When it comes to tableware, I prefer to get items that I will be able to reuse more than once a year. Halloween and Thanksgiving have a lot in common since they are both in autumn. It is even closer to the truth in Canada since we celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October at the peak of autumn leaves.

Dinnerware for entertaining

The most important element for entertaining is to get a versatile yet elegant dinnerware set. Organic shapes connect us to the traditional meaning of Thanksgiving Day, which was a time to say thanks for the harvest.

I enjoy the warmth of creamy neutral dinnerware. It feels cozier than pure white. The Classic Century Dinnerware collection is a reproduction of an original 1952 design by Eva Zeisel. Everyone who bought the set still love it but beware that it could chip more easily than typical earthenware set. If you live or entertain often with young children, this dinnerware set is not for you.

The Classic Cream Century dinnerware looks stunning against the Black Glass Pitcher at Design Within Reach. The Black Glass Collection also includes a short tumbler, a tall tumbler, and a sake cup .

Serving ware

The Pumpkin tureen does not scream Halloween. Being white and its updated treatment means that you can use it anytime during the autumnal season. The wood pumpkin trivet adds a trendy touch to family style food service.

SOURCING:
+ Classic Century Tableware Collection $62.95 – $267.95 USD at Crate & Barrel
+ Black Glass Pitcher $85 USD (on sale at $72.25 until Oct.13, 2009) at DWR
+ Acacia Pumpkin Trivet $9.95 USD at Crate & Barrel
+ Pumpkin Tureen $29.95 USD at Crate & Barrel

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Fall officially arrived. In a few weeks, the cottage on the lake season will close for many of us that live North. Wood slice trays are nothing new but I still like them. Plus, using handcrafted organic elements to contrast modern pieces is one of the 4 trends for Christmas 2009 (more on that later).

Wood slices are beloved because they are versatile. Tree slices fit in from a shack style to the modern rustic. You can use them to serve savory pies, or as a natural cheese board.  They can also support your floral centerpieces as you can see on this charming table by the crafty Anna of Rifle Design. Anna took that picture as part of her DIY menu wheel craft project.

Rustic Tree Cake Stands

What I like the most is how you can transform a tree slice and a short thick branch into your own cake stands. Make a least three stands. Ideally, you wish to vary their heights and surface size. They are not complicated to make. See the instructions of Laurie Cinotto. Remember to put a paper between the food and the tree slice, unless you applied a food-safe wood sealer.

If crafting is not your thing, go to Hens in Daisies’ Etsy shop to find large and extra large cake stands. They are ready to use. Simply wipe clean with damp cloth these food-safe sealed cake plates.

MORE:
+ DIY Tree Pedestal Cake Stand by Laurie Cinotto on Once Wed
+ DIY Wedding Menu Wheel on Design*Sponge
+ Large Rustic Cake Stand by Hens in Daisies $45 USD on Etsy
+ Extra Large Rustic Cake Stand by Hens in Daisies $75 USD on Etsy

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My entertaining philosophy has always been to pay attention to how I present food and set up my table instead of passing hours cooking in the kitchen. I cook but I opt for delicious dishes that are simple to make. I often serve dishes I am used to do.  The key is to serve the entire meal in a more refined way. Adding a few details goes a long way. The idea is to make it looks special, to show that you care.

Any time you have guess over, always make sure the table is ready before your guests arrive. It sends the message that they are thrilled to have them over. Pay attention to how you dress your table. These pictures styled by the Australian-based stylist Leesa O’Reilly are perfect examples that modern rustic can be elegant and inviting. To speed up the process, practice how you can set up the table on weekend for your family brunch or dinner.

Get inspired by how Leesa O’Reilly arranged her cheese platters. You can mix and match the classic linen with hemstitch detail to add interest to a bistro style tabletop. Assembling this table will take you 5 to 10 minutes. Remember it the next time you are in a hurry.

Notice that most photos were taken by Melbourne based photographer Mark Roper. Karen Martini and George Calombaris are Melbourne-based internationally renowned chefs. Their food is represented in a selection of the images.

SOURCING:
+ Portfolio of Leesa O’Reilly – photos for Vogue Entertaining & Travel (photography by Andrew McCornell and food by George Colomboris), Donna Hay, Sunday Life Magazine (food by Karen Martini) – most photographs are by Mark Roper
+ Table Linen Collection by Linen & Moore napkin $13.20 AUD, tablecloth $130-$185 AUD
+ Via Oh Joy!

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I am responding to my interior designer friend Jennifer Mitchell of Design Hole who spotlighted these French-made tabletop accessories having me in mind. She was looking for an excuse to throw a party.

This concept was developed by L’Atelier Modele. Every product from Lajolitable series would add a festive touch to your table on any occasions this summer. The hand made items are made of polypropylene, which means that they could be reused. After usage, you simply need to carefully clean them with a damp cloth. You select the color you want from 16 colors.

If you are into birds, here are some items you may enjoy:

+ Lejolinom, a cute birdy place card holder  €1.20
+ Ballotin de chocolat, a party favor box with a ribbon flower that can hold 5 chocolates – starts at €4.50
+ Placemat €6.00
+ Birds Coaster, to match with the placemat (bottom right) €3.00
+ Brindille, a flat flower used as a decorative element on a table or hanging from a branch €0.50
+ Oiseau, a decorative element for a glass or a plate. Remove when you are ready to serve. €0.80

MORE:
+ Via Design Hole

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+ Many of you are a fan of Canadian House and Home magazine. Linda Reeves started two housewares lines a few years ago. House & Home Style for Living brand products sold at The Bay, Home Outfitters and NEST brand products sold at Zellers. Their booth features a classic tablescape theme for this spring.

+ I felt transformed in the Jetson’s years when I look at the Retrofit Bowls by Brad Turner. It feels like a bowl inside a footed bowl. I like their shape and color of these glass bowls. The Retrofit bowls are prototype.

+ It is simple to recreate this centerpiece. Simply gather 4 glass plates or tray filled with oranges and red roses. The key is symmetry. Group 2 by 2 or 3 by 3 identical square plates and trays. This centerpiece arrangement is ideal when placed on a long buffet table to split the food areas. These were displayed in the Grand Marnier Lounge. Lucid Interior Design created this lounge space.

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+ Tablescape elements taken from the modern rustic wedding created by Elizabeth Anne Designs. Spread lunch boxes filled with color crayons and small toys at a family dinner table. The aquarium centerpiece will work well for a kid birthday party. Via Style Me Pretty

+ Decorate a nursery or a kid room with a gender neutral modern Hh is for House print. Design by Modern Pop. Only $12 USD for an 8″ x 8″ print

+ The recession proof gift set from Anvil Modern Paperie is something to keep in mind. The illustrated coupons are stunning. If play your cards well, you may even get away with the only the thoughts. Via Paper Shop Ink

+ Looking forward for my dinner at FRANK restaurant located in the Art Museum of Ontario. The décor is a distinct Frank Gehry-designed space.

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I was inspired by the Spring and Summer 2009 tableware collection at Zara Home to create a festive tablescape.

The starting point was this amazing turquoise and gold Nilo flatware. It is made in gold stainless steel with a dark blue turquoise PVC handle.

My Turquoise, Gold and Pink Tablescape

I used different tone of three colors. Mixing hues with accent colors and textures add interest. The look is refined and sophisticated. Do not be afraid to add a punch color through the tablecloth. For a scheme like that, a print tablecloth is preferable to a solid.

The components are:

+ Nilo cutlery teaspoon £2 fork, knife, spoon £3
+ Nabuko Crockery dessert plate £5, bowl, soup plate and dinner plate £6
+ Paisley Tablecloth £45
+ Pop wine glass £4.50
+ Idea water glass £3
+ Alhambra Jug £4, water tumbler £2

Zara Home Styled Photo

I am in love with the embroidered floral ramie table runner. It would be great for Easter, Mother’s Day or an outdoor brunch on a sunny weekend.

Here you see the same flatware used with a different color palette. The Zara stylists used the same dinnerware but they came up with a totally different look.

+ Cabana table runner £25
+ Small pop wine glass (the blue and purple one) £4.50

It is too bad that the stuff is unavailable in North America. I think that we should start an online petition to implore Zara to open at least an online store with shipping in Canada and the United States. My way to start the crave is to showcase items from their astonishing collection.

If you wish to see more turquoise décor accessories from Zara Home, the Styles Files wrote a good post on turquoise being the trendy color for spring & summer 2009.

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When I spotted the adorable owl prints by etsy seller yumi yumi on Hostess with the Mostess yesterday, I knew these illustrations could be the inspirations for an amazing modern chic tablescape.

Wedding Table Design

I am not the only one who thinks so. Milestone Events of Vancouver used them as the basis for their tablescape booth at Wedding Fair 2009. And their booth won first place.

Their sophisticated tablescape exhibits a clever use of natural elements. I would love to sit at that table. Check their blog for more detailed pictures of their tabletop.

Ideas for Valentine’s Day party

I like the softness of the wolf illustration carrying wild flowers. It would make a great gift.

Announce the color of our Valentine’s Day celebrations with the Going sailing print. For something special, you can rent on a sailboat and have a picnic on the lake.

SOURCING:
+ Little Spring Garden print by yumi yumi $20 USD
+ These Are For You print by yumi yumi $20 USD
+ Going Sailing art print by yumi yumi $20 USD
+ Wedding Tablescape: photography by Erin Gilmore – rights reserved
+ Via Hostess with the Mostess and Milestone Events blog

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Prop stylists create the mood of a picture. Looking at their creations give us clues on how to set up a stunning buffet table. I will feature the work of two prop stylists today.

