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Spode Byron Tablescape ~ My Favorite Transferware

When I first began collecting transferware, I was buying only red pieces.  I had started off with Old Britain Castles and then discovered Vista by Masons.   I began selling some of my pieces in order to trade up to some of the Vista pieces I wanted.  Then one day while perusing the internet I happened upon this platter and I JUST HAD TO HAVE IT!  


 The platter I purchased came from a dealer in South Africa.  Once I'd confirmed my purchase, he emailed to say he had other pieces in the pattern for sale. I have such an affinity for pieces with bucolic scenery so this pattern, named Byron, by Spode instantly became my favorite.

I've been collecting this pattern for about 10 years now, selling the duplicate pieces I've acquired along the way.  
Tonight I set the table for all 8 of us and set up the buffet for dessert and coffee/tea.

 I don't have 8 of these cream soups and saucers but wanted to show them to you. 
  This is the scene inside the soup bowl and a close up of the saucer it sets on.  Most of the
Spode Byron pieces each depict a different scene, pastoral in nature.



I found the vintage tablecloth and 12 matching napkins sometime back for a few dollars.  I am not particularly crazy about it but when I saw it I knew it would be a good match for my Byron dishes so I've saved it for tonight.   It's a creamy white linen with shades of gold and brown embroidered flowers...just the same as the hand painted portions around the border.

 I layered up the napkins using some sheer green organza napkins from Always Elegant, bead trimmed gold napkins from Tar-zhe' (Target) a few years back and the ones that match my tablecloth.  The organza gives it a little extra color plus some subtle shimmer.  The brown beaded napkin rings are also from Always Elegant.

I stacked each setting with several sized plates. 

First the dinner plate:

Next came the 9" plates (these are really luncheon plates)


A little more layering underneath the plates came with the pretty Heritage Lace placemats from Priscillas Lace and Linens and for an extra hint of sparkle and to allow the plates to really contrast against their background I added brown, hand beaded chargers that I got from Always Elegant. 

Bread plates were also at each setting and have a sweet scene with girls who've been gathering wheat.  One of the girls has perched herself up on the fence and a little dog looks curiously on.

I could not resist these hand blown glasses...they are absolutely the perfect color combination of amber/gold, brown (inside the stems), and green (swirled around the foot) for my Byron dishes...not to mention they add a bit of contemporary flair to the setting.  I just love 'em!

I had the table set for a couple of days pondering a centerpiece and then it donned on me that I had this darling figurine.  He seems to blend perfectly with the depictions on the dishes.  I scrunched up a sheer voile panel that has a crushed effect with added embroidery and thin lines of satin color onto the center of the table.  Over that I draped two garlands of fall foliage with small pumpkins and gourds and placed the boy and his dogs figurine amongst it all.  It looks like he's wandering through a pumpkin patch.   Two candelabras with votive candles from Zest Candles were placed at either side. 



Who doesn't love the soft flicker of lit candles?


I've posted about Spode Byron before and given a bit of history on this pattern.  You can read (and see) more at these two posts:




Here's a peek at the buffet.  I'll post this sometime next week.

Wherever smoke, wreaths Heavenward curl-
Cave of a hermit, Hovel of churl,
Mansion of merchant, princely dome-
Out of the dreariness
Into its cheeriness,
Come we in weariness,
Home.
~Stephen Chalmers

This week I'm joining the following:

Vintage Thingy Thursday
The Shabby Chic Cottage
French Country Cottage
 Color Outside the Lines
Between Naps on the Porch
Centerpiece Wednesdays 
Freckled Laundry 
Funky Junk Interiors

Comments

  1. Spectacular table! Really just beautiful! I really like the flatware too! Great job!

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  2. Great job on this table! I love these colors and the beautiful scenes on the dishes. The centerpiece is perfect too! The boy figurine looks like he could have stepped right off one of the plates.

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  3. Wow this is just total perfection in my book! What a beautiful tablescape set in a a beautiful room...perfect for Thanksgiving! Thank you for linking up to Centerpiece Wed.

    Karin

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  4. Just beautiful!!! Love how you put this all together....esp. the glasses, the perfect touch...hugs...cleo

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  5. What a stunning dining room and tablescape! The dinnerware pattern is really lovely!

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  6. This is a super post!! I can certainly understand how you HAD to have this dishes. I love them. And the figure!!! He's perfect.
    Linda @ A Toile Tale

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  7. Lovely table. I love the linens too, so great for the season. Happy VTT!

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  8. Hi Nancy...

    Ohhh my...you always set the most beautiful tables, my friend! I truly stand in awe!!! Your Thanksgiving table is one of my favorites!!! I love this pattern, Byron, by Spode! It's fabulous!!! Like you, I am drawn to the beautiful bucolic scenes and ohhh...the beautiful browns and greens!!! You have such a fine collection of this pretty pattern...thank you for sharing it with us today! I think your centerpiece is perfect...how very sweet...the little boy with his dogs! I also just wanted to say that the table linens are perfect...and the goblets...couldn't be a better match! Love it!!!

    Have a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving, my friend!!!

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  9. What a gorgeous tablesetting and wonderful collection of transferware! Beautifully displayed and photographed too! You also couldn't have added a more perfect centerpiece!
    Love it all, and your home is so warm and inviting!

    So glad I stopped by,
    Sherri:)

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  10. Your table is absolutely gorgeous! I have not seen Byron by Spode before - it is...well, just to die for. I can't believe I have not seen it before. I also cannot believe you have 6 kids. It's mind-boggling- you must be way more organized than...well, ME!

    Loved your site - I will be back to see more.
    (I raised 3 kids but it felt like 6)

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  11. I can see why it's your favorite Nancy! What a pretty table, everything matches perfectly! I only have one question... where's the pig in that design??? Have a great day:@)

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  12. This is beautiful! You've created such a warm, classic environment with such beautiful elements. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving.

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  13. This is beautiful Nancy. This pattern is just gorgeous! Love your entire room, and your table!
    Sherry

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  14. Nancy this setting is so Thanksgiving! I can see why its your favorite. Funny too how the tablecloth is perfect yet alone its not your favorite thing...and the boy with the dogs as a centerpiece is perfection. How enchanting is this table?? Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving from me and mine!

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  15. nancy, i am not going to look at your beautiful post one more second or i'll be out buying yet another dish collection.

    save a seat for me...no food; i'll *feast* on your delicious tableware!!!!!

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  16. Nancy, You always have such lovely table..this one is beautiful. Love those dishes..the tablecloth. Everything looks like it belonged together on your table. Thanks for sharing
    Andrea

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  17. I so love your spode dishes!! What a beautiful table you have set!

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  18. I love that pattern - no wonder it is your favorite! Every detail on your table adds so much and the figurine looks like he belongs on your china!

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  19. Oh it all looks so lovely! I would love to come to dinner at your house! And that tablecloth with all that embroidery, imagine the time spent on that, just amazing!

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  20. Oh my, this is just stunning. I love this pattern, and your figurine in the centerpiece is just fabulous. Beautiful tablescape. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving. Hugs, Marty

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  21. This is fantastically gorgeous! I'm in love with the table AND the buffet! Great, great job. I got married 6 months ago and we received a set of Spode Woodland, and I am so in love with it! Now I've started buy other Spode patterns....I sense a problem coming on! Thanks for sharing all your dishes with us....I'm a new follower!

    Kelly

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  22. This is so beautiful! How fun to think of all the tables this lovely china has graced before. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  23. Nancy
    Your tablescape is beautiful, and your dining room is breathtaking! I also love your wall color, wallpaper, chair rail, buffet, china cabinet....what a beautiful, beautiful home you have.

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  24. What an absolutely perfect table setting you have created just in time for the holidays. I just love all of the different textures. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

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  25. Everything is so very lovely, thank you so much for sharing it all with us.

    Happy VTT,
    Sally

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  26. Nancy, sorry if I sound like a broken record each week, but your china is gorgeous, your table stunning...and your spectacular centerpiece is always one of a kind. It is always a treat to visit you each week for TT.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  27. Oh your centerpiece is perfect! I can certainly see why you would fall in love with this charming china.

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  28. I have not seen these dishes before, and they are knockout. I see so many possibilities for them.

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  29. I truly love your dishes and your collection is awesome. The table setting is gorgeous. I too love the different scenes on each piece of the set. Your tablecloth is a lovely addition for your dishes and your clever napkins look so pretty. You have a lovely home and your taste is elegant.

    Hugs, Jeanne

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  30. Nancy, I can easily see why this one is a favorite for you. Love the layers of each piece. Your dining room looks so cozy and inviting. Fabulous!

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  31. Stunning table...I absolutely love the dishes and your centerpiece and table setting are beautiful...perfect ambiance...this is really one of my all time favorites.

    ~jermaine

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  32. Your table is stunning. I looked at this last night (did i already leave a comment???) But i can't get enough of the dishes. Those are wonderful and the centerpiece is perfect with them. What a great collection.

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  33. Applause, applause!!! The dishes are gorgeous with such a wonderful pattern, and I love the way you created the centerpiece to complement them! Bravo! Well done!!!

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  34. Now those pieces are just gorgeous! You have the prettiest dishes.
    Brenda

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  35. Your Table Scape is Simply Lovely! I Adore your China. You have Created such a Warm Inviting Dining Experience for your Guests! What a Treat it must be for them to come to Dinner!
    I just popped over for a Visit from Vintage inspiration Friday and now I am a Follower of yours! Thank you for Sharing.
    Have a Wonderful Weekend!
    Hugs
    Jill

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  36. I don't think I'll ever eat at a table like that one, but I sure like looking at them. Thanks for the opportunity! Absolutely beautiful!!!

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  37. Oh my gosh - this is too funny. I just treated myself to 20 minutes in a thrift store that was near my son's community college, as an errand before stopping at Costco before back to pick him up after his class. What do you think I found? Two of the cutest little plates that are so similar to your set (but mine are Johnson Bros)! I just fell madly in love with the the green around the rim and the browns and reds in the scene... and had just gone through both of my hutches and all of their contents yesterday and proclaimed NO MORE PLATES!. Does that make me a true plate addict? Less than 24 hrs later I had to have two more? In my defense, they were only .99 each :/ Does that make it okay?

    Your table is set just gorgeous - can't believe the detail. After looking closely at your pictures, I've decided that I need chargers too... and maybe some organza... my table looks a bit 'naked' even after I've set it!

    Thanks for sharing - enjoyed your post as always.

    Michelle
    www.jamiesoninteriors.com

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  38. Oh Lord, I think I need to go to confession because I COVET those dishes! lol What a gorgeous table, Nancy! the dishes, the centerpiece, the buffet, in fact your entire dining room -- everything is SO beautiful!!!

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  39. Your home is stunning! I love the patterns on the china, such sweet pastoral scenes. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  40. The whole room looks like a country inn or bed and breakfast. Not sure where you live, but I might stop in one day for a meal and beautiful surroundings.

    Take care,
    Lisa

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  41. Gorgeous Nancy, you are so talented in table setting. I am amazed at your perfect layering and accents. It all looks so amazing!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  42. I just found you at the Freckled Laundry Friday link party. I love English transferware too and have several sets. Spode is a special favorite. Love your table. Glad to find you.

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  43. Oh my GOODNESS Nancy!! I absolutely love those dishes!! They are amazing and your table is so beautiful~ everything looks just incredible. You are so good at setting a gorgeous table!!!Wow! Thanks so much for sharing at my party this week! :)

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  44. Nancy,
    You can set my table anytime! You have the perfect touch and your work is absolutely beautiful. Your blog has always been one of my favs and I'm inspired every visit. Love the Byron Spode and the boy figurine is adorable!
    Life is great now! Wow, what a difference this week has made. I also just bought a new camera and I’m looking forward to getting back to regular blogging soon. Blogging has been very, very good to me and my family! So very grateful.
    Cathy

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  45. What gorgeous dishes! You set an amazing tablescape.

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  46. Beautiful!! I love your dishes!

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving with your family:))

    Kay Ellen

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  47. Gorgeous!!! I wish I could be in this room!!! I love the way you decorate and love those dishes. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Kathi

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  48. What a spectacular tablescape friend!! Truly...one of the prettiest I've ever seen!!!
    Thanks for sharing, I'm visiting from Common Ground & I love your blog!
    Smiles,
    Susie

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  49. Spode Byron is such a special pattern. It's a treat to see an entire service in use. Everything is gorgeous...I like the touch of the beaded charger placed beneath the lace mat. Once again, you've created a stunning tablescape. Thank you for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay

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  50. Nancy,

    This pattern is so wonderful! I love all the little scenes on each one! How fun to collect all the different pieces! Your table is just breathtaking...what a treat to sit at this table for a meal or Thanksgiving dinner. Wishing you and your family a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving!

    Miss Bloomers

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  51. This transferware is espically gorgeous, NAncy. The pattern, the pictures in the center are so pretty. I also love the boy figurine in the center, it is so precious!...Christine

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  52. I know I've commented in the past about our shared love of transferware.I just want to tell you again how much I love your collection.A little story:Years ago when I was still working as an R.N.,I found a platter that I adored and was alittle more than I was use to spending.I got it home put it on my tea server.My daughter got home from school ,let a stray tiny kitten out of her pocket.It bounced around wildly at last landing with a leap on my new treasure,putting a huge crack down the middle.No one in my family really undrstood about that old plate.I thought maybe at last I found someone who would understand.

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  53. You should be very proud of that spread - that's fit for royalty!

    I did a post on my little china finds over the summer, scroll down on my blog or put 'blue and white' in the search bar.



    P.S. – I’m having a Jeanne d’Arc Living Giveaway till 12 Dec.!

    Bisous,

    Sandy @ My Shabby Streamside Studio
    http://myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com/

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  54. Every table you set is more amazing than the last. :-) i like the country life scenes from these dishes too.

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  55. How could you not fall in love with that pattern, it's just beautiful. Your table is stunning, I love all of the detail. The centerpiece works perfectly with the dishes.

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  56. Hi Nancy,
    That is an amazing table you set! I have never seen those dishes before but they are beautiful.

    The setting is so elegant too.

    Carolyn

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  57. Love your transferware, I'm not familiar with this pattern, heck I'm not familiar with lots of patterns but I'm doing my best to become educated. Thank you for sharing your beautiful table, I know what you mean about how having enough cream soup bowls, I'm always on the hunt for them too. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  58. Your treasure are absolutely stunning!!! but the things the catches my heart is your centerpiece. I love that young boy & your candelabras are to die for.

    Happy Thanksgiving Day & enjoy... you & your fam are wort it!

    Greetings,
    /chie

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  59. I have never In my life seen a more beautiful table set, Your dining room looks like it could be in the White House, just breath taking to me

    Janice

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  60. Beautiful tablescape. Perfectly autumnal & I LOVE those vintage linens. Thanks for linking with air your laundry Friday, Nancy! Party resumes tomorrow!

    Hugs,
    Jami

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