Toast and Tables

Lovebirds: Lenox Chirp dinnerware

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:23:00 +0000

With a wedding confection inspired by your porcelain pattern, you can have
your cake and eat off of it, too.

The whimsical spirit of these "Chirp" saucers, $12 each; mugs, $25 each; bowls, $30 each;
and platter, $191, all from Lenox is shared by the stunning watercolor birds on this cake designed by Kate Sullivan for LovinSullivanCakes, NYC, $1,000, serves 100.

Sea Urchin Vase: Let the sea flow onto your table

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Fri, 30 May 2008 05:48:00 +0000

Living miles from the sea needn't mean you can't have a little marine decoration on
your table. The sea offers a huge source of ideas and materials. Traditional tokens
of beach outings, seashells are celebrated for the beauty of their unique forms and
textures and often used as decorative touches in seashore abodes. But that coastal
address isn't necessary in order to enjoy the brilliance of the beach, with a host of
of products bringing it as close as the backyard.

Indulge a love of the sea with a few nautical inspirations. Water restores the soul,
so it makes sense that aquatic objects, sea urchin vases, would renew your table.
You haven't seen underwater action like this since you last went scuba diving.

sources: Michelle Rago and Brides magazine

Summer tables sizzle with colors and patterns

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Thu, 29 May 2008 04:36:00 +0000

Whether it's a laid-back picnic or lively dinner party, forget about setting a serious table.
After all, it's summer and that's the perfect excuse to dish out a table that's drenched with
color and wild with pattern. Since we have only a few months of reliable warm weather each
year, why not make the most of them and create a special place in your yard for summertime
dining and entertaining? With a little imagination, you can create an oasis for a daily escape.

TEA PARTY TABLE AND OCEAN THEMED TABLE SETTING

Play up the look with mismatched china cups, more than one teapot, posies from the garden,
and cupcakes frosted in a multitude of floral hues. Use plastic plates and utensils for a casual
sea-themed party. Sea shells function as flower vases, decorative centerpieces, and place
setting embellishments.

BANDANNA TABLE SETTING AND PINK TABLE SETTING

A humble picnic table can be set with as much care as your fine dining table. Dress up
a wooden picnic table with an embroidered cotton or lace runner, and use a few
strategically placed bowls and plates, like these bandanna-printed ones, to anchor
the cloth. Mix vivid flowers, saturated colors, and patterns to set an exotic scene.

FERN TABLE SETTING AND GREEN TABLE SETTING WITH ROSES

Mismatched silverware and china still look sophisticated with natural embellishments,
like a hand-picked fern frond. Even when dining outdoors, if your table's surface is in
good shape, like this one, you can forgo a tablecloth. Don't be afraid to use crystal goblets
outside. They add elegance to the table and look right at home next to antique flatware
and long, tapered candlesticks.

WHITE TABLE SETTING WITH FLOWERS AND PEARS

Improvise a "cloth" tablecloth by criss-crossing strips of burlap from a garden-supply
store, then layering lengths of crinkly white gauze over them. The effect is reminiscent
of antique linen culled from Grandma's attic.

(top photo - a refreshing palette of golden yellow and robin's-egg blue sets the scene. For
a casual yet stylish affair, mix upscale elements with down-home details. Burlap,
bandannas, and disposable pleats mingle effortlessly with fresh flowers and herbs).

source: Country Living magazine

Do The Bright Thing!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Summertime, and the living is easy and it's generously colored: bright, like a daisy;
pastel, like sorbets; and other hues that are as cool as a lake or pool.

This year there's a bumper crop of new designs, many of them on melamine, a rugged
plastic hybrid. It's dishwasher safe, of course, but improved methods of fusing colors
to the melamine mean the patterns won't chip or scratch in the dishwasher, either.
And the designs run the gamut from fanciful to elegant.

Solid-color plastics have not been forgotten, either. In the table setting above, the bright
colored goblets give the table a lift, as does the decoupaged teapot, especially when it's filled with flowers.

(above: Plate - "The oval shape of this plate is a fresh take, and it shows the pattern off
so well". Oval Batik Melamine dinnerware; Goblets - "Bright, vivid colors work anywhere
anytime". Jewel Tone Plastic Goblets; Napkin Ring - "The patterns and colors of Africa
are fascinating". 3.5" round Wooden African Mask Rings. Flatware - "Polished resin adds
sparkle to the table, think accessories, think jewelry". Shown in Orange)

All the tableware can be purchased at J.Roaman
Image source: House Beautiful magazine

Parrot tulips never tiptoe their way into blooming big, bright and brassy, they deserve a centerpiece all their own

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:08:00 +0000

A centerpiece incorporating tulips should have a place on every table. They're colorful,
they're fun and they're great performers. They come in an impressive range of flower
forms - from simple upright goblets to the double blooms of peony-flowered forms -
and every color you could think of - except blue.

However, the frilliest, fluffiest and most flamboyant tulips of all are the parrot tulips.
They are a riot of multi-colored blooms with fringed, feathered or wavy edges. They are
actually "moving" flowers; they stretch and turn in response to the light.

Carolyne Roehm acknowledges an extreme love for parrot tulips. ``I'm drawn to their
odd streaks of craziness and their individuality - no two are the same. Looking at a
bundle of parrot tulips is like staring into a pool of the fantastic. I wonder: How did
nature decide to follow such an eccentric course?''

Roehm's fascination with these fancy flowers is demonstrated in the first photo with
the centerpiece she created.

For longest enjoyment, buy cut tulips when the buds are still closed but are beginning to
show the flower color. Before arranging tulips, prep the stems by re-cutting the stem tips.
A fresh cut opens the stems' water uptake channels. Unlike most cut flowers, tulips keep
growing in a vase. Plus, as they grow taller-often up to an inch-they tend to bend and move
toward sources of light. The fact that tulips dance in the vase is part of their charm. Don't
bother with flower food. Add fresh cool water to the vase every two days so they won't
drain the vase dry. Place tulips in a cool spot.

sources: Carloyn Roehm, A Passion for Flowers; Martha Stewart and Country Living magazine

Botanical Bliss: Naturally inspired tablesetting

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:38:00 +0000

Imagine sitting down at the table to find a butterfly on your napkin, green moss under
your plate, bees swarming above and birds perched on your glass. And they all make
you smile. The butterfly is a napkin ring, the sheets of florist’s moss, transforms the
table into a woodland landscape, the bees are from the beehive lantern and the birds
are porcelain.

Butterflies, blossoms, and other botanical motifs bring nature's beauty to the table.
Host a springtime lunch in the garden or backyard. Bright table linens, whimsical botanical
decorations and a few nature-inspired accents make for a setting that infused with new life.

(above: White branch-shaped porcelain containers hold an assortment of pink blooms.
Spare tulips suit the sculptural look of this nature-inspired vase).

(above: Porcelain birds perch on the rim of the wine glasses, as if they’d alighted there).

(above: Hang America Retold's Beehive lanterns in your backyard for a warm glow
at night).

source: Myhomeideas and Country Living

Succulent settings

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Mon, 12 May 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Now that the cherry blossoms have come and gone, the spring showers that bring May
flowers begin yet another cycle of plant life for the next season. However, for those like
myself, who lack green thumb expertise, those anticipated garden flowers may never bloom.
That’s why I like no-brainer plants. A plant that doesn't need even the slightest attention is
ideal. Not that I mind lavishing attention on a couple of exotic beauties, but not everything
can require nursemaiding. Perhaps that's why I like succulents so much. The only way you
can kill them is with too much attention.

Have you noticed the current interest in succulents? Succulents, original to dry regions
of the world, have been used as houseplants in cooler climates for many years. Suddenly,
it seems as if succulents are a new discovery. Magazine articles and the increasing availability
of plants in local nurseries and garden centers has turned non-plant lovers into gardeners
eager to try growing them.

