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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Mama's Ma Lin

Every time I go to Little Rock to visit my parents, I look forward to playing with Mama's dishes.  I have blogged about at least two different tables set with Mama's beautiful Castleton Ma Lin china, but this time I wanted to try yet another color scheme.  Here's a photo of the pattern from Replacements.com. 
Replacements.com
I have set a spring table highlighting the yellow in the pattern . . .
and a fall table highlighting the "cinnamon" color, as Castleton described it:
This time, though, I wanted to try a spring table to bring out the pretty greens in the pattern.  I knew Mama didn't have any green table linens, so I stuffed some in my roll-aboard suitcase.  (The section designed to hold a carefully folded man's suit is perfect for placemats and napkins, if you ever need to know!)

Here's how the placesetting looked with green linens:
The placesetting included Mama's sterling, Reed and Barton's French Renaissance.  I love the shape of the salad fork's tines -- perfect for cutting through lettuce ribs or a firm pie crust.  I also included the iced tea spoon, since I'm using her iced tea glasses.
 Mama's crystal is Fostoria's Navarre, a beautiful etched pattern with the prettiest stem design.
Mama already had the perfect centerpiece on her table to go along with the blue in the Ma Lin design -- blue candles in her pair of double-light candlesticks and an arrangement of silk hydrangeas.
Here's a closer look at one of the candlesticks.  If anyone can identify the pattern, I would love to know it!  (Oops, you can see my striped shirt in the mirror as I take the photo!)
Here's one more look at the placesetting:
And one view of the table.  By the way, the mirror over the table used to hang in my grandfather's jewelry store in a small Arkansas town.  He used it to see who had entered the store as he sat at his workbench, repairing watches.
Thank you for visiting!  I will be linking to Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen and Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

25 comments:

  1. I love the green! I never would have thought of using it.

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  2. Beautiful, Tricia. The Ma Lin is a pretty pattern. It's perfect for a variety of color themes. Enjoy your visit with your parents.
    Thanks for sharing another lovely tablescape.

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  3. So many treasures on this gorgeous table. I love that you've figured out where to pack the placemats/linens when you travel. Something every blogger worth her salt should know! So many choices on the candlestick, but I might investigate Cambridge...I could be totally wrong, but it reminds me of some Cambridge patterns that I've seen....for whatever that's worth. Thanks for inviting us for a peak...especially at that magnificent Ma Lin. Cherry Kay

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  4. Your mother's dishes are beautiful and so versatile with all the colors to accent with! Love the delicate etched goblets too!

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  5. Oh my Tricia, what a gorgeous pattern of your Mom's. I love how it just pops against the green placemat. The crystal is sooooo pretty. I'm swooning! I'm glad your Mama let you play with her dishes.

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  6. I think you know how much I like the green with blue...lots! The china is really beautiful, it could be paired with so many colors. Thanks for sharing, Tricia.

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  7. wow...so many pretty colors to play with! And what an interesting keepsake that mirror is!

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  8. Tricia.. I love the green with these beautiful dishes. It brings a totally different look to the table. So wonderful to have that special mirror. Have a wonderful visit. xo marlis

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  9. What beautiful plates! The colors are so cheerful!..Christine

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  10. Love that you pack table lines to go with your Mom's dishes! It's so crazy it sounds like something I might do.

    - The Tablescaper

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  11. I felt right at home with this one! Did you get the napkins and place mats at Crate and Barrel? I have the same ones and some of the same sterling. I,also, have Fostoria stemware with the same stem pattern, although it is Wilma. Now, I need some if that gorgeous china!! Great job!

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  12. Very pretty and cheerful table. The mirror reflects your table beautifully.

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  13. Small world: my aunt had that pattern and I always loved it -- so when I saw a piece at a thrift store just the other day I snatched it up. Then there it is on your blog! Thanks for sharing it.

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  14. I just love the stemware on this table, I think the dishes are lovely but I am always drawn to the stemware with the etchings on glasses, that patern from Fostoria is sooo pretty, thanks for letting me look at them and swoon...

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  15. Beautiful tablescape, specially with those gorgeous dishes your dear Mom has! I love the glass ware with the etchings in the glass, the ecnterpiece and cnadle holders, etc.. Before I forget!...I've been meaning to comment on how young and pretty you look in your new pic, Tricia! Big hugs,
    FABBY

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  16. Now you've got me thinking about all of the relatives that I can visit and photograph their china... I guess I'd better be packing some linens in my carry-on too. :) Thanks for sharing this beautiful table with such a versatile china pattern!

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  17. Oh No! Another china pattern I have fallen in love with! Tricia, I have no more room to store china. I can't start looking for this pattern to collect. However, I'm thinking if I find some, I might have to get rid of some other china pattern, so I can have this. Your table setting looks so pretty, and I love your mother's crystal and silver too. It's just that I WANT her china! laurie

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  18. This beautiful pattern is indeed versatile. I think the green is probably my favorite of what you have done with it so far. The silver is to die for!

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  19. Looks like your Mama has some pretty dishes for you to play with!

    Carolyn

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  20. That's a beautiful table, Tricia. To agree with many other commentators, the Ma Lin is beautiful and versatile, but I especially love the candlesticks this time.

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  21. Beautiful table.the plates and the candlesticks are awesome.Lovely collections..:):)

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  22. What a happy, Springtime table, Tricia. I'm especially glad you had a chance to visit your Mama and play in her pretty dishes! Her Ma Lin is definitely a versatile pattern.

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  23. THIS is the way to do it! Three completely different looks by playing up different hues in the dishes. And the dishes are f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s!!! So you have basically summer, spring and fall looks done already. I challenge you to come up with a winter one!!! :-)

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  24. How lovely and your dishes seem to be able to change with the seasons!~ Thanks for your sweet visit...the girls and I had a wonderful tea party!

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