Talking Turkey about the Tabletop

via The Glitter Guide

Most of us like to do a different variation on a Thanksgiving tabletop theme from year to year.  Chances are we can't completely change the look (financially speaking), but what can we do?  What can we add to our collection?  What do you have around the house that you can bring into your vignette?   Is there a color that has newly inspired you?  Can you fold a napkin differently?  Seat people unpredictably?

via The Decoist

If you are accustomed to going BIG, go simple.  If you are accustomed to simplicity, create an abundantly over the top arrangement.

via Coco and Kelly

I never thought to pull my hide off the floor, but between that and the Baccarat crystal, I'm swooning!

It doesn't have to scream Thanksgiving or be Fall like at all if that's not what you're feeling.  It just has to look like you thought enough of your guests to pull something festive together.

via Trelliage

via Always a Blogsmaid

via Camille Styles

Kelly Wearstler has a bevy of new tabletop beauties that are inspiring me of late.  Gold always gets me and agates and diamonds too, while we're at it! 

All white tabletops always look elegant, even if you use organic materials!

Throwing in a deer antler for good measure never hurts in my book ; )

via Cote de Texas

Whatever part of the country you're in, whatever look you're going for  ~ gathering together and being grateful is ALWAYS the ultimate goal.

                                                                     ~ ENJOY ~

The Rainbow Rose

I'll be honest, normally this would not be something I would gravitate towards.  The rose is perfect just the way mother nature intended it.  But when I realized it was REAL and not artificial; the crazy kaleidoscope of colors captured my attention and I was hooked.

I guess it was the idea of something so perfect in it's natural state becoming contrived by altering it that  gave me reason to pause.  I don't like unnatural looking things ~ but, what the hell?  I loved the juxipositon.  It's a party in a vase!

It’s created by introducing colored water to the rose’s stem, but in a manner that the colors reach the petals at different places.  The inventor, Peter van de Werken, keeps the process a secret. 

You need to be careful when using these vivid beauties or you run the risk of your arrangements  looking kitschy.  They are so fun for a kid's party, fiesta, sweet sixteen, or carnival theme.  If it's in keeping with the overall look, you are good.  You can't force these to be anything other than fun.  That's why there also known as the happy rose.

Suddenly my backyard party became a riotous, raucous affair, and these babies were the topic of conversation.

I have to mention though, I do not like the idea of engineering different colored flowers to coincide with holidays or occasions, but that's just me.

If you saw it in the store would you love it or leave it?
Is it gaudy or gorgeous??


ph: 4,5,6 Neocrisis.com

Dining By Design 2012

The designers participating in Dining by Design once again wowed me.  I love equally the vignettes that inspire and show you something you can do at home and the outrageous, "just for fun" vignettes that are meant to be marveled at

Best use of a slinky goes to Designlush

David Stark for Benjamin Moore created a vignette around their color stories collection.  It did not go unnoticed that Shades of Grey was 1 of those stories.  Did you see my 50 Shades of Grey post?  The stories came to life via the intricate laser cutouts.

Dufner Heighes made their feelings known about same sex marriage via a table top tableau

One of the most fun tables was done by the New York Design Center styled by Alexa Stevenson.

It must be all the people she'd like to have at a dinner party who are no longer with us.  Who would you love to have at a dinner party; dead or alive?

Each place setting represented the personality of the deceased guest.  I cracked up when I sawBubbles the monkey sitting in Michael Jackson's chair.

And poor Elizabeth Taylor with all those unsightly liquor bottles.  That's not how I think of her, but she's with Richard now.

The chair with the now famous red bathing suit draped over it belongs to Farrah Fawcett

Andy Warhol might have been busy painting a portrait of Coco Chanel sitting to the right of him while she was talking shop with Emilio Pucci

come back for part deux next time where elegance is the theme

ph: CLI

Spotlight On ~ Lulu DK

And Speaking of Lulu De Kwiatkowski, (as in the last post; here or below) Lulu has quite a prolific design business.  Her bold, colorful, whimsical style is widely recognizable and loved by top designers and retailers.

Lulu DK as she is known, is a designer of wallpaper ~

Minerva

Carpets and fabrics ~

Emma Jane Pilkington used Moondance on settee

Bedding, decorative pillows, baby ~

Hepburn

 Lulu also designs furniture for Elite Leather ~

creates beautiful large scale collages ~

She recently published a book;  Lulu, of these collages, representing her far flung travels, life, and loves.


And if all this and raising a family isn't enough, Lulu just designed a collection of table tops and towels ~

Slow down Lulu, you're making the rest of us look lazy!


LuLu has another Tastemaker Tag Sale on One Kings Lane on July 30th, be sure to check it out!

Dining By Design 2011

Ralph Lauren

DIFFA, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, has been fundraising since it's inception in 1984.
It includes all facets of the design/arts community.  DIFFA provides grants to organizations that provide education, treatment, and outreach to those living with HIV/AIDS.  Dining by Design has become a huge event over the past decade with major designers and events planners creating magnificent tabletop vignettes.  Here are some of my favorites:

I love Donna Karen's zen-like table setting.  It might not be condusive to talking to those across from you, however.  The water trickling over the pebbles and around the orchids invites sitting long after dinner.

Donna Karen

There's a great design que here; the panels were all painted, a very easy DIY project, if you have steady hands.  Simple flowers floating in bowls are always elegant.  And don't forget a gift for each guest!

Coffinier Ku

Vicente Wolf

It appears to be raining around the perimeter of  the table, which no doubt is helping the wheatgrass grow.

Evette Rios

I wouldn't mind dining on a bed of roses

David Rockwell

I loved the profusion of flowers and colors.  That is Wills and Kate on the plates.  Maybe in the States, we'll help celebrate.

David Beahm

I loved the Ode to the Woody.  My first car was a woody station wagon (and sometimes it was turned into a bar when we opened the back) but I NEVER drank and drove, nor did I consider bear skin rugs!

Brad Ford

Just heavenly!  I love the simple centerpieces elevated by the cloches.  The guests' names were in silver frames under glass.

Jeffery Brooks

The Butterfly Effect, "Amidst suffering and disaster, can a small gesture make an immeasurable impact?  In this vast system, we are not alone in our struggles.  We are all connected."  How prophetic!

Tug Studio