Southern Lady Tabletop Style 2020

CERULEAN SCENES Borrowing from the brilliance of the beach, dinnerware with whimsical designs reminiscent of tropical blooms and rolling waves gets a chic spin from sleek lines. (Opposite) A navy straw loop place mat punctuates the basket weave motif of a white dish, while a whipstitched napkin perfectly offsets the varied blue prints on a dessert plate. FRESH FAVORITES Proving the splendor in simplicity, alabaster plates with rippled edges and striped blue trim feel as refreshing as a sea breeze with this finishing touch: rope tied in a nautical figure-eight knot around a crisp linen with a subdued avocado note. (Opposite) For a more sophisticated take on this tried-and-true hue pairing, fine Delft stoneware depicts hand-painted vistas of a picturesque country estate. AIRY EFFECT Bedeck your table with an imaginative blend of elegant blue-and-white elements…

MIDSUMMER SHINE Gather in the garden amid sweet scents and dulcet sounds for a casual repast featuring various casts of nature’s favored shade. Teal earthenware pairs with emerald goblets and tumblers enhanced by bright linens and beaded napkin rings. A centerpiece medley of fresh herbs accentuates the lanterns and a captivating jar of twinkling lights that provide the evening’s illumination. ENTWINED DELIGHTS Savor the pleasant weather with a plein air luncheon highlighted by china that echoes the lush surrounds with a vine pattern and aptly tinged iced tea glasses. (Opposite) A painterly Asian motif takes the stage as a wood-bead place mat joins a coral gauze chambray linen to add ebullience and texture to the enchanting Gien Jardins Extraordinaires Japan dessert plate. FINE FLOURISH Global motifs layer upon a pristine, white backdrop of gold-edged Haviland…

FRUITFUL TWIST A citrus palette forms a refreshing foundation for tabletop décor, particularly apropos in the South’s splendid outdoor entertaining months. An assortment of deep golden garden roses and yellow peonies combines with airy Queen Anne’s lace and fern fronds in a large arrangement as well as in miