Vintage Feature – 6 Things You Want to Know About Napkins!

Vintage Napkins at Southern Vintage Table
Photos by Katherine Miles Jones

We’ve been sorting, counting, and photographing napkins this week and though we have made progress, we still have more to do. In the meantime, we did a little research about this seemingly ordinary household staple, but like everything, the napkin story is very interesting.

~ Here are 6 things we thought you’d like to know about napkins! ~

1 – The first “napkin” was not made of cloth but were nuggets of bread. The ancient Greeks used soft bread inside the crust to clean their fingers during a meal.

2 – Cloth napkins date back to the 14th century while paper tea napkins were invented by the Chinese in the 2nd century BC.

3 –  Scott Paper was the first US company to sell paper napkins and, although they were produced in the 1930s, they didn’t become popular until the 1950s.

4 – Napkins come in different sizes, colors, patterns, and styles. The rule of thumb as far as the size of the napkin is this –  the more food being served, the larger the napkin.

5 – Yes, napkin etiquette does exist.  If you have good napkin manners you know when to pick up your napkin, how to place it in your nap, and where to put it when you’re finished the meal. You also know what not to do with a napkin.

6 – According to some sources, the expression “to make ends meet” is a reference to the use of a napkin. The origin of this phrase actually has many theories but this is our favorite. In the French court of 1729 men wore shirts that had stiff, ruffled collars. As the story goes, to protect their clothing, napkins were tucked in the neckline and around the neck so as “to make ends meet.”

There’s so much more to share but we’ve got to get back to our napkin task.
Have a nice week!

Vintage Napkins at Southern Vintage Table

Sources:
Napkin Folding Guide
Clise Etiquette
Wikipedia – Napkin
Food Reference


Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

 

Vintage Feature – 1 – 2 – 3 Reasons to Be Grateful this Week

This first week of February has been notable because we have
three reasons to celebrate!


~ ONE ~

We finished ONE inventory slide show under our Vintage Linens Collection!
Take a look at our wonderful collection of vintage doilies and runners.


~  TWO ~

Our Facebook page received TWO new “Likes” this week.
As a small business, every single “Like” is so very much appreciated!
(Update – we received one more yesterday – yippee!)


~ THREE ~

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NCWe have THREE new clients for upcoming weddings
and our calendar is filling in for the 2016 wedding season!
Now, this really makes us smile!


So, these are 1 – 2 – 3 reasons we are grateful this week!


Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Feature – Progress on our 2016 Goals!

Vintage Stoneware Patterns at Southern Vintage Table

Here in North Carolina many of us love snow! This weekend, with a mixture of snow and sleet, our landscape is now bedecked in white. In between watching the endless snow reports on tv and cat-napping on the couch, we are pleased to share that progress has been made on our 2016 goals!

First, as displayed above, we created a wonderful photographic splash of some of our vintage stoneware patterns. We pulled these cool dinner plates for a couple as they plan their barn wedding coming up in the fall.  More to be done – organize, count, and photograph – but it’s a start in our quest to showcase the sub-collections of our vintage dinnerware.

Our style for tackling tasks is to work on several projects at a time. So, we also unpacked our collection of vintage doilies for our Linen Inventory page. We now have stacks of petite, medium, large, and grand vintage doilies. Tablecloths, overlays, and placemats are next on the list. Here’s our stack of 50 petite vintage doilies!

Vintage Doilies at Southern Vintage Table

Our biggest accomplishment is the recently pressed Vintage Planters Inventory page.  We love these planters that come in all colors, materials, and shapes!  With a gorgeous bouquet or small plant tucked inside, they will add drama and color to any table.

Vintage Planters at Southern Vintage Table

That’s our week!  The snow will soon melt, which is why we love it in NC, and we’ll continue focusing on our goals in the upcoming weeks. Robert Collier perfectly captured this week’s progress with this quote…

~ Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out. ~


Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Event – Styled Shoot Featured in StyleMePretty!

View More: http://katelynjames.pass.us/sept-2015-workshop

Get ready for some incredibly beautiful photographs from this breath-taking styled shoot recently featured in the prestigious StyleMePretty Wedding Blog. Equestrian Meets French Wedding Inspiration was designed by Kaitlin Holland, owner of The School of Styling, and photographed by Katelyn James.

Many different vendors contributed to this lovely undertaking and we provided the vintage white dinner plates, silver-plated flatware, napkins, and pink goblets.  Aren’t they stunning on the table? We particularly love the table shots, as you can see, but there are so many more for you to enjoy – bouquets, invitations, bride & groom, decor – so, take a look and be inspired! You’ll certainly agree, c’est magnifique!!

