Vintage Teacups

Features – The Beauty of English Teacups

Southern Vintage Table was gifted a stunning new set of vintage English teacups, each a masterpiece of history and design. Reflecting a rich heritage of English tea culture, these floral beauties showcase intricate patterns and delicate craftsmanship. These vintage teacups were part of a collection that was dearly loved by their owner, and we have chosen a few of our favorites to share today. 

Aren’t these stunning? Underneath the cup and saucer is a mark that reveals a bit of information. All are marked with “England” or “Made in England,” which reveals the relative age, and all say “Bone China.” Let’s explore the meaning of both.

Here’s the scoop on the country information, and its history goes back to the late 1800s.

“William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, introduced the McKinley Tariff Act in 1890. This act imposed a tariff on imported goods in an effort to protect the livelihood of American manufacturers. The Act required all imports to carry the name of the country of manufacture. In 1921, the Act was amended to include β€œMade in” before the country name, ensuring clear identification of imported products.”

Three of these teacups say only “England” which means these are over 100 years old!

Now for the bone china part. Yes, a key part of the formula for bone china is bone ash. Formulated in the mid 1700s with cattle bones from the nearby slaughterhouse and then improved in the early 1790s by – get this – Josiah Spode of Spode China! It is still used today by England’s potteries and this formula (6 parts bone ash, 4 parts china stone and 3.5 parts kaolin) is the standard across the globe. As a result, bone china is prized for its strength, the ability to be thin, and its translucency.

Thank you, Kelly, for gifting these beauties to our company. We are thrilled to offer these exquisite pieces to our future clients, who will enjoy them at their tea parties. Their elegance and charm will undoubtedly enhance the experience, making every sip a moment to cherish.


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Love Sign

Feature – How Will You Celebrate Valentines?

Whether you’re celebrating Galentine’s, Valentine’s, or Guylentines/Malentine’s, there’s a perfect way to make it special. What kind of experience are you thinking of? Something romantic, adventurous, or low-key? 😊

πŸ’– Galentine’s (Feb 13)
A fun, friendship-filled event with your besties!

  • Themed Tea Party β˜•πŸŒΈ: A cozy and elegant afternoon with finger sandwiches, pastries, and a selection of teas. Perfect for a relaxed and charming vibe.
  • Brunch & Mimosas πŸΎπŸ₯‚
  • Movie Marathon πŸŽ¬
  • Board Game or Card Game Marathon 🎲: Choose classic games like poker, Rook, Risk, or Scattergories or try out a new game as described in New York Times’ The Best Board Games.
  • Video Game Tournament: Set up multiplayer games or retro gaming stations for a friendly competition.
  • DIY Paint & Sip Date πŸŽ¨πŸ·
  • Karaoke or Dance Night πŸŽ€πŸ’ƒ
  • Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt πŸ”ŽπŸ’–
  • Vision Board Night 🍷: Provide yummy snacks and drinks, poster board, magazines, colored pens, scissors for your friends to dream big about their wishes.
  • Themed Dinner Party 🍽️✨: Hosting a small gathering with a home-cooked meal or catered dishes, allowing for a fun and social atmosphere. Great for celebrating with friends or multiple couples.

❀️ Valentine’s (Feb 14)
A romantic or self-love celebration.

  • Intimate Dining β€οΈπŸ₯‚: A romantic dinner for two, either at a fancy restaurant or a candlelit home-cooked meal. Ideal for a more personal and sentimental experience.
  • Fancy Dinner & Wine Tasting πŸ·πŸ½
  • Couples Cooking Night πŸπŸ”₯
  • Love Letter Exchange & Cozy Movie Night πŸ’ŒπŸ“½
  • Candlelit Dinner at Home πŸ·πŸ½ (Cook together or order in!)
  • Love Letter Exchange & Cozy Movie Night πŸ’ŒπŸ“½
  • Stargazing & Hot Cocoa Date βœ¨β˜•
  • Romantic Getaway or Staycation πŸ¨πŸŒ…
  • Cooking or Pottery Class Together πŸžπŸŽ­
Valentines Dinner

πŸ–€ Malentine’s or Guylentine’s (for the guys!)
A chill or adventure-packed way to celebrate.

  • Steak Cookout Night πŸ₯©: Get the grill going and have friends bring a dish for a fun dinner.
  • Movie or Series Marathon πŸ“½: Pick a themeβ€”action flicks, cult classics, or sports documentariesβ€”and enjoy a marathon with plenty of snacks.
  • Board Game Marathon 🎲: Choose classic games like poker, Rook, Risk, or Scattergories or try out a new game as described in New York Times’ The Best Board Games.
  • DIY Poker Night: Set up a poker table, add some fun bets (or chips), and enjoy a friendly game
  • Video Game Tournament: Set up multiplayer games or retro gaming stations for a friendly competition.

