Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Stratford Stage

A few months ago I got a great deal on a set of brown transferware for twelve, with dinner plates, bread plates, cereal bowls, creamer and sugar, platter, and serving bowl. The pattern is Stratford Stage by J. & G. Meakin, and it features scenes of a stagecoach among the English countryside. I have been saving it for some fall tablescapes. I have featured it in a more formal, yet still understated, autumn setting here in the dining room.

Here is a close-up of the dinner plate with its Tudor buildings, a church spire in the background, and the stage coach. The dinner plate rests on a silver beaded charger.
The base for each place setting is a white linen hem-stitched placemat. A monogrammed napkin is placed between the charger and dinner plate. The flatware is Reed & Barton Tara sterling. The glassware is Imperial Old Williamsburg iced tea and wine goblets in brown.
A butter knife rests on the bread plate. I love the charm of those Tudor buildings!

My mother gave me this wonderful pumpkin tureen a few years ago. I thought its brown stem, acorns, and vine tendrils complemented the brown of the china and crystal.
The coffee cups feature a wrap-around scene. Here you see the stagecoach.
Cows are grazing near a pond on the bucolic outskirts of a village.
This scene of the cup is my favorite of the whole set. I think that English cottage looks so cozy!

Here are the cups arranged on the buffet for some after-dinner tea. I was going to add the sterling teapot, but I didn't have time to polish it!
Please join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for many more tablescapes.

21 comments:

Debbie said...

I LOVE brown transferware because it always looks like something from an English manor or an old colonial inn. It's one of my favorites. I love yours, and that pumpkin tureen is just the right punch of fun for this table. I'd love one of those too.

I guess... I'd love to own your whole table. LOL Great job!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Beautiful china! Makes a nice tablescape, and the pumpkin tureen is a nice touch!

Katherine

podso said...

The brown transferware is lovely and perfect for fall. You've done such a nice job setting the table!

The Style Sisters said...

Love the brown transferware! Beautiful tablescape and the pumpkin soup tureen in to die for! Come link up to Centerpiece Wed. on my blog today.

Karin

Barbara said...

Lucky you! I just love brown transferware. It is perfect for fall. That pumpkin tureen is such a nice touch.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

I am crazy over transferware china, and yours is so beautiful! I love getting lost in the scenes. A perfect color for fall! So beautifully put together!

Anita Diaz said...

I want brown transferware!! The closest I have gotten is 'looking' at the Royal USA "Fair Oaks" on ebay and replacements. Yours is beautiful. I also love your "Old Williamsburg" in the brown! My mom bought me the amber last year and I love them. Your table is beautiful and I love the tureen!! Get out that Lenox, though! I would love to see that. I was surprised at how I liked a more casual setting. Thanks for stopping by and for your always encouraging comments:-)

Red Couch Recipes said...

That brown transferware is just beautiful and to have a set of it would be so great. Lovely table. Joni

Scribbler said...

What a beautiful classic table -- just gorgeous!

Jacqueline said...

I haven't seen the brown before, besides a rare purple one I saw, I think this is one of my favorites and I wouldn't say I am a brown lover, but this is so elegant. I love it paired with your elegant silver and the lovely napkins. I have never set a table with the napkins like that but I sure see it around blogworld a lot and I love it.

susan said...

Celly-I got chills when I read your comment on my tablescape. Titus 2 is exactly my goal-discipling and mentoring the young women in my life!!! I do love your brown transferware. I would love to have some in ANY color and soup tureens are one of my many weaknesses :) Thanks again for your thoughtful comment.

Tricia said...

Beautiful and elegant! You could use this for Thanksgiving without changing a thing! I really love the brown glassware with this pretty china pattern.

Unknown said...

I love transferware and if I had to choose a favorite, it would be the brown. You've set a beautiful table :)

Blessings!
Gail

Tess said...

These dishes are beautiful, but the glasses are incredible!!! This really beautiful!!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh so lovely this is! Your china and the pumpkin tureen -- this all speaks of a beautifully set table of understated elegance. I just can't buy anymore china -- but if I were going to -- I think brown transferware would certainly be first on my list. Thanks for your visit!

Alycia Nichols said...

Transferware is by far my favorite! I wish I had it in every color of the rainbow!!! Yours was a great find! Congrats, and have a great weekend!

Entertaining Women said...

This table is right up my alley! I love what you've done, and you should be happy that you got there first for that great deal on the brown transferware! It could have been one of those Macy's basement sale situations. LOL. Of course, I love your pumpkin tureen (see my post). It also might look cool elevated on one of those old wooden oriental bases that you see under those large oriental bowls/fish bowls. I think that you and I would make a good tablescaping team. Thank you for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay

The Charm of Home said...

Oh, that is a beautiful pattern! I love the teacups. I have a plate in this. It is blue. I didn't know the name of it. Very pretty for fall. I love brown transferware. Thanks for stopping by.
Sherry

Requi Tablescaping Escapades said...

What a lovely tablescape set with beautiful brown transferware.

I have a similar pumpkin tureen and I enjoy bringing it out every Autumn. It added a whimsical touch to your tablescape.

All the Best,

Requi

Sassy J said...

Oh my goodness, what a beautiful tablescape, the brown transferware is so pretty, it has always been a favorite of mine although I do not own any, the older I get the more passion I have for dishes LOL...the pumpkin tureen is so pretty, and even more special since it was a gift, those are the best kinds of surprises...nice job!

Kathleen said...

This is lovely! What a beautiful set of dishes!