With fleshy leaves which store water, succulents can usually go many days between watering,
making them desirable plants for college dorm rooms, people who forget to water, and people
who are away from home for extended periods of time. Succulents also make excellent
favors for wedding guest. The endurance of the succulent plant is unequaled and will leave
guests with a lasting and easy-to-care-for reminder of your wedding -- all they need is good
drainage and sun.

Another reason why I love succulents is that they look so good in groups. You can have
hours of fun arranging them, either in clusters of pots with similar or contrasting colours
and foliage, or in larger containers planted with several different varieties. Succulents can
be planted in shallow gardens, and the roots will spread out. They are fun plants to use in
tabletop centerpieces where you don't want height. Also, there are so many diverse types,
leaf forms and colors. It's like creating a tapestry. Being little can be advantageous and
beautiful!

Image sources: Martha Stewart, Brides and Country Living

Centerpieces of the week: Mum's the word (say it with flowers)

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Fri, 09 May 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Giving flowers doesn't have to mean simply placing a call to the florist and leaving
all the creativity to them. With a little imagination, you can turn a bouquet into a very
personal gift. With an eye toward summer blooms, here are some style tips from Isabelle
Bosquet, she breaks a few rules -- to help you make your own knockout centerpiece for
mom.

Outdoor setting: "This bouquet of anemones, muscari, hyacinth, pink parrot tulips, and
lilac is an intended contrast to the china's pattern. Full of aroma, it is perfect for an
outdoor summer meal. "The addition of the artichokes was inspired from the green colors
on the plate," - Isabelle Bosquet.

Tropical Decor: Of the tropical display of orange and green cockscomb, protea, and roses.
"I adore this one because of the strong color and texture. The cockscomb and protea pick
up the colors in the china and napkin ring. It really looks like coral." - Isabelle Bosquet.

Peonies in Bloom: Don't underestimate the beauty of one kind of flower on its own.
"This bundle of pink peonies highlights touches of color in the china. And, a cluster of a
single kind of flower complements a more casual setting". - Isabelle Bosquet.

Of all the ways to let our moms know we are thinking of them on Mother's Day, giving
flowers is perhaps the most popular. And why shouldn't it be? So many gorgeous blooms
are at their seasonal best right now. Whether your mom is traditional or funky, stay-
at-home or out-on-the-town, a blooming bunch is the perfect way of showing how much
you appreciate her.

source: My Home Ideas

Guarantee a great start to her day: Mother’s Day breakfast special

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:37:00 +0000

For many, breakfast is hurried, heads-down sustenance supplemented with caffeine.
Hold the social interaction. For others, breakfast is a business function, the food an
afterthought to early morning deal-making. But for me, setting an elegant breakfast
table for my mom on Mother’s Day is a splendid alternative to taking her out to dinner.
This elegant option provides a splendid opportunity, unhurried and uncrowded, for my
family to socialize and to show my mom how special she is.

Spoiling mom at a beautifully laid table is a lovely way to begin Mother’s Day. Whether
served in bed or at the table, making breakfast on Mother’s Day is a great starter for
mom's special day.

Tablesetting: gold-edge eggcup and butter dish by Legle Limoges. “Constance” bread-and-butter plate
(below eggcup), sugar bowl, and coffeepot by Bernardaud. “Illusion” teacup, saucer, and dessert plate
in endive by Haviland. “Derby Panel Green” bread-and-butter plate (with knife), dinner plate, and vegetable
dish (with flowers) by Royal Crown Derby. “Olivia” tumbler by Juliska. “Fairfax” silverware by Gorham.
Image, Martha Stewart magazine.

Birthday party under the “Big Top”!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:00:00 +0000

There was a time when "kid's birthday party"' meant a cake, some balloons and maybe
pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey. When I was a little girl my birthday party was a modest
affair in the basement. Not anymore. My sister and I have been planning my nephew's
party for weeks, we've chosen a circus theme - - - and we’ve been relentlessly incorporating
this theme in every element of the party, including invitations, music, games, craft
projects, snacks, cake, entertainment, favors and of course the table setting.

