So there you are with your glamorous table setting, but you want it to be a bit more natural? Now’s the time to go out into the yard and gather up some greenery!
Even if you live in a tiny city apartment, there’s usually somewhere you can find a few fresh sprigs of foliage. (And if there really isn’t any, a little bouquet of greenery from the grocery store is well worth it, and usually lasts quite a while.)
A glamorous table setting for any dinner party
This was actually my Christmas dinner table, but the concept could work for just about any occasion. Start with a white tablecloth and some white napkins. As you’ve heard me say probably close to a million times, there’s nothing like white for a crisp, fresh, glamorous table setting! You can dress it up or down, any way you want.
(And see our lovely assortment of chairs?! As you can tell, we hadn’t put them all out yet when these pictures were taken. Yes, variety is the spice of life, but I’m adding some “event” chairs to my Christmas list for next year!)
For this party, I had to put two tables together, so I needed two tablecloths. Unfortunately, I could only find one of my two matching white tablecloths! But fortunately, I’d gotten another white one at Goodwill a while back. (Which reminds me of one of my favorite books as a child – Fortunately, by Remy Charlip!)
Anyway, the two cloths didn’t match exactly, but they were close enough. And with all the plates and things on the table, you could hardly tell. If I’d had three tables, I could have used a different cloth for each one and made it look like I’d meant it!
Basic and beautiful white
I think whites are the most versatile of table linens. If you only have one color, you can’t go wrong with white. As I said, you can dress it up or down, it goes with every other color, and you can bleach it if there happens to be an accident. Plus, it just looks so elegant! Or breezy, … or, or, or … You have nothing but options with white linens!
I love my Lauren by Ralph Lauren white linens, but I haven’t been able to find them these last couple years. However, here are some that might fill in nicely!
One color and one metal for a glamorous table setting
After you’ve chosen your table linens, it’s time for your place setting. It may be cliche, but the easiest way to channel glamour is to keep to one color. Extra glamour points for white or ivory! Then pair it with one metallic color, and you’re good!
For this table, I used some of my very favorite – and most basic – pieces. Same as with the tablecloth, you can do just about anything with basic gold and white.
The plates
I totally love these chargers! They’re great quality heavy melamine, and have withstood years of constant use. They work with elegant white, or with any color scheme, and always take your table up a notch.
We’ve had these plates for years too. This is one of the entertaining basics I couldn’t do without, and we use them literally every day. They’re so inexpensive, and as perfect for pizza, as for gourmet cuisine.
I’ve mentioned before that these gold salad plates are part of a set that’s been handed down through our family. I’ve never found the pattern anywhere, but this Vera Wang plate is the closest I’ve ever come! If you want the same look, this is the plate for you! Be sure to check out the pictures below to see what this looks like.
Noritake White Palace salad plate
I love anything Noritake, and this salad plate is a great one for a traditional elegant look. The background is a creamy beige for some extra color depth. Photo below.
Here’s another fun salad plate for a more modern, but still elegant, feel to your table. There are so many lovely salad plates out there – it’s really easy to find one (or more!) that you love!
The flatware
I love this modern flaatware set! You can see it there on the the right in the photo above. I get comments every time I put it on the table – even if the guest has used it many times before! It’s just so solid to hold, and fun to use. As you can guess, I used it at this table for 13 because I only have 12 of the more traditional set. But the person who got the “different” flatware felt extra special. I know because they told me so!
And then there’s the traditional gold flatware. I’ve told the story before about how my mom got this set of 12 from the marketing department at the bank where she worked, back in the day (The late 70’s, I’d say.) It was the display set for the premiums they gave to depositors! It says Supreme Cutlery on the back, but I haven’t been able to find the pattern. The link above and the photo below are a very similar pattern.
Traditional silver flatware with gold accents
This is just a lovely set I found while I was trying to source my own gold flatware. But if you’re in the market for a new set, this is beautiful! Traditional silver, with just a touch of elegant gold detail. I think maybe I’m going to be in the market for a new set very soon! Picture below, of course.
And the glassware
These are my go-to water glasses. I use them all the time, and like my other foundation pieces, I’ve had these for years. (Maybe more than 30 … ?) They’re heavy and beautiful, and darn near indestructible. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve only broken one in all the time I’ve had them – not for lack of trying.
Choosing your vases
I got my gold pedestal vases at a floral wholesaler, and haven’t been able to find them online. The link above is a similar style, but about half the height. If you want a smaller version, this would be perfect.
Here’s a completely different idea for an elegant centerpiece. Again, the vase is shorter than what I have on the table, and obviously, a completely different style. But I like it, and it would certainly work with your glamorous table setting!
Remember to scroll all the way down for the pictures!
Now for the nature
And now that you’ve gotten your table done, it’s time to add the nature! You have a couple different ways to do this. You can start off by choosing your vase. That’s what I did here. I wanted to keep with the glamorous table setting concept, so I chose some glamorous pedestal vases. (I got these for my milestone birthday party, and I’ve used them many times since.)
