Time for a party!

So the other night, my boyfriend (Ben) and I were setting up to host a dinner party for a couple of our friends. Ben was in charge of cooking, and I was setting the table. Before our friends were scheduled to arrive, Ben, the sweet man that he is, poured us a couple of glasses of wine, red wine (it’s important to the story). In the midst of pouring, he accidentally spilled some wine on the table and cleaned it up with one of the special linen napkins that I had placed. The horror! I got so upset, and wondered; does this make me a control freak? Maybe. But in that moment, I realized just how important a beautiful table arrangement was to me to make our special night even more special.

I digress. We have forgiven Ben, but especially because it sparked the idea for this post! You don’t have to understand why table arrangements are so important to creating a beautiful dinner party, but if you’re interested in finding out, join me for some advice.

There are so many elements that go into creating a spectacular table arrangement: linens, flowers, dinnerware, candles, and all the decor you can dream of. But where do we start? Well, I recently had the pleasure of reconnecting with a former high school colleague who is now a big shot designer! Geneva Kidd, currently an interior designer for Kit Kemp, knows best when it comes to creating an impeccable and memorable table arrangement. Here is some advice Geneva has shared with us:

What would you say are the essential items for a beautiful table arrangement?

“ Layer the table with things you love and show character through the items such as dinnerware and china , tapered candles holders , and florals. I always like to include place settings and then party poppers. It should tell a story.“

How do you properly layer a tablescape?

“I like to start with a patterned base or beautiful fabric and then create texture with placemats and florals and dimension with layered heights of candle sticks and centerpieces.”

Any unique items you would recommend people add to blow away their guests?

“ I like including personalized items such as gifts, hand painted place holders, and party poppers. Also adding decor like little trinkets adds fun to the tablescape.”

What trends are in and out in the table arrangement world?

“In - a lot of color and pattern. Out - thinking fine china should only be used for special occasions.”

Who do you get your inspiration from?

“I currently work for Kit kemp who’s inspiring with the story she tells with her bright colors and many patterns. I also worked for Bunny Williams who has also inspired my tablescapes with a feminine touch. Love Cathy Kincaid and look towards Hollis Loudon for interior and tablescape design.”

Beautifully put, Geneva!

Now, if you are leaning towards something more modern/contemporary, some other great designers that create beautiful arrangements are Athena Calderone (founder of Eyeswoon) and Kelly Wearstler. Athena is a big proponent of letting nature guide your tablescapes; “If you’re serving eggplants in July, then consider placing baby versions next to the napkins that are tied together with a sprig of lavender” (Eyeswoon.com, Table Setting Decor blog post). Kelly Wearstler suggests using what you have to create a more cohesive setting within your home; “Think outside of the box, I’m often just pulling things from around my house when I’m entertaining and want to create an interesting table. Whether it’s an interesting vessel, a small sculpture, or plants from the garden, we often have so much at our fingertips that we don’t necessarily think would be tabletop decor” (Elle Decor, Kelly Wearstler Share Her Top Tips for Creating a Dramatic Winter Tablescape).

So there you have it! Whether you’d like to create a beautiful table arrangement that is more traditional with Geneva, or something a little more modern with Athena, or even edgy with Kelly; you can’t go wrong. Just don’t forget to make it beautiful, and have fun with it!

I’d like to give credit to Geneva Kidd for taking the time out of her busy schedule to feed us her knowledge! You can follow Geneva for her creative ideas and designers on instagram @genevakidd_design and @genevakidd. She also has a website coming soon, so stay tuned for some incredible design inspiration; genevakidddesign.com .

Also don’t forget to check out Athena Calderone’s blog post and Kelly Wearstler’s interview with Elle Decor.

Table Arrangements

Time for a party!

Coffee Table Books

“Grandma-core”