1) Natural Inspired by color palettes found in nature, a natural table setting is calming and fresh.
2) Bold and bright Sometimes calm isn't the way to go. Inspire lively conversation with bold colors mixed with bright hues.
3) Architectural Sleek lines and modern designs can create an austere and inspiring architecture-related table setting.
4) Traditional Sometimes the only sort of table setting that will do is one that evokes the styles of those you grew up with (assuming your parents set a traditional table).
5) Quirky Fun props, unique layouts and odd color combinations; all can combine to provide for a conversation starter of a tabletop.
6) Mismatched Especially handy when you are setting a large table for lots of guests, mixing table patterns, chair designs and more can create an easy-going atmosphere.
7) Casual Keep things loose, fun and casual with a table setting that doesn't take itself too seriously.
8) Monochromatic Show off your mean design skills by orchestrating a sophisticatd tabletop decked out in only one color.
9) Romantic Perhaps not the most appropriate for large family gatherings, but then again, why not? Mood lighting with candles and soft colors enhance the love in romantic table settings.
10) Holiday-themed Don't knock the obvious route; a holiday-themed table can get even the scroogiest relative in the holiday spirit with cute, holiday-centric items.
Do any of these table setting styles get you excited for the upcoming holiday party gathering season? Let us know! Or tell us about your favorite table you've ever set.
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These are all great, but there's no space for food on the table! The centerpieces here are lovely, but when your style is family style and the centerpieces are bowls and platters of food you need space for that!
Lenzai brings up a good point. I've always wondered about this. How do they have dinner with such beautiful, yet space consuming, centerpieces? Does the host plate the meals in the kitchen individually and brings them to the table? Bring the food to the seated guest and serve French style? Take out some pieces from the centerpiece to accomodate for trays and platters of food?
It just doesn't seem as practical as one would like it to be.
Oh, and mind you, most of the settings above are in the context of weddings and showers, so the meal would already be served on a plate and be brought over to the guest.
We're having 22 people for Thanksgiving dinner this year - and have given up on trying to pass around platters of food. We're going buffet style - all the food lined up in our kitchen and then find your seat. Works much easier and I still get to decorate the table. Win-win!
Anita83, I assumed as much about the occasions, eventhough it says "dinner parties" in the blurb under the picture. Of course I dream of a family style food on the table wedding as well :) Jonnifer, we've served from 10 to 35 people family style and it works out ok, the secret in our family is to have at least 2 bowls of everything except the meat/main course (oh and small dinner plates). It really depends on your table space options. Your case does sound like a win-win if you want to decorate your table!
Our style is similar to Jonnifers. This year the food will be served buffet style from our dining room table, and we have a larger table set up in our sun room. I'm looking to set up our table in similar way to the 8th picture, though with autumn decor and colors, probably small candles, bowls of apples and pears, and small pumpkins. The basic idea is for it to look elegant, warm, and homey, but without any tall or cumbersome objects. I hate it when the centerpiece obstructs your view of the person across from you, or when you have to be afraid that you're going to knock something over.
I like Jonnifer's solution!
That said I would go for picture #2 with the blue candles if it were a non-holiday dinner party, I think it's just wonderful!
For Xmas however, I would do a more traditional colour scheme ;o)
(I'm not from the US, so no Thanksgiving here, next holiday is Xmas for me)
Considering I've rarely been to anyone's home who has the space for a table that seats 12, it's usually a center-piece free table. Food gets set up buffet style and a pile of rolls on a nice plate gets the center of the table.
Buffet service is the only way to go as far as I am concerned. Much easier, neater and faster.
As far as the table settings go, I don't really like any of them; too overdone. I do like the table itself in the "natural" photo, though.
I love the idea of dining al fresco as much as possible so Row 2, #4 looks great.
I also like the ikat (although trendy) in photo #2 but the table looks as if it is set for a springtime baby shower or wedding shower. It may also be nice for an Easter brunch.
I keep our table very simple, but use elegant, understated fine linens and higher-end crystal. Plates and utensils are basic and functional.
This is the same approach I take to dressing myself -- I think a wardrobe goes farther and lasts longer with simple silhouettes in very fine fabrics, accented with high-end accessories for sparkle. You see the wearer, not the clothes. An elegant table means you see the guests and the food, not the jingle bell motif.
In my opinon, this is also the most *affordable* way to achieve a sophisticated aesthetic. White plates are cheap, and you have to be a connoisseur to tell a $2 from a $20 plate just by looking. The same with stainless steel. But crystal sparkles and catches light in a way that cheaper glass can't. Moreover, drinking from a fine glass is viscerally different. 8 crystal glasses can be found for $100-$200, whereas porcelain and silver service for 8 can run $1000 or more. Same deal with a simple linen table cloth or placemats. Fine fabrics look and feel amazing, and if you're not paying for seasonable motifs and fancy emebelishments, you can find high-end quality on sale after the holidays and then use them for any occassion.
All said, I do decorate non-functional focal points with flowers or seasonal ornaments -- but it makes no sense to me to make a fussy dining table arrangement.
Smallish round table with a linen cloth and napkins, 4 plates and the usual eating accessories, food (and sparkling cider or grape juice). Period. It has always worked for me, I'm sticking with it! No centerpiece, no candles, no napkin rings, just the stuff you actually eat or eat with. (And my dishes and crystal are not remotely "higher end", which doesn't matter a bit to me or any guests I would bother having over.)
I feel like pictures 7, 8, and 9 are mixed up
I like the first picture for its natural style, but the one with floating candles is nice because you can actually see across the table. Nothing is more annoying than having to paw through the underbrush to see your guests. Buffet is the way for me too, because who wants to see a big carcass as a "centerpiece"?
My "style" is dishes on the table, food on them.
Gosh, I wonder why people don't entertain more? Way to simplify the process.
We have a fairly long, narrow dining area, so we have a long, narrow dining table which doesn't allow for bowls and plates of food in the middle. Instead, if we're doing the "help yourself" thing, we use our kitchen bench as the serving table, and keep all the food there. But usually when we entertain, we assemble the plates in the kitchen and bring them out.
As for our style, it's probably architectural meets rustic, but my husband likes to call it anal! I often decide on a theme, and then decorate accordingly, but I often get pretty hung up on making it as perfect as possible.
Such beautiful table settings. It is images like this that make me wish I had more parties. It is unfortunate that it would be so pricey and time consuming. It makes it seem that like you have to wait for that very special occasion.
I guess it's moments like that we look forward to!
girindocs - Ha! I was thinking the same thing!
I like just a simple arrangement in the middle of the table, some of these are so full that you would not be able to see the person sitting across from you! I just planed paperwhites (so they will be ready for Christmas) and am going to use those as my holiday table decor!
http://olivesanddaisies.blogspot.com/2010/11/time-to-plant-your-paperwhites.html
I love Natural and Monochromatic. Simple, yet elegant and sophisticated.