Today, I’ve set a summer table with beautiful Portmeirion Botanic Garden dishes. Each piece is hand painted — in exquisite detail — with blossoms and butterflies, and an iconic border of green laurel leaves. Some are also decorated with the occasional garden insect, and my personal favorite — a bee!
A true British classic, Botanic Garden was designed by celebrated ceramicist and designer Susan Williams-Ellis. In 1960, she took over the business from her father, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, an architect and creator of Portmeirion Village in North Wales.
While looking through rare books, Williams-Ellis discovered a volume of beautiful, meticulously drawn floral illustrations. In 1972, Portmeirion‘s launch of Botanic Garden tableware included 28 different flowers. It was an immediate success, and is still an active pattern.
This year, the company is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the collection with a special edition, 18 piece dinnerware set. Inspired by classic English picnic hampers, the 2022 Botanic Garden exclusive comes in a willow basket lined with removable fabric. Bee still my heart!
Alas, the Botanic Garden dishes currently in full bloom on the kitchen table are only on a short flowering season. My neighbor, L, generously and enthusiastically agreed to lend the tableware so that I could style a new setting for June’s Summer Tablescape Blog Hop. For those coming from Mary’s nautical table on Home is Where the Boat Is, welcome aboard!
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Garden on Loan
I have long admired L’s extensive collection of Botanic Garden dishes. Displayed in a lighted kitchen cabinet are but a few of her many items.
It all started in the early 1990’s. That’s when L’s sister returned from a London honeymoon, and gifted her a pair of Botanic Garden candlesticks. Shown in the picture above, they are L’s sentimental favorites.
Since then, L and her family and friends have continually added to the collection. Today, she has service for 18!
Plus, there are so many serving pieces, bakeware, and other accessories, I found it impossible to count! There’s even a tissue box!
L uses her Botanic Garden dishes for both everyday and special occasions. Crafted from high-quality earthenware with vivid glazes, the tableware is safe in microwave, freezer and dishwasher. And, even in ovens up to 340 degrees Fahrenheit.
Garden Pattern Continues to Grow
If you visited L’s home, you’d be sure she must own one of every Botanic Garden piece ever made. Well, you’d be wrong! When I looked up the pattern on Replacements, it generated a list of 72 pages — mind boggling!
Since it’s introduction fifty years ago, Portmeirion has expanded the collection exponentially, with a full line of coordinating table setting and serving pieces. Today, there’s even square plates, glassware and linens.
With so many pieces to choose from, I was like a kid in a candy store lol!
Blooming Tableware
Inspired by 19th century botanical illustrations, the mix and match floral motifs in Botanic Garden dishes bring a bit of nature and an English garden to the tabletop.
Since I was only setting a table for four over the Memorial Day weekend, it was nearly impossible to chose! So, I decided to create a three plate stack to maximize the number of Botanic Garden dishes set on the garden theme table.
If it wasn’t for the need to photograph the summer tablescape for the blog hop, I would have eliminated the underlying sheer cloth on the round glass table. But, it helped to reduce glare and confusing reflections.
After having those issues with the Palms, Parrots & Paradise Tropical Tablescape, I learned my lesson!
Instead, I layered round, scalloped-edge placemats on top of the cloth —alternating the green and yellow around the table. Each quilted placemat (Mas d’Owan) is also beautifully embroidered with lovely details, including a circle of flowers.
In the center, a fifth yellow mat underlies a Botanic Garden teapot, sugar, creamer, and frog salt and pepper shakers. Each frog is decorated with a flower on it’s back.
Hanging Garden
Before bringing the precious Botanic Garden dishes over from next door, I “planted” a garden scene overhead. As regular followers know, I often extend the tablescape by going vertical.
Decorating the chandelier was quick and easy. First, I wound two faux dogwood garlands around the light fixture — starting from the ceiling and working down. Next, I draped greenery over the six arms of the chandelier.
Finally, I inserted two large butterfly fabric bows into the center of the fixture. It’s the same fabulous ribbon incorporated into the Bee Wreath and Skep that hangs on the interior kitchen door — which also coordinates nicely with the summer tablescape.
I already had all the decorative elements from the Decorated Chandelier Compliments HapBEE Birthday Table. It’s one of many Buzzworthy Bee Theme Ideas. However, I elected not to use the bee pot hangers. They looked too cartoonish with the realistic illustrations on the Botanic Garden dishes.