When you choose your vases first, you can prepare them in advance. Especially with this kind of wide, shallow vase, I like to do the criss cross floral tape across the top, so the little pieces of greenery don’t flop out all over everywhere. Also, when you go out into the yard, you already have an idea of how much greenery you’ll need.
The other option, of course, is to go on out and just gather whatever moves you. Then you can find the right size vase when you come back in.
Different kinds of greenery
This is where it gets fun! Go on out with your basket and clippers, and see what you can find. Remember to only take from your own yard, or someone else’s who’s given you permission. I’m also ok with taking a little bit from abandoned lots or untended public places.
BUT – here’s the Golden Scavenging Rule! Never change the character of the place, and never take the last few. Always leave the area looking the same as you found it so other people can enjoy it too.
In this case, I didn’t have to go any further than my yard. I had a bit of evergreen garland left over from my mantel decor, so I grabbed some of that. I love the little cones on it.
The holly-looking plant is really Oregon Grape, which is just as prickly as holly, but has blue berries and yellow blossoms at bloom time.
I also have tons of ivy in my yard, (whose removal is a landscaping project for next spring!) so a little ivy to go with the “holly,” being Christmas and all! It also gives the arrangements some extra drape, and looks particularly nature-like.
If you’ve read the Fall Party Sneak Peek post, you know I have LOTS of bay, so I filled in the sparse spots with some bushy bay sprigs.
Grocery store flowers
Along with the gathered foliage, I like to include a few statement flowers. For this table, I picked up a dozen white roses from the grocery store. That was three roses for each of my four vases, and really, that’s all you need in an arrangement like this. Just enough to break up the green, and add a little elegance.
So that’s how to add some nature to our glamorous table setting!
So that’s how I added some nature to an otherwise glamorous table! What do you think? Let me know in the comments – I love to hear from you!
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Click on the pictures of the pieces I used in this post. If the exact item isn’t available any more, I chose a similar option.
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Soooo gorgeous, Barbara! Your tables are just the absolute best. Happy New Year, my friend!
Awww Marieza you’re the sweetest! Thanks so much! Hope you’re having a lovely January so far!
What a lovely table! I love white linens too and the greenery looks so classic and romantic.
Your table looks like such a fun place to be. I wish I was close enough to come.
Oh I wish you were too! We’d have a wonderful time, and we could set all the tables we want! (And eat at them afterwards, of course!) 🙂 Thanks for stopping over virtually, though. Hope you have a great week!
Barbara, your table is classic elegance. I love the crispness of white and gold, the salad plates are gorgeous. Your tips are so helpful and easy on a budget. Thank you for sharing your great ideas and beautiful tables. Happy 2024, my friend!
Oh thank you so much Pam! I loved your post countdown the other day. It’s always so much fun to look back and remember all the beautiful tables and teas and special moments! Thanks for being one of my major inspirations, and Happy New Year to both of you!
Barbara, this is just gorgeous and you are right – the greenery and roses elevates it to a whole new level! Everything is just perfect here and I love love those salad plates – they are so pretty with the gold flatware. I’m betting that everyone had a fantastic time eating at your beautiful table. Well done, my friend and Happy New Year to you!
Hi Kim! We really did have a great time, and I love a long table! Hope you’re staying warm up there, and having a happy new year so far! 💛
So beautiful Barbara, the greenery does add so much life to the white and gold~ the salad plates are gorgeous!
Happy 2024~
So pretty, my friend. This tablescape is perfect for any time of year. Hugs to you.
Thanks so much Renae! I hope you’re enjoying our coolish winter so far! Hugs back my friend!
I can’t help but feel like a guest at your table does not just have a meal; they have an experience. A tactile, visual, aromatic experience. And honestly, in this incredibly frightening and unsettled world we live in, sitting at your table would be a haven, an escape away from it all. Indeed, life affirming. It’s all just stunningly beautiful, and I so appreciate the step-by-step review of all the pieces. I have some of my Grandmother’s Noritake; it’s a pretty floral pattern (there’s no name on the watermark), and having it makes me feel closer to her. (My father was born in 1923, so clearly her Noritake is at least a hundred years old!) The setting themselves are both inspiring and instructional…pinnning away!! But those vases!! They have me gobsmacked! It’s a good thing you can’t find them anymore; I would go broke buying them. Honestly, they are just gorgeous! Can I make a tiny little request? I would have a loved to see them just ‘as is’, along with a little step-by-step on how you layered all the greenery and roses. I have potted ivy all over the house, so seeing those wandering branches just thrilled me!! (ha!) Best wishes to you and your family for a healthy, happy and peaceful 2024!!
Oh Kristine you are so sweet! If you ever get out to Portland, I’ll take you to the wholesale flower market and you can get as many vases as your suitcase can hold! 🤣 Thanks for the request! I’ll see about doing a tutorial about the flower arrangement. We definitely share the love of trailing ivy! Thanks so much for stopping over – I hope you and your family have a wonderful new year too!