View More: http://katelynjames.pass.us/sept-2015-workshop

View More: http://katelynjames.pass.us/sept-2015-workshop

View More: http://katelynjames.pass.us/sept-2015-workshop

View More: http://katelynjames.pass.us/sept-2015-workshop

Photography: Katelyn James Photography
Event Design & Styling: Kaitlin Holland (School Of Styling)
Floral Design: Amanda Veronee
Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm Couture
Calligraphy: Lydia Robins Hendrix
Venue: Big Spring Farm
Furniture Rentals: Paisley And Jade
Model: Brittany Anderson
Photography – Assistance: Jillian Michelle Photography
Ribbon: Adorn
Vintage Tableware & Linen Rentals: Southern Vintage Table


Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Feature – One Down & Two to Go for 2016!

2016 GoalsIt’s the annual ritual most of us follow – setting goals at the start of the new year. To help motivate and keep us focused, we are officially, and in print, announcing Southern Vintage Table’s top 3 goals for 2016.  Here they are!


√ Goal 1 – Participate in a bridal show.

ForeverBridal Show - 1870 Farm - Southern Vintage Table
Here’s a photo of 1870 Farm’s booth at the Forever Bridal show, courtesy of owner David.

Okay, we might have cheated on this one because it was this past weekend, but it was just inside the new year calendar! (When you see our second goal you’ll understand why we wanted to have one checked off – it’s a doozy.)

Several months ago, Lauren, the event coordinator for 1870 Farm, a lovely Chapel Hill family & wedding venue, asked if we would set the sweetheart table at their booth.  It was for the annual Forever Bridal show in Raleigh, an event many newly engaged couples attend to plan for their upcoming wedding. We set the table with our vintage china, goblets, silverware, candle holders, and linens while Filled & Flooded Creative Solutions provided the Mr. & Mrs. signs on the chairs. With the wonderful photograph of the venue in the background (isn’t that red hen so sweet!), the booth looked terrific. We are grateful to David, the owner of 1870 Farm, and Lauren for inviting us to play a part!


Goal 2 – Continue creating inventory slideshows.

Southern Vintage TableNow, as we hinted, this one takes grit, commitment, and persistence. We have made much progress but we still have many lovely treasures to show you – notably our linens and lace overlays, colorful ceramic planters, chic ice buckets, and sub collections of our dinner plates. Whew! This one will definitely keep us busy.


Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Goal 3 – Create a logo.

We have been playing around with this for a while and just haven’t experienced that ah-ha-we-love-it moment.  The one above is our first draft but it still needs tweaking. We have found a couple of apps that may help us but our antennas are up and ready to receive that perfect message of inspiration. One thing is certain; we have a sincere appreciation for the creative talents of graphic designers!


So, that’s our list!  Got one checked off (te-hee) and only two more to go.

Have a terrific week and year ahead!


PS – Thanks to all for the kind words and congratulations regarding our Wedding Wire Couples’ Choice Award for 2016!  We are both grateful and excited to be recognized! Now, that was the perfect start to our new year!

Wedding Wire 2016 Award Southern Vintage Table


Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

 

Vintage Cake Stands at Royal Banquet

Southern Vintage Table Event – “Recipe for Love” at The Royal Banquet

Photo by Stephen Thrift Photography
Love how the dessert recipe hangs from our linen stand!

Last month we received some terrific news – a styled shoot orchestrated by Amy Wurster of Knots ‘N Such and Stephen Thrift Photography was featured on Artfully Wed, a prestigious wedding blog.  The “Recipe for Love” shoot was designed to showcase a former bread factory in Raleigh, The Royal Banquet. To complement this baking theme and the venue’s historical past, Southern Vintage Table’s contribution was some of our wonderful vintage kitchen items. Here are photos from this shoot with some of our vintage decor!

Photo by Stephen Thrift Photography
Love this shot of our vintage goods!
Photo by Stephen Thrift Photography
Here’s one of our kitchen scales.
Photo by Stephen Thrift Photography
This ornate vintage tin is wonderful as a cookie stand!

Royal_Banquet_Amy_Wurster_62

Thank you, Amy & Stephen, for sharing your creative talents and for including us – we are very appreciative! Now, go take a look at more photos from this shoot – you won’t be disappointed!

Here are the vendors who were a part of this wonderful affair:

Photographer: Stephen Thrift Photography
Event & Floral Designer: Knots ‘N Such Event Planning & Design
Event Venue: The Royal Banquet Center
Cake Designer: Edible Art of Raleigh
Dress Designer: Mikaella at Maggi Bridal
Stationery Designer: The Desktop Diva
Lighting: All Events DJs of NC
Video: Oak City Films
Rentals: Classic Party RentalsSouthern Vintage TableTable of Contents
Signature Drink: On the Rocks Bartending
Model: Stephanie Isbell

Royal_Banquet_Amy_Wurster_18

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

 

Thanksgiving Tables

Southern Vintage Table Event – Bass Family & Friends Thanksgiving Reunion

It was the perfect day for our annual Bass Family Reunion!  This wonderful tradition began in the mid-60s by Wiley and Susie Mae’s children – Christine, Aline, Weldon, and Wiley Jr – as a time set aside each Thanksgiving for the extended Bass family to share a meal and reconnect. Every year since, we have continued this tradition, and although many dear family members are no longer with us, we remember and honor them by being together.

