And Then There Was One

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In seeing that my mom had a designed table for a large group and my daughter for a few, I narrowed down my choices to a setting for two or a setting for one. One won.

While I love, love, love china with elaborate patterns, I also made the choice to register for classic patterns when I was married. Lenox Tuxedo is ivory with a gold-encrusted rim. It can be mixed with hundreds of different Lenox patterns. I still love it. Click on the pictures below to get a larger look at the detail. Beautiful!

Think breakfast in bed, for yourself or someone else! I envisioned French toast, a side of fruit, eggs sunny-side-up, and bacon as well.

 Fresh ground pepper and sea salt would fill the salt cellars.

 I would use the creamer and open sugar (Lismore by Waterford) for syrup and powdered sugar.

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The napkin ring is a Valentine tree ornament for a Victorian-inspired them. Very pretty!

 A mimosa or fresh juice in the champagne flute and hot chocolate, tea, or coffee on the side.

And now, for a little history!

Tuxedo is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2012. It was originally known as J33. These ramekins date from before 1920. They were a fantastic eBay find! (I LOVE EBAY!) Ovington Brothers was a specialty store in New York that imported fine housewares, often on commission. I found some really neat articles in the New York Times archives from the late 1800's here and here. This second article was a bit scandalous! There is some interesting family history here as well. And as a side note, can you believe Lenox has never never made a soup tureen in such an enduring pattern? I am hoping they'll celebrate next year by offering one!

-Andrea