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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Castleton Empire Pattern

I was in Nashville last weekend to visit my youngest sister and to see my niece in the Tennessee Rep's production of Big River -- fabulous show, by the way!  I had warned my sister that I wanted to play with her dishes while I was there, and she acquiesced, even buying some new table linens!  This week I'm showing her table set with Castleton Empire, another set of china from our Grandma Rachel, but with a bit of a different history than her wedding china I posted about three weeks ago.  Grandma Rachel was worried that my sister, as a lastborn daughter, wouldn't have any family china to inherit, so she bought this set from her sister-in-law (our Great-Aunt Rene) when Rene moved to her retirement apartment.  Here's a diner's view of a place setting of Castleton Empire, as well as some beautiful crystal from Grandma Rachel in a pattern we have been unable to identify.  (Edit:  Replacements.com identified it as Glastonbury/Lotus' Minton 36 pattern.)

Here is a better look at the pattern, which has a gold-plated pearled edge.  The flatware is Reed and Barton's Louis XVI silverplate, also from Grandma Rachel.


Here's a closer look at the rims of the plates.  The placemats and napkins are from Bed, Bath, and Beyond.


And a closer look at the center design:


The set includes a number of serving pieces, including this wonderful soup tureen.


I especially like the design painted on the lid and handles.


Here's a teacup...


And, for a sweet ending, the inside of a demitasse cup:

Thanks for visiting, and please also stop by Susan's Between Naps on the Porch to see some beautiful tablescapes.






42 comments:

  1. pretty pattern, i still crack up every time i read your blog name~

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  2. This is a beautiful pattern -- I've never seen this, but it certainly sets a gorgeous table. Now soon your sister will be joining us!

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  3. Oh so elegant! I love this pattern.

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  4. I almost fell off of my chair when I saw this china. Oh! This is my new favorite! I must see if I can find this. Soooooooo BEAUTIFUL. And I love that you let the china's beauty decorate the table, keeping other elements to a minimum. Very disciplined eye! I could learn from you.
    Yvonne

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    1. Yvonne,

      I have 6 place settings of this wonderful pattern, Castleton Empire with the blue wreath and gold scalloped egde.
      Please email me if you're interested in acquiring. Isn't the internet wonderful?
      Lesliejeweler@yahoo.com

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    2. I have 12 place settings that include dinner plate, salad plate, cup and saucer if Castleton Empire China with the blue wreath and gold scalloped edge in excellent condition. If interested please email me at jeanwest51352@yahoo.com.

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  5. That is some mighty pretty china there! Oh I adore it! Be blessed. Cindy

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  6. Umm - can I just say, you better lock that China up, because we're all clammoring to figure out a way to take it! LOL! It's STUNNING! STUNNING! Wow tricia. Beautiful china, beautiful setting. Gorgeous. Great job~! Changes to the garden are posted, hope you can stop by and take a peak when you get the chance! :) Take care! A

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  7. This china is gorgeous! And the soup tureen is wonderful -- I spotted it right away in the middle of the table and was glad you had a close-up. I'm not sure about dutiful, but I somehow don't think you're dull!!!

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  8. Hi Tricia,
    because the time difference I come little bit late to visit you.
    Your grandma Rachel was a smart women and a loving grandma, too. This is a very festive china. Looks absolutely gorgeously with the gold rim glasses.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  9. Hi, Tricia and Janie. Love the pictures. That is a really beautiful and unusual pattern. Also love the way you're traveling the country with a secondary motive, getting a beautiful table setting, or sometimes two, out of everyone you visit. Dull and Dutiful doesn't mean you're not clever!

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  10. Tricia, that tablescape is beautiful...I love that blue pattern. The stemware goes so perfect with the china. Thank you for sharing...hope are are able to identify the pattern, someone will surely know what it is.

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  11. This is so elegant and beautiful!

    Love your blog name!!!!

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  12. Tricia, this is spectacular- a really beautiful set. What a sweet story too
    xoxo Pattie

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  13. What beautiful family treasures! I love the china, but I adore the stemware!! That is gorgeous. What a beautiful table. Your title to your blog made me smile. I always thought a job at a college would be so inspiring.

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  14. Tricia, your family has the most gorgeous china. I am drooling all over these! The silver flatware are gorgeous too...Christine

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  15. Oh how pretty, Tricia! She is one lucky sister to have such a sweet heirloom from both her aunt AND her grandmother. I ♥ the laurel leaf pattern in the center as well as that beautiful beaded edge. I'm glad she let you set it up for TT.

    Sorry I can't help you with identifying the stemware. Maybe Bill from Affordable Acourtrements can??

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  16. Beautiful, elegant, classic -- I might never run out of adjectives for that china! It is spectacular. Beautiful shape and a lovely restrained design. Very chic!
    Beautiful table -- your sister is lucky! Wonderful, from the new linens to the old dishes and vintage flatware -- thanks!
    Cass

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  17. I love your blog name! Thanks for visiting me. Your tablescape is beautiful. How special to have your grandmother's china.

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  18. Thank you for your comment on my blog entry, Tricia. You know, you cannot possibly be too organized!! My sister and you would enjoy one another. She has lists, ziplock bag filing systems, wipe-off boards--you name it--to stay organized. Her kitchen is too be envied. I've tried to keep up, but her husband owns a hardware store and keeps her in all the latest gadgets, so what am I to do?? :-)

    BTW, the dishes on your site are beautiful.

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  19. Oh, so elegant and chic!!!

    Hugs
    Charo

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  20. Hear the thud? That's me, falling for the Empire pattern. Stunning. You've got one lucky sis. -- Jane F.

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  21. wow-those dishes took my breath away-beautiful.

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  22. What a beautiful set of china! The entire tale looks so regal and elegant. Very pretty.

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  23. First of all, I noticed we were both in TN on the same weekend and spoke about it in our posts. Secondly, when I clicked on your site and saw those glasses, I gasped. I don't know anything about them. Do you? What I do know is that everytime I see one, I gasp. I would like to start collecting them. They go wonderful with Grandma Rachel's china. I love the design in the center.

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  24. I think that is so cute that she was worried that she wouldn't have any china to inherit...how times have changed! That soup tureen is so stunning! What a beautiful set! Joni

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  25. I really like this pattern. I've never seen it before. How sweet of your grandmother to think about your sister and making sure she had a china set to leave for her.

    Hugs,
    Joanne

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  26. How sweet of grandma Rachel to think of your sister like that! The china is just gorgeous. How fun to play at your sisters house. I'm glad she was such a good sport!! Beautiful work ladies...

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  27. Tricia-thanks for commenting on my blog! Our P.E.O. chapter has each member sell 3-5 tickets, last year they sold for $10. Most of the tables are set by our members, but we do have a few businesses that participate with us. We use the local country club-it has a beautiful mountain view and have them cater light refreshments for our guests. we have had some beautiful tables, I will try to post some pictures from past events. sometimes we have a theme, sometimes not. we usually earn between 1200-1500 for 2 hours of work. If you have any more questions, e-mail me at dnas1@msn.com.

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  28. Beautiful china pattern and stunning crystal.

    - The Tablescaper

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  29. Another gorgeous china pattern. Your grandmother (and aunt) sure had great taste! And what gorgeous stemware! laurie

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  30. Your table setting looks like it could be on view at The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's home right outside of Nashville. Lovely.

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  31. What gorgeous classic china! You girls certainly hit the jackpot with inherited china and crystal. The table looks so classic and perfect -- ready for Sunday Dinner.

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Scribbler

    http://scribbler-unfocused.typepad.com/

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  32. I LOVE to combination of blue and gold on that china! So beautiful! Thanks for all your fabulous comments as well ;)

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  34. Hello Tricia, I adore your tablescape and the pattern of the china is so beautiful. I love that your Grandmother was so thoughtful to think of your youngest sister. How sweet to have your aunt's china, I'm sure your sister is very thankful. Thank you for visiting my tablescape and leaving your kind comment.
    Hugz,
    FLOWERSHOPGURL

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  35. Beautiful pattern. But I love, love, love the flatware. Thanks for playing with your sisters dishes. They are fabulous. And thanks for visiting my tablescape & for leaving me a comment. I really appreciate it.

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  36. More elegant, beautiful china! You do such a beautiful job and this is just gorgeous! I used to do a song from "Big River" for auditions, "How Blest We Are." I haven't heard of that show in a while.

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  37. What beautiful dishes! I had to laugh at your profile as i've been watching the young and restless since I was 16. My friend and I would watch it after school... memories! Thank goodness for Tivo I can now watch it in 10 minutes... just the parts that may interest me. Thanks for visiting my site. Have a great weekend!

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  38. Thank you for stopping by and looking in on the garden projects, and for your always kind words! :) Hey! Come by and enter my giveaway for $100 to CSNlighting. You can use it for any lighting products on their website! Hope you'll stop by for a chance to win! :)

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  39. That is so beautiful. I purchased a set of dishes years ago that were Castleton and I've recently gained a new appreciation for this made in the USA stuff. This pattern is just beautiful. And that crystal -- my word what an elegant table you set. THanks so much for sharing it. I had to laugh because my sister has to tolerate my obsession, too.

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  40. Your china is just beautiful and you create THE most stunning tablescapes.

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