Southern Lady Southern Tables 2013

Welcome to the celebration! For more than a decade, Southern Lady magazine has been producing entertaining ideas designed to delight and inspire, and we’ve covered everything from birthday parties to wedding showers to family dinners. China, crystal, linens, flowers—we’ve come to appreciate the elements of a table sett ing in their own right, but they truly shine when combined on the table to commemorate a special occasion. Th is issue is a compilation of some of our best and brightest ideas, and we’ve organized them in a colorful showcase in hopes that they’ll help you discover new ways to use the items in your own hutches, closets, and cabinets. As you peruse these pages, you’ll find antiques and family heirlooms mixed with the latest and greatest trends, and though many of…

PALETTE PREVIEW Color Play Blushing shades from rosy red to peachy pink find a perfect companion in robin's-egg blue. Dress up the look with classic botanicals, crystal, and fine silver, or evoke a more whimsical and casual picnic style with red gingham, woven place mats, and colorful enamel flatware. Red-Hot Holiday Designed with Christmas in mind, this setting showcases the holiday’s signature red hue. Line the center of the table with crimson roses and magnolia leaves. Choose dinnerware that combines deep garnet with ivory and gold, and cinch striped napkins with horseshoe-shaped rings. A bare branch planted in a vase and decorated with ornaments plays the role of Yuletide tree. Spice up a seasonal soiree with bold and beautiful style.Gather fresh-cut flowers from t he garden to brighten a summer setting. Garden Charm otanical beauties come to…

PALETTE PREVIEW Happy Occasion Combine shades of fruity hues for a fresh and flirty setting, just right for a bridesmaids’ luncheon. The bright floral-and-medallion pattern of Royal Worcester’s Chamberlain Orange (available through Replacements, Ltd.) pairs perfectly with the broad bands of Haviland’s Laque de Chine Orange for an eye-catching dinnerware combination. Reinforce the happy color scheme with linens, ribbons, and flowers. Enjoy an extravagant Easter tableau with all the frills upon it. Lemon Zest Nothing adds on-the-spot cheer like a bowl of lemons. Take your color cues from these bright beauties, and repeat the yellow hue throughout the setting. Use liberal doses of pure white as well, and add fresh green accents with botanicalprint mats and floral arrangements. Channel the fresh colors and ambiance of a French farmhouse. Capture the Colors From vibrant fuchsia to bright tangerine to…

PALETTE PREVIEW In the Current Piscine-patterned dinnerware by Caskata swims through this aquatic setting that is anchored by cobalt-blue plates and punctuated with bright orange accents. Add a variety of angling-motif accessories, such as glass floats, hand-tied lures, and fishing nets to underscore the waterside theme. Use a vintage wooden toolbox as a carryall to ferry mealtime supplies to the table. Veggie Medley Stage a tribute to summer’s healthy harvest with straightfrom- the-garden produce piled in a pintsize decorative wheelbarrow. Set out tiny terra-cotta pots filled with succulent plants to double as place cards and take-home favors. Bunnies frolic among cabb ages and carrots on emerald-patterned plates.Grass green and sky blue compose a brilliant palette for an unforgettable spring meal. Garden of Delights Savor the season in full bloom with a luncheon on the terrace. Spread the…

PALETTE PREVIEW Delight diners with a magical world rendered in aubergine and white. Plum Proper This enchanting china, Les Maisons Enchantées by Hermès, lends its charms to settings both formal and casual. Dress up the table with a rich damask cloth and napkins, or go simple and chic with white cotton accents. A table filled with a profusion of purple resonates with luxury. Grand Gathering Take your inspiration from the Great Gatsby–era, and create a setting that is the very definition of elegance. Goblets and tumblers in vibrant violet pop against an ivory cloth, and beautiful silky linens from Le Jacquard Français match the opulence. AN ARRAY OF PINK AND PURPLE POSIES TUCKED INTO SILVER CHALICES SASHAYS DOWN THE CENTER OF THE TABLE, REFLECTING THE ROMANTIC CANDLE GLOW FROM TALL WHITE TAPERS.Bold and beautiful, hydrangea blossoms provide…

Shadow and Light To achieve a truly chic effect, crisscross champagne-hued runners atop a white cloth, and pair ebony dinner plates with a patterned salad plate in black and white. Striped napkins add a stylish touch, while cream florals strike a refined chord. PALETTE PREVIEW Blend Victorian charm with cutting-edge style f or a sophisticated setting.DRAPE A BLACK CLOTH AT A JAUNTY ANGLE FOR THE FOUNDATION OF AN EYE-CATCHING TABLEAU THAT MIXES NEUTRALS WITH METALLICS AND RELIES ON VIBRANT FLOWERS FOR A DASH OF COLOR. Silver Charms The luster of silver adds a special shine to the table. Find ways to include it in the setting—beaded-rim chargers, mercury-glass vases, even vintage spoons tied with sheer ribbon. Since the floral arrangements provide the most of the color, go big! Fill a towering pedestal container with showy…