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Set The Table

Set The Table

Autumn’s Bountiful Blooms

A Covered Vase

Just when you thought you had weeks and weeks to plan your Thanksgiving table, it will be here before you know it.  Just like Halloween, we feel like the holidays are fast approaching and we’re so not prepared.  Our clients are getting their act together, though, judging by the record breaking week we just had on our online store.

A Pale Palette

While the old saying of the shoemaker’s children have no shoes does apply to us (i.e. the flower girls have no bouquets at home!), we’re going to make a big effort this year to have a beautiful Thanksgiving table.  So we’re already gathering our fall floral favorites (thanks to Southern Lady magazine) in hopes that they will come in handy on the big day.

Orchids and Berries

Succulents in a Painted Box

Why use an every day glass vase when you can use a pumpkin or gourd?  And why not mix in an unexpected element like succulents or orchid blossoms?  We think a holiday centerpiece should wow the crowd and given that we’ll be sitting around the table for hours, it also needs to be pretty.

Pretty Pumpkin Posy

Something decorative at each place setting makes the guests feel special and we’re loving this idea of a persimmon and a place card.  The fruit doubles as an appetizer if the meal is delayed!

Persimmon Place Setting

Happy Friday to all and may your weekend be sweet.

photos

 

Set The Table

Some Enchanted Evening

Sam Allen Interiors

The theme was All That Glitters, the place was New York’s Cipriani 42nd Street and the cause was the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House…  And dozens of designers moved heaven and earth to create magical table settings in a matter of hours.  While we didn’t attend the gala in person, we did provide the flowers for Sam Allen‘s springtime setting.  Cherry and apple blossoms spilled out of a Christopher Spitzmiller vase and each place setting was decorated with one of our White Rose Gifts topped off by a Joanna Buchanan Lady Bug Swizzle Stick.

Diane James Home + Joanna Buchanan

We were thrilled to hear that the evening was a success and to see our flowers on ArchitecturalDigest.com.

Michael Wainwright

Paloma Contreras

Janus & Cie.

Selina Van Der Veest

From understated to over the top, we hope these images inspire your next party!

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Set The Table

Not A Bunny In Sight!

Blooms in Bud Vases

It wouldn’t be Easter with a pretty post about easy do-it-yourself centerpieces and since our kids are all grown (and some flown) we’re keeping our inspiration this year bunny-free.  Not that we have anything against Peter Cottontail (except for the fact that we think he’s guilty of beheading the pansies on the front porch!)  Since we’re mostly adults for Easter lunch, we’re liking the combination of blossoms and eggs – either the dyed or chocolate variety.

Blooms in Eggs

Blooms and Egg Bouquet

Golden Tulips and Eggs

Bird’s Nest Fern and Eggs

This last idea is right up our alley – make a centerpiece out of the eggs (which the kids have dyed) and just cut some flowering branches.  Note the glasses of white wine… Easter made easy!

Just Eggs!

Wishing you all a happy and fun-filled Easter weekend.

bud vases / eggs and flowers / pastels / tulips / fern / eggs

Set The Table, The Latest Buzz

Coffee Table Essentials Challenge

Mid Century Coffee Table

Mid Century Coffee Table

What would we do without our coffee tables?  They are the centerpiece of any living or family room and play a vital role in our daily lives.  Our family room coffee table is devoid of any knick knacks given that it’s usually the place where teenage feet and multiple remote and gaming controls come to rest.  Our living room’s coffee table, though, is a pièce de résistance.  We love a well-styled coffee table so when we heard about Chairish‘s Coffee Table Essentials Challenge we knew we wanted to take part in the fun.  But styling a coffee table can be tricky.  Some people tend to over accessorize leaving absolutely no room for a wine glass, while others leave the space unadorned and decidedly uninteresting.  There are several things we keep in mind when we decorate our tables.  First, we like to use books.  New or vintage, the more colorful the better.  You can’t go wrong with coffee table books (and perhaps that’s why they’re called coffee table books!), especially if the cover or subject matter coordinates with your environment.

Cy Twombly - Paradise

Cy Twombly – Paradise

Second on our list is a natural element to soften the hard edges and add texture to flat surfaces.  Of course, arranging flowers right before guests arrive may not be how you want to spend your time so a potted plant, a bowl of succulents or a very lifelike faux design is good to have on hand in a pinch.