The circus has always been a part of my family’s tradition. I can remember the high-
wire artists performing their death-defying acts, the sugary, billowing cotton candy,
the popcorn, the ponies and the clowns. Some traditions just seem to slip away in the
churn of modern life but the joys of the circus is something that we wanted to pass
down to the next generation.

With easy-to-make treats, old-fashioned games, and party decorations to delight kids
of all ages, we let the sights and sounds of an old-time circus inspire us.

Birthday parties are often big events in children's lives but the bottom line is for children's
parties to be special and fun, whether they're simple home affairs or themed extravaganzas.

Source of inspiration/images: Country Living magazine

versaTYle! Dressing your table to fit your personality

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:07:00 +0000

Setting your table for special dinners with family and friends, holiday gathering, or just
to give yourself a visual boast when you sit down to dine are great ways to express
your decorating personality. Tabletop is an extension to a larger fashion or
decorating statement and it doesn't matter if your style is exotic or eclectic, you
have endless options for dressing your table to fit your personality.

(above: for a personal addition to the table setting, make place mats from black and
white copies of snapshots printed on tabloid-size paper)

These images from Ty Pennington shows us that with the right basic pieces you can
design any table setting as the mood strikes. The right pieces can enhance a casual
setting or soften a formal atmosphere. But one mistake can throw off the whole look,
so when setting your table, look to coordinate, it will keep the mood right and the tone interesting.

(above: just-cut fronds make awesome place mats and bring a bit of nature to the table;
their color plays well off of the earthy tone dinnerware. Orange linens tie into other
hints of orange in the room).

(above: a new twist on takeout - create a centerpiece by slipping a vase of flowers or a
small potted plant in a to-go box. When dinner is over, it can double as a parting gift
for guests).

So, whether you're decorating your house or putting plates on the table discover
fashion-related looks that go with your personality. Dressing a table is a lot like dressing
yourself. For instance, casual-chic style pairs jeans with a dressy blouse, or a pair of
boots with a cocktail dress. It's all in the way you put it together. The same goes for the
table.

source: Ty Pennington at home, Pointclickhome.

Suited to a tea: A tablesetting with tea tins

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Spend a relaxing afternoon celebrating the women in your life! A Mother's Day Tea is
a way to pamper the women you love and admire. Brew a proper cup of tea and serve
it in the finest teacup you can find. Add tea sandwiches, some pasties or scones, whip
out your best linen tablecloth, add fresh flowers and candles, and any mom would feel
like a queen.

Tea doesn't have to be this predetermined snooty affair. It can be whatever you think
your mother, sister, aunt, grandmother or whoever would be honored with. You can
even use tea tins to bring an old-fashioned charm to the table.

Treat your guest to teas they love - - - and some they’ve never tired. Tea tins make an
elegant and eye-catching favor. Shown above is a decorative blue tin of jasmine tea,
$7, by MarieBelle New York.

As important, if not more important, is the talk at the tea. Ask each woman to bring a
tea cup and saucer - ask why they picked it. It's a way to share something significant and
it's not too personal. Fanciful, intimate, and simple to prepare, a tea party is a party like
no other.

Sources: Brides magazine, Martha Stewart and Country Living magazine

Disappearing Act: In this casual world, is formal passé?

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:10:00 +0000

(above: China: Lenox; Stemware: Waterford/Wedgwood; Flatware: Vera Wang; Tablecloth: Sferra, Gracious Home)

Growing up as a child, my family sat down and had dinner together every night. I had the
chore of setting the table. Typically that meant putting the allotted number of plates
in the general vicinity of my family member, taking the forks, spoons and knives out
of the drawer and plopping them down next to the plate and if I was feeling especially
gracious, folding a paper napkin and placing it near the plate. However the holidays
were all together different! Setting the table for the holidays was more like an hour-long
production that involved linen tablecloths, silver stemware, finding the right mix of
charges, plates, bowls and my mother designing a stellar centerpiece.

