Vintage Tablescape

Scenes from SVT – A Trio of Vintage Tablescapes

When our clients arrive at the studio, they’re welcomed into a space filled with endless possibilities. Our curated collection of vintage china, tableware, and decor provides a treasure trove of options for every aesthetic. During their styling sessions, they get hands-on experience selecting pieces, experimenting with different combinations, and seeing their ideas come to life before their eyes.

One thing all three clients had in common? A love for our colored goblets! Whether opting for apple greens, vibrant amber hues, or delicate pinks, each choice added personality and charm to their tablescapes. And, serendipitously, we have a side note about each of these wonderful folks!)


Our first clients are a bride-mother duo. Sweet Katie wanted her table to burst with florals and color. Her choices included an array of vintage floral patterns accompanied by bright yellow, dainty pink, apple green, and smoky brown goblets. Her wedding is coming up this May and it will be a sweet surprise for her family and guests! (Side note – the mother is married to a guy who went on many beach trips with the family. He’s a great guy, too!)


A whimsical, vibrant, and eclectic vibe was what Astin and Ryan wanted for the outdoor, woodsy wedding at The Timberlake Earth Sanctuary. The table they dressed included wildflower stoneware, purple transferware, and delicate florals which were paired with deep green, regal purple, golden amber, and soft oranges. They also opted for our green and amber peg votives, wooden, glass and brass candleholders, and petite brass vases. What a fun tablescape! (Side note – Ryan came to our rescue when a rack pulled away from the wall. With his advice we finally got it up. We were so thankful for his help!)


Our final group of clients included the sister, mother, and friend of the family who were representing for the bride. The vision included pink goblets, cream and gold plates paired with plates that displayed delicate pink florals along the rim. This sweet, vintage tablescape will be on display at our first wedding of the season and we are excited! (Side note – the sister here was a former student now all grown up with family of her own. It was wonderful to catch up with her!)


The best part of the experience? Watching each client leave with a huge smile, knowing their table will be as special as their event. Whether planning a wedding, dinner party, or special celebration, they each found a design that spoke to their vision and reflected their personal style.

We love helping clients bring their dream table settings to life! If you’re planning an event and want to design a tablescape that’s uniquely yours, schedule a studio visit with us. Let’s mix, match, and create something unforgettable together!

Stay tuned for more inspiration, styling tips, and behind-the-scenes moments from Southern Vintage Table!

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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 “Made 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? 😊

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

  • Themed Tea Party ☕🌸: A cozy and elegant afternoon with finger sandwiches, pastries, and a selection of teas. Perfect for a relaxed and charming vibe.
  • Brunch & Mimosas 🍾🥂
  • Movie Marathon 🎬
  • 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 🎨🍷
  • Karaoke or Dance Night 🎤💃
  • Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt 🔎💖
  • 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 ❤️🥂: 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 🍷🍽
  • Couples Cooking Night 🍝🔥
  • Love Letter Exchange & Cozy Movie Night 💌📽
  • Candlelit Dinner at Home 🍷🍽 (Cook together or order in!)
  • Love Letter Exchange & Cozy Movie Night 💌📽
  • Stargazing & Hot Cocoa Date ✨☕
  • Romantic Getaway or Staycation 🏨🌅
  • Cooking or Pottery Class Together 🍞🎭
Valentines Dinner

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

  • Steak Cookout Night 🥩: Get the grill going and have friends bring a dish for a fun dinner.
  • Movie or Series Marathon 📽: Pick a theme—action flicks, cult classics, or sports documentaries—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 us—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 twist—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. 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? 🙂


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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 napkins—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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