Black and White: Dining by Design

The palette for Spring/Summer 2007 is black and white, or, more important, black-and-white prints. (L): British designer Luella Bartley showed an entire collection of black-and-white print miniskirts, dresses, and tight suits.

Most people think that runway fashion is generally associated with apparel but true fashionistas and entertaining gurus know that the latest style trends and colors from the fashion runway always influences home décor and tableware. As with the tabletop creation shown above, (R): David Stark used film and theater scripts and musical scores as décor. Words appeared on everything, from silk-screened tablecloths, votives, and napkin rings. Rather than centerpieces of live flowers, Stark crafted intricate paper flowers from pages of scripts.

Welcome Décor 8 readers! The lovely Holly Becker from Décor 8, was wonderful enough to spotlight “Toast and Tables” as her blog of the week and I’m very excited about that!

Thank you Holly and welcome to everyone who found their way to my table via Décor 8. If you are familiar with Décor 8 you know that Holly does the most amazing color stories, currently she’s passionate about purple. Inspired by Holly’s color stories, I decided to introduce myself to her legion of fans by sharing with all of you what I consider to be MY signature color. Yes! Black and White, it’s classy, sophisticated and smart. Crisp, clean and makes a statement about the wearer’s discerning taste.

Black and white is timeless and this Spring/Summer the look is everywhere!! Ralph Lauren’s spring collection is exclusively black and white — aside from shimmering metallic silver for evening.


This season, to add a fashionable flare to your next dinner party or get together, take some inspiration from the Spring/Summer 2007 runway!

Black and White invokes a feeling of retro classic, mod and ultra feminine. (L): Chanel Spring 2007 Ready to Wear Runway show, (R ): Rosanna, Black dots. This trendy collection from Rosanna is classy, yet modern in their vibrant design. These pokka dots look great on the runway and on the table.



(L): Alessandro Dell Acqua Spring 2007 Ready to Wear Runway show, (R ): Zebra dinnerware by Arcadia, Vivre.com. Be inspired by the animal prints shown on the runway this spring/summer. These gold and black plate zebra plates are a playful take on white dinnerware and will add flair to your table setting.

The classic pairing of black and white forms sleek lines and striking schemes. Flatware decorated with these colors is completely stunning and the chevron pattern adds the perfect amount of geometrics. (L): Esteban Cortazar Spring 2007 Ready to Wear Runway show, (R ): Oscar de la Renta, Chevron Stainless pattern, City Collection, Lunt Silver. My friend Brooke spotted this flatware weeks ago and we both fell in love with this collection immediately!


The color palette for spring boasts a base of a mixture of metallic’s and soft earthy hues alongside black and white. Notice the touch of shimmering silver in both the halter and the placemat. (L): Chaiken Spring 2007 Ready to Wear Runway show, (R ): Kim Seybert Handmade capiz shell place mats, Horchow.



White is paired with black for the ultimate cool, crisp combo, as with this Ralph Lauren halter dress and the Barbara Barry dinnerware. (L): Ralph Lauren Spring 2007 Ready to Wear Runway show, (R ): Barbara Barry, Curtain Call, Michael C. Fina.

The season’s color scheme is given a little levity by patterns, including polka-dots, animal prints and checks. But it’s florals that steal the show.

(L): Cynthia Steffe Spring 2007 Ready to Wear Runway show, (R ): Rosanna, Rosette, Rosanna. Can you believe these gorgeous plates are Melamine. You can add a graphic touch to an elegant outdoor table with no worry of breakage!


(L): Abaete Spring 2007 Ready to Wear Runway show, (R ): Damask 16-pc. Dinnerware Set - Black/ White, Target.

(L): Etro Spring 2007 Ready to Wear Runway show, (R ): Gien, Tulipes Noires, Michael C. Fina.

(L): Monique Lhuiller Spring 2007 Ready to Wear Runway show, (R ): Raynaud, Ombrages, American Dinner plate, Michael C. Fina. New for 2007 from Raynaud, the Ombrages pattern plays on the meaning of shadow, "ombrages," in French, and light. Different designs options on the buffet and dessert plates allow you change the look of your table like the changing patterns of leaves in a forest.

Black and white is a design staple, both in fashion and as you see also in tableware. It's also one of the most popular trends in interior design as it's dramatic and effortless in its minimal approach. Splashes of brightly colored prints and patterns add to the variations of black and white, which creates a new spin on decorating with black and white. Colors set against black and white make them pop, the colors in this Tiffany plate look amazing and vibrant against the black background.

(L): DKNY Spring 2007 Ready to Wear Runway show, (R ): BLACK SHOULDER dinner plate. Tiffany Private Stock™ hand-painted Limoges porcelain, Tiffany & Co.


In addition, bringing color in a black and white scheme gives a great deal of flexibility to introduce accessories and centerpieces; like the yellow charger, the lemons in the silver bowl and the red roses.


(Clockwise): Nanette Lepore Spring 2007 Ready to Wear Runway show; Grant Spectator, Ralph Lauren, 888-475-7674; Barocco Dinner Plate, Versace, Michael C. Fina.


(L): Emporio Armani Spring 2007 Ready to Wear Runway show, (R ): Madison dinnerware, horchow.com

Season after season we look to New York, Milan and Paris and fashionista locales in between to help dictate the trends and styles we’ll see in local boutiques and department stores. Trends range from glamorous to grungy from feminine to masculine. What is certain, no matter the season or trend du jour, dressing your table is always you in style. I would love to see how you put style on your table.

(L): Black Cut-Crystal Glassware, Williams Sonoma Home (R ): Bacchus Bottle Stoppers by Lladro, vivre.com

Monochrome is more than just fashion, it's pure style. Do you put style on your table? I would love to see how. Send me pics of your wares and together we can inspire each other to always present a well-dressed table. Cheers!

(All images from the Spring/Summer 2007 ready to wear runway shows are from New York magazine).