Do any of these ideas spark your interest? No matter what you choose, tailor the experience to your group’s interests and let us know if we can help!


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Vintage Reception Table

Southern Vintage Table Event – Macie and Byron’s Woodland Wedding

The fall color palette with browns, oranges, greens, and creams is perfect for a romantic vibe, especially in a natural setting like Timberlake Earth Sanctuary. This beautiful natural area was the perfect location for Macie and Byron’s sweet and intimate wedding.

Vendors
Photographer – Zephyr Tide
Catering – Mediterranean Deli
Vintage Rentals – Southern Vintage Table


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Vintage Place Settings

Scenes from SVT – Four Unique Vintage Designs

Every event is a story, a unique narrative of joy, celebration, and moments that will last a lifetime. At our studio, we have the privilege of working with diverse clients, each with their own vision and ideas for their special occasion. Last month, we had four amazing clients visit usβ€”two planning parties and two planning wedding reception tables. Here’s a peek into the delightful planning journeys that took place at our studio.


Bailey and Jacob envisioned a sophisticated yet playful mix of colors and textures. Their vintage-inspired table with mirrored place settings, three distinct color themes, and layered plates will create a captivating atmosphere that feels both timeless and sophisticated, while the variety in goblets and floral details ensures the look feels fresh, elegant, and contemporary. Simply beautiful!

When Sammi decided to celebrate her 30th birthday, she knew she wanted the night to be as vibrant, creative, and fun as possible. She envisioned a party where her closest friends could gather, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and get inspired by the idea of setting new intentions for the year ahead. And that’s exactly what she created: a birthday bash filled with pink hues, eclectic mix-and-match napkins, and a unique twistβ€”vision boards!

Alison and Landon’s wedding reception table settings were a beautiful reflection of their love for nature and timeless elegance. The mix of brown with white and gold plate patterns created a warm, grounded foundation, while the pastel goblets brought the light, playful spirit of spring to the table.Β They also are using vintage teacups for appetizers, tall champagne coupes, and dessert plates with the same theme. Gold accents will be added with gold flatware and brass candleholders.

To our chagrin, we didn’t get photos of Amaris’ vintage choices. But, we know that her holiday party was a beautiful fusion of festive spirit and elegant sophistication. The combination of pink and clear glassware, gold flatware, charming pink cake stand, and elegant appetizer plates, were carefully chosen to create a warm, inviting atmosphere where guests could relax, enjoy delicious food, and celebrate the joy of the season.

One thing is particularly clear: the details truly make an event. It’s all about creating an atmosphere that feels uniquely personal and reflective of the couple’s style or the celebrant’s personality. At the end of the day, our goal is to help our clients make every guest feel welcomed, special, and a part of something truly memorable.


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Vintage Tea Party at Home Show

Southern Vintage Table Events – Raleigh Home Show Recap

What a weekend! Our first snow and our first show on the same weekend! We got to see how the Raleigh Convention Center went from black curtains with nothing on the floor to the amazing transformation of a buzz center of home focused vendors. Our mission was to remind the visitors that their space can be transformed into an amazing dinner party or a fun tea party. We hope we met the mark!

Joining us with the tablescape are two great vendors, Beau Papierer, who created the seating cards, and Ora Teahouse, who baked some of the yummy treats and brought the tea samples. Thank you, Terry and Trista.

Thank you, Erin Calibritto, Show Manager for inviting us and for the help from your excellent team. We enjoyed being a part of the show. Pssst – Do you see our table and the two ladies eyeing the tea party setup? πŸ™‚


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Blue and white tablescape with green highlights

News – Vintage Tablescapes at the Raleigh Home and Garden Show: A Stylish Blend of Elegance and Charm

The Downtown Raleigh Home Garden Show serves as a gathering spot for home enthusiasts, designers, and folks who love to entertain. Amongst all the terrific vendors and exhibitors will be Booth 1233. Here you’ll find a unique take on classic table settings for special occasions. Our two submissions, a dinner party tablescape and a charming tea gathering, offer inspiration for those seeking to elevate their entertaining game.

Setting the stage for the perfect tablescape isn’t just about arranging plates and napkinsβ€”it’s about telling a story, creating an atmosphere, and curating every detail so that everything feels just right. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at some of the elements pulled together for both designs.

Stop by Booth 1233 and let these vintage designs spark your own creativity, providing ideas for your next gathering or event. And, most importantly, enjoy the art of hosting in a way that honors the elegance of the past while celebrating the joy of gathering with friends and loved ones.

