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August 22, 2003/Av 24 5763, Vol. 55, No. 52
Set a glorious table
ALISA SLOAN
Special Sections Editor
Setting a beautiful table doesn't have to be complicated. Start with bold place settings - look for unusual color or design elements - and craft a harmonious tablescape using the dishes as a jumping- off point.
Determine what makes the dishes distinctive, and select accessories that carry through the theme. Bette Kahn, community/public relations representative for Crate & Barrel, has suggestions for tailoring tablescapes to the place settings. For example, Crate & Barrel's "Moss" stoneware is a natural green color, so it should be set off by earthy colors and textures, says Kahn. "Bamboo placemats on a wooden surface or a dark brown cloth would set off their color," she notes.
Complementary accessories should carry through the natural theme and vary in size for interest.
"Accents could be large and small tropical leaves, in glass cylinders of different sizes down the center of the table," suggests Kahn. "Some cylinders could contain pillar candles, or short green votives could be used among the platters."
She also suggests using wooden serving pieces, and opting for a flower-filled centerpiece if tropical leaves don't suit your taste.
When serving on green dishes, Kahn recommends pairing their bold color with Asian-inspired foods.
"Food colors are very important on this strong-colored dinnerware," she says. "One suggestion is salmon with rice and mixed red, orange and yellow peppers."
When using white plates, Kahn suggests using red and black as accent colors. For instance, use a black tablecloth and fold red linen napkins into neat rectangles on each plate. Other deep colors work as well, such as forest green, ocher or jade blue, or try a white cloth with black napkins.
When using patterned place settings, aim to accessorize with items that match or complement the pattern. For instance, with a flower-patterned plate, set out vases with a freshly cut version of the same flower, or flowers of the same color as those on the plates.
Tropical flowers are becoming more popular dinnerware patterns, and their exotic designs are enhanced by simple accessories such as bamboo-handled flatware and grasscloth placemats. Organic shapes are also lovely with floral designs. Curvy silver candlesticks, glass serving pieces with uneven rims, or glassware with rounded bases may add to the ambience.
But what if the pattern on the plate makes a statement all on its own?
Neiman Marcus is offering limited-edition dinnerware by Bernardaud that is an exact replica of the wedding service Marc Chagall painted for his daughter. Called "Pour Ida," each piece is uniquely decorated with a brush drawing in blue or reddish-brown that evokes Chagall's favorite themes: flowers, women, couples, animals and the circus.
Is it best to make them the star of the show, or tone them down with equally artful accents?
Bernardaud's corporate visual manager in Paris took a modern approach to setting the table with the Ida pieces. "He elected to make the Chagall motifs the true focal point on the table by pairing the service with clean-lined accessories," says Abigail Caumartin, marketing manager for Bernardaud.
The accents included amber-colored crystal tumblers (from Baccarat, says Caumartin), cinnabar-colored linen runners and clear crystal hurricanes.
Terri Weisz of Two Plates Full in Scottsdale suggests having fun with a tablescape. Her approach involves mixing patterns and designs to create eclectic looks with personality.
For instance, her store offers bold, hand-painted martini glasses. When serving drinks in them, Weisz scattes funky glass olives around the table for visual punch.
Some designs may even improve the mood of a diner through their sheer sweetness, so to speak. Pastel bowls and dishes painted with polka dots and swirls transform a simple dish of ice cream into an occasion.
By not taking the table-setting too seriously, a host or hostess is free to decorate with a sense of humor, whimsy or even irony. Follow your taste. Do you like those dinner plates painted with a woman's face? The salad plates with black and white checks? The mossy green bowls? Why not put them all together? A mix-and-match tablescape showcases your originality and your personality.
The most important thing to remember is to forget every rule - how many forks, making sure the dishes match, where to place the napkins. Put the emphasis on the company and the food, and every gathering will be one to remember.
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