Wouldn’t it be great to have everything on hand for every holiday decorating idea you dream up? While my ideas may be endless, I can’t say the same for my resources or storage space (not to mention time)!
That’s especially true when it comes to things like dishes I may use only once in a while. They’re heavy, fragile, and can be expensive. Plus, you have to find room for them, and we are about at max capacity in the storage department.
But that doesn’t stop me from dreaming. My latest vision has been about a magical tablescape for St. Patrick’s Day. Something charming and reminiscent of the stunning Irish countryside. I may actually pull it off one of these years, but for now, I’m just exercising my imagination.
Here’s what’s been rolling around in my noggin…
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The Foundation
Let’s start with a burlap runner and burlap placemats. They exude rugged country charm, which is perfect. A wool plaid runner would be great, too.
Place Settings
For the place settings, we’ll use an antiqued white charger and layer on a green dinner plate, like the one from Gibson Home shown below. Even better, a set of vintage green transferware plates would be beautiful.
On top of the dinner plate, we’ll add a salad plate and matching bowl. If we’re using the solid green plate, we’ll add something lighter, like these from Noritake. Another option is a painterly pattern from Fitz and Floyd. (It is not lost on me that the pattern is more Sicilian than Irish, but it’s still got a nice country look!)
If we go with the green transferware dinner plate, then the choice is a white salad plate, like one from Pfaltzgraff in the Cassandra pattern. The bowl would be another transferware pattern – the same as the dinner plates or a different pattern. Mixing things up is always fun!
Then we’ll add some crystal – Waterford from Ireland, of course! – probably in the classic Lismore pattern. Another, less pricey option, would be a choice from Galway of Ireland.
For the flatware, I’d use the stainless Oneida pattern I’ve had for years (Juilliard). But, if I were buying new (we’re dreaming here), I might opt for something with a wood handle or a cool Celtic knot.
Then we’ll add napkins. Depending on our final decision for the dishes, we may go with green and white checkered napkins or plaid or a solid-colored linen. Having another pattern will help keep things interesting and the solid color will help calm things down if they’re getting too busy. To secure the napkins, let’s go with a shamrock-shaped napkin ring like the one from Etsy shown below. It’s subtle and rustic – very cute!
Centerpiece
The centerpiece would have to be this boxwood sheep from Grandinroad. I fell in love with it when I saw it – so perfect!
Around the sheep, imagine potted shamrock plants (or Irish moss) and candles. Nothing too overdone, but just enough to fill things out with more green and texture.
I’d go with shamrock plants in cute galvanized pots and add some distressed candlesticks.
You can find shamrock plants at your local flower shop, nursery, or even grocery store this time of year. Or if you prefer to go the artificial route, Amazon has similar small plants in ribbed galvanized pots, as shown below. They also have lots of distressed candle holders.
Belleek Accents
And as a final touch, we’ll add a couple of pieces of Belleek Pottery from the Shamrock collection. I love this dainty pattern and am lucky to have several pieces passed down from my grandparents.
For this imaginary table, the pierced votive holder and salt and pepper shakers would be wonderful accents.
And that’s it: a magical St. Patrick’s Day table I may actually create one of these years. It would give me a great excuse to buy that adorable boxwood sheep!
I hope you enjoyed this imaginary journey. Wishing you a blessed St. Patrick’s Day and all the luck of the Irish!