Romance in the Kitchen

It's the month of June,
the month of leaves and roses,
when pleasant sights salute the eyes
and pleasant scents the noses. ~ Nathaniel Parker Willis 

Hello my lovely friends! Did my title peak your curiosity?

Well, I'm not talking about stealing a kiss in the kitchen while doing dishes with my hubby although that too is romantic. I'm talking about bringing romance into your kitchen through your decor, like using lace in the windows as well as that old fashioned pattern called toile. Is there anything more romantic in a home than toile and lace?

It looks splendid with transferware, I think.

This is my theme throughout the kitchen and dining room. I know this is not everyone's taste but for this old-fashioned girl, it's perfect!

I am also talking about the pretties you use every day to set your table with. Pretty china and linens. One must have a bouquet too. Fresh flowers are always best but if you don't have them then silk or something imaginative would be just as wonderful.

Look at how the petals in the pink rose are folded around each, almost as though they are giving each other a hug. Not much wonder roses are the flowers of romance!

What do you take your decorating inspiration from? For many years, I used my favourite colours. I used blue because I was surrounded by men, accented with peach or pink. But the last number of years, it has usually been my china from where I found my inspiration. You can see in the Rose Chintz pattern, a bit of pink, red, green, and blue on a creamy background.

You are all familiar with my signature pattern, Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz. Even in the dead of winter, they make me happy because they make me think of a spring day when they are on my table. I think Rose Chintz is one of the most romantic patterns ever.

Oh, for the gentleness of old Romance ~ Keats

I used Corelle when my children were growing up and also after the little grandbabies began arriving. But now I use my china even when the little ones are here. China always makes a meal or snack feel more special, don't you think?

And it's always a good idea to have something sweet in the house even if it's from the bakery. I always have my own baked goods in the house but this week has been very busy and I didn't have time to bake. So, bakery butter tarts will do the trick. Arrange them under a cloche to make them look more appealing. 

As most of you know, I mostly collect red or pink transferware and that is what I set my table with every day. I think those colours bring a little romance to the table. 

Sometimes I use matching and sometimes I use mismatched dishes which always bring a little more personality to the table. That is the charming quality about transferware, you can mix and match it. It always looks good!

I have two sets of transferware which I use on a daily basis as well as my beloved Rose Chintz. These I generally mix with odd pieces I have found thrifting.

This pattern is Staffordshire Engravings and I love the homey scene on the pieces. 

This set is one my mother gifted me with when Eaton's was going out of business. My Canadian friends will remember that wonderful department store which was much like Sears. 

It is called Eaton Home and I love this one as well. It is more pink than red but all the pieces go well together.


I have showed you this trick before but for those of you who may have missed it...To store your teacups safely, this is one way to do it. Tuck each handle into the cup next to it.

Then store the cups sitting on their saucers.


It is a lovely idea to have some vintage accessories tucked into your decor as well such as a lace tablecloth or napkins. Below is an olden tablecloth and my mother's wedding silverware.

This is a setting I have used during the holidays complete with a red charger and a few pieces of Johnson Bros. Old Britain Castles. 

I only use a tablecloth on special occasions because my hubby doesn't like them unfortunately. Actually, none of my children like them either and they complain if I have one on the table. If I ever get my table painted white, then it won't bother me so much not having the table covered. 

My hubby uses the table to study on instead of using the office. I don't know why he prefers the table but if I have a cloth on it, it interferes with his moving his books around. For those of you who may not know, my hubby is a former pastor and he is still very much involved in ministry. He teaches twice a week so he does spend quite a bit of time preparing for it.

So would you like to join me for a cup of tea? 

I am using my Venetian teapot and toile china mugs in the Royale Garden pattern made in Staffordshire, England. Tea is Earl Grey today.

What romantic touches do you have in your home? 

Have a lovely weekend everyone and thank you for dropping by for a visit. I do enjoy having you!

If I could reach up and hold a star every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand. - unknown


I am joining the following parties as well~

 Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Bernideen's TTCG Blog Party
 Tea Cup Tuesday
 The Art of Home-Making Mondays
 Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
 Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/


 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi