Saturday, March 29, 2008

Decor-a-TEA

It is the season for remodeling projects at our home, so trying to decide what to post this week has been difficult for me. Most of our household decor is packed up so that it can be out of my husband's way as he saws and nails, wires and installs, and works hard to update and make our present home more 'user friendly' for the family. I finally decided to go through my photo file to see if I could find some examples of decorating with 'tea; themes. It was not difficult to find examples, as "tea" is represented daily in our home.

This little vignette is in a corner in a bedroom. Set among the room decor, a chintz teacup and a few cookies are set out for a tea-for-one. This is quite a traditional setting in a romantic sort of way.

An autumn centerpiece takes on a more rustic and cozy appearance. Using items found around the house, the centerpiece is made from a Homer Laughlin platter, hot pads and a crocheted dishcloth, a Yixing teapot, a candle, tea bags, and a few sugar cubes. Simple and inexpensive, it promotes a warm and friendly feeling for those who sit around the dining room table.

An old oak china closet of my mother's is now at home in our living room. It has been designated as the 'lavender china closet' and contains teacups, saucers, plates, and teapots that are purple and lavender. If you look closely, you'll find lots of teacups with themes of lavender, pansies, and violets.

The everyday dishes are Pfaltzgraff's Folk Art. Brown and blue, they are very definitely vintage 1970's and reflect the choices of a new bride --- me! Sturdy, simple, and comfortable; it's the perfect set for daily use and frequently is set upon an oak table between the arm chairs that my husband and I sit upon for tea each day. It's to relaxing to sip and chat as we share the events of the day.

A tea-for-one in violets was a gift from a lovely friend. Thank you, friend! It's nestled amongst a variety of cups and saucers in an oak hutch.


A bouquet of Spanish lavender (with some Grosso tucked into the vase as well) adds fresh appeal to a blue-lavender tea setting which serves as the centerpiece for the dining room table on a late spring day. I wish I could share the fragrance of this lovely lavender candle with you!



A small table in the family room is graced with fresh spring flowers, a small candle, linens, and tea china. The Homer Laughlin teapot is of a pattern and style that mixes well with a variety of teacups and saucers. Here is it paired with teacups in a 'sweet pea' theme for a morning cuppa. The suns rays shining through the window give everything a dreamy feel.


Sometimes my love of tea decor is more subtle and refined. This traditional setting is displayed on a living room table. A traditional (early marriage) lamp is paired with a bouquet of rhododendrons and a paperweight in teapot shape.


A quirky lavender themed teapot and teacup make me smile as they grace an old dresser in the bedroom. Filmy bags of lavender buds fill the teacup to add a sweet fragrance to the room. Did you know that lavender buds improve with age? If they seem to lose their fragrance, simply squish the lavender between your fingers to release the oils inside. Lavender is also wonderful when added to a cup of tea. Next time you make a cup of your favorite black tea, add a pinch of organic lavender to your cup and enjoy!

Thank you for letting me share some of my favorite things with you. Of course, something cuddly and friendly (like a puppy) is always a welcome addition and helps establish a warm ambiance for tea-time! If you look closely, you'll see my Schnauzer pal, Coco, sitting beside the tea table in the post above. She's always ready for a tea party!

28 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:03 AM

    You have some lovely tea items. I especially liked your vignette and the photo with the Old Country Roses and the candle.

    Now, could you take a few minutes and stop by my blog? I've tagged you to tell some things about yourself and the directions will be on my blog when I post them later today.

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  2. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Can I come to your house for tea (after the remodel, of course)? I love your pretty vignettes. Thanks for sharing and inspiring!

    I'll be posting my photos as soon as the sun decides to shine. We have Spring rains scheduled today and tomorrow...

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  3. Anonymous5:31 AM

    La Tea Dah,
    You are amazing! I love all the photos you have shared and this theme is wonderful!
    You have such a response to this theme because there are so many like-minded women who adore such pretty things and the memories/beauty that surround tea!
    Thank you for this treat and for your enthusiasm for all things 'tea'
    Your blog is beautiful!
    from a fellow tea lover,
    Joanne, friend of Clarice

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  4. A friend sent me to your blog, as she knew I would find you to be a kindred spirit in all things tea.
    I love your posts and beautiful photos which are so inspiring for me.
    My coffee loving friends know that my mission is to convert them one by one to the comforts, beauty and elegance of tea, and traditional tea parties.

