Afternoon Tea: An Earl Grey Inspired Color Palette with Muted Grays and Lavender

Inspiration can be found over a cup of tea, at least that was the case for Portland’s Petite Abeille Design event-planning studio and photographer Brie Thomason, who found their muse in Earl Grey’s colors and floral notes. Dusty hues of lavender and gray became the basis for their ethereal design at the Zimmerman House, a turn-of-the-century farmhouse in NE Portland. The romantic tablescape, perfect for tea in an English garden, features florals by Petite Abeille Design in shades of blush, lilac and creamy whites nestled among glass candlesticks, blush champagne glasses and votive candles. Williams-Sonoma’s crackle-glazed purple and gray plates are paired with rose gold flatware from Crate and Barrel accompanied by a soft gray napkin tied with a blush ribbon. “The inspiration for the tabletop was the beautiful and varied textures found in a garden, from the beautiful petals to stone to aged wood,” explains Thomason.  Wood chairs covered in soft purple velvet complete the delicate design. Old City Mailroom’s serene invitation suite set a lovely tone with layered sheets of sheer and handmade papers, rose gold calligraphy, light grays and subtle embossed lines.