First, I spot a Decking The Halls picture on Apartment #34. Although the Holiday season is almost over. The celebrations officially closed according to the French and Christian tradition at Epiphany. Depending on the family, Epiphany is celebrated January 6 while others celebrate it the first Sunday of January. For me, January 6 is the mark. Still, I will get us a galette des rois for tonight’s dinner. It is so delicious.

Buffet Table Styling Ideas

The pasta table for 4 looks inviting. When you are having guests over, do something unexpected may be the way to simply add a festive touch.

+ Images from Robyn Glaser

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Thanksgiving is next Monday in Canada. We celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. For this occasion, I assemble two tabletop mood boards with trendy fall colors and patterns. I presented two very different styles.

I invite you to check my Glamorous Thanksgiving Tablescapes on Style Sheet, the blog of HGTV.ca. I am curious to know how you plan to decorate your dining table this Thanksgiving. Share your thoughts.

+ Style Sheet

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I composed three mood boards for the tabletop. They all reuse the same main components. I want to know which one you prefer? Before you post your vote, let me tell you about the components.

Main Components

My starting point were the two PopMat Paper Placemats by Publique Living. The Natural Kraft seems a better choice for a 100% recycled paper. It feels warmer than white. My idea is to alternate the Mailbox pattern and the Birdcage pattern as you set up your dining table.

The pop up graphics designed by Lian Ng double as a name card but I prefer it without any writing. I read on Hostess with the Mostess that Publique Living launched three new patterns in time for the Holidays: Reindeer, Fireplace and Banquet.

Serving tab water is more eco-friendly. Now you can get the look at the plastic water bottle in glass. Italian design house Seletti brings you these glass water bottles in 4 different designs.

Housewarming Gift Ideas

The Lovebirds Pillow by Ferm Living, the Nest Lumen by Adam Frank and the Areaware Bird Box designed by Fredrikson Stallard would make two luxurious gifts. Lumen is an oil lamp that can project a large shadow on the wall. The symbolic act of giving a bird house to someone who move into a new nest is cute.

If you are looking for a gift under $30, go for Rae Dunn’s Ceramic Birdhouses. It comes in 3 shapes, each with their own words. The models are names Home, Chirp, or Nest.

Tableware

I selected Mud Australia for in #1 and #3. Simply used a different pictures. I like the modern shape of the Mud Australia collection. And I adore the fact that they come in a dozen colors. I could color coordinate it with the and Jason Miller’s Seconds Dinner Plate Set.

I wished a splash of color so I used the adorable Royal Copenhagen Mega Pattern. The Blue Fluted MEGA’s hand painted drawings are enlargements of a timeless design originally created in 1775. The royal blue nicely opposes the kraft paper placemat.

Finally, the Gold Tree Branch Place Card Holders finish the tablescape. If the color of your table do not match well with the theme, place a table cloth beneath the pop up placemats.

Cast your vote? Which board do you prefer between the three?

SOURCING:
+ Publique Living PopMat Paper Placemat at Velocity – price: $24 USD
+ Glass Bottle Collection at Lekker- price: $24 USD
+ Lovebirds Pillow by Ferm Living at Lekker – price: $110 USD
+ Areaware Bird Box at Velocity – price: $145 USD
+ Nest Lumen by Adam Frank – price: $48 USD
+ Mud Australia collection at Unica – price: $14-$161 USD
+ Jason Miller Seconds Dinner Plate Set – price: $132 USD, set of 4
+ Ceramic Birdhouses by Rae Dunn at Pure Modern – price: $29 USD/each
+ Gold Tree Branch Place Card Holders at Weddings Things – price: $30 USD for 6

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Founded in 1985 by Emiel Vaessen and Gert Jan Vogel, the design agency Duo  Design produced a unique line of interior products over the years. They introduced Flicker in 2008.

Flicker is a straw-like oil lamp sold in a set of 3 sticks. You deposit the stick inside a normal glass or ceramic vase. Jean of NOTCOT saw them at the Maison et Objet Fall 2008 show in Paris. Jean described them as metal straws with a wick inside which soaks up the oil. 

Centerpiece Idea

Instead of the traditional candlestick, be creative with the way you lit your table when you entertain. You could use a brushed metal or a ceramic rectangular flower box that you fill with sand. Insert deeply the Flicker tubes so they feel securely in place. Cover the sand with black or white sesame seeds to finish it up.

I found a US online retailer that is temporary out of stock. Let’s hope they will be getting more Flicker sets pretty soon.

SOURCING:
+ Flicker Candlelight by Duo Design at Questo Design – price: ?16.75
+ Flicker Gift Set at 2bd living.com – price: $36 USD
+ Via NOTCOT