Victorian Dinner Party #14

Pteridomania, otherwise known as fern mania, was a craze that swept Britian during Victorian times. Specimens were brought back from journeys to far-away places by botanists and eventually grown for cultivation in Victorian homes. People also roamed the countryside for specimens for their collection.

With that in mind, I decided to transplant my one fern into my black iron urn and decorate it with peacock feathers for added Victorain flair.

A collection of umbrellas and walking sticks were plalced by the door.

And some giant tassles that I found in a thrift shop and kept just in case one day I might find a use for them, were hung from a hook in the ceiling so that we could summon our non-existent servants throughout the evening.

Victorian Dinner Party #13

Lighting was key to providing atmosphere at the dinner party. As mentioned in a previous blog post, I was fortunate enough to be able to borrow an iron chandelier from a friend, which I hung over the centre of the dinner table. Lit with ivory candles, it was a beautiful touch and tied in with my tumbling leaves motif in with my china pattern.

 A view from above... and a view from below, which shows the pair of blackbirds perched there.

And another larger blackbird who has alighted on this lamp, covered in black lace.

Bits of black lace were strewn about or strategically placed by friend A., who was a god-send, helping me with last-minute decorating and preparations. Thanks for the help A!

A pair of black gloves joins a blackbird and black lace.

Along the dinner table were votives with a silver mercury glass feel to them.

And in the corner of the room, were some dollar-store lanterns whose motif looked the part, and when lit with batteries, were surprisingly effective.

Above, the lanterns shining in the dark, and below, how they look in a lighted room.

And here, looking very handsome when placed in front of this appropriately themed painting.

Victorian Dinner Party #12

 By collecting together vintage objects, I was able to creative small vignettes which added to the "back in time" feel of the party. Here, beautiful old wooden spools of thread were paired with metal thimbles and two tiny shoe pincushions, creating a sewing-theme vignette.

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These Victorian leather baby shoes, compete with tiny black buttons, joined a vintage wooden shoe-making last. By grouping like objects together, it is easy to create interesting displays that add layers to your decor.  

Victorian Dinner Party #11

A large blackbird under a glass dome and a wreath made from black feathers were further tie-ins with the party's blackbird theme. The wreath was fashioned by sewing an inexpensive feather boa around a twig wreath that I already had.

And what would a Victorian gathering be without a Victorian gazing ball?  This glass ball from my garden was pressed into service. It was quite surprising to see how many things I already had tied quite nicely into the Victorian theme. 

Victorian Party #10

Several portraits in the room hold secrets. When you look at them from various angles, ghoulish figures are revealed, giving the passerby a fright. 

 The portrait's alter ego...

A distinguished looking gentleman morphs into a skeletal figure.

These beautiful cream-coloured leather gloves form part of this vignette.

Another seemingly innocent portrait...

... that hides a more sinister side.

A skull oversees a bowl of old rusty nails that were found on the banks of the Ottawa River. 

Victorian Dinner Party #9

The coffee was served in this demi-tasse set, given to me by a dear friend about 20 years or so ago. I think this is the first time that I have used it. Its black and white with gold pattern was the perfect accompaniment to the table setting. Some things are just meant to be.

 

Out of the blue, M. offered me these tiny gold spoons, exactly the right size for the cup and saucer's diminutive proportions. The camel at the top of the spoon works well with the Victorian theme, as the Victorians were great travelers to exotic places.

Victorian Dinner Party #8

After our aperitifs (a glass of sherry), the ladies were escorted to the table and the soup was served,  a medley of harvest vegetables with a dollop of sour cream.

The next was the seafood course, shrimp cocktail in a bed of greens. And for those who do not eat shrimp, there was an alternative, a Victorian-type prank... a shrimp-like substitute was served with a straight face, false teeth gummies. 

Turkey pot pie (called Blackbird pie for the occasion) was the main course, with haricots vert on the side. I made little bird prints across the top of each pie as if a blackbird had walked across the crust. A spring of rosemary, freshly cut from the garden adorned each.

To cleanse the palate, a small scoop of raspberry sorbet came next, garnished with a small meringue and chocolate spider. 

The raspberry sorbet was followed by the desserts: a Victorian sponge cake, battenburg cake, and gingerbread cake.  After which came tea and coffee, and a choice of meringue, madeleines, and almond crescents. The desserts and tea and coffee were followed by a cheese and biscuit plate (groans from the guests were audible as this was offered) and finally a selection of brandy, cognac and liqueurs. Wine and ice water were served throughout.