For the dining tablescape I set for my entertaining essentials TV segment, I contrasted textures and materials to create an beautiful table that was accented by dim candlelight and gorgeous floral arrangements. There’s no rule that says your dinnerware has to match and here I mixed together a croc printed silver charger with a classic white with silver rim dinner plate and a glass salad plate that featured an interesting textural pattern. When entertaining for a very special occasion I always say linen napkins are a must and soft candlelight really helps set the mood mood…it’s also the most flattering light! I added candlesticks in varying heights for added visual interest and also clustered groups of votives along the table which is a simple way to make a big impact. The flatware I used for the segment had black, wooden handles which I thought provided a nice contrast and I used classic white stemware for wine and water. I topped it off with gorgeous arrangement made with white hydrangea and orchids, courtesy of In Bloom New York. Below, is some inspiration for how you can achieve a similar look for your next dinner party!
1. Dinnerware L-R: Stainless Steel Chargers, $49.95/set of 4 at Crate & Barrel. Calvin Klein Basso Dinner Plate, $37. Iittala “Dew Drop” salad plate, $16 at Bloomingdale’s. | 2. LaGuiole Flatware, $89.95 at Williams-Sonoma. | 3. Miller Rogaska Weston Candlesticks, $94.99-119.99/pair at Bed Bath & Beyond. | 4. Glass Votives, $26.99/pack of 72 at Amazon.com. | 5. Monnogrammed Hotel Dinner Napkins, $46/set of 6 at Williams-Sonoma. | 6. Swirl Stemware, $12.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond. | 7. In Bloom Collection “Saragosa Garden” floral arrangement, $150 at Plant Shed NY.
Q. I have been actively searching the internet for affordable, stylish tablescapes for my Thanksgiving table and can find almost NOTHING. I need help for inspiration and resources for reasonably priced, chic linens, etc. Any advice? – Erin Barry
A. Hi Erin! Right now I’m inspired by natural colors, organic shapes & textures and a look that is rustic yet modern with a touch of glamour. Some of my favorite places to shop for affordable tabletop finds are Target, West Elm, Ikea, Etsy, Pier 1, Fishs Eddy, Williams-Sonoma and Ebay (because vintage adds so much soul & personality!). Here is a tablescape I whipped together for you that captures the rustic & refined look that I’m loving right now. It’s filled with stylish hi-low finds and I hope it inspires you this Thanksgiving!
1. Organic Shaped Dinnerware , $9-$22/set of four – West Elm . 2. Mepra Due “Ice Oro” Flatware, $115/place setting – Barney’s New York . 3. Classic Collection Floral Arrangement, H. Bloom (NYC and DC areas only). 4. Instant Bon Vivant Red Wine, $25 – Swanson Vineyards . 5. Marble Salt & Pepper Cellars, $108 – Jayson Home & Garden. 6. Antiqued Votive Holder, $12 – ABC Home . 7. Sun-Tipped Serving Utensils, $68 – Anthropologie. 8. Organic Shaped Serveware, $12-25 – West Elm. 9. Shesham Ribbed Napkin Rings, $2.95 – Crate & Barrel. 10. Organic Linen Napkins, $28/set of four -Etsy/Nikki Designs. 11. Coated Linen-Cotton Placemats, $4.95 – CB2. 12. Esperienze Stemware Collection, $20.98 – Target.
Inspiration Photo Credits: Left: Grace Bonney/HouseBeautiful.com, Middle: Jimmy Stanton/AtlantaHomesMag.com, Right: KimFicaro.com
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I had a few friends over for a dinner party not too long ago and here’s the table setting I whipped together. It’s the perfect lesson on achieving a high style table setting on a low budget.
I started with the flowers, purchased at my local grocery store for around $16. Although some may find the idea of a typical grocery store flower arrangement hideous, with a little re-arranging and creativity you can make them look totally chic. I cut the stems down and rearranged them in a textured, deep plum colored low vase. The flowers provided a bright pop of color against my natural linen tablecloth, which was an inexpensive find from Target at $16.99. It has hemstitch detailing on the bottom and looks far more expensive than it actually cost. My napkins were a steal from the Williams-Sonoma clearance bin, scored for $4.99 apiece! (With a little digging I found 6!) I absolutely love them, especially the paisley pattern at the bottom and the bright green detail. I chose to use these napkins since they complimented the colors in the floral arrangement nicely.
Here’s a closeup of the place setting. My dinner plates are from Martha Stewart’s former Kmart collection and the silver chargers were another Target find that cost $6.99 for a set of four. The white wine glasses were $1.99 each from Ikea. The candlesticks were $10 from Jamali Garden Supply here in New York. I’m recapping prices to illustrate the fact that you really don’t have to spend a ton of money to create a stylish table setting. When you’re dressing your table…or your home…the end result isn’t about the individual pieces, it’s about how you tie it all together! The green vintage water goblets were inherited from my Grandmother. The napkin rings were a steal from the online home sample sale site One Kings Lane which is one of my favorite places to shop for my home. My lattice patterned flatware from Lunt Silversmiths was another One Kings Lane score at $29 for a five piece setting.
