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…
A Special Tuesday Post Catherine’s Coach
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.
Table Inspiration
The inspiration for my tablescape 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).
A Clean Slate
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 is 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.
All The Details
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 was 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 tablescape. 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
Create Your Own Royal Tablescape
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
Definitely a Royal Tablescape! Love the details and the cake is “Incredible”. That tablecloth is “A Masterpiece and so becoming for the event…Thank you so much for this invitation to peek in…LOVED IT!!!
Hugs to you, Donna
Laura, that is amazing! Love the chintz teapot and oh my the tablecloth is gorgeous. What a treasure to have that!
did u get your invitation this week? dont we wish!
oh my goodness DearRoyal Peculiar…Buckingham Palace should be ringing soon requesting your services as a High Tea Consultant…wow what a great scene
A bonus royal post! How very exciting! I love the tablescape. She did a great job.
you've got it bad!!!!
hehe
It's a good thing she is ineligible as she would be some stiff competition! I just love the coach and colors she chose. Just beautiful!
Your table scape is so beautiful! I don't imagine the REAL tea party for the new couple could look any prettier…And they wouldn't have a personally handmade tablecloth as gorgeous as yours to set it on! I love the thought and detail you put into the cake.
Look forward to seeing some more of your work soon, please!
Thanks for sharing! :o)
Laura, You'd better get her to start blogging! We could learn so much from her … and certainly would enjoy having her mother “stand around”! How funny. Thanks so much for sharing this … I'm excited about the party! See you soon.
That is some competition! It is very royal. I love her title. I need to think of one…well, my hubby would say HRH Queen of Spoiled!
Wowwwwwwwww! That is AMAZING! I loveeeeeeeeeee that cake she made! WOW!! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
Hello Laura,
your cousin really has amazing skills in tablescaping. I am sure, she would get that title easily when she would apply for it by the Queen. Just those photos are enough recommendation for her skills. I really love this cake, it is outstanding. May be she should start a business as wedding planner. If I hadn't already married, I would ask her to plan my own marriage. Just great.
Best greetings and see you tomorrow.
Johanna
Well I am just amazed at the creativity from soccer ball cake to the Royal Carriage!! True genius!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
You two ARE pretty hard core Royal fans! I love the whole tablescape, what a lovely family heirloom to have the hand-tatted lace!
Laura,
Absolutely stunning. Her attention to detail is amazing. I especially love the touches of pink (pink roses around the bottom of the coach, pink candle sticks, the wedding cake topper with the pale pink heart) The crocheted table cloth and the teacups and saucers are priceless. The only thing that would make this better is if upon slicing the cake you discovered it was tiramisu! After all, nothing says royalty like Tiara!
Your Friend,
Deborah
The table cloth is not tatted, it is crochetted. The pattern is called “Queen Anne's Lace”, which is quite fitting, considering. All the married women in my family have this pattern of table cloth made by my Grandma. It takes her about an hour per medallion, and is truly a labor of love.
If she had a blog I bet it would be royally regal and so much fun! From soccer ball to royal coach….fabulous! I am so excited I couldn't wait and just posted my tea party. 🙂 Thank you for all the hard work of putting all this together. xo
Wow, so stunning!!!
Hope your week is off to a great start!
take care
Kristin
Absolutely gorgeous! The cake is so imaginative and FUN, and the china…OH!
She did a ROYAL job!
You are good, Royal Peaculiar! I think you should start blogging regularly. I really enjoyed this!…Christine
How interesting..the cake is wonderful, the sharing between cousin's is amazing and all the information about the Royal family is well recieved. Thanks so much for making this wedding so much fun for us bloggers!
~Shirley
Wow! Totally beautiful!!! Love the tea-pot and all the goodies!
Happy Tea-day!
~Donna~
Ok girlfriend. I have my post up if you want to take a peek. I love how it turned out. And I didn't spend any money but $2.00!
How creative and lovely! The “carriage” is fantastic. You thought of all the details! BRAVO!!!! Great job! XO, Pinky
Awesome…everything is just fabulous.
I have my tea posted. 🙂
I want that “CW” cup. Where did you find it, Laura? Would you believe that it's my initials and I was born on April
29th?….Christine
hmmm, I just left a comment about how wonderful this all is but…where did it go?
xoxo bj
Hi Laura…
Wow!!! Your cousin is certainly a very creative and talented lady! I'm thinking that she may have missed her “calling”! What a magnificent treat!!! I sooo enjoyed “Catherine's Coach” cake! It's nothing short of spectacular…really! Each and every little detail takes it just “over the top”…FABULOUS!!! Ohhh…and the coach wheels are sooo awesome! I love that she used a blue sapphire for the wheel hub…very creative and sooo perfect! Everything is just exquisite…from the lovely table linens (love the pretty yellow napkins and butterflies)…right down to the beautiful yellow chintz tea set! Ohhh…and the teacups are sooo pretty! I just adore the swags as well! I think I am going to have to do a “google” search for those! Hehe!
A heartfelt thank you to your dear cousin for sharing her lovely tea in honor of William and Catherine's upcoming marriage with us! This was such a treat!!!
Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design
Thanks, everyone for your kind and encouraging comments!
I'm so enjoying this linky party!
Cheers!
“The Royal PEAculiar”
I can't believe this is a first post…it's gorgeous! I love the chintz…and in the gift pack it's my favorite tea…Ty Phoo!
Lovely!
Cheers!
Ruth
What a fantastic debut tablescape! So many great details. I especially love that Catherine's initial is white. That's a thoughtful touch.
Wonderful! That cake is amazing!
Well THIS is upsetting… I thought I had our Royal Wedding brunch menu all sewn up – and now THIS cake! I'm afraid we'll have to attempt a version of a coach cake ourselves – What a great inspiration!
Lovely first post!
Wow, that cake is beautiful…so is the tablecloth!
Laura, HOLY MOLEY!I can't imagine how much time it took to set this beautiful table! AMAZING!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin