Category: Table Setting Designs

My second South African inspiration for a table setting comes from my souvenir purchases in Cape Town.

These adorable handmade dolls are fertility dolls, (my husband is so desperate to become a grandfather, he wants me to place one of each in our daughters’ rooms!)  They are adorned with beads and shells.

I keep the shells and the wood in mind as my common denominators for selecting some of the other items.  Once again, my bare distressed table top is the best base for this setting.  Next, I select a woven place mat and then another rimmed with shells on top.   These I had purchased in Nassau on a Bahamas cruise and use them often on beach themed settings.

Now aside from the dolls, I purchased the wooden candlesticks, which have elephant motifs, and the adorable salt canisters with bone inlays.  How cute are they?

I select black napkins to pick up on the black beads on one of the dolls and I choose shell napkin rings for obvious reasons.

My simple glassware is a little more on the modern side as is the Ralph Lauren flatware with the shell design.

And there you have it.  A Cape Town inspired table setting ready for an American breakfast!

My husband and I just got back from a trip to Botswana, South Africa, on safari.   It was, without a doubt, the best trip we have ever taken and the beauty of the land and its inhabitants are my inspiration for today’s table scape.

I purchased the handmade natural weave runner in a local shop in Franschhoek, South Africa.  It reflects the perfect color combination of an African sunset.  I then select my brick color mats, which I seem to be using a great deal of lately, but they’re a good match.

For added drama, instead of one napkin, I use a black and pumpkin napkin combination bound by the beautiful crystal napkin rings I purchased in Cape Town.  They are in the shape of safari animals.  I selected two elephant, two rhinoceros, two giraffe and two hippopotamus ones.  I’m delighted with my purchase, they’re so cute!

To add to the crystal on the napkin rings, I use crystal chargers and rustic glassware.

The centerpiece is a pottery vase made by my next door neighbor, Claudia, and given to us as a house warming present.  I fill it with dried branches to mimic the dryness of the African bush.

Finally I flank the vase with two rustic pillar candles and use my rustic flatware.

I’m always on the look out for interesting table setting souvenirs on my travels because they are reminders of our adventures and also serve as great conversation pieces.

 

Thanks to South Florida’s extreme weather conditions in the summer, I am going to host a garden party luncheon for my parents, indoors.  My kitchen window by the table area is large enough to give one the impression that you are outside, when in reality you are enjoying the cool air of our conditioning system.

My inspiration is going to be the left over floral arrangement of white flowers, to which I added green hydrangeas, to pick up on the matching napkin rings from Pier 1 Imports.

The Johnson Brothers china has a combined pattern of fruits and flowers which I’ll use to select the one additional color, tints and shades of the orange hue.  I showcase this color in the woven place mats and matching napkins.

The silverware is of an antiqued pattern and adds to the rustic, yet elegant feel of the setting.

I place coffee cups directly to the right of the water goblets as I feel they’ll appreciate an earlier lunch and expect more of a brunch.

In reality, the star of the setting is the china.  With its busy and colorful palette, I don’t have to overwork the table and leave good enough alone.

Now I’m off the prepare a Cream of Leak and Potato Soup, Chicken Cutlets in a Mushroom Sauce and Peach Cobbler.  Bon Appetit!

This Sunday is Father’s Day and this is my motive and inspiration for today’s table scape.

The mood I want to create is masculine and rustic so I use my tabletop as the canvas for this setting.  I then think of butternut squash soup, which is my father’s favorite and decide on an orange and brown color scheme and start off with the woven mats and napkins in this hue.  By the way, I purchased these Martha Stewart napkins on clearance at Macy’s for a fraction of what they cost.  I am always on the lookout for bargains!

I then place galvanized metal chargers and the matching watering can as my centerpiece with bare branches to add to the rustic feel.  The pillar candles with the branch inlays within hurricane lamps are a perfect match to my centerpiece.

The flatware, tableware and glassware are all rustic to harmonize with the overall informal, outdoorsy feel.

And the icing on the cake is the “tie” napkin fold which you can find on:

napkinfoldingguide.com

Now I’m ready to delight my Dad with a home cooked meal in a setting that will tickle him orange.  Happy Father’s Day!

Today’s inspiration are three paper mache vessels I bought at a craft store in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Their old world comic style brings interest and charm to my table.

Once again, my distressed wood kitchen table top is the perfect base for my setting and I then select woven place mats to anchor the simple, white tableware.

I decide on my fleur-de-lis flatware as they are the most rustic ones I own and sand color linen napkins appear to be the ideal choice.

I have the cutest crab pewter napkin rings with matching individual salt shakers which bring out the nautical and rustic feel once again.

To pick up on the yellow of the vessels, I select the amber water goblets to add a bit of color to my otherwise very neutral setting.

And last, but not least, I use the pillar candles I once bought at a souvenir shop in Medellin Airport and decide they couldn’t be more perfect to compliment my setting.

And there we have it, rustic, nautical and charming!

