Scenes from SVT Archives - Southern Vintage Table

Scenes from SVT – December at the Table: Vintage Christmas Eve Traditions & a Sparkling New Year

December parties have a way of feeling extra special. Maybe it’s the glow of candlelight, the clink of vintage glassware, or the comforting pull of traditions that have been passed down through generations. This year, we’re celebrating the season with two gatherings that beautifully capture the spirit of December: a meaningful Christmas Eve and a festive New Year’s Eve.

Christmas Eve will be wrapped in timeless holiday colors—green, red, and gold—set with our vintage green Whitehall goblets. These beloved goblets always steal the show, with their shape resembling upside-down Christmas trees, adding just the right touch of whimsy to a very traditional table. Also donning her tables will be our vintage silverplate flatware, a mixed set of green napkins, and a blend of green bottles and vases for florals.

The evening will be hosted by Chef Katie of Beau Catering, who is welcoming her family and honoring her Italian heritage with a Feast of the Seven Fishes. For those unfamiliar with this cherished Christmas Eve tradition, the meal features seven different dishes, each highlighting a type of fish. It’s a celebration rich with meaning, family history, and, of course, incredible food. Truly the kind of gathering that reminds us why the table matters so much this time of year.

The second celebration couldn’t be more fitting for ringing in the new year. A Roaring Twenties–themed New Year’s Eve party will be held in an historic Durham home that will celebrate its 100th birthday next year—talk about perfect timing.

The table will feature a glamorous mix of vintage glassware with gold trim, elegant champagne coupes ready for midnight toasts, and cream, white, and gold salad plates that feel straight out of a Jazz Age soirée. Every piece was chosen to echo the era’s love of refinement and celebration, while still feeling warm and inviting. Gold salad forks will also be included in Angela’s order.

As the clock strikes midnight, this century-old home will step confidently into its next hundred years, dressed in gold and filled with laughter. Proof that when history and hospitality meet at the table, the party practically plans itself.

With Christmas Eve rooted in tradition and New Year’s Eve ready to sparkle, December is proving once again that the best celebrations start with good company and a thoughtfully set table. Here’s to savoring every course, every story, and every beautiful detail as we close out the year in style.

Scenes from SVT – A Classic Fall Table with a Fresh Twist

Hannah and Bobby visited the studio last month to plan their fall wedding, and from the moment they began, we were struck by the mutual respect and ease they share while working together. Their collaboration was thoughtful and unhurried, setting the stage for a table design that felt both meaningful and welcoming.

For their all-season celebration, they selected brown and yellow wildflower stoneware, choosing two complementary designs that balance warmth and charm. Gold vintage goblets were paired with the brown stoneware, while green vintage goblets added a fresh note to the yellow wildflowers. A unique detail ties both designs together: vintage gold and cream plates layered between the wildflower stoneware at every table.

They finished the look with our cool vintage stainless steel flatware—clean, classic, and effortlessly timeless. Altogether, the tables promise a relaxed yet polished feel, perfectly suited for a fall wedding and a couple who clearly enjoys creating side by side.

Scenes from SVT – Before the Crates Leave for the Party

There’s a lovely hush that settles over the studio when a wedding order is almost packed. Plates from every corner of our collection gather in tidy stacks, each one chosen with care. Goblets line up like colorful little soldiers, ready to sparkle under reception lights. Napkins, folded and fluffed, wait patiently for their moment at the table. Vintage flatware is counted and tea cups matched with salad plates and colored goblets.

This is the part we secretly adore—the quiet pause before celebration. It’s where all the mixing and matching finally clicks into place, and you can almost imagine the clink of glasses and the laughter yet to come. Sometimes the vintage plates are packed by color and other times they are sorted by tables.

Every crate holds a tiny preview of someone’s beautiful day, and sending them off feels a bit like waving goodbye to old friends headed on a grand adventure. Packing may be practical, but it’s also wonderfully heartwarming. A final glance, a gentle close of the lid, and off they go—to shine, delight, and help set the scene for memories that will last for years.

Scenes from SVT – An Explosion of Colors on Avery’s Reception Tables

We had such a good time pulling each piece for Avery’s tables—mixing colors, trying new pairings, and celebrating every cheerful combination they chose. We’ve helped several clients bring this lively table-color theme to life, but Avery made it her own by adding a playful mix of napkin colors that took the whole look up a notch. Sharing that creative spark with Avery and her mom made the studio feel especially lively, and we loved every minute of bringing their vibrant vision together.

We had such a good time pulling each piece for Avery’s tables—mixing colors, trying new pairings, and celebrating every cheerful combination they chose. Sharing that creative energy with Avery and her mom made the studio feel especially lively, and we loved every minute of bringing their vibrant vision together.

Scenes from SVT – Designing a 250-Guest Vintage Tabletop With Ruth

We welcomed Ruth, her mom, and her sister to the studio last month, all the way from Salisbury. After searching high and low for vintage china closer to home, they made the trip to us—and we’re so glad they did.

With a guest count of 250, they needed a plentiful mix, and goodness, did they curate a beautiful blend. Their selection included soft blue and green delicate patterns, rich red and gold designs, airy green florals, charming blue florals, dreamy purples, and a lovely assortment of cream plates edged in gold. One by one, they pulled pieces that felt just right, creating a collection that will look stunning spread across their reception tables.

We can’t wait to see this thoughtful palette come to life on Ruth and Reese’s wedding day coming May, 2026!

