Downton Abbey Inspiration

January 2, 2015

The PBS series Downton Abbey began its fifth season (5th!), and we were eager with anticipation! We are big fans of the series and have loved following the activities of the Crawley family and the servants who work for them. Of course, as florists, we can’t help but turn a keen eye to the flowers in each scene. On the eve of the fifth season premier, it seems fitting to revisit the designs full of Downton Abbey inspiration we created for the International Special Events Society (ISES) gala inspired by the program. Working in collaboration with Select Event Rentals and Vintage Affairs, we created a scheme that featured looks inspired by life both upstairs and downstairs, a theme important to the show.

First we start upstairs, a life characterized by the Edwardian country house’s stately rooms and a life that includes things like horsemanship, fine lace, and taking tea. The first statement piece on this side of the ballroom was a long, dark wood dining table fitted with a lace runner. Silver candelabra and English garden inspired centerpieces in elegant cut glass containers and whimsical tea cups lined the length of the table. Paying homage to the eclectic elements one might find in that part of the house, we used stacks of books and other knick knacks to create a tablescape. A spring mix of lilac, veronica, lisianthus, anemone and roses in shades of purple accented with classic ivories and lush greens complemented the classic feel of the table linens.

Vintage Affairs had a particularly unique stepladder with shelves in its collection that we seized upon to use as a reference to the library. Each shelf displayed glass decanters, books, brass pieces, various tchotckes and loose floral designs in cut glass containers.

We finished the design “upstairs” with vignettes of books and horse sculptures, a typewriter, phonograph, and globe – elements that refer to plot sequences within the series.

Life in the downstairs of the house centers around the kitchen, a locus of activity where the staff not only prepare meals but also congregate, talk, and eat themselves. We took that as our primary inspiration for the tables. We topped our wrought iron octopus-armed candelabra with a bushel basket of fruits and vegetables. Copper pots hung from the candelabra arms, and copper bake- and cookware and fruit baskets surrounded the base.

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A long table with a colorful and playful runner centered this side of the room. We created a tablescape using antique yellowware bowls, berry baskets, and vintage milk bottles – mixing fruit, vegetables and flowers in the design. The flowers here were simpler and more rustic in feel – chamomile daisies, thistle, and Queen Anne’s lace among others. We chose pie fruits like apples and berries, and filled copper stew pots with stewing vegetables like carrots, turnips, and potatoes.

Other tables for the “downstairs” featured copper pots and pans with vegetables and tea sets with flowers.

Rounding out the room, we made use of some of Vintage Affairs’ unique props, such as coal buckets and egg baskets that might refer to other goings on at the house by the downstairs staff.