Impromptu Table Design For Two
I love trying to think out of the box to do something special for those I cherish. As I get older, and I’d like to think a bit wiser, I am reminded of just how lucky I am to have long-term friendships in my life.
This table design I created for an impromptu gathering was an unexpected but delightful experience. I had a friend visiting here in Connecticut, and she wanted to stop by to visit, and I was thrilled and wanted to make her time in my home warm, cozy, and memorable.
At one time, I would have held back in creating a design such as this for fear “they” would judge me, but this year I chose to live in my VULNERABILITY, be brave, and allow people to see my authentic self. This is me!
The day of her visit was cold and damp, and she thought it would be nice to sit by the fire and catch up. I carried a small table into the living room and placed it right in front of the fire, which should warm us up!
Since I didn’t have enough time to run to the market to get a bouquet of flowers, I decided to use this beautiful silk embroidered fabric I purchased just a few weeks ago. It is filled with lovely flowers and matches my living room décor. I draped the table with a floor-length antique linen tablecloth and then topped it with silk fabric.
Color Palette Choice
The choice for a color palette was based on the embroidered fabric.
The silk fabric set the tone, and I used it to define the rest of the table. I chose a gold charger, pink plates, and a cream accent plate, layering them on top of each other for my place setting. I then topped the place setting off by simply folding an embroidered linen napkin on top. That’s it!
Designer Tip: Layer, layer, and more layers. It is a trick of the trade that accentuates your table design. by layering, you are creating a COHESIVE blend with lots of depth and persona to the table. it keeps the eye moving throughout your design and creates interest.
The tea set was my mother's and isn’t brought out every day, but I use them when I can. Today, since we were having tea, I thought I’d use it. The tea cups are from when my husband and I were on our European honeymoon. I bought them more than 30 years ago. They are ornate with a
French scenery on them, and I love them! My table had a little bit of this and a little bit of that, mixing antiques with modern décor.
centerpiece for the table
The pillar candlestick was my centerpiece, with other little votives set around the center. Differencing high/low lighting creates a lovely glow to your table.
Big Tip: Don’t be afraid to use different types of candles. lighting is an ESSENTIAL part of any design, whether decorating a room or a tablescape. On this table, I had pillar and votive candles as well as the fireplace glow that played off of one another.
I used my living room French toile chairs for seating. They are super comfortable, and they match the beautiful embroidery fabric. PERFECT!
Big Tip: Do not overcrowd your table with décor. You will need space for the dishes and glasses. Set your table with your dishes and glasses first, and then decorate around them. You will be surprised how much space a table setting takes up on your table once all are placed where needed.
The waterford ice bucket held a delicious California Prosecco. I chose the bucket because the light bounced off the crystal and created an additional flicker of light onto the table. For me, ambience is so important in any design. It truly sets the mood.
I wouldn’t say I like champagne much, but I love prosecco. It has a sweeter taste, and you can mix it with different types of simple syrups, fruit, and herbs to create interesting drinks. It’s my go-to alcoholic beverage; low-calorie, and not too strong, and that’s for me!
I served English breakfast tea, finger sandwiches, and an assortment of cookies. Afterward, we sipped Prosecco while catching up.
An impromptu gathering can be so much fun. I cherished the time with my dear friend catching up, laughing, and creating more memories. Instead of becoming stressed with designing a perfect table at the last minute, I decided to go with it, trust my intuition, and allow for some creativity. It proved to be the absolute best decision, and she loved it!
Whether celebrating a special occasion like Valentine’s Day, birthday, or just catching up with a cherished friend, designing an intimate space makes the other person feel special and appreciated.
“May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. ”
Happy Entertaining!
Mary
