Chinoiserie – looking east for tablesetting inspiration

We can embrace the Chinese decorating principles of feng shui and dally with Buddhist
philosophy, but empty a room of everything but a floor covering of tatami mats, and we
panic. Where do we sit? Where is the television?



One way we have found to adopt Asian style is on our dinner tables. We are gaining a sophisticated appreciation for Asian food, and lately, we have taken the tableware into our homes as well.



Blue-and-white glazes are a popular color combination in China and Japan. Ever since
Marco Polo swept through Asia, the West has been enamored of Oriental style, interpreting
its decorative motifs on everything from textiles to tableware. Here are two chinoiserie
inspired designs, to give your table Eastern allure.



The Asian influence has been reinterpreted for contemporary day by Tiffany with their
Cirque Chinoise dinnerware. Tiffany Private Stock hand-painted limoges porcelain.



Set a classic table with this intricately patterned blue and white stoneware. Asian Toile
dinnerware by Horchow.



Asia continues to impact tableware designs, although it is yin in some and yang in others.
There is a Chinese menu of styles, ranging from traditional to new-age. Americans continue
to express an appreciation for Eastern culture and these two chinoiserie patterns puts a
fresh spin on the centuries-old look.

Wedding bike theme: It could lead to a wheely long marriage!

(above: Cycle pattern, Slant)

Horse drawn carriages offer a grand entrance to a wedding. However, they are rarely
an option to get you to and from the other places you need to go. A limousine adds a
classy touch. It does relieve you from any driving issues you may have if perhaps things
get wild and crazy during the festivities; however one of the most interesting exits I've
heard about was the bride and groom exiting on a bicycle. So why not turn your exit
transportation into a theme.



(above: invitation, Greenwich Letterpress)

From the table setting and the invitations to the transportation, theme weddings are
becoming increasing popular. With the green trend going so strong every day we see
more and more options and ideas that are are environmentally and socially conscious,
ideas with style and integrity. Depending on your site, you can make a truly grand
exit via a bike.



So rather than jumping into a limo after your reception, take off on a bike. Capitalize on
that magic by attaching old-fashioned wedding bells, streamers and of course, a "Just
Married" sign to the bike basket.



(above: Channel bicycle, for more information, 800/937-9146)

Cycle off in style with the new Chanel bicycle. Not exactly created for mountain treks,
this luxurious two-wheeler adds an adventurous element to the iconic fashion house.
With a quilted leather saddle, handlebars, pump and chain guard (so as to not snag
your bridal gown), as well as three quilted bags, you'll be well-equipped to pedal with
panache.



Planning around a central idea - whether you choose a common interest, a shared hobby
or your transportation exit - personalizes the event and adds cohesiveness to your day.

Branching out with cool coral

This endangered treasure of the world's oceans finds its way into handsome interpretations
for the table. And for Spring it's the color du jour!


(above: An Alberto Pinto creation for Raynaud, Cristobal dinnerware, available at Gracious Style)

Not quite pink, not quite orange, not quite red, some things can only be described as coral.
Coral can be found in the wild in many colors, but the most precious, prized for its alluring
color, is the coral-colored variety. Its unique sculptural form is as enticing as its color,
inspiring decorative motifs on everything from placemats to napkin rings.


(above: red coral placemats, Kim Seybert, Gracious Style)

Dress up your table with coral like with these tree branch shaped centerpiece scultures
in white. You haven't seen underwater action like this since you last went scuba diving.



Stylized coral patterns are at once exotic and sophisticated, endowing a spirit of wit and
fun. Perk up any setting with an unexpected accent of coral (a little goes a long way)!
Stylized and exotic, coral lends itself to artistic, sophisticated reinterpretations in every
aspect of the home. Whether it's presented in a vibrant eponymous hue or sun-bleached
to pale white, the overall effect is simply striking.


(above: Cristobal Turquoise by Raynaud available at Bloomingdales)

Design LiFE! Nicole Sassaman’s table setting

Celebrity designer Nicole Sassaman has been featured on The STYLE Network’s "Area",
Fine Living’s “Lulu’s House” and HGTV’s “Designer’s Challenger”. She has a fresh, sassy
approach to design and has a keen eye for redesigning spaces that are beautiful and functional.



Nicole’s signature style shines through when she teamed up with Viking to create the table
setting at DIFFA”s Dining by Design. Using tableware from West Elm she incorporates
creativity, practicality and timelessness to create a sophisticated but accessible design.



West Elm is known for creating trendy, modern tableware with sleek lines, fresh colors and
exotic foreign nuances. I love the use of the aluminum and white square dinnerware. Nicole's
serene table design appeals to those who gravitate toward calming, neutral spaces or to those
with more modern tendencies -- people who like to live with subtle neutrals and fewer objects
cluttering their lives would love Nicole Sassaman’s style.



I’ve just ordered Nicole’s new book “Design Life”. Nicole knows how to create rooms that
are beautiful and functional, so, whether I’m decorating my kitchen or putting plates on my
table, I’m sure I can use this book to obtain decorating ideas.

Centerpiece of the week: Vitamin See

For a dose of healthy sunshine first thing in the morning, look to this
orange monochromatic centerpiece.



This composition combines femma roses, ranunculus, orange chincherinchee,
hypernicum berries, three different types of geranium foliage, red rose
hips, Mandarin oranges and nectarines in an antique copper bucket.

For more tips on how to decorate your tablesetting with oranges. Check out
my earlier post this week entitled: Orange Spruce!

Source: Simply Elegant Flowers with Michael George

Party in the Garden

As a New Yorker I have willingly sacrificed lawns and an open horizon line, living
and working in a concrete jungle makes the prospect of having a garden party all the
more tantalizing. An outdoor get-together is the perfect way to celebrate a graduation,
birth, or upcoming wedding. Everyone will welcome the sweet smell of new grass and
the cheerful busts of color beginning to emerge in the garden.



Here are 5 easy tips that will allow you to skip into spring with a carefree party that
invites everyone to gather together to enjoy the outdoors.

#1: Let your dining room chairs make an appearance alfresco. Add some slipcovers for a
splash of color.



#2: I love the concept of mix and matching. Combine antique china, ancestral silver, mismatched
glasses and contemporary chargers.



#3: In addition to hurricane lamps and votive candles, garden-themed Staffordshire figures
and miniature garden implements further enlivened the tabletops.



#4: Assemble a luxuriant bouquet on the buffet table. This centerpiece is a profusion of
forced white lilies, hosta leaves, and branches of variegated red-berried elder filled a large
antique urn atop the buffet table.



#5: Green glass complements the leafy hues of the surrounding garden. Place cards might
not seem necessary when guests are close friends and family, but they ensure that everyone
mixes, which always makes things livelier.



When butterflies and spring blossoms appear, consider taking the party outside.

Source: Southern Accents

Orange Spruce! Using oranges in your tablesetting

With its golden color and refreshing flavor it's a perfect springtime
companion to your place setting. Like a cold glass of juice, oranges are a great way to
bring a dose of this uplifting color to your tablesetting without a major investment.



This spring, there is news to report on the color of tangerines and kumquats. Just as
orange is turning up in hip home furnishings, centerpieces are showing up in bold
orange too.



The mood and attitude of orange is friendlier than fiery, more welcoming than seductive.
For a dose of healthy sunshine on the table, look to this bright arrangement.



Orange, the color of the citrus fruit, is not for the timid. It's strident, highly visible, in
your face. Orange screams, ``Here I am!"



Put your fresh sense of style on the table and juice up your table decor with this
cheery hue.

images from: Brides, Hostess with the Mostess, Martha Stewart and Michelle Rago.