Orange. If you asked me what colors I don't like, it would be orange, yellow and red. I think we are born with color palette preferences in our genetics. As far back as I can remember as a child, I didn't like these three colors. But change the hues from primary to mid-tone peach, gold and coral pink and I'm good.
For me to select orange as the predominant color in china in my past would have not happened. But I have "aged" or "awe-ged" as they say and different things now appeal to me.
When I got married after college, I won't tell you how long ago that was, selecting a china pattern like Royal Worcester Chamberlain would have been a definite "NO". In my day, most gals selected conservative china patterns, mostly white with gold or silver bands. Nothing wild or colorful. I didn't pick formal china until I had been married for five years. Not only did I not know what pattern I wanted, but I was not sophisticated enough to select one that would last my entire life. Nobody in my family gave formal china as wedding gifts anyway. I'm glad I waited and chose a Wedgwood pattern. Also, in those days you only chose ONE china pattern. Now I probably have 50 and am more daring to choose something wild and what would have been hideous in those years like Green Tigers. I don't have that pattern now, but I can enjoy it when I see it. I guess I understand it now.
Chamberlain came on the market when I was a sophomore in high school. Yes, that's how long ago it has been. I hate thinking "vintage" today is what was "new" in my day.
Now that I am a "mature" woman, Chamberlain appeals to me in the autumn. I recently found this service for eight that had never been used. You gotta love people who buy china and put it in their "hope" chest or china closet and save it for "good" and never use it. Makes it a perfect find for me -- I am thrilled to get it. Not a scratch on it.
Royal Worcester Chamberlain has bittersweet orange florals and a bittersweet five point design in the center of the plate.
Here is the center of the table with the ceramic pumpkins and a garland of Bittersweet.
I like these three stems in the fall: Richard Strini's "Bella" pattern in Iron Flame, Indiana Glass's Mt. Vernon Amber and a green crystal [unknown].
I liked the unusual Nutmeg color of the placemats the moment I saw them at Macy's. They are like quilted silk with a shine but are a poly blend made by C& F Enterprises. I wish I had more of them but caught them at the end of the season last year when they were nearly sold out. Flatware is my standard Ricci Silversmiths fish-scale pattern. Napkin in russett by Pottery Barn and lattice napkin ring by Reba Home.
I can see mixing my antique fish plates with this pattern as well to bring out the nutmeg, bittersweet and golden tones of those plates.
I am participating in:
Centerpiece Wednesday on The Style Sisters. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/
Tablescape Thursday on Between Naps On The Porch. http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Summer
Photos: Swede
