Geometry in Dining Decor | TableTop Tuesday

Circles...squares...angles...curves...there's something contemporary and yet ever-so-classic about playing with geometric shapes in creating place settings.  Must admit we it find so visually compelling!

For this week, we're sharing a quick lesson in geometry.  We did our homework building two different tabletop ideas for recent gatherings.

Squares in crystal - incl. Fusion Bowl- are a geometric study in elegance.

Consider this interesting point-of-view about the significance of geometry in design ~

The essence of all shapes whether in nature or design stems from mathematics. It is a well known fact that embedded within every structure there is basic math or numbers. Simple numbers or shapes relate to each other in harmonious patterns. Just notice the replication of shape in the nautilus shell or how tile on a floor that has different shapes can mesh together. These shapes align to the simple numbers (1 through 10) and speak a symbolic language that is so profound that all of nature contains it. 
--Mary Jane Kasliner, Sacred Geometry in Home Decor: Apply The Symbolic Language of Nature to Interior Design  Suite 101

Munich Napkin Rings add a strong square central to the setting.

Take a look and see whether your tabletop taste connects with our lines and dots ;-)

Playing up the angles against the square pattern of the Monaco Runner

We're very interested in how you would highlight geometry in your tabletop decor - and whether there's an angle in our ideas to enhance your personal entertaining style.

Angular metalware atop black, and an octagonal shape of the Etoile Napkin Ring

Zebra Drama | Tabletop Tuesday

Drama has a way of shifting your perspective on life...so after a little drama this week (yes already) involving a police report but thankfully no injuries, we were not exactly in a fun-loving mood trying to pull together a table to impress some old friends for a Monday night dinner party.

Zebra to the rescue!!

Just enough drama in the pattern of black & white to accent the table...complemented by a splash of red in the sparse, modern red berried-branches.

Using our bright white dinnerware (thanks to Cost Plus!), black leather placemats (gift to us), and modern party flatware we had on had, we added Safari Appetizer Plates in Zebra as the accent plate, and used two Classic Glass Ice Buckets in Zebra as our centerpiece foundation for our table of six.  For lighting we used our Vera Wang Vesta Hurricanes with small votive candles.  Bormioli stemware (a dinnerparty staple) was used for the wine.

Splashes & Strokes of Modern Color...a Tabletop Tale

Adding color can be bold stroke or a subtle splash...to mix it up a little, we like the idea of introducing elements of color into our tabletop décor. 

TableTop Tuesday (a day late!)

Add interest with dramatic napkin rings.

Introducing TableTop Tuesday - a weekly visual update on tabletop styles we've incorporated into different entertaining occasions.

We'll be borrowing family dish sets and glassware, raiding the pantry for seasonal centerpiece ideas, opening the china closet, and pulling from the aisles of SavvyHostMarket.  Some of the most beautiful table settings have resulted from this creative exercise - perhaps you will have (or have had) some equally gorgeous results?

For today, we're taking a budget-savvy look at a few tabletop styles leveraging the investment in one new table runner - our Vintage Print Runner - by mixing in a few items already on hand. Shifting and swapping placesettings, glassware and dinnerware, it's interesting how easily you can introduce different looks.

Locate the salad bowl to the side to focus eyes on the accent plate.

TableTop #1 (above and right) incorporates some european charm.  Starting with French market themed accent plates - with images of patisseries and boulangeries originally from Williams-Sonoma, set against sand-colored dinner plates.

Natural Elegance - 2 Summer Table Visions

We like the idea of creating a sense of elegance in the decor of a summer table.  It signals that the gathering is special in some way, or meaningful, and enhances the anticipation of the good meal and conversation to come.

When the guest attire is flip flops and khaki shorts and the table decor is ringed cloth napkins and formal place settings, an interesting contrast of energy and ambiance emerges.

Take a look at how we're mixing neutrals with natural elements such as prairie grass, leaves and green spikes to create two different summer tables for our entertaining.

Many thanks to the creativity and wonderful talent of Jessica Tampas Photography for capturing our dishware, flatware and glassware so elegantly alongside treasures from SavvyHostMarket!

Tabletop Eye Candy - Chocolate Metallic

We confess.  We really do love discovering new ways to mix and match elements to set an interesting table.

Of course, we DO have the luxury of borrowing from our store, SavvyHostMarket.

But, more of the fun for us is in meshing together the flatware, glassware and other tabletop components we've collected over the years into fascinating new compositions. For example, we truly adore our wedding silver and crystal.  We're big believers in putting these treasures to good use, rather than sitting in the cabinet.

Keeping in mind the ABCs of Tabletop - Accessories, Basics, and Creativity - we were playing around with browns and various metallics...and really enjoyed the results!!

What did we use?

~ Crystal - Waterford Geo - our wedding crystal
~ Flatware - Christofle Aria Gold - our wedding silver
~ Votives - got these at a flea market in Paris
~ Dishware - black square ceramic dinner & salad plate purchased from West Elm
~ Leone 100% Cotton Napkins (SavvyHostMarket)
~ Munich Napkin Rings (SavvyHostMarket)
~ Monaco Bamboo Runner in Black/Bronze/Silver (SavvyHostMarket)
~ SteelWorks Double-Walled Wine Chiller (SavvyHostMarket)
~ Roma Bread/Fruit Basket (SavvyHostMarket)

Thought we'd share these images and maybe trigger some of fun ideas for your table!

Happy Entertaining!

Celebrating Spring with Second City Soiree...

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"  ~Robin Williams

Over at Second City Soiree (a blog we love!) we've been considering creative ideas for dining decor that celebrate all that is wonderful about spring.  

Today's post, Dining Decor to Celebrate Spring, offers some of the ways we're setting the table for springtime entertaining.

Greenery ~ market produce ~ renewal ~ flowers ~ refresh ~ bright colors ~ rain showers ~ fresh flavors ~ textures ~ (and a little dirt under our fingernails ;-) 

Take a minute to hop over to grab some fresh spring ideas...and to share any you might have!

ABCs of Tabletop Decor

Entertaining misses the bulls-eye without an eye to tabletop and presentation.  It is the “main stage” for the event after all.  But, we don’t necessarily have all the time, money or training to be Preston Bailey (well, maybe once in a while we come close, or at least think we do, but…)


So where to begin?   Keep in mind styling a tabletop isn't just about decoration ~ it's equally about function.  Let’s start with what we'd like to communicate to guests about our gathering through the tabletop style.