Tabletop Design Time

I thought I'd start a special post series on tabletop designs. It's something that I've always been interested in photographing because I personally think I'm not as creative as my peers. So when I see a table set up, no matter what type of event, I always take a photo. It can be simple or it can be outrageous, but I never know when it will come in handy for inspiration for a future event. It also helps to know what kind of creativity a vendor or a venue has to offer or recommend, especially when it comes to understanding the client. 

Baby Blue & Brown Too

In the above tabletop, I have to say that ordinarily this is not a color combination I would think of. Honestly, I would prefer the brown to be a much darker, bolder color in comparison to the baby hue. Still, I think this lighter brown works to showcase the tablecloth's rich design and I get the sense this meant to be more formal. Perhaps in a darker room, the brown and blue colors would balance better against candlelight. I also like the detail of the plates and complimenting chargers, and I'm amazed how the pattern nearly matches the artwork on the tablecloth. Of course, the brown chiavari chairs and baby blue seat cushions are add to the entire look. 

That '80s Show

In this next tabletop, I am just not a fan. I get the whole dark purple theme, but I can't take my eyes off that tablecloth. The design reminds my of a sofa my parents had in the '80s and it just looks so outdated to me. Secondly, the chairs look more like garden chairs and don't exude any kind of formality that the tabletop seems to be striving for (based on the stemware and candlesticks on the table). The plateware and napkin fold is very nice and I like the purple on a white background. But that tablecloth...not sure if I would have used this for a dinner party. Well, unless it was an '80s themed dinner party.  

Oh My Gold

There's just something about "everything gold" that attracts my attention. Having a gold-colored theme can be stylish and regal, but too much of it can make the design very gawdy. That is not the case here. I love the balance of colors between gold and white (and I can't help but think of old movie portrayals of Roman times where gold and white colors were constantly paired, perhaps with a touch of red). I like how the golden charger, rings and the flatware play as accents to the tablecloth, candles, and the flared napkins. I even like the golden salt and pepper shakers and condiment holder against the white fabric that has some kind of striped sparkle to it. I'm not a fan of the chairs but I do think that, because they are gold-colored and have matching gold cushions on it, this works with the overall look of the tabletop. 

Garden Party

First of all, I would like to point out that the chairs used here are the same chairs used in the '80s tabletop above. This is where I think these chairs work. The look of this tabletop is casual but elegant. Just looking at the centerpieces of plants, and the lack of a tablecloth to showcase the natural wood design on the table, tells me this is meant to be a "garden party" or "farmer's table" or something of that nature. 

What about you? What have you seen that you liked? Or are you always looking for inspiration like I do? Here's a tip from me: If you have the opportunity, go visit Architectural Digest's Design Show in NYC in March 2018 and visit the "Dining by Design" showcase where nearly 50 of the country's top designers create dining environments in an extraordinary blast of creativity. I've been to this showcase in the past and all that you see is just...amazingly gorgeous. Yes, tabletops can be gorgeous. 

Ta, for now! 

~T~