Happy Valentine’s Day

The competition

In light of Valentine’s Day, Ruby Plaza (sister site to Ruby Lane), a website that “is home to individually-owned shops offering home decor, jewelry, and fashion & accessories items,” hosted a table setting competition. The staff at Beaux Arts Galleria created three table settings incorporating china, glassware and other table accessories from the gallery. We believe that any couple would be happy to dine over one of these breathtaking table settings on February 14^th. Ruby Plaza loved our settings and published them on their blog – now we’re publishing them here for you to enjoy, too.

Crème Peinte Table Setting

The first table setting incorporates a centerpiece of fresh red roses and matching red trimmings that speak to Valentine’s Day traditions. The Italian cream dining room suite that hosts the setting includes a banquet table, console table, service pedestal, sideboard, breakfront, and twelve chairs. The banquet table has a crème peinte surface decorated with neoclassical giltwood festoons and florals around the side perimeter, fluted and tapered legs, and beaded stretchers.

The elegant silver-plated swan tureen on the table is an original creation of Beaux Arts Galleria. The plate and cover are actually separate pieces that we combined to form the beautiful and practical tureen.

An American company by the name of J.D. Durand manufactured the stemware found on this table. J.D. Durand is one of many brands produced by Arc International, a large manufacturer and distributor of household goods headquartered in the village of Arques, France. J.D. Durand is considered to be one of Arc International’s finest brands, and adds to the luxurious feel of this ravishing table setting.

“Lady Head” Table Setting

The second lovely table setting incorporates French china and stemware made by Waterford and Royales de Champagne. The same large silver-plated covered swan tureen is featured as in the first setting, and presents itself as the focal point of the design. Offering a muted version of a Valentine’s Day table setting, this table proves that a design does not have to incorporate shades of red or even roses to create a classic, romantic setting.

Intimate encounter

The third and final table setting features roses, somewhat like the first setting, and also uses red as well as gold accents to add a luxurious feel to this intimate table for two. The color scheme, crystal, candles, and freshly cut roses all contribute to the “love is in the air” feeling that this table embodies.

As a complement to the French china, the table setting also incorporates stemware produced by Saint-Louis. Saint-Louis dates back to 1586 when a glassworks was established at Munzthal. The building was destroyed during the Thirty Years War and a new glassworks was established in 1767 under the patronage of Louis XV. This glassworks was founded under the name “Verriers Royales De Saint-Louis.” After 100 years of business, the company was sold in 1829 and became a limited shareholding company. This shareholding company soon opened a retail shop in Paris with Cristelleria De Baccarat.

After the conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War, most of Alsace-Lorraine was annexed by Germany and the Saint-Louis factory soon found itself a new home in Germany! In the modern era, the company still exists in France as Cristalleries Saint-Louis.