You can see the detail of the lattice pattern in this close-up photo. I just love this flatware set!
Here’s the table just before guests arrived. For dinner I served baked chicken breasts with sun dried tomatoes and goat cheese (an Ina Garten recipe), roasted asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes! I think food always looks better on a beautifully set table and my dinner looked delicious! (Sorry I didn’t take a photo!) If you like this table setting, here’s how you can achieve the look:
1. Bamboo 20 Pc Flatware Set, $29.99 at Target. 2. Lacquered Gold Dot Chargers – Set of 4, $24.99 at Target. 3. Crystal Candlesticks, $14 at Homedecorators.com. 4. Gibson Elements Classic White Dinnerware 6 Pc Set, $19.99 at Macy’s. 5. Set of 4 Colorblock Linen Dinner Napkins, Sferra. 6. Fieldcrest Luxury Linen Hemstitch Tablecloth (various sizes), $16.99 at Target. 7. Green Vintage Glass Goblets – Set of 8 available on Ebay. 8. Oval Classic Napkin Ring, $3.95 each at Crate & Barrel. 9. Optimal White Wine Glass, $1.99 each at Ikea. 10. Floral Arrangement, Opalia Flowers in Brooklyn. (Or arrange your own with flowers from your local grocery store or deli!)
I’m obsessed with DwellStudio’s stylish new tabletop collection! The recently launched line includes placemats, dinner napkins, runners, coasters, cocktail napkins and aprons (the latter three are new introductions). The pieces are all 100% linen with the exception of the placemats and runners which are a linen/cotton blend. All of the items were made using eco-friendly dyes and feature, modern, graphic prints in sophisticated colors that would blend well in any interior setting. The prints and patters were designed with mixing and matching in mind. Above, the Chionoiserie placemats (my favorite!) are paired with the Gate napkins in java…a super chic combination!
Here is the Gate placemat and napkin in the sun colorway. All of the placemats in the collection are $27 and the printed dinner napkins are $18.
Inspired by modern art, the Color Field print resembles vivid brush strokes. The graphic placemat is paired with a more classic Border napkin in white linen with a dove border. The Border napkins are $22.
Here are placemats and napkins in the Wooodblock print. This graphic print with its bold color palette was influenced by Mid-Century Danish art and culture.
The Mosaic placemats and napkins are decidedly modern with a rich geometric pattern.
And how cute are these Gate coasters? At only $24 for a set of four, these would make the perfect hostess gift!
And I absolutely love these aprons! A must-have for the stylish cook. They are $48. Be sure to check out
dwellstudio.com to see more of the new table collection. The pieces should be ready to ship in a couple of weeks!
This past weekend I was so excited to check out the displays at Dining by Design. It was my first year attending and was blown away with all of the creativity on display. If you’re not familiar, Dining by Design is an annual fundraising event for DIFFA, the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. Each year, talented designers in various cities collaborate with sponsors to create amazing dining installations that are put on display and proceeds from the events benefit DIFFA’s AIDS awareness, prevention and treatment programs. The photo above shows what was probably the most elaborate tablescape on display. Designed by Michael Tavano, the theme of this vignette was “Fine Dining, Urban Living.” The juxtaposition of the edgy graffiti backdrop combined with the fine china and crystal chandelier is quite striking.
This next table was by Ralph Lauren Home. I wish I had a better photo but I loved the teak table and display beneath the gauzy striped tent. The setting screams chic safari lodge dinner party.
This dining installation is by Brad Ford. The theme here is “Change is Good” and the idea is that a little extra change in your pocket could be donated to DIFFA. (I also think he may have been making a subtle political statement as well).
It’s hard to see in the photo but the table was designed with slots to drop your change into and you can see all of the change beneath the table’s lucite top. I also think Brad was making a subtle political statement as well. In keeping with the theme are various piggybanks which are arranged as the table’s centerpiece. I loved this table and the concept was extraordinarily creative.
Here is a simple, yet stylish table installation by Eric Warner.
This sleek display is by Razortoothdesign…
The china here is from
Michael C. Fina and the tablescape features the infamous Jeff Koons puppy vase.
Kravet’s table had a fun spring garden party theme!
I love, love, loved fashion designer Tracy Reese’s table! Her design had a pink fairy-tale like feeling and was complete with flirty floral dresses from her collection draped over each chair…a clever touch. I especially loved the pretty china she chose. Below is a closer look.
It was really a lot of fun seeing all of the beautiful tablescapes at the event. Each one was so unique and there was so much creativity and thought put into them. I wish I could have taken photos of every table to share with you but I would have been
there all day! I’ll leave you with a peek at a few more of my favorite tables from the event and hopefully you can check out Dining by Design in your area very soon! Visit
DIFFA.org to view the listings of dates and cities for the 2009 Dining by Design tour.