Scenes from SVT – A Baby Shower Tea Party Fit for a Little One

This upcoming weekend, we’re delighted to be part of a lovely baby shower hosted by Lisa for her daughter-in-law, who is from England — and what could be more fitting than a tea party to celebrate?

Five tables will each have their own color story — light pink, deep rose, yellow, purple, and green — all set with color-coordinated vintage teapots, teacups, sugar and creamer sets, goblets, platters, and small bowls. Every table will feel like its own charming garden vignette, with vintage china ready for tea, treats, and laughter.

We always enjoy packing for tea parties, matching teapots to teacups and finding just the right pieces for each table. It’s a bit like creating five little collections of joy, each with its own personality and pattern.

We can’t wait to see the final setup come to life this weekend — it’s sure to be as sweet as the celebration itself!

Vintage Clear Peg Votives on Brass Candleholders

Scenes from SVT – Designing Olivia & Trevor’s Wedding Tables

We were delighted to welcome Olivia and Trevor back to the studio! After meeting with them last year to plan their vintage place settings, it was such a joy to see their vision come to life for their wedding this weekend.

Together, they carefully designed each guest table — one by one — selecting a mix of vintage dinner plates, each with its own charming pattern. The couple thoughtfully paired their choices with an array of colored goblets, creating a distinctive look for every table. Each collection was then gently packed into crates, labeled and ready for the celebration.

For their final touch, Olivia and Trevor chose a group of elegant candleholders paired with clear glass votives — the perfect sparkle to complement their vintage tableware.

We can’t wait to see photos from their beautiful day and how their thoughtfully curated tables came together!

Scenes from SVT – Vintage-Inspired Fall Decor with Thrifted Charm

The changing of the seasons is always a perfect time to refresh and celebrate, and our studio loves to embrace autumn’s warm colors and textures. This year, we styled our front window and outdoor space with an assortment of cozy, vintage-inspired treasures—each piece carrying its own story.

Our fall décor begins with an array of faux pumpkins in all shapes, sizes, and shades. Nestled among them are pinecones—both large and small—that bring in a natural woodland touch. To frame the display, we added strands of tiny pumpkins strung across the window, a playful nod to the season.

Three birdcages, each suspended with care, became charming showcases filled with autumn accents. A trio of fall-themed plates rests on a vintage plate rack, tying in our love for china with the harvest theme. To complete the look, a fall-inspired wreath welcomes guests right at the door, bursting with warm hues and textures that speak to the season.

Just outside, our white metal bench has been given a seasonal touch with two vintage handstitched embroidery pillows. Their rich colors and intricate patterns offer a cozy, homespun welcome to anyone stopping by.

Perhaps the best part of this display is how it came together. Every item was discovered at thrift stores, consignment shops, or lovingly gifted to us—proof that beauty doesn’t have to be new to be special. With a little imagination, found treasures can create magic and celebrate the season in a way that feels both personal and timeless.

We hope our window and outdoor decorations inspire you to look at your own collection of seasonal finds in a fresh way. After all, fall is about warmth, gratitude, and creating spaces that invite people in.

Many thanks to Sarah for her creativity in putting these things together!

Scenes from SVT – A Lovely Bridal Shower in the Making

This past week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Diane and her daughter Hannah to the studio as they planned a special bridal shower for a dear friend. Together, they browsed through our vintage collections with both care and excitement, envisioning the celebration to come.

After looking over several options, Diane and Hannah delighted in selecting our pink floral plates paired with matching pink goblets, vintage pink luncheon napkins, and elegant vintage champagne coupes to toast the bride-to-be—a combination that’s as charming as it is timeless. The pairing perfectly reflects the joyful, feminine spirit of a bridal shower, and they couldn’t have been more pleased with their choices.

As we talked through the details, their enthusiasm was contagious. They shared how meaningful it was to create such a memorable setting for their friend, and their vision instantly came to life with the vintage china, glassware, and linens they chose.

To complete the table and dessert display, they also chose three beautiful vintage pink floral platters, a pink cake stand, and a pink footed stand —the perfect touches to serve sweet treats in style. The pairing perfectly reflects the joyful, feminine spirit of a bridal shower, and they couldn’t have been more pleased with their choices.

We can already imagine the tables brimming with beauty this November when their guests gather to honor the bride-to-be. It will be a celebration filled with love, laughter, and vintage charm—exactly the kind of occasion our collections are meant to elevate.

Scenes from SVT – Designing a Romantic Spring Tablescape with Allison & Caleb

This past weekend we welcomed Allison and Caleb into our studio to dream up their spring 2026 wedding tablescape. From the very beginning, they knew they wanted a look that felt soft, romantic, and undeniably timeless—and we had such fun watching their vision come to life.

Their design began with a collection of pink and peach goblets, each one catching the light in a delicate way that perfectly complements the season. To echo this palette, they chose an array of pink florals, including several striking blooms with wonderfully large petals—perfect for making a statement on their tables.

At the heart of the design, we layered a vintage coverlet down the center, adding texture and an heirloom touch. On top, three clear and pink peg votives stood gracefully in brass candleholders, casting a soft glow across the tablescape. To complete the setting, silver-plated flatware brought in a polished vintage sparkle, while table numbers displayed in vintage brass frames added both elegance and practicality.

The combination of gentle pink tones, warm brass accents, and meaningful vintage details created a tablescape that is both romantic and sophisticated—just right for their spring celebration. We are delighted to be part of Allison and Caleb’s journey and cannot wait to see their dream wedding come together!