Styling for a Quintessentially British Tea Party

This post was inspired by our favorite Brit Lisa Vanderbilt who is quite the Hostess! Her Tea Party  was just as pleasing to the design senses, as it was I am sure to the taste buds! 

(Photo credit Bravo TV)

The reflective quality of the mirrored table is key to the success of this Styling. An easy way to recreate this look is to use a framed mirror as a tray, and place it on your coffee table or footstool. Use one that you have at home or purchase one which can do double duty. The one shown below is a Venetian Beaded Mirror from Restoration Hardware, this particularly deep frame works well to avoid items slipping off the 'tray'. There are various sizes to choose from.  http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/category/products.jsp?categoryId=cat20033

(Photo credit Restoration Hardware website)

~FLOWERS~

Fuscia Pink happens to be my favorite color and maybe why I was attracted to this ensemble, however any color works and with the Thanksgiving holiday coming up I would exchange pink for burnt orange. White and pale blue for the Winter Holidays.

Glass Vase of Fall color Flowers & Berries

Fall Flower Arrangement

Narcissus Winter Flower

White Winter Flowers

~SILVERWARE~

Silverware invokes a feeling of wealth and well being, we all love shiny treasures and I love to find an excuse to use my objets! Some items used in this Styling and that feature most prominently are the cake stand, champagne bucket and the statue flower holder, or maybe its a candle holder? 

Layer silverware and crystal on the mirror tray for amazing effect.

Most towns have a silver shop of some sort, in my town there are curio/silver shops that hold undiscovered treasures and apart from being unique, the actual shopping experience is fun (yes, get off the couch) and its great to support your local vendors too!

Here are some alternative Silver & Glassware Styling items ~

Antique Cake Basket

Antique Lemon Dish

Trellis Cut Glass Plates

Lalique Single Flower Vase

Cut Glass Basket

(All items above courtesy of www.rauantiques.com)

I admit to being a little impartial to Silverware with my parents owning a wonderful Silver Shop full of  interesting and one of a kind gifts.

CELLINI ~ Tower Rd, Sliema, Malta Europe

A little way out of town.... ;)

~CANDLES~

Using unscented candles is probably a better idea, the scent of the flowers and the baked scones should be enough. The candles shown above are from Restoration hardware, they have a good selection of odorless and slow burning, non drip candles which would be the best option. I would recommend keeping the candles a neutral color and use either a single candle or a group of three.

~FINALLY~

This Book is a must have for anyone who intends to host Tea Parties or is generally a tea lover!

Visit the website for more books and information on anything TEA http://www.salontea.com/TeaBooks/store_TeaBooks.html

For me, preparing for an event like this is the fun part, I tend not to stress out and plan ahead of time to  make sure that during the Tea Party I am not running around crazy but enjoying myself with my guests.

Keep the menu simple and if you are not a baker order in advance from your local bakery and maybe they are even nice enough to deliver!

All that is left is to get to the kitchen and start preparing cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, dip the strawberries in dark chocolate, chill the Champagne and wait for your lucky guests to arrive!