silver pieces – especially that silver dome!
Sheila
xo
Thank you so much, Sheila! Valentine’s is always so fun to do a table for. It’s the perfect excuse to go a little overboard, isn’t it!
What is it about blue and white china, especially Blue Willow? I love it and have had several different sets over the years (even though I always tell myself I’m going to go with china that is not blue and white!). Your table is beautiful, as always.
Thank you so much, Mary! I think Blue & White is classic, elegant, yet can be casual at the same time. It’s why we all love it, I agree!
Thanks so much Lidy for such beautiful inspirations! You have such a gorgeous flair! I’ve been collecting blue and white pieces for 30 plus years but put most away… and gave some away when it all went out of style. I’m so glad to see how it’s coming back again! I also love your little Napoleons! What a great idea to lavish them with such beautiful necklaces. I used to scour all sorts of sales for normal sized fashion dummies for my fashion design daughter but I’ve never seen anything like yours. Maybe I should have scoured things in France! They have to be very rare though and the finials on top and the faded shoes are just precious! Hope you’re feeling better!
Tracey, I think blue & white is timeless, so bring it back “out” if you can! Thank you for loving my little Napoleons, they are quite rare to find. I love their little finials and faded shoes, too. That they were the exact size my grand-girls were at the time we found them makes them forever precious to me. xo
I love the splash of bright pink flowers with all your blue and white. What a stunning table!
Thanks so much, Julie. It was so fun to put together with all the blue & white.
This is so beautiful, Lidy! I love all your French details.
Hugs, Jamie
Lidy, you had me at ‘blue and white’! Wow is all I can say! I love your details so much and the layers on layers you’ve created here…it’s really so beautiful! And I love your tip about the chargers by the fire, that’s so smart!! You are so inspiring to me, I love to tour with you! xox
Vintage Heavy Chinoiserie Blue Willow Grill Plate
I just looked at the recent acquisition you posted. When I came across the grill plate. I grew up eating off those plates. I have two from my childhood. I can picture sitting next to my grandfather in our kitchen eating dinner. Thank you for bring back those lovely memories.
Lidy,
Elegant and gracious! You entertain beautifully! I love the entire tablescape.
Cheers from Maryland,
Loi
Loi,
Thank you so much! Winter is a good month to bring
a little pattern mixing to the table. While our home is mostly the kinds of color you love,
whites, creams and muted greys, my tables are the place I love to play with color.
Wishing you a beautiful day!
xo Lidy
Lidy, your tables are always stunning! Blue willow is timeless and an all-time favorite of mine. A leisurely breakfast sounds perfect for Valentine’s Day! Wishing you a joy-filled weekend!
Oh, my! Your table is lovely, Lidy! <3 I am all of a sudden really liking blue plates and table linens this year… A little different for me as this is usually my mother-in-love's territory ~ she LOVES blue and I'm always looking for blue things for her home! Stunning!!! Thank you for a lovely post. I pinned a ton of photos to my boards for you. <3 And I'm really enjoying going through this Style + Set tour!!!