(above: China: Lenox; Stemware: Waterford/Wedgwood; Flatware: Vera Wang; Tablecloth: Sferra, Gracious Home)

With America's easy lifestyle so much in the forefront, has the concept of formal dining
disappeared. Has our relaxed approach signaled the demise of long-standing dining
conventions - - and a trend away from formal entertaining?

(above: China: Lesesne; Glasses: Pottery Barn; Flatware: Pottery Barn; Placemat: Gracious Home)

(above: Plate and Mug: Pottery Barn; Glasses: Pottery Barn; Flatware: Pottery Barn; Placemat: Pottery Barn)

Despite today's relaxed lifestyle, formal dining is still an important part of many
people's tradition. So as we approach Mother's Day, here are templates to help you set the
table for a casual mother's day lunch or a formal dinner.

(above: The primary difference between a formal luncheon and formal dinner setting is the increased number of glasses
for red wine and champagne).

(above: For a formal luncheon, the table is set much as for dinner with a few exceptions. The presence of an iced teaspoon and iced beverage glass announce a daytime event).

(above: A casual dinner calls for less formal china and stemware, and stainless steel flatware is fitting for the relaxed setting).

(above: For a casual lunch, feel free to use heavier dinnerware, like these simple ceramic plates. Provide glasses for whatever beverage you plan to serve).

Source: My Home Ideas, Tablesetting 101

Centerpiece of the week: Ranunculus

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

The ranunculus delights through sheer variety of size, form and shade, and few flowers
come in more hues than the ranunculus.

(above: This sunny bunch of large and small blooms boasts creamy white, muted yellow, pale orange, and mossy
green ranunculus; the texture comes from a mix of budded and open blossoms. White garden roses and yellow
begonias add volume, while weigela leaves complement the color scheme.)

As romantic as roses or peonies, but not nearly as commonplace, these bulb-grown blossoms
work in tight, formal arrangements or when placed in a simple, clear vase-all the better to
show off their curvy stems.

Looking for a cost-effective alternative to the rose and the peony? Try the lush, multi-
petaled ranunculus, a relative of the buttercup. You can create a striking bouquet with
a cluster of this showy, bowl-shaped flower. Ranunculuses resemble small peonies and
produce densely petaled blooms in a range of colors, including white, yellow, orange, red,
and pink; they are usually available in late winter and early spring.

Everything else about the plump and pretty bloom speaks of unbridled beauty, from its
tissue like petals that unfurl in tightly budded whorls to the breadth of colors in which it is
found.

Image sources: Martha Stewart Wedding and Country Living Magazine

Special Delivery!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

(above: bright yellow ranunculus, gold roses, perfumed freesia, ilex berries, and clementines form the warm
foundation, while dusty-miller leaves, blue-gray succulents, and leucadendron buds add contrast and texture.
Bouquet by Ariella Chezar, from Martha Stewart magazine)

I’d like to send a bouquet of thanks to Miss Shortcake over at Weddingbee for featuring
Toast and Tables in her post entitled “Pearls and Pedals and Petticoats, Oh My!” We both
agree that one could make a truly grand entrance or exit via a bike and that your transportation
could be turned into a theme.

Your photos are the record of the laughs, tears, hugs, and toasts that are bound to take place
throughout your wedding day so selecting a photographer to document your day is possibly the
most important hire you'll make. As for me, I found my shutterbug soul mate in Jessica Claire.
I love her candid shots, she has a real talent for capturing emotional and spontaneous
moments. Isn’t that bike shot gorgeous? It’s indicative of all her work - - - crisp images,
thoughtful compositions and good lighting. Make sure you check out her photo blog, you'll
spend hours trolling her site.

HAPPY EARTH DAY: An eco-chic tablesetting

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:24:00 +0000

I definitely think the green movement is more than a passing fad. Over the last year,
shelter magazines and trade publications have spent space and energy focusing on green.
It has made me think, or at least wonder about organic place mats, bambo plates and
handmade ceramics. Every day I see more and more options and ideas that are
environmentally conscious. And yes, many of the ideas are perfectly suited for a eco-chic tablesetting.

