St. Patrick’s Day Table~Green and Gold for Luck
Even though we are not of Irish decent, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, because it is the birthday of my daughter, Julianna and my mother, Julia. That, in itself, is a good reason to set a St. Patrick’s Day Table. However, who is St. Patrick and why is this holiday celebrated around the world?
A Little History
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish observe this day as a religious holiday and have so for over 1,000 years.
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped from his home and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people.
Mixing Old and New
For this year’s St. Patrick’s Day table, I am using this fun piece of contemporary fabric from my friend, Anne. I couple it with my antique English china, Fondeville Ambassador Ware 6762. The rich shades of green, gold, pink, blue and yellow make these gold-rim plates one of my favorites.
To me, this is the essence of collected chic~mixing bold patterns with elegant tableware.
Stacking the antique china on the simple brushed gold chargers enhances the gold in the pattern. Adding the crackled gold rim clear salad plate from Leslie Roy does not diminish the platter floral design. Similar chargers can be found here. These chargers are so affordable and I use them frequently.
Of course, I love my Wallace silver/gold bee patterned flatware (see link here) which seems to go with just about any place setting I create. The combination of green and gold in this setting lends to the luck of the Irish!
Made in Waterford, Ireland, the Waterford crystal Marquis water goblets and Lismore wine glasses are in keeping with the Irish theme. Gold trim napkins softly fold and find a home inside the wine glass. See similar napkins here.
Making it Festive
With a fun and festive holiday like St. Patrick’s Day, it is easy for the table decor to become kitschy or juvenile. Trying to keep the table elegant, but fun, I add gold shamrocks to the tablecloth. Since I bought these several years ago, resource unknown, you can use gold coins instead.
Each place setting gets a light up shamrock necklace for added whimsy for our guests. See similar necklace here.
The Centerpiece
Brass candlesticks from West Elm brighten up the table. Set up in our family and surrounded by windows, the table changes color as the day progresses.
The centerpiece is a vintage Westmoreland oval footed milk glass bowl with hydrangeas, peonies and green glitter shamrocks. Again, the glittery shamrocks are fun but the centerpiece still looks elegant. The shape is the perfect size for this round table.
Will you be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day? My daughter will be 27 years old and my mother, if alive, would be celebrating her 99th. Time marches on, doesn’t it?
Wishing you all a happy Wednesday.
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This post shared with Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday #650
Just a reminder that any words that are italicized bring you to the source. If it is a product on Amazon, please note that I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you purchase something through my website, I receive a small (very small!) stipend, which doesn’t affect the price you pay at all. My goal is to make sourcing the items easy for you. Thank you for your continued support.
Mary, your tablescape is beautiful and festive!! I am Irish on both sides (though I am more English and French on mom’s side but you could never remind dad of that, haha.) So I loved your table! ♣
I posted my own version of St Pat’s table with a gathering I had. Nothing as pretty as yours. But I do hope you visit to see it.
Michele, I am finally home and got the chance to read your blog post. I LOVE your table and what a great idea to do a soup exchange. Plus the shamrock cookies and tea bag is such a thoughtful gift. Just reading your post I could feel the warmth and love in your luncheon. Thank you for letting me know. It was such a pleasure to visit.
Wowza! this is one beautiful table. I love the tablecloth and your gorgeous dishes. Well done Mary!
Wendy, thank you! Coming from someone like you is a huge compliment!
You bet your clogs we celebrate!! It is our son’s (Aaron Patrick) 40th birthday!! Sailente!! o’franki
BEAUTIFUL TABLE!
YOU GET AN A PLUS PLUS!
HAPPY BIRTHING DAY MAMA!!!!!!
YES, we do as our last name is KIRKPATRICK!
IT’s always corned beef and cabbage here!
The weather has been STRANGE!I have heavy FOG at the MOMENT!
Our weather has been strange too. 88 degrees last week and a very chilly, dreary, drizzly 48 degrees this morning. Brrr for us! Have a wonderful St. Patrick’s day at the Kirkpatrick house!
Haha – I was at Tablescape Thursday and was just going to pick one link to read, and it ended up being yours!! I’m not actually surprised, your tables always captivate me!! Thanks for another round of beauty and inspiration in my day! Now I better get back to work! 😉
Gorgeous china pattern – works so well for a SPD tablescape, Mary!
Funny, I am Irish on both sides – and my hubs is Italian. He NEVER EVER lets me forget Ireland’s Patron Saint is actually Roman. As in all year long. He is a relentless Italian, haha.
He calls me a “wee” person. He is 6’3 and I am 5′ and shrinking. Life around here is never dull.
Your husband sounds very funny….wow, that is a height difference too. Sounds like you have a very fun marriage~a sense of humor is critical!
Ha that’s great Michele! I can’t wait to meet you (and your amusing husband) in person someday!
I love that china, its beautiful!! Your whole table is so pretty
An old friend bought me this china. I’ve lost touch with her over the years, but think of her every time I use it. Have looked for more pieces but cannot find any of the green…There are some red ones on eBay, but I’m not sure why the green is so elusive.
Beautiful table setting! Thank you for sharing sources, would like to have source of the gold rimed
clear salad plates.
I really like all your ideas…you are so talented.
Thank you for all your hard work and beautiful ideas.
Va
I got the salad plates from Leslie Roy. She used to be a table designer in Connecticut. I have tried googling her but the only website that shows up is very old. You may be able to find some on eBay. Leslie used an old European technique to get the gold on her plates~a crackling look. So unique and I love the clear salad plates because you can see the platter design below. Thank you for your kind comments!
Beautiful colors on the table!! Calls for a big green salad along with Corn Beef and Cabbage!!
Shelley
Shelley, yes, corned beef and cabbage! We used to have that for St. Patrick’s day until I found my Guiness Beef Pot pie and Bailey Irish cream cheese cake recipes. Hope to post those next week in time for St. Patty’s day!
How festive Mary, I’m looking forward to St. Patrick’s Day because it’s during our spring break here. I can’t wait for that time off.
What a lovely table setting. Your green plates are absolutely stunning! I think that I need to add them to my wish list.
Blessings to you.
Mary,
This is just stunning! I love everything but those antique dishes have my heart ! So much inspiration!