Pink Peonies in Marbled Vase

Pink Peonies in Marbled Vase

Third on our list of essentials is something fun.  We love games but we know that Monopoly takes up lots of room so we opt for something compact like a beautiful deck of cards or this elegant shagreen tic tac toe set.

Aerin Home - Shagreen Ric Tac Toe

Aerin Home – Shagreen Ric Tac Toe

Candles are a must to bring sparkle and life to a party.  We like the look of tapers in beautiful holders on a coffee table as they bring height and light to the space.

Skultuna - Lily Candle Holder

Skultuna – Lily Candle Holder

Last but not least, we love using decorative accents that we’ve collected on our trips or that have been passed down to us by our parents and grandparents.  We have a collection of vintage decanters and while we wouldn’t necessarily use them for our wine, we do like to display one or two.  They add interest to the setting and inevitably spark a conversation.

Empoli - Decanter and Glasses

Empoli – Decanter and Glasses

We hope you’ve enjoyed our styling tips and wish you all a Happy Easter!

coffee table / book / bouquet / game / candle holder / decanter

 

Set The Table

Party Prep!

Jill at Her Wheel

Jill at Her Wheel

Now that we’ve shared our source for Thanksgiving flowers, it’s time to talk trays…  You can’t have enough serving trays and bowls on the Big Day.  Especially if you have as many side dishes as we do!

Jill Rosenwald Olive Tray

Jill Rosenwald Olive Tray

Jill Rosenwald Sake Tray

Jill Rosenwald Sake Tray

Candy Bowl

Jill Rosenwald Candy Bowl

Jill Rosenwald Orchid Pot

Jill Rosenwald Orchid Pot

We first met “the Myth, the Legend, the Fabulous Jill Rosenwald” (her words, not ours – though she is quite fabulous!) at NY NOW two years ago having drooled over her whimsical handmade ceramics for quite a while.  Her tiny 10 foot by 10 foot booth was overflowing with colorful designs and could hardly contain Jill’s happy energy.  Fast forward two years and we’re thrilled and honored to be one of the only online stores to carry her pottery.

Jill in Her Studio

Jill in Her Studio

Our selection includes olive and sake trays, candy and dip bowls and of course, orchid pots (which can be used for chips in a pinch!) – all trimmed in 14 karat gold and dishwasher safe.  So if you need to add to your collection of party pieces, you know where to shop!

jill / olive tray / sake tray / candy bowl / orchid pot / studio

Set The Table

Table Mates

Gorgeous in Green

Gorgeous in Green

May seems to be a month for many gatherings – the Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and no less than six birthdays.  So we’re brushing off the china, crystal and silver and coming up with creative ways to set the table (yet again!)

Refined Rattan

Refined Rattan

Modern Plaid

Modern Plaid

Thankfully, Barney’s new lookbook, Table Mates, pairs beautiful table settings with baubles, jewels and gems – everyone knows bit of bling is just the thing that makes a party memorable!  The best part is that there’s something for everyone in these pages, from a stylish black and white look (very Rachel Zoe) to a modern rustic mix perfect for a chic country home.

Rustic Chic

Rustic Chic

Black and White

Black and White

As far as we know, there’s no rule against matching your jewelry to your plates so we’ll give it a spin the next time we entertain!

Silver Hues

Silver Hues

Photos: 1 – 6

Set The Table

Set The Table: Moody Blues

Winter Tablesetting

Winter Tablesetting

We’ve made it to the end of January and spring is only 47 days away (yeah!)  Still, it’s hard not to let the constant cold and lack of daytime hours get us down so why not make the most of it – set a pretty table and invite your friends over for a cozy dinner.  A delicious winter stew and a glass bottle of good red wine will go a long way to chase away our winter blues…

Diane James Home - Moody Blues Bouquet

Diane James Home – Moody Blues Bouquet

Deborah Rhodes - Braided Placemat

Deborah Rhodes – Braided Placemat

Kim Seybert - Bouquet Napkin Ring

Kim Seybert – Bouquet Napkin Ring

Sur La Table - Chinoiserie Napkins

Sur La Table – Chinoiserie Napkins

Wisteria - Floral Platter

Wisteria – Floral Platter

Are you cooking up something special for Super Bowl Sunday?  Go Team!

Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6