Tag: table settings

Our Holiday Table
This post is brought to you by Pier 1 Imports.

We host brunch each year on Christmas Eve, and then we have family over for Christmas dinner the next night. Menu planning is not my strong suit — we manage all right, but the part I get excited about is figuring out the decor and setting the table. (Time to break out the gold flatware!)

I like the table to be a little different each year, mixing in a few new finds with the dinnerware and linens we already own. It’s set here with our everyday glasses and plates, along with our gold chargers, mercury glass vases (really votive holders, lined with a glass inside), the aforementioned gold flatware, and a patterned tablecloth. The flowers are simple grocery store blooms, and I made a couple of bouquets out of Christmas tree picks for more sparkle. The cute salad plates from Pier 1 are new, and I picked up those green napkins too. I like that they add Christmas color, but can be used year-round with other settings.

I’ve made the mistake of going too tall with centerpieces in the past, so I aimed to keep them lower this year. No craning our necks to talk to one another across the table! I’ve learned!

Those plates are so cute, right? I can’t wait to break them out when everyone’s over. If you’re looking for a few new additions for your table, you can get the look with the items below.
December 8, 2015
Stars and Stripes Forever

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We had some company over earlier this week, so I took it as an excuse to throw an impromptu backyard party. Setting a nice scene for the people I love always puts a big smile on my face (and theirs too).

I planned and set a Fourth of July table which is a little early, but hey, I’m a blogger! I figured it would be more helpful to give you guys some ideas before the Fourth instead of after. My friends and family are used to these quirks. Besides, it’s not as bad as when I would be designing Christmas cards at this time of year for my stationery shop!

I was pretty excited about the decorating possibilities of our our new table. The old one was in such bad shape that the only option was to cover the whole thing with a tablecloth.

I tucked a handful of little American flags into a pitcher along with one large one. Eleanor and August, like most kids, were happy to each have their own flag to wave after dinner.

I also made some cute paper flags out of decorative scrapbooking paper. I used bamboo skewers for the larger sizes, and I attached the smaller ones to toothpicks. I set the table with our everyday silverware and tucked a little flag under the fork and knife, on top of a white napkin. I used my vintage Star Glow dinnerware as salad plates because they reminded me of fireworks, and I set them on top of plain white dishes.

The red and white striped runner on the table was a no-sew project. I cut the length to size, then tucked in the edges along the sides. Eventually I’ll hem it so that it will hold up in the wash, but if you’re in a pinch, nobody’s really going to notice.

I wanted the flowers to be mostly white, so I picked up some hydrangeas and a ton of little daisies. I did put a couple of blue delphinium in with the hydrangeas, but didn’t go for full red, white, and blue floral arrangements. I put the hydrangeas and delphinium in a low vintage bowl with some greenery; the stems were kept in place by first criss-crossing clear tape along the top.

I tucked a few of my paper flags in to the centerpiece, but the daisies were cut short and gathered into little bunches. I used whichever small glass vases I could find for them, then tied them all together (literally) by tying ribbon around each one. Some had wide navy grosgrain and others had thin navy and white polka dot ribbon, all from the local craft store. I also added some of the wide ribbon to the handles of my pitchers and tied them into bows.

Seeing everyone gathered around a table that I’ve decorated for them always makes me happy. Are you planning anything yet for the Fourth?

June 28, 2012
First Barbecue of the Summer

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Yesterday for lunch, we barbecued for the first time this year. It was so good we grilled again for dinner! This was the scene.

Ah, those leaf plates. I’ve had them for years and I still love them. It was Brandon’s idea to add them to the table, and a good one at that, though somewhat surprising (because he hates them!).

We need to get out there and clean up the garden. I ignored it last year (excuse: I had a baby and a toddler), and this year things are bad out there. It is, however, much easier to overlook the garden being overgrown and overtaken by weeds if your peonies are in bloom.

A patterned tablecloth probably helps too. This is the same one I used for Eleanor’s birthday party, but I think I like it outside even better.

My family always used paper plates and plastic cups and cutlery outside, but I like to use our regular dishware. We do use plastic/melamine plates and cups sometimes (we did for dinner yesterday), but I still like those better than disposables. Plus the wind doesn’t toss a real plate like it does a paper one.

How do you set the table outside? I like to set out stacks of plates too, and let everyone help themselves, buffet-style.

Eleanor was so excited about being able to eat outside. I think we all were.

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May 21, 2012
The Dining Room, Set for Easter

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As I mentioned, I spent the weekend painting the ceiling in the dining room. I had intended to do so years ago, but I’d never gotten around to it until now. I chose a dark color to bring the ceiling down a bit, and the effect contrasts nicely with the living room’s higher ceiling and lighter paint color. It’s a trick that Frank Lloyd Wright used a lot; I just borrowed it.

Everything in Chicago is greening up and Easter is almost here, so I set the table with a nod to spring. Corals and pinks, plus the requisite eggs, chicks, and bunnies.

The sequined animals were from west elm, several Christmases ago (they were part of a line to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital). The dishes and bowls were also from west elm, the napkins and silverware from Crate & Barrel (from nearly eight years ago when Brandon and I got married), the glasses from CB2, and the runner by Chilewich. It reminded me of eggs. And speaking of eggs, the egg cups are vintage melamine.

I usually stick to white for dinnerware, and I still do like it as a foundation, but those coral bowls are so cheery.

Cute place settings, colorful dinnerware, and a little fresh paint. The dining room is feeling good, and all set for spring. Have you done anything to freshen up your dining room lately too?

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April 3, 2012
Making Everyday Mornings Feel Special
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We mix greek yogurt with strawberries and blueberries pretty often here for a simple breakfast. Normally I just spoon a little yogurt in a bowl, throw the berries in, add a spoon, and call it done. Sometimes it’s nice to put some extra thought into a routine meal though, and sitting down to breakfast at a cute table setting made the day feel a little more special. You could switch out the yogurt for whipped topping and make this a dessert too.

Here’s how I put it all together for Eleanor, smiley face included…

We like to use a tray for her place setting because it’s easy to wipe down and it catches crumbs, but a placemat would be a good way to bring in some pattern too (and still protect the table). I used a scalloped bowl for the yogurt and a heart-shaped dish for the strawberries, along with a tumbler as a vase. A cloth napkin feels more special than a disposable one, and the glittery teaspoon on top is extra cute. I had all of these things on hand and most of them aren’t available anymore, but I put together some alternatives below.
Of course, the setting would work just as well for an adult as it would for a kid. I’ll let you decide whether you want to omit the Krazy Straw or not. And flowers help too, even if they’re just carnations. Eleanor sat down and exclaimed “Flowers, wow!”

Do you ever play around with table settings too, or do you tend to wait for special occasions?

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March 29, 2012