Tree trunks used as flatware holders, available at your local nurseries. The flatware is from
Michael Aram's Forest Leaf Collection. It takes its inspiration from the intricacies of
form and texture found in foliage from around the world. Natural twigs cast in place with
stamped tops, in silverplate–add a piece of the forest to your place setting.

The succulent and grass centerpiece pair nicely with the Tourron line of ceramic dinnerware
from Jars Provence Design. Jars is handcrafted in France. The company, founded in 1857, has
been a family enterprise for four generations. By combining state-of-the-art technology with
traditional craftsmanship, Jars produces vividly colored settings and serving pieces that will
brighten your table every day.

All in all, there has been a long-awaited awakening to the needs of the planet as well as to our
personal well-being. When people are given the opportunity to make a difference, I think they
will positively modify their purchasing and consumer habits. This transformation will continue
as more people realize the link that exists between purchasing environmentally conscious
products and their personal environment. Being conscious of the environment is no trend,
it's here to stay.

Chinoiserie – looking east for tablesetting inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

We can embrace the Chinese decorating principles of feng shui and dally with Buddhist
philosophy, but empty a room of everything but a floor covering of tatami mats, and we
panic. Where do we sit? Where is the television?

One way we have found to adopt Asian style is on our dinner tables. We are gaining a sophisticated appreciation for Asian food, and lately, we have taken the tableware into our homes as well.

Blue-and-white glazes are a popular color combination in China and Japan. Ever since
Marco Polo swept through Asia, the West has been enamored of Oriental style, interpreting
its decorative motifs on everything from textiles to tableware. Here are two chinoiserie
inspired designs, to give your table Eastern allure.

The Asian influence has been reinterpreted for contemporary day by Tiffany with their
Cirque Chinoise dinnerware. Tiffany Private Stock hand-painted limoges porcelain.

Set a classic table with this intricately patterned blue and white stoneware. Asian Toile
dinnerware by Horchow.

Asia continues to impact tableware designs, although it is yin in some and yang in others.
There is a Chinese menu of styles, ranging from traditional to new-age. Americans continue
to express an appreciation for Eastern culture and these two chinoiserie patterns puts a
fresh spin on the centuries-old look.

Wedding bike theme: It could lead to a wheely long marriage!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:32:00 +0000

(above: Cycle pattern, Slant)

Horse drawn carriages offer a grand entrance to a wedding. However, they are rarely
an option to get you to and from the other places you need to go. A limousine adds a
classy touch. It does relieve you from any driving issues you may have if perhaps things
get wild and crazy during the festivities; however one of the most interesting exits I've
heard about was the bride and groom exiting on a bicycle. So why not turn your exit
transportation into a theme.

(above: invitation, Greenwich Letterpress)

From the table setting and the invitations to the transportation, theme weddings are
becoming increasing popular. With the green trend going so strong every day we see
more and more options and ideas that are are environmentally and socially conscious,
ideas with style and integrity. Depending on your site, you can make a truly grand
exit via a bike.

So rather than jumping into a limo after your reception, take off on a bike. Capitalize on
that magic by attaching old-fashioned wedding bells, streamers and of course, a "Just
Married" sign to the bike basket.

(above: Channel bicycle, for more information, 800/937-9146)

Cycle off in style with the new Chanel bicycle. Not exactly created for mountain treks,
this luxurious two-wheeler adds an adventurous element to the iconic fashion house.
With a quilted leather saddle, handlebars, pump and chain guard (so as to not snag
your bridal gown), as well as three quilted bags, you'll be well-equipped to pedal with
panache.

Planning around a central idea - whether you choose a common interest, a shared hobby
or your transportation exit - personalizes the event and adds cohesiveness to your day.

Branching out with cool coral

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:39:00 +0000

This endangered treasure of the world's oceans finds its way into handsome interpretations
for the table. And for Spring it's the color du jour!