Planting Plates
Now, it was time to layer three different plates at each setting. That allowed me to maximize the variety of flower and butterfly illustrations on the summer garden table. Still, L and I had a tough time choosing!
Here are the four dinner plates we settled on. Because they are on the bottom of the plate stack, I created this photo collage to show you each illustration.
Can you choose a favorite? Or, perhaps you have a particular flower you’re partial to?
Next in the stack are luncheon size Botanic Garden dishes. See the bee on the bottom left plate? Guess who selected that pattern dish lol!
Topping the stack are salad or dessert-size plates.
Do you have any Botanic Garden dishes blooming at your home?
Butterfly Napkin Fold
Flanking each dish stack are my copper, twig-handle flatware (Pier 1 years ago) to compliment the Botanic Garden dishes. Rather than cover the illustrations on the top plates, I layed a butterfly-shape folded napkin over each fork. Even the fabric napkins carry the Botanic Garden pattern.
Do they resemble butterflies to you? Sure hope so! I was so excited when I found a tutorial online.
The butterfly is the 21st napkin fold I’ve incorporated into various theme settings and buffet tables. See them all in, Napkin Folds for All Seasons, Holidays & Occasions.
As napkin folds go, the butterfly shape is pretty quick and easy. Plus, no napkin ring or ribbon is necessary. If you want to give it a try, check out YouTube tutorial by Folding And Art Tutorial.
If napkin folding doesn’t appeal to you, here’s another inexpensive and easy option to enhance a summer, bridal or wedding table.
Easy Floral Napkin Rings
Before finding the butterfly fold, I originally made flower napkin rings for the summer tablescape. With florals 50% off at Michaels, I purchased a cluster of five faux pink roses. Most types of blooms would probably work as napkin rings.
First, I clipped the flowers apart, leaving long stems with leaves attached. Using a small piece of floral tape, I then covered the exposed wire at the tips. After that, I curved each stem into a ring. Voila!
Pretty as they looked, I preferred the butterfly napkin fold to go with the Botanic Garden dishes. First, the butterfly fit perfectly with the theme of the table — and I am the Queen of Theme lol! Plus, it opens easily and goes right on the lap.
Since space was limited on the summer table, the butterfly fold was also the more practical choice. With a flower napkin ring, guests might have struggled to find a place to put it on the small round tabletop.
Which do you prefer?
Blooming Bowls
Like the napkins, I didn’t want to cover the floral and butterfly design of the top plate with another dish.
So I positioned the matching bowls above the forks; to the left of each setting.
Like the other Botanic Garden dishes, each is decorated with a variety of classic illustrations.
Laurel Leaf Glassware
After L did a show and tell of her collection of dishes and accessories, she opened another cabinet full of glassware.
The pressed crystal (Villeroy and Boch, Miss Desiree, 1999-2019) has a raised laurel pattern that coordinates perfectly with Botanic Garden dishes.
For the summer garden table, I elected to use her stemmed water goblets. L also has matching highballs. And in keeping with the garden table theme, resting on the rim is either a butterfly or bird place card.
Both packages were originally purchased for the Alice in Wonderland and Alfresco Unbirthday Party Tables. You might also remember them decorating the Pretty Flower Napkin, tucked into the glasses on the Tweet Turquoise Early Spring Table.
Originally, I had purchased miniature, faux flower pots (only $1 on sale at Michaels) to lean a place card in front of. Instead, I just used the flower pots to decorate the garden theme table. You might have noticed them at the top/middle of each plate stack?
Adjacent to each glass is a Botanic Garden pattern coffee mug. Not only did I have to choose between floral patterns, but also the style of dish. That’s because L also has another full set of beautiful cups and saucers! However, the tea cups took up too much space on the small round table.
Perched on each mug is a Botanic Garden tea spoon. I purchased the beautifully packaged set of six for my neighbor as a thank you gift.
Lack of Green Thumb
Unfortunately, I did not inherit my mother’s green thumb! Now living in a senior community in Charleston, she continues to tend her collection of bonsai and orchids. Mom also helps with floral arrangements at the church, and seasonal planters around the community’s gazebo. Nearby, Sistah B and my niece (who both inherited green DNA) benefit from having mom’s expertise and help around their homes.
I manage okay with an herb garden and potted planters on the front and back porch, but that’s about the extent of it.
