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I blog here: http://blog.designpublic.com/ and here: http://thebubbreport.blogspot.com/ I also have a Masters in Landscape Architecture from UVA. I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta.

Setting the Table (5 comments)

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The only dishes I know how to prepare are cereal with milk and chicken noodle soup from the can, so I often take on table setting and dishwashing duty as my contribution to the kitchen. These are just a few inspiring tables, from styled product shots to a casually thrown together table where we made do with what we had in a rental house.

How do you feel about printed china? I love it as a work of art, like in the first image, but I really don't want to muck up an artful plate with globs of sweet potatos or gravy. Thus, I usually opt for Plain Jane white china, clear glass, or solid Fiestaware. I tend to leave the lovely printed plates out as an accessory or hang them on the wall.

Candlelight and flowers add charm to the simplest of table settings. If you have those two elements, you really cannot go wrong. If you don't, count on dimmed light from overhead fixtures, and make do with empty vases or even common objects like wine bottles for your centerpieces.
Design Public, Jason Miller Seconds
These plates are just so interesting I had to include the shot. Again, I'd be reluctant to see them "gravy-ed." (gravied?) I think I'm making up a new word here. How should I spell it?
Design Public, Jason Miller Seconds
eclectic landscape by AHBL
I love the way the bright reds and yellows contrast with all of the green plants. Dining alfresco is the best!
by AHBL
modern dining room by Nicole Hollis
I picture Dr. Evil sitting at one end of this table playing chess. I mean that as a compliment.
by Nicole Hollis
traditional landscape by AHBL
Somebody really thought this one through! I love that they used birch logs as trivets, and the flowers make the whole composition sunny.
by AHBL
kitchen by Lori Gilder
If I had that tile to look at, I would sit at the bar for every meal. I like the way this person has played off the squares in the vase, plate and placemat shapes.
by Lori Gilder
modern dining room by Dorit Sela
Minimal and functional. You can't really beat a bottle of wine as a centerpiece.
by Dorit Sela
eclectic dining room by James Wagman Architect, LLC
I'm a sucker for bright and bold, especially with a Scandanavian/Marimekko inspired look. They even matched the napkins to the light fixture.
by James Wagman Architect, LLC
mediterranean dining room Chef Sheri, Tuscany May '09
This is a table my girls and I threw together in Tuscany last week. Pardon the paper towel napkins and haphazard placement; I just wanted to show off the colors, and show you that the casual picnic tablecloth really works here...when in Rome...Lord this picture is making me hungry!
Chef Sheri, Tuscany May '09
traditional dining room by Ben Trogdon Architects
Simple and traditional. Because everything is neutral and solid, the lovely plates stand out.
by Ben Trogdon Architects
contemporary dining room by HERMOGENO DESIGNS
A dimmed chandelier can always serve as candlelight in a pinch. I like that this table has different chairs on the ends. It keeps things from getting too matchy-matchy.
by HERMOGENO DESIGNS
contemporary living room by Tracy Murdock
A picture is worth a thousand words. I'm pretty speechless when it comes to trying to describe this one - it's turned my expectations on their heads - black wine glasses and walls, white furniture, yellow glass art hanging...YOWZAH!
by Tracy Murdock
eclectic dining room Dwell Studio via Design Public
The talented people at Dwell Studio do such a phenomenal styling job with their products that I could not narrow my favorites down to less than three, so this photo and the two that follow are all from there.
Dwell Studio via Design Public
eclectic dining room Dwell Studio via Design Public
Note that the napkins are all different, keeping the table from looking too perfect or contrived.
Dwell Studio via Design Public
Design Public, Dwell Studio
This table is so nicely balanced without being perfectly symmetrical. The eye is drawn to the fun grouping of vases and figurines that line the middle of the table.
Design Public, Dwell Studio
patio by SchappacherWhite Ltd.
by SchappacherWhite Ltd.
traditional dining room by Bosworth Hoedemaker
by Bosworth Hoedemaker  
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liz says:
A table you threw in Tuscany last week? my dear, i'm so jealous now...
The table looks great- what did you cook?
becky says:
Liz, luckily, I was not behind the stove, but my friend Sheri made us some of our best meals, and that's saying a lot! She threw a bunch of peppers and onions and sausage and some wine into a sauce, bruchetta (sp?), and I can't even remember what else as I ate it in such a food ecstasy haze! Check out rentvillas.com - they really did us right and it was very affordable to rend a beautiful house for the week.
liz says:
sounds yummy!
I will check rentvillas.com- haven't been in Italy for years...
BTW- don't you have more photos from that trip? Some amazing Tuscan homes (so that i'll be even more jealous)...
sara1972 says:
"Dr. Evil sitting at one end of this table playing chess"?... Love your imagination girl- this is hilarious!
becky says:
Hi Liz - I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my iLife '09 (of course I bought a new Mac right before it came out and missed the upgrade) before uploading pictures to the 'net, as it's supposed to make it really easy, but yes, I'll put them on flickr and share some here when I get it on my computer. It was so beautiful and all the homes have such charm, especially the windowboxes, potted plants, etc.!

Sara1972, thanks girl! Love your icon (I am drawing a blank on the exact word for that) :)!
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