For this year’s gathering, Southern Vintage Table set the tables with our vintage blue & white china patterns and amber glassware collection. Our mix of creamy-white table linens were covered with burlap runners and adorned with petite arrangements of greenery, votives, and pumpkins. Large bouquets, created by Rowena, were placed at the entrance table and on the food tables. (Many thanks to the setup crew – Sandy, Amanda, Travis, Allie, and Rowena!)

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NCSouthern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NCSouthern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NCSouthern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

With the 60+ family members and friends bringing their favorite dishes for the buffet line, we enjoyed an incredible feast. (Just for the record, some of those dishes are assigned to certain chefs in the family because, we all know, they make the BEST … turkey & dressing, baked ham, mashed potatoes, collards, sweet potato casserole, chicken-n-dumplings, deviled eggs, chocolate eclair cake, coconut cake, carrot cake, and many more …)

For the newcomers, we loved seeing you and hope you’ll come again.  To the folks who were not able to make it, we missed you and hope to see you Thanksgiving 2016!  As shared in our previous post from Thanksgiving 2013, “once again, the Bass Family came together on Thanksgiving.  We hugged, we feasted, and we parted, feeling content and connected.”

PS – We must remember to get a group photo next year!  Now, who will be in charge?  (Insert smiley/winky face here…)

Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

 

Vintage Adventure – Thrift Store Serendipity

Vintage Girl Vase

Serendipity: Such a beautiful word describing the occurrence of events by chance.
I like to think it’s the energy you put out into the world returning your energy with love.

― Steven Aitchison


As part of our vintage china rental business, we routinely pop into the local thrift stores.  We know, a pretty tough assignment and admittedly, something we do love!  As our inventory is pretty well stocked, we’re mostly browsing for unique pieces that fill a niche in our offerings. Thrift store serendipity struck this week because we came across three very wonderful vintage items, all coincidentally connected. Two are related to last week’s post about our vintage girl vases and the other was linked to a casual conversation I recently had with my husband.

Well, the first find was a girl vase!  I almost didn’t notice her because she is so much larger than the petite ones we have. Standing almost 10 inches tall with two openings for her flower bouquets, she is indeed very sweet!

Vintage Girl Vase

The other connection to last week’s post was the Erphila mark.  In almost three years of regular thrift store shopping, we have seen this mark only once and that was on one of the girl vases featured last week.  This week we found this pretty vase with the Erphila mark.  As you see, this footed vase was made in Bavaria and, as shared last week, the Erphila mark refers to the owners of the import company with the E and R being the first initials of their names, and Phila referring to Philadelphia where their business was located.  Can’t wait to see a beautiful bouquet in this one!

Vintage Vase

The final lucky find was a cup and saucer. We have a sincere appreciation for Blue Ridge Pottery because of its charming history, shared in a post last year.  I was showing a plate to my husband this past week and mentioned that I haven’t come across any Blue Ridge cups and saucers. Yep, that changed – came across four cups and one saucer – at separate thrift stores, too!

Blue Ridge Cup & Saucer

Thank you, cosmos.  We will share these vintage treasures with great appreciation and love.

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC

Vintage Girl Vases

Vintage Feature – Vintage Girl Planters are Irresistible!

Vintage Girl Vases

We have a new infatuation – vintage girl flower vases and planters. With their simple lines and faces, the six in our collection are oddly adorable. They have this quaint vintage look that we love!

The only vase with any identification is the one below.  She was made in Czechoslovakia and her story is very interesting! Here’s an excerpt from Kovels regarding her mark, Erphilia.

Erphila is a mark found on Czechoslovakian and other pottery and porcelain made after 1920. This mark was used on items imported by Ebeling & Reuss of Philadelphia, a giftware firm that was founded in 1866 and out of business sometime after 2002. The mark is a combination of the letters E and R (Ebeling & Reuss) and the first letters of the city, Phila(delphia). Erphila is one of many marks used by American importers. Many whimsical figural pitchers and creamers, figurines, platters, and other giftwares carry this mark.

Vintage Vase Rental NC

The rest do not have any identifying marks and after hours of researching, their origins remain a mystery. With the exception of the one from Czechoslovakia, our educated guess is that the others were made during the 1940s-60s, probably in the USA. There were many pottery and china companies during that time in America, many of which are no longer operational. We did pick up a few names of companies that made figurines and planters – NAPCO, Royal Copley, Treasure Craft, Shawnee Pottery, Hull – but we really have no clue as to who made these specific cutie-pies.

Vintage Vase Rental NC

These mysterious lovelies, as well as our other vintage vases, are available for your guests to also adore!

PS – Still updating and revising our inventory pages – newly added is our Vintage Suitcases & Such. Here’s your invitation to take a look!

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Southern Vintage Table Vintage China Rental NC