The art of decorating a table begins with inspiration, imagination and coordination of different design elements. In the case of a recent House Beautiful challenge to 15 popular interior designers who were given a simple but elegant line of PB White china from Pottery Barn with one criteria: to create a table setting around this simple inspiration.
The beautiful designs that follow are amazing when you consider the initial inspiration. Feast your eyes on the details, how white is complemented with other color and styles of china, flatware, crystal, textiles, linens and floral patterns to create enough inspiration to pass along to you and others.
What follows gives us a glimpse into how great table settings are formed and the techniques used to ensure great results. May your holiday tables bring as much joy to those you love!
Pairing modern white dishes with traditional pewter shapes and rich reds for a bold statement by Carolyne Roehm.
Jan Barboglio selects artifacts she and her children have collected that “have a richness of spirit, a softness of age and a story.”
Art gallery owner wanted a centerpiece of bubbles encased in the silk flower arrangement to set off the white china in her retro-futurist style. The gold slipper serves as a place card.
Into girly, pretty things, Martha Angus’ table is draped with de Gournay wallpaper with glass cover in seasonless green and Vermeil flatworm done in European style.
Michael Devine, a modern traditionalist creates a festive table in reds and white.
Mixing old with new, things that tell a story is Paula Deen’s favorite approach. Wedding silver, china from antique stores and flowers from her garden.
Adding details that make you smile – a wooden tray, Greek key cloth napkins make the dishes pop. By Eric Cohler
This table is set with white chargers and beautiful blue Italian salad plates set for the first course. Delicate pink 1920’s wine glasses for a splash of elegance by Amy Ephron.
Victoria Amory loves keeping the color calm and soft by using only two colors on a table for a bigger impact and a stronger story.
Miles Redd loves to set a table the way he gets dressed by layering. A table cloth from Urban Outfitters, old porcelain topped with a modern soup bowl are just the beginning of powerful blend of design elements.
Let us know which table setting inspired you the most!
To view the entire feature please visit House Beautiful.