Interested in a free ticket? Visit our Instagram or Facebook page for more information.


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Vintage Amber Goblets

And the years roll on… Happy 2025!

Oh, 2024, you have brought us much joy through the lovely clients and vendors we have met and worked alongside. We are getting ready for you, 2025, filling ourselves with hope and optimism.


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Christmas Ornaments on Tree

Sending Wishes for Peace and Harmony

— Postcard marked December 21, 1909 at 10AM.

Message – “Dear Bro, will be home Thurs eve, Goes to Middletown 5:34 – Guess it’s up to you to meet me. Love to grandpa, ma. and self. Sister”


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Vintage Christmas Mantle

News – Vintage Holiday Decorating

Getting ready for the holidays? We have just begun at home and have pulled out some of most treasured decorations collected years ago. On the dining table are some of our nesting “dolls”. They are so fun to open to find the smaller ones inside. The greenery came from the back yard.

Below is the mantle-scape which features a collection of vintage cats, crates, trays, books, and thrift-store petite trees. The tall wooden kitty in the middle is very special – it was an 18th birthday gift from my boyfriend who is now my husband. (He hit the mark on this one and we are definitely vintage!)

We also played around with a couple of holiday tablescapes at the studio. The green and deep red layering of plates are a nod to the holiday colors but with a bit of vintage swag. Our favorite decor items are the little trees that are nestled in the vintage milk glass vases but we think the grass chargers are not needed after all. Too bad we didn’t get that photo!

That’s it for today’s post! We need to dig out a few more holiday decorations, go online to do a little shopping, attend a dinner party with friends, and meet with two potential clients this week. Just the right amount of busy for us!


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Vintage Postcard with Berries

Southern Vintage Table Event – Vintage Postcards Capture the Christmas Spirit

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Today’s post is an update from one published in December 2015. We have only edited some of the photos and gallery designs. As I read through the post, the memories of this amazing holiday dinner came alive again. When I asked Priscilla about reposting, she wrote, it was “such a beautiful. happy memory you created having my church friends around John and I that Christmas.”

I’ve known Priscilla for well over 20 years.  Our friendship began at Culbreth Middle School – she taught 6th grade science and I taught 8th grade science.  We both loved to find and decorate our classrooms with all kinds of natural things – pine cones, turtle shells, skeletons, rocks, bird nests – whatever we could find or get. As kindred nature and vintage enthusiasts, our tablescape visions for her annual Christmas party were totally in sync.

When we were planning for her party, Priscilla brought out these two incredibly huge pine cones that were at least a foot long!  Of course, I wanted to know what kind they were and where they came from.  Well, it turns out they are sugar tree pinecones that come from a tree that grows in California.  She saw them at a science convention and thought they were amazing and wanted some for her classroom. So she wrote a letter – a time before email – to a colleague who lived in California and asked him to please send her a few sugar tree pine cones so she could share them with her students. You see, Priscilla has this way about her that when she shows you something she loves, you instantly fall in love with it, too – that’s what made her such a terrific teacher.  She loved science and so did her students. Shortly after the letter was mailed, a boxful of these exquisite beauties arrived at her door and were part of her classroom for many years. Who would have known that these same pinecones would be adorning her Christmas table years later and I would be helping her set the table? As you might imagine, we shared a good laugh about it all!

In addition to the many varieties of pinecones around her lovely home, she also has a wonderful collection of vintage Christmas postcards dating to the early 1900s. The artwork and the handwritten notes on the back portray a time we all love to imagine. Here are just a few. I included one photo of the handwritten message and address on the back – no zip code!

Vintage Christmas Postcard
Vintage Christmas Card Back

With her collection of pinecones and vintage postcards, and the vintage milk glass glassware, white linens, china and silverware from Southern Vintage Table, our table design was ready.  We both knew it was going to be exceptionally special!

On the day before the party, the first table we set was in the dining room. We decided to use a vintage green tablecloth with vintage white doilies to accent the rich brown of the pinecones. The vintage postcards were scattered about for guests to enjoy.  What a terrific touch to this vintage tablescape!

Our next set of tables were in the living room.  Here we used crisp white vintage tablecloths and with the Christmas tree as a backdrop, the end result was just beautiful!

Desserts, punch, and teacups were ready for guests after their delicious meal. Don’t you love the bold poinsettia pattern on the vintage tablecloths?

Thank you, Priscilla, for inviting Southern Vintage TableΒ to be a part of this special day for you, John, and your friends. Β Merry Christmas to all and best wishes in the new year!

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

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