(above: An Alberto Pinto creation for Raynaud, Cristobal dinnerware, available at Gracious Style)

Not quite pink, not quite orange, not quite red, some things can only be described as coral.
Coral can be found in the wild in many colors, but the most precious, prized for its alluring
color, is the coral-colored variety. Its unique sculptural form is as enticing as its color,
inspiring decorative motifs on everything from placemats to napkin rings.

(above: red coral placemats, Kim Seybert, Gracious Style)

Dress up your table with coral like with these tree branch shaped centerpiece scultures
in white. You haven't seen underwater action like this since you last went scuba diving.

Stylized coral patterns are at once exotic and sophisticated, endowing a spirit of wit and
fun. Perk up any setting with an unexpected accent of coral (a little goes a long way)!
Stylized and exotic, coral lends itself to artistic, sophisticated reinterpretations in every
aspect of the home. Whether it's presented in a vibrant eponymous hue or sun-bleached
to pale white, the overall effect is simply striking.

(above: Cristobal Turquoise by Raynaud available at Bloomingdales)

Design LiFE! Nicole Sassaman’s table setting

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Celebrity designer Nicole Sassaman has been featured on The STYLE Network’s "Area",
Fine Living’s “Lulu’s House” and HGTV’s “Designer’s Challenger”. She has a fresh, sassy
approach to design and has a keen eye for redesigning spaces that are beautiful and functional.

Nicole’s signature style shines through when she teamed up with Viking to create the table
setting at DIFFA”s Dining by Design. Using tableware from West Elm she incorporates
creativity, practicality and timelessness to create a sophisticated but accessible design.

West Elm is known for creating trendy, modern tableware with sleek lines, fresh colors and
exotic foreign nuances. I love the use of the aluminum and white square dinnerware. Nicole's
serene table design appeals to those who gravitate toward calming, neutral spaces or to those
with more modern tendencies -- people who like to live with subtle neutrals and fewer objects
cluttering their lives would love Nicole Sassaman’s style.

I’ve just ordered Nicole’s new book “Design Life”. Nicole knows how to create rooms that
are beautiful and functional, so, whether I’m decorating my kitchen or putting plates on my
table, I’m sure I can use this book to obtain decorating ideas.

Centerpiece of the week: Vitamin See

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

For a dose of healthy sunshine first thing in the morning, look to this
orange monochromatic centerpiece.

This composition combines femma roses, ranunculus, orange chincherinchee,
hypernicum berries, three different types of geranium foliage, red rose
hips, Mandarin oranges and nectarines in an antique copper bucket.

For more tips on how to decorate your tablesetting with oranges. Check out
my earlier post this week entitled: Orange Spruce!

Source: Simply Elegant Flowers with Michael George

Party in the Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

As a New Yorker I have willingly sacrificed lawns and an open horizon line, living
and working in a concrete jungle makes the prospect of having a garden party all the
more tantalizing. An outdoor get-together is the perfect way to celebrate a graduation,
birth, or upcoming wedding. Everyone will welcome the sweet smell of new grass and
the cheerful busts of color beginning to emerge in the garden.

Here are 5 easy tips that will allow you to skip into spring with a carefree party that
invites everyone to gather together to enjoy the outdoors.

#1: Let your dining room chairs make an appearance alfresco. Add some slipcovers for a
splash of color.

#2: I love the concept of mix and matching. Combine antique china, ancestral silver, mismatched
glasses and contemporary chargers.

#3: In addition to hurricane lamps and votive candles, garden-themed Staffordshire figures
and miniature garden implements further enlivened the tabletops.

#4: Assemble a luxuriant bouquet on the buffet table. This centerpiece is a profusion of
forced white lilies, hosta leaves, and branches of variegated red-berried elder filled a large
antique urn atop the buffet table.

#5: Green glass complements the leafy hues of the surrounding garden. Place cards might
not seem necessary when guests are close friends and family, but they ensure that everyone
mixes, which always makes things livelier.

