How to lay a table (any type of table)
Be it beside the bed or smack dab in the middle of your dining room, make any space better with a good table setup.
When spring rolls around I always feel more compelled to host, have people over or do some elaborate dinner party. I think it’s the sun and the warm air and the flowers that make me want to soak it all up. Truth be told, though: it’s rare that we host a large group of friends (we don’t know that many people). And, if we do host friends, it’s usually a small, spontaneous handful of people over for a casual dinner. There are no streamers or fancy flower arrangements.
I have learned two things from this. First, that you should always use the best things that you have — even when it’s just you at home and even if it’s just your daily coffee that’s served up in a pretty cup. Don’t reserve them for fancy days that only come on occasion.
Second, if you do a few thoughtful things to prepare, it’s easy to say “yes” to spontaneous burger nights in the backyard or an impromptu visit from a friend. You can keep your house relatively tidy, make sure the furniture you have arranged is comfortable for you (and guests), keep extra glasses and silverware in rotation (so they’ll be clean if someone comes by) and you can stock the freezer with ice cream sandwiches — like any sensible person would do.
Here’s to spring and summer spontaneity or at least to the feeling of spontaneity. (You and I both know we prepared for it because that’s who we are.)
Today’s newsletter is about tables: dining tables, end tables, coffee tables, bedside tables, things you need to set a table — you get the picture. We spend so much time and money on things like seating, storage and sleeping furniture but, really, you can’t have a room without a table. Let’s call them an underrated hero.
STOCKING THE CUPBOARD
Building a collection for tablescaping
I’m drawn to any sort of collection that you have to build over time: a good wardrobe, stacks of favorite books, a digital library of your favorite movies. I think I like it because I’m averse to spending big sums all at once but I like to spend little sums often to complete a collection.
When holidays roll around (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.), I always think of how nice it would be to have a stocked cabinet full of dishes, glassware, linens, vases and accessories to swap in and out for different occasions. The thought of playing with an arrangement sounds fun to me.
But it takes time to build something like that. You have to notice little things even when you aren’t specifically shopping them, and know when to snap up something good.
Here’s what to look for to build a collection over time.
Embroidered or block-print napkins.
Colorful glassware in sets (always go for 12 of anything, if it’s available — especially if it’s unique or vintage).
A set of dishes in a pattern that makes you happy (better if they’re old, so you have to hunt for them).
Unique flatware: tortoise-shell-looking flatware, bakelite flatware, vintage or antique silver.
Serving dishes don’t have to match the rest of your dishes. I really like when serving dishes are grand, artful and unique.
Serving utensils — especially silver, when you find a bargain.
Decorative place card holders or knife rests.
IMAGINARY DINNER PARTY
How I’d dress a dream table
A row of beautiful pink flowers on a table courtesy of Antonio Monfreda — photographer and editor at Cabana Magazine.
Lily of the Valley wine glasses by Lore and Lea.
Escort cards by Laura Lines Calligraphy have such a perfect design. Would be fun to make party menus in those colors.
Shelves at a cooking school and culinary boutique in France: The Cook’s Atelier.
This beautiful restaurant in Milan, Da Giacomo, was designed by Renzo Mongiardino. I love how simple the tablecloths are in Italy: always white, always elegant.
How pretty would these stars look embroidered on napkins? Here’s a tutorial.
For one of my birthday parties when I was a little girl, my mom had friends and family sign a white table cloth with fabric markers. This photo shows another person’s iteration of that idea (source unknown). I’d love to get a white table cloth, have people sign it, and then embroider their signatures in colorful thread.
A 16th century plate made in Turkey from the Met Museum’s collection.
My favorite dessert is a lemon tart. I love how this chef piped meringue faces on each of the little pies (source unknown).
OCCASSIONAL TABLES
For creating a cozy corner
Somewhere to rest a book or a cup of coffee: an antique drop-leaf walnut table, Mark D. Sikes for Anthropologie Parsons table and an iron table with a glass top from Oka.
TABLE STYLING
Really great side tables to replicate
I like the dual purpose of side tables: functional and decorative. They fill gaps in a room but, as they are often not the only functional table in a space, there’s a little more leeway in how you can decorate them — and that can mean more fun. Here are three great side tables broken down into formulas to replicate.
Formula: Table skirt + bobbin-style lamp + leaning photos + trinket boxes or bowls
It’s likely I’ve shared this one, above, before: it’s Carolina Irving’s apartment in Paris. The rectangular table is dressed in a pink and green ikat, “Trebizond” from her collection. I’m not sure where the lamp is from, but this one from Pooky is comparable (and I love the style of this natural toned urn lamp, also from Pooky). There are two decorative jars, a bowl and then photos leaned against the wall. I like a decorative bowl for tossing things like keys or lightweight coasters or something inside.
Formula: Sculptural, skinny lamp + trinket tray + stack of books + cup & coaster + pretty toiletries
Rita Konig always does the best bedside tables. Here, in her bedroom in London, a realistic bedside table. The stack of books is obvious (and relatable) and I like how she has the tray as a catch all. You can find that style, which is collapsible, on Etsy. (Here’s one for $30 in multiple colors.) The lamp looks like lucite but I think what the most important part of the equation here is that it’s skinny and doesn’t take up the whole of the table.
I’m always having to get up out of bed to get a glass of water, find some hand cream or grab my lip balm. Either one of these two Murano glasses (purple and yellow or butterscotch brown) would be so pretty. And for toiletries: charming lip balm, the best hand cream and a body mist from Jo Malone.
Formula: Sturdy lamp + potted plant + photo + plate + trinkets
Nicky Haslam’s wonderful home (see the magical home tour) has this pretty, peach-colored sitting room. Again, I love a skirted table. The lamp in the photo may be marble, but I like the similar urn style of this wooden one from Oka. You can easily replicate the potted plant with this wicker basket from Sharland England. A framed photo or art piece plus a vintage plate (scour an antique mall for a good pick) is all you need. Then, you can swap books and other trinkets out with whatever you need in the moment.
GOOD CHOICE
A special vase for spring flowers
Have you ever heard of a tulipiere? It’s a special kind of vase designed to hold tulips. I love buying bunches of tulips this time of year and, for Easter Sunday this last weekend, I pulled down a Delft tulipiere that I inherited from my great-grandmother.
Tulipieres can take on all sorts of styles. Mine is a wide, low bowl with a lid on it that has holes where you place the tulip stems. Others may have taller sides with slots for the tulips and I’ve even seen ones that look almost like fans, allowing the tulips to fan out in a row.
The more you know!
All the best,
Mary Grace