Summertime Settings Galore
Of the 23 tables included in the blog hop, at least six carry a garden theme. A number of the talented table stylists participating in this event — like our hostess Rita of Panoply — are also fabulous gardeners. So I was relieved that Mary’s table today — which immediately precedes me — was set on her boat and not extraordinary garden and she shed!
Bee sure to check out all the tables below; including those set alfresco, or with patriotic, nautical, beach, and other summertime themes.
Pandora’s Box – Stars, Stripes, and Checks – A Summer Tablescape
Bluesky at Home – Easy Summer Outdoor Table Ideas
Life and Linda – A Taste of the Tropics
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Yellow and Blue Alfresco Setting
Everyday Living – Celebrate Summer With The Red, White and Blue
Panoply – Summer Garden Party Tablescape
Hyacinths for the Soul – Tis the Season of Patriotic Tablescapes
Home is Where the Boat Is – Anchors Aweigh on the Pontoon
Debbee’s Buzz ✿ Botanic Garden Floral & Butterfly Summer Table
My Hubbard Home – Easy Alfresco Dining Table | Tips for Summer
Me and My Captain – Camping, Fishing And Summertime Fun
Thrifting Wonderland – Butterfly Garden Table Setting
My Thrift Store Addiction – Honeysuckle and Hydrangeas Summer Tablescape
The Little Yellow Corner Store – Sweet Old Summertime
Red Cottage Chronicles – Dining Al Fresco – A Summer Tablescape
Celebrate and Decorate – Designing a Bright & Cheery Summer Citrus Tablescape
From My Carolina Home – Summer Sunshine Tablescape and Hop
Living With Thanksgiving – Summer Celebrations
Zucchini Sisters – Red and White Tablescape in the Park
The Bookish Dilettante – Beach Reading Tablescape
The Painted Apron – Let’s Go Fishing
Belle Bleu Interiors – A Summertime Luncheon in the Garden
Dinner at Eight – Summertime Blossoms on the Table
Recalibrating at Home
As explained in, Step Inside the Van Gogh Immersive Experience, I thought I’d be vacationing in France right now. Missing the tablescape hop, I planned to purchase beautiful linens while in Provence, and then set a new summer table later in the season.
So when we had to cancel the trip, Rita noted that some tablescape therapy might be just the thing to help me out of my Debbee Downer state of mind. It’s been a pleasant diversion and I’m so looking forward to visiting each of these wonderful ladies’ tables.
P.S. My Scottie dog Whiskey’s benign tumor continues to slowly recede and the infection is totally gone. Today, we are back at the vet for his third long-lasting antibiotic injection. We are all hoping that he won’t have to wear the darn cone much longer. It’s been a long two months! But, I’m so grateful he didn’t need surgery, and it isn’t cancer that would have cost him the entire leg.
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I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Turn About Tuesday, Centerpiece Wednesday, Whimsical Home Projects, In Link Party, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Fabulous Friday, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Those dishes are just stunning, I can see why they might become an addiction, LOL! Gorgeous. I have to find the tutorial for that butterfly napkin fold, genius! The whole setting, table and chandelier is a botanic garden of delight.
Aren’t they though! It was hard to return the dishes to my neighbor…! Carol, I’ve gone back and embedded a link to the napkin tutorial I used so others can try it. Let me know how it turns out.
What an amazing collection of Portmeirion Botanic Garden dishes! I love how she has them displayed in the lighted cabinet. What a treat to use these beautiful dishes to style this beautiful table! The pretty butterfly folded napkin is just the icing on the cake! Perfect in this pretty “garden”!
My neighbor has displayed the dishes and accessory pieces throughout her kitchen and dinning room. I’ve been admiring them for years! Everytime I’m in her house, Chloe, I’m tempted to purchase some myself…tough environment for a dish addict lol!
Oh how much fun to borrow beautiful dishes from a friend for a tablescape! I have always love this pattern and appreciated reading about it’s history. I always love seeing your chandy decked out to match your theme and your amazing napkin folds! You have created a fantasy garden with this table and I’m so sorry you had to cancel your trip to France…tablescaping is great therapy and a way to get away at home 🙂 Thanks for sharing how you made the flower napkin rings, what a great idea! I hope you have a wonderful summer Debbee!