There is no other reason to set up this table scape other than to expose one of the most beautiful china patterns, Hermes’ Balcon Du Guadalquivir. This collection is inspired by the ironwork found throughout the towns of Andalucia. My being from Spain…

The bold red and white geometric pattern is modern yet classic. To relax its formal flair, I select rustic accents throughout. I leave the table with its wood tabletop as my base and soften the settings with white linen, red border mats, which I purchased online from LandsEnd during their holiday sale.

I bring back the rustic by placing wooden chargers and then soften the tone once again with the white and red china. I place the matching napkins in clear water goblets in a fleur de lis pattern to accent the red border. Again a play on the geometric look of the china.

The rustic vine branches in the white china urn and the white ceramic taper candle holders finish the rustic look which I then soften once again by dispersing red rose petals.

Quite a statement for a simple lunch…

Ole!

Today I am paying tribute to the city where I was raised, New York.  The iconic “I (heart) NY” in black, white and red immediately comes to mind.

Years ago I had purchased these beaded heart place mats for a Valentine’s Day setting, which will be the inspiration for my table decor.

I use a white linen table cloth as the base and place the heart mats at each setting. I select black linen napkins and secure them with red beaded rings for added drama.

I then anchor the flatware on either side and directly above each setting which indicates there will be a soup, main dish and dessert.

The glassware are clear water goblets with matching wine glasses.

The look is modern so I place a simple white glass container of blood red roses at the center and add modern red glass votive candle holders.

Finally and just for fun, I purchased the black “N” and “Y” letters at a Michael’s, craft store which I place on either side of the floral arrangement.

Without a doubt, this fun setting is sure to put a NY smile on any guest!

Well, before you know it, Easter is here and with it, the excitement of hosting a brunch for family and friends!

My inspiration stems from a runner I purchased at TJ Maxx.

I love the warm yellow of the flowers against the soft grey of the bunnies and decide these are the two colors to showcase.

I use grey woven place mats to anchor my galvanized metal chargers.  I select my off white china and place buttery yellow napkins secured with ivory bunny napkin rings I purchased in Mikasa a few years ago.

The water glasses I use often in my fall table settings but somehow, their soft amber shade matches well with the warm yellow hues of the runner.

I received the orchids from my daughter, Belen, as an anniversary gift and felt that, although they are of a more modern look, their soft ivory and yellow colors would somehow work well with the setting.  They are a bit tall so I flank the ivory candles with hurricane lamps to offset their height.

And finally, the flatware is of a rustic design to pick up on the galvanized metal chargers.

As a result, I’ve come up with an eclectic Easter setting which is still warm and inviting.

 

 

I just got back from New York City experiencing blizzard Stella, which was unusual, not for the area, but for the timing!

So today’s table decor inspiration comes from the desire of the arrival of Spring!

I just purchased this checkered navy blue and white table runner from Williams-Sonoma which reminds me of a picnic table.  Great start for my setting.

I then place my galvanized metal chargers on top of the blue woven place mats and galvanized metal watering can to bring a country feel to the look.

The flowers I placed inside the can were taken from a beautiful bouquet I received from my husband for our 27th wedding anniversary.  I threw away the wilted ones and saved the ones I could and truth be told, they look stunning.

The blue and white dishes are from Sargadelos, a company from the northwest of Spain, which is where I am from.  I used two bread plates to anchor the pillar candles and lanterns to give the look continuity and an outdoor feel.

Finally, I use Mexican water glasses with a blue trim to pick up on the color and rustic decor.

This setting is a mock up, not a real meal was prepared nor offered but if I had to improvise, I could add these yummy dishes from my past;

Stone crabs with a vinaigrette sauce.

Eggplant Rollatini, recipe by Williams-Sonoma, and finally;

Ina Garten’s Pear Clafouti.

Come soon Spring!

Tomorrow, my husband and I celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary! For the occasion, I’m going for a vintage, romantic look with a touch of rustic flair.

To start off, I use my beige embroidered table cloth and two sets of napkins, one the matching napkin to the cloth on the inside and a white crisp linen napkin on the outside.

I hold them together with my white porcelain napkin rings to which I glued paper roses of different beige hues, a find at Michael’s craft store (3 roses/$2.00).  Had I purchased floral napkin rings, I would probably have paid around $10.00 each! Not only does it get expensive, but storage becomes a challenge which is why I love to reuse and reinvent my items over and over again.

For attention, I anchor my long galvanized metal container in the center and fill it with mason jars, alternating beige roses and cream candles.  I think it looks heavenly.

Next, to pick up on the rustic centerpiece, I use my galvanized metal charges and fleur-de-lis flatware.

To continue with the creamy, dreamy look, I use my off white tableware to display a truly scrumptious feast:

Ina Garten’s Chilled Cucumber Soup with Shrimp, Lamb Loin Chops, Potatoes Gratin and for dessert, a scrumptious Carrot Cake:

I say, at least another 27 years hubby!