Dressing a table

Funny the things that make people happy. One of mine...'setting a table' for guests. I'm not sure what it is. I have a love affair with dinnerware and maybe that combined with the instant gratification of making something look beautiful and different instantly are what really does it for me. Yes, I think that's it. Also I must attribute some of it to my Mom. I can remember being a little girl and reaching in for a spoon or fork and grabbing out a different flatware design every time. She would buy them from thrift stores (slightly gross, maybe?) so they were all mismatched-(all sterling silver, of course.) I used to look at the monogram on the handle of one particular fork and think.....'i wonder who's saliva was once on this and where that person is now?' Who gets to have those kinds of memories. Not many, but then again not many would think such a thing :/

Another fond memory was drinking out of our vintage bright colorful tin glasses. They always kept your drink cold and it was a fun choosing a different color. We still use those. Those and the bright fiesta ware that she still hunts down today. You rarely saw a paper plate at my house. Lots of dishes, but almost never a paper plate. Still my Mom takes pride in her dishes. Displaying them in the kitchen....re merchandising them for the season at hand. That's what keeps life interesting. At least I think so. It's refreshing. So many of us have the same old dishes that we use for everything. Or maybe we have a set for everyday and a set for fancy days. How about having everyday be a fun fancy day?

At my house i have all different salad plates with white dinner plates. I love reaching in for a dish not knowing which one of my favorites I'm gonna pull out :) I secretly dish people up on the plate I think they will like most. It's good for your brain, mixing things up. True story, it is!

So this blog is dedicated to the love of all things tabletop. And my Mom. Love you Mom. Thanks for making dining an ever changing, fun, and delicious event. I aspire to grow up to do just the same :)

I saw these in the West Elm catalog the other day. Super cute and perfect for this time of year! I'm kind of a cheese ball, but I love that the rings of a tree symbolize life, a perfect theme that fits in with relatives around the dinner table :)

Wood Slices Organic Dinnerware, West Elm
Set of 4, $36




As for a centerpiece. Candles are always an in expensive re-usable way to make a space prettier. Something about the lighting too always makes you, and your guest prettier. Gotta love that. These candle holders are so simple and feminine but still have a modern shape. The glass plays nicely with the gold leafing on the plates, don't you think? Another nice little host-y thing could be to let each guest take one home when they leave ;)

Lumi Candleholders, CB2
$2-$5





So it's a hit or miss but Ikea sometimes has some great fabrics for SOO cheap! This one would be perfect either as a runner, or for more drama (or to cover a crappy looking table) as a whole table cloth. It goes with our little whimsy, outdoorsy, fall theme quite well doesn't it?
And please, no excuses about 'I can't sew!" Even I can hand stitch a straight line. A button on a shirt, now that's getting tricky :) but a straight line anyone can handle. While your at it sew some napkins!

Guinella, Ikea
$8/Yard


OK I've never been much of a napkin ring person but these are just way too beautiful to pass up! Handmade stoneware in creamy white. On sale. Anthropologie. Problem is...try just buying these!

Oconee Bells Napkin Rings, Anthropologie
$4/each




These are just beautiful all around glasses. Fancy for a water glass, short for a wine glass, unexpected for a highball glass, PERFECT for all :)
Leo, Crate and Barrel
$2.50/each

Hope this inspires you to have a fun little casual gathering. I know I wanna!
Even if it's just me myself and I . Dumb.
:)

~Bec and Call