Thanks for your kind remarks Jenna. After canceling our trip, I was initially at a complete loss to quickly come up with a new summer table. I’m fortunate to have such a nice friend right next door — with an incredible dish collection too! We also help each other with our dogs. It was while standing in her kitchen, updating her about Whiskey, that the idea to use her dishes blossomed!
Debbee, I love Botanic Garden and have dinner and salad plates that are displayed in my Sunshine Cottage for summer! I was excited to see L’s collection and it is large. You have styled your table beautifully with the dinnerware and I had also read about it being the 50th anniversary. It definitely speaks of gardening and that is why I love it. Your chandelier is so pretty with the tablesetting. I do love the butterfly napkin fold, perfectly fits your theme. It is always a treat to hop with you! Happy Summer ~
Pam, silly me, I totally forgot you included them in our 2019 spring hop! Of course you have BG dishes, how perfect they must look in your Sunshine Cottage! I’d love to add salad plates to my collection, but have no place to store or display them. So, I’ve decided to content myself to admiring my neighbor’s when I’m at her house visiting or for dinner. She uses them everyday and they really wear well too.
Debbee, How fun that you got to play and enjoy your neighbor’s generosity and extensive collection of Portmeirion Botanic Garden! What a spectacular collection she has! Don’t you love all different flowers and patterns? PBG is my everyday dinnerware that I’ve had for 20+ years and it’s as pretty as it is functional. I’ve used in the freezer as well as the oven. I adore your clever butterfly napkin fold you created around the twig fork as the butterfly body. I had to laugh that you were relieved my table was set on the boat and not garden. 😊 Everything is in transition right now with the spring peonies and roses having faded and the summer flowers just starting to bloom so it’s in an awkward stage. So sorry about your cancelled trip but glad to hear that Whiskey’s tumor is benign (whew!) and shrinking. As always it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with your. Happy Summer. ♥
Like you Mary, my neighbor uses them for everyday, and they are her only dish pattern. I’m amazed how well they wear — they look new! I remember seeing yours beautifully set in the potting shed. It’s one of my favs, loved how you used those gardening gloves at each place setting! Of course you actually have many of those flowers depicted on the dishes in your garden. I’m sure even in transition, it’s a beautiful garden. I’ve gone back and embedded a link to the tutorial I used for the butterfly fold if you’d like to try it. Thanks for your kind words about Whiskey. Today the cone finally is off and he’s at the groomer right now. I can’t wait to get my Scottie back, as when I left him he was so overgrown he looked more like a large hedgehog lol!
Deebee, That butterfly napkin fold is amazing! How creative! Yes, I have some Botanic Portmerian Garden blooming at my house. Of course, not as many as your friend. I would love salad plates and several other pattern plates. Thank you for the interesting history of the plates and the company.
Debbee, I am so sorry you had to cancel your trip to France. I am glad your Whiskey has improved and it won’t be much longer before all has healed.
Good to blog hop with you again.
Oh Bonnie it’s good to be blog with again too! I should have realized you’d have some BP plates. So, I checked out your lovely 2016 post (before I was blogging/hopping) where you paired them so perfectly with Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage plates. Yes, tomorrow is my birthday and we were supposed to celebrate in Burgundy, after a river cruise in Provence (a place I know you’ve visited and blogged about). Today, Whiskey’s cone came off and I just picked him up from the groomer. He seems so much more comfortable. Vet says the tumor may leave scar tissue, but be gone in a couple of weeks.
Debbee, love the tablescape and that she uses them everyday. The glasses are very pretty too.
So- the big question is did those kids get married ?
Howdy Myrna, thanks for stopping by my garden table. Aren’t I lucky to have such a nice neighbor to share her tableware? I haven’t blogged since St. Pat’s Day as was happily busy with my nephew’s Easter weekend wedding in Charleston, immediately followed by our two-week vacation in Holland. Less than a week later, I had cataract surgery on one and then this week the other. Hard to see using a computer. But, I’m trying hard to share a post ASAP on the tulips. My son’s wedding isn’t until Labor Day weekend, but have also been busy planning, crafting and dress shopping.
Those Portmeirion Botanic Garden dishes are so beautiful. I love how they are displayed in the lit china cabinet. Such an amazing collection. Your chandy looks lovely all decked out with florals. Of course your signature napkin fold is so cute. Again, I am so sorry your trip was cancelled. The pillow is perfect. So glad Whiskey is doing better. We worry about our fur babies. A pleasure hopping along with you.
They really are fabulous dishes, beautiful and practical! You’d like my neighbor’s black/white diamond check tile in the kitchen too Linda. Glad you appreciated my humor showing the pillow in our living room lol! Tomorrow would have been our last day in France, so after that I’ll be able to stop thinking — we’d be doing this now or whatever. Whiskey’s cone it off today and he’s back from the groomer. He seems so much more comfortable and looks like a Scottie again. Gotta move on and count my blessings.
Debbee, your Botanic Garden dishes are lovely! I really love how you styled your chandy–so pretty! Pinned!
Bee-cause May 20th is World Bee Day, that’s how I usually style the chandy during the month. So I carried the butterflies over for the summer table hop. Have a lovely summer Cecilia!
Well, let’s just take an imaginary trip through Monet’s garden, shall we?! This Portmeirion collection is so incredibly vast – I had no idea! What a treat to get into a friend’s dish closet and raid it! We should all be so lucky. I love hearing how people’s collections get started, too. I have a hard time choosing favorites out of all these, but I do love the hydrangea and lilac. The butterfly napkin fold is gorgeous! And you’re right in that the crystal is a dead ringer match for the pattern border on the china. Happy 50th PBG! Thanks for participating, Debbee. Happy summer!
Rita, “tablescaping” (a new verb?) with you all is good therapy. Delighted you likened the table setting as transporting you to Monet’s garden. I see Portmeirion BG pieces occasionally at Home Goods and have been sorely tempted. Wouldn’t bee surprised if some turned up at an estate sale? My favorites are the hydrangea and lilac illustrations too! We have both in our landscape. Bee-cause so many people asked, I did go back and add a link in the post to the napkin fold tutorial I used. Have a wonderful summer!
WOW! I love the botanical dishes with the Latin names of the flowers on them. So pretty! And you truly went over the top decorating the chandy, and I LOVE it!!! 😀 The twig flatware is perfect for the plate stacks, and the butterfly napkin fold is such a darling idea. I truly love everything about your table. I am actually drawing botanical prints right now in art class, so your table is truly inspiring me.
Ricki, I totally forgot to point out the Latin names on the plates — good catch! I do think it adds to how special those vintage illustrations are. You must be very talented to have the skill to draw botanicals, wow! Hope you’ll share some on your blog with us.
Hey girlfriend! You had me at the word “botanic”. If there is a theme that gets me it is that!!! This table setting closely resembles a cottage core look that is on-trend at the moment. Your table feels so welcoming. It would be lovely to sit and dine at it. Plus the butterfly napkins are really cute. The fabric and the way it is folded are so pretty. I don’t think I’ve seen you do this fold before. Is it new? How do you do it???
Me, on trend, who knew lol?! So glad you enjoyed the setting Rachelle. Earlier today, I went back and embedded the link to the YouTube tutorial I used for the napkin fold if you’d like to try it yourself. It was new to me too — I thought I had finally run out of shapes to go with theme tables.
Debbee, what a gorgeous collection of PMB your neighbor has and you have styled the plates and accessories just beautifully! Love your chandy and the butterfly napkin fold is perfect! Pinned! Happy Summer to you and yay for Whiskey!!
Kim, how lucky am I that she lives right next door? Her son and my youngest went to elementary, middle and graduated high school together. They even went to the same college — as both L and I did (although we didn’t know each other then). And, we help each other out with our dogs too. Whiskey was liberated from the cone today, and I took him to the groomer. He has reemerged from that ragged coat looking like a Scottie again!
What a good friend to lend you her dishes! And what a wonderful table, as always. So glad Whiskey is doing OK!
Kathy, you’re back for a visit — missed you! Hope you and yours are doing well? Appreciate you kind thoughts. Whiskey is now cone-free and finally got to visit the groomers.
Thanx for missing me! I appreciate that so much! We have both been down with Covid–Al spent 6 days in the hospital. I still have very little ambition and almost no sense of taste. We both still have a cough but he was weakened a lot by the whole ordeal. Very tired of my own company although we are negative now! Got excited going to the transfer station on Sunday–came home with a black wrought iron stand with hangers–great for small flower pots–or maybe for a display in my booth???? Just haven’t had the ambition to read all of my regular blogs–but I will catch up eventually. I really enjoy your blog!
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing Queen of Theme!
The queen bestows her appreciation for you taking the time to visit and comment Mary Ellen.
Debbee, I’m sad for you that you missed your trip to France. I’d always rather be in Paris!
The Botanic Garden series is fabulous and your friend’s collection is amazing. How fun to use it for your garden inspired tablescape. I’m loving the quilted green placemats as the base for your stack, and happy your showed all the different flower details. Hand painted ceramics are special to me. I appreciate all the artistic steps involved. Cutest idea for a napkin fold. Definitely looks like a butterfly! Always a treat to hop with you, my talented friend. Happy Summer!
Glad to know that Whisky is on the mend.
That makes the too of us Sarah! For my missed birthday in France, dear hubby is taking me to one of my favorite French restaurants here in Pittsburgh.
Of the gazillion patterns in your collection of tableware, I’m surprised you don’t have a BG plate or two. You’d like how my neighbor displays it all in her black//white tile decorated kitchen — a little like your beloved MC. Glad you also enjoyed the butterfly napkins.
Whiskey is just back from the groomer and done with that awful cone. He looks like himself again, and those long pointed ears I so love are standing upright as they are meant to.
What a lovely collection of Botanical Garden dishes she has and your butterfly napkin fold is fabulous! Happy for Whiskey!
It was such a lovely opportunity for me to style a new summer table with her amazing collection. Nothing like a bit of tablescaping therapy too lol! Whiskey got out of the cone for good today and groomed. He’s a much happier Scottie boy!
Having a neighbor who just happens to collect dishes and glassware? Nice. Being able to borrow her curated items? Wonderful! Especially when they are the beautiful Botanic Garden pattern. You did a fabulous job of recreating a garden on your table with them. I especially liked the quilted placemats that held their own with saturated color and texture. And you are definitely the queen of napkins! The butterflies are perfect, but I liked the rose rings you made as well. Maybe you could borrow the dishes for awhile longer. . .
Glad your pup is on the mend.
I may not have been lucky in regard to my trip to France Sandra, but I am fortunate to live next door to L and her collection lol! Those are also her placemats, and definitely set off the dishes. I’m partial to that sage green shade. I really enjoyed the opportunity to style a table with her stuff, and challenge of creating a virtual, indoor garden. Anyone can be royalty in napkin folding; I just think people are unaware of it as an option, or are intimidated. What amazes me, are the people who come up with how to do the folds to begin with! Unfortunately, the dishes are no longer blooming in my kitchen. However, Whiskey is out of the cone, and got a much-needed grooming today.
Debbie, such a beautiful “walk in the garden” table setting. Botanic Garden is one of my favorite patterns with it’s beautiful floral offerings. Love the way the chandelier is included in the table setting. I am absolutely going to borrow the Butterfly napkin fold for a tablescape. The butterfly theme is a great one as it can be interpreted in so many creative ways. The rose rings you made were great but the Butterflies stole my heart. Such a pleasure to “hop” with you. Enjoy your Summer.
As I did the visit to your garden table Lynne! I went back and added the link to the napkin tutorial which I followed for the butterfly fold. It would look lovely with your dishes and other elements. Let me know how it turns out. Looking forward to finding what you discover next while thrifting.
What a kind neighbor you have to lend you these treasures! She has quite the collection. She must know of your good work and that you would certainly do both dishes and glassware great justice! (Good eye for her to pair that Villeroy & Boch with the Portmeirion!!! Perfect!)
I have only a few of the Botanic Garden dishes and a set of juice glasses. I knew that if I started buying I would go bonkers with it over time as I have done with a couple of other patterns.🙄
I have NEVER seen the butterfly napkin fold!!!! I LOVE it!!! Your napkin rings are pretty, of course, but the fold is something very different. I think guests would be quite pleasantly surprised!
No worries about not having a green thumb. Not everyone does. I am sitting on YOUR side of the aisle.☺
Lovely, lovely, lovely! Enjoy your weekend!
Our neighbors have sat at one of my theme dinner tables numerous times, and L has been at all 4 My Fav Things Parties — so she knows I’m a bit of a crazy lady lol! I do think she was excited to see how I’d style a table, and thrilled to have her collection shared. And, I’ve promised to give her a butterfly folding lesson. Since I too would go bonkers, I’ve resisted even purchasing a plate or two of the pattern.
Thought I’d be sharing our twin birthday in Burgundy tomorrow, drinking wine in a vineyard. But, I am thinking of you and wishing a most happy day, while counting my blessing at home.
Oh Debbee, after viewing all the pieces of this lovely collection, it really makes me want to start a collection of my own. When I see these pieces displayed all together, there is such elegance to them all. And you are so correct, they are appealing to those who love nature and the English Garden countryside. Your butterfly napkin fold is so unique and are perfect for this exquisite tablescape. The wine glasses are such a lovely touch since they have the same pattern in the plates. I love to hear the history of how this set was designed and created and it is wonderful it has so many pieces. Every collectors dream…….a life time of collecting. Thank you for sharing it.
Oh Marsha, I envy you the space to store a new dish pattern — especially with an active pattern with so many pieces! But, it is tempting as they are practical (use/wear) and beautiful. Wouldn’t that 50th anniversary hamper make a great wedding gift? Perhaps I could get Portmeirion to send me one as a thank you for the feature lol?!
I love botanical prints for wall art, and these dishes are simply gorgeous. They make such a nice display in your lighted hutch as well as in the table settings. Best wishes to Whiskey for continued recovery.
I also love botanical prints Carol! If you look closely, the family room is in the background and you can see two large prints flanking our TV. My neighbors’ dishes would look great in my home, but it’s actually her hutch display. Appreciate you good wishes for Whiskey. The cone is off, he’s finally groomed, and the tumor is barely visible now. Hurrah!
Debbee, how fortunate you are to have a neighbor who has such an amazing collection of dishes. The pattern is lovely and I love the story behind them and L’s collecting story. You did a great job showcasing all the beautiful patterns. The napkin fold is perfect and the lacy addition to the glassware is so pretty. Best wishes to Whiskey.
As a plate addict, I’ve been admiring her collection for years. And I am very fortunate she allowed me to borrow a number of pieces. Glad you enjoyed my styling Carol! Whiskey is cone-free, groomed and the tumor is almost completely gone — thanks for the good thoughts!
Love your table Debbee and I know there had to bee a BEE or two among all those beautiful flowers on your dinnerware. I adore butterflys too. It is always fun and inspirational to table hop with you.
Thanks so much Kari! There were so many wonderful tables (including yours!) in the hop. I enjoyed buzzing by each and everyone!
How wonderful to be able to play with your neighbors beautiful dishes!!! You did them well, your botanical setting looks fabulous! I love the placematS you chose to frame the settings. And you even included a wonderful napkin fold!!! Love the butterfly! It is a pleasure to hop with you, and I hope you have a wonderful summer, Debbie!☀️
Thanks Ann, it was fun styling the garden setting by combining her tableware with some of my stuff. And, a pleasant surprise to find a new napkin fold to carry the theme.
Wow, Debbee! What an amazing collection your neighbor has! How lucky that she let you borrow some of her dishes to create a beautiful tablescape. I’m not familiar with the Botanic Garden pattern. Thanks for providing the history of this Portmeirion china. I can see how Susan Williams-Ellis was inspired by the botanic illustrations. My favorite is the lilacs and butterflys. Speaking of butterflys, that napkins fold is definitely my all time favorite! Using your twig flatware was genius, as it looks like little butterfly legs. And of course the decorated chandy is the icing on the cake. I love that butterfly ribbon!
I’m so glad to hear Whiskey is doing better. It’s nice to be hopping with you again, my friend. Have a wonderful summer!
My favs are also the lilac (and hydrangea) designs, both of which grow in our landscape. I was so delighted to discover the butterfly fold, and it’s pretty easy to do. How the folded napkins worked with the twig flatware was a plus! Now that the Whiskey drama and trauma are behind us, I’m looking forward to spending July 4th in Philly with family and friends. Plus, my mom will come home with us to spend several weeks in Pittsburgh.
Debbee, I love anything floral, and this table makes my heart sing. Everything looks absolutely beautiful. You have thought of every perfect detail from the pretty chandelier to the lovely placesettings. Your friend has quite an impressive collection. I have long admired this pattern. How, I would love to set at this gorgeous table. Happy Summer!
Thanks Shannon! I never realized the BG pattern even had near that number of pieces, or had been around for that long. It was a real treat to style a table using my neighbors dishes.
Beautiful dishes Debbee, your friend has good taste. I love the lilac and hydrangea pattern. You are so lucky to have a neighbor who would allow you to borrow these beautiful dishes to create a tablescape.