When butterflies and spring blossoms appear, consider taking the party outside.

Source: Southern Accents

Orange Spruce! Using oranges in your tablesetting

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

With its golden color and refreshing flavor it's a perfect springtime
companion to your place setting. Like a cold glass of juice, oranges are a great way to
bring a dose of this uplifting color to your tablesetting without a major investment.

This spring, there is news to report on the color of tangerines and kumquats. Just as
orange is turning up in hip home furnishings, centerpieces are showing up in bold
orange too.

The mood and attitude of orange is friendlier than fiery, more welcoming than seductive.
For a dose of healthy sunshine on the table, look to this bright arrangement.

Orange, the color of the citrus fruit, is not for the timid. It's strident, highly visible, in
your face. Orange screams, ``Here I am!"

Put your fresh sense of style on the table and juice up your table decor with this
cheery hue.

images from: Brides, Hostess with the Mostess, Martha Stewart and Michelle Rago.

Hot new tablesetting color combinations!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

The hottest thing happening at wedding receptions isn't just on the dance floor - - - it’s on
the table, the centerpieces, the place setting and even the linens. It's big, bold color.
Years ago brides used color to accent their white wedding day decor, but now they're using
color to cover every inch of the wedding. From brights to neutrals, these four pretty pairings
will liven up your table décor.

1. Lime + Cherry
Layer the dominant color - red was chosen for this table. The plates are by CB2, linens by
Sferra, flatware by Georg Jensen, Vivian goblets by Juliska and white reception chairs from
Party Rental Ltd.

Become aware of color combinations that you like. To help you choose the exact hue for
your wedding details, visit a fabric store or neighborhood paint shop and collect swatches
or chips of colors you might want to use.

2. Raspberry + Aqua
Alternate the colors in your linens and place settings, and top off with a lush floral
arrangement. Plates by Royal Doulton, napkins by John Derian, flatware by Towle,
wineglasses by Kenzo and water goblets by Anthropologie.

Where and how you use color really depends on the mood you are trying to create. The
best way to get started is to figure out what emotions you want your celebration to evoke.
A stylish eco-friendly fete?

3. White + Wood
Set an eco-friendly table. Handmade glass bottles, ABC Home; small wood bowls made
from sustainably forested acacia wood, Pacific Merchants Trading Co.; farm table and chairs,
place settings, glassware, and napkins rented (and reused) from Party Rental Ltd.

No matter what color you've chosen, chances are you will be able to find flowers in that
shade -- but that, of course, does not mean the blooms will be available or affordable. If
your dream flowers aren't an option, use neutral white flowers with centerpiece containers
or other decor elements in your color.

4. Pistachio + Gold
Muted greens and metallics soften up a formal wedding. The centerpiece has a lush,
luxe feel. Vintage hobnail vase filled with safari roses, hydrangeas, yellow ranunculuses,
gloriosa lilies and narcissus. Place setting by Party Rental Ltd.

A well-executed theme can create a wedding to remember -- but a poorly thought-out one
may be even more unforgettable. Don't overdo it with theme or color. Yes, it should appear
to guests that you've thought of everything, and theme should be incorporated into all
elements from place card paper to dessert plates. But knowing when to say when is key.

Source: The Knot

All dressed up at DIFFA's Dining by Design

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dennis) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Visually stunning, breathtaking table designs transformed the Skylight. The dazzling display
of dishes, features tabletop designs by fashion designers, architects, artists and retailers that
would make even Martha Stewart pause in admiration.

Last Sunday I stopped by the annual traveling event, when it kicked off in New York City.
From simple and elegant to fun and festive to creative and outrageous, tables designed by
the likes of Ralph Lauren Home, Nautica, William Stubbs, David Starks, Ankasa and Crate
& Barrel were not only inviting but inspirational. Below I share with you more of my
photos from this event and I hope you find them to be inspirational as well.

Following DINING BY DESIGN New York, the installations will travel across the country
to various cities including Kansas City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago
and Boston.