    I'll be back often.
    Jen from Canada

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  5. Anonymous7:57 AM

    What lovely photos! Thanks for letting us into your home.

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  6. Your home looks so cozy and inviting. I'd love to sit down with you and have a cup of tea, but I probably wouldn't be listening too well...my eyes would be wandering all over the place looking at all of your lovely things.

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  7. Anonymous1:24 PM

    These are all beautiful settings and collections that you have. The photos are wonderful. Beautiful and I'd love to sit down to any of those settings. We've been kicking up dust here in Washington, too. I leave in an hour to head back to So. Cal. where none of my collections are so I'll have to be headed to my archives too. Blessings...

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  8. My post is up now...

    Thanks for stopping by earlier. We were having showers and the lighting just wasn't right. The sun is out and it is a beautiful afternoon!

    Karen

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  9. OH so pretty! I'll hafta go thriftin' and see what I can come up with.... (((((HUGS))))) sandi

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  10. Your pictures are always beautiful, but especially so today! :)

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  11. Well, I must say, it's been like a visit to Miss Emilie Barnes' house! You have a sweet comforting welcoming and cozy touch just like her! Don't you just love visiting folks who have beuatiful things but you still feel comfortable? Thank you for this lovely visit!

    I enjoyed your visit to my blog today, too. This has been such a fun blog-a-thon ~ 'twill be interesting to see all the ideas we'll glean throughout the entire blo-a-thon, won't it?

    Have a lovely week!

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  12. Absolutely lovely, inviting, comforting and refreshing!

    Love it all.

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  13. The picture of the lavender candle ~ the one you said you wished you could share with everyone ~ I have that same candle and it is one of the best smelling ones I have ever had.

    You'r pictures are beautiful!

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  14. Everything is sooo beautiful! I love getting to see your lovely house! Can't wait to see the remodel too!

    Katherine
    I couldn't see Coco!

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  15. Your home is a real show place of all things 'TEA' - a friend of mine has similar skills in making her home look beautiful. Her sons call her Mrs Bucket (Hyacinth from "Keeping Up Appearances" - you may not have this British comedy series in the USA), but H. is not a snob - she just loves pretty things like the rest of us! I'll have to get busy with my digital camera to post some pix of my bits and pieces.

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  16. Lovely,lovely pictures!
    Kat of Mimi's Garden

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  17. Love all the lavender tea pots and lavender colors. Lavender is a favorite of ours as it is a most relaxing herb used to ease stress and help one to sleep. Besides it just smells good and in fact I think I can smell it from your lovely photos!

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  18. Anonymous7:20 PM

    I like how you arrange things in such a lovely way.Your home looks so inviting. Everything looks so beautiful. I love all your tea cups and teapots

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  19. oh my....
    These are all so beautiful.
    Deby

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  20. Oh, I might have known that you have so many gorgeous tea sets decorating your home. Gorgeous and so inspirational. Thank you for hosting such a fun event. I just added my link for week three. Blessings, Karen

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  21. Your pictures are very attractive and just makes me want to sit and sip my favorite tea in my favorite delicate teacups! :)

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  22. Those photos are magazine beautiful, and so is your collection. I especially love the Homer Laughlin teapot. I love the shape. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Hugs,
    Lallee

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  23. Anonymous7:48 PM

    Your home is so beautiful, what a wonderful collection of tea items you have. Some of your displays remind me of my Mother's. How wonderful of you to take the time in the midst of remodeling, you are very thoughtful :).

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  24. What wonderful collections and vignettes you have! :-)

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  25. Your collections and vignettes are fabulous! My favorite is the cupboard full of lavender sweetness! I've never seen so many lavender pieces all together. I rarely see this color, is a more rare to find?

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  26. Love all your pretty things! I especially love your cupboard with all the teacups with lavender colored flowers!

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  27. I love all your decorating ideas. So well done.

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  28. I love your house and all your tea things. It feels SO SPRINGY here!

    xo
    melissa

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Thank you for commenting on my blog post. I am always happy to hear from blog readers. Your words encourage and inspire me. I am glad you stopped by to share conversation, recipes, ideas, and thoughts on creating a welcoming home.