A Special Tuesday Post~ Catherine’s Coach

My dear cousin in love is just like me when it comes to all things Royal~ we are certifiably over the moon for all the pomp, circumstance, and romance. She herself claims that she is Royal Peculiar. Indeed we have spent more than an hour just discussing the commemorative wedding china alone. This is our favorite by the way…

Week after week she views the Royal Wedding Wednesday posts and leaves hilarious comments. She also weighs in on what I should research and write about. She does not have a blog but instead spends most of her time sedating people who are having surgery. (Yes, legally.) But she couldn’t let the High Tea Tablescape go by without her input. Since the result was so superior I am happy to have my first ever guest post on the Décor To Adore blog.

Without further adieu I bring you Catherine’s Coach Tablescape by HRH the Royal Peaculiar.

The inspiration for my table scape came from the “Official” Royal Wedding China pattern.  I wanted to depict a lovely spot of tea with some cake.  Having just made the Wilton “Soccer Ball” cake using the generic “Sports Ball” pan for my daughter, I thought the pan would also lend itself to being transformed into a royal coach.  I used a gray background for the entwined initials, since the china pattern uses gray heavily.  I did not want Catherine’s initial to be gray, though, as seen on the china, but white—because I see her as a sparkling, clean slate (note the rhinestone additions to the initials). 

William’s initial is gold, as in the china pattern & I encircled both initials in this royal color, accented with edible sugar pearls.  The gray background is somewhat swirly and messy, to signify the somewhat swirly and messy past of the monarchy (and also because I think a piece of fondant might have worked better here, but go with me on this, OK?!?  Catherine and William’s initials stand brightly against this background as not only a clean slate, but to also signify a fresh, vibrant start for the monarchy.  I decorated the top of the cake with a crown-shaped candle holder (from Michael’s) and various cream-colored roses and pink dogwood blossoms.

My favorite part of the cake are the wheels.  They are Pepperidge Farm “Brussels” cookies, iced and embellished with a large sapphire and rhinestone accents to mimic THE infamous ring & also give a nod to our forever Queen of Hearts.

The table itself is covered with a hand-tatted tablecloth, made by my husband’s grandmother.  I love this, as I cannot imagine how many hours she spent on it for us.

The teapot, sugar and creamer are James Sadler of England.  The Sadler company started in 1882 and were known for fine earthenware teapots.  The first were made from red clay with a dark brown glaze and were called “The Rockingham Brown” or “Brown Betty” teapot.  These pots are still in production today.  The chintz pattern here is called “Sophie” after James Sadler’s sister and dates from the early 1900’s. 

The pale blue teacups and saucers are treasures from Laduree in Paris, made by Artoria Limoges specifically for the company.  I love the delicate floral swags on these! 

Also, the Laduree wedding cake topper makes an appearance as a sweet symbol of romance.  I thought these two characters holding the heart look like they should be IN the carriage!!

I then chose coordinating napkins, tied them with gauzy pale blue ribbon, and tucked in some of the flowers that top the cake.  A couple of sparkly butterflies flit about strewn silk rose petals.

I really had SO MUCH FUN doing this table scape.  It’s the first one I’ve EVER done for such public display.  My husband would like photo credits & I’d like my mom, NeNe, to have a credit as creative consultant (although she says she just “stood around”).

Hope you like it. Tell me what you think of my very first blog post!!!!

HRH the Royal Peaculiar

Note from Laura: WOW right? The girl has mad skills. Because of her familial relationship with the prize sponsor (that would be me) she is ineligible to win one of the following two prizes to be awarded to two participants of the High Tea Tablescape linky party which begins tomorrow :

“Fit For A Queen”

Includes one vintage organdy hostess apron, 6 vintage cream damask napkins, 1 piece of antique linen edged in tatting, 1 doily, 2 antique linen cup coasters, vintage hanky, 2 antique silver spoons, 2 china mugs, Jacobs cream crackers, Cadbury chocolate, shortbread, lemon curd marmalade, and Typoo tea.

“Absolutely Scrumptious”

Includes one vintage organdy hostess apron, 6 vintage pink damask napkins, 1 piece of antique linen edged in tatting, 1 doily, 2 antique linen cup coasters, vintage hanky, 2 antique silver spoons, 2 china mugs, Jacobs cream crackers, Cadbury chocolate, shortbread, marmalade and London tea.

But don’ t worry Royal Peaculiar, I am hooking you up with a special prize all your own for creating such a royally scrumptious tablescape that is truly fit for a Queen.

May your own home be your castle,

Laura, the Duchess of Décor

Just a reminder that it is not to late to head over to Metis Linens and leave a comment for the current giveaway over there.