A Jungle in My Dining Room

This is truly a Tablescape Times Three week. All three generations are setting a table using one china pattern. The china is “Intarsia” by Villeroy and Boch and belongs to me. As with most of my china, it comes with a great story.

In 2003, I had just finished a partial re-do of my kitchen. I had granite countertops installed and the blue and white china that had decorated my kitchen could not stay. It looked terrible with the countertops that I chose. That left me with no china to display in my kitchen.

This is the Giallo Antico that I used in the kitchen re-do.

Soon after the completion of the renovation, my daughter and I traveled to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina for a day trip of outlet shopping. Just for the record, Hilton Head is a three and one half hour drive away, but we used to make the trip often to visit the china outlets.

On this trip, we were in the Villeroy and Boch outlet store (now closed, alas!) and I spotted a china pattern that had an unusual decoration on the rim that I thought would exactly match the granite. I decided to buy almost all of the pieces they had - it was discounted, because it was going to be retired soon. I spent more money on china in one day than I had ever done previously (or since, for that matter). I thought I had gone completely mad. However, I was pretty smart, because the eight mugs that I purchased that day, among the rest of the pieces that I brought home, are worth more on Replacements now, than the entire amount that I spent! Over the years, I have added more pieces to the collection - some from the Villeroy and Boch outlet in Destin, Florida (also, closed!) and from Replacements and Ebay.



Since Villeroy and Boch made only one very large serving bowl for the “Intarsia” pattern, but is too big for most occasions, my husband surprised me with two smaller serving bowls this past Christmas in the “Intarsia II” (also, retired) pattern. They match perfectly.

Now for the best part of the story! After so carefully choosing a china pattern to match my granite, last summer I had a complete renovation done on my kitchen and changed my counter tops! Fortunately, I chose a a new granite that looks fine with "Intarsia". I did not think that my dear husband would understand having to buy all new china, again, to match the recently installed granite!

My new "Ming Gold" granite.



For my tablescape in “Intarsia” times three, I wanted to emphasize the green in the pattern. Despite the fact that fruit is featured prominently on the china, I have always thought that it had a jungle feel to it.

Perhaps, it has something to do with the birds on the mugs. Doesn't this parrot look like he is ready to fly out of the jungle?

I added more birds that were bought at a local gift shop. They usually reside in a bedroom, which is decorated with a bird motif.

The centerpiece of greenery from my garden adds to the illusion of a lush tropical forest.

It is interesting how the black and green look together. The contrast is wonderful!



The balloon wine glasses are Royal Bohemian and were a TJ Maxx find. The ruffled glass bowls are from Mikasa. Crate and Barrel was the source for the green place mats and napkins.

The flatware is "Jasmine" silverplate by Simeon L. & George H. Rogers Company – Oneida Ltd.

Here is a close-up look at my beautiful Jardinière. It is placed on my largest “Intarsia” serving platter. Both were part of the original Hilton Head purchase.

I enjoyed creating the jungle-like feel in my dining room and thinking about how and why I acquired "Intarsia". I cannot wait to see how the other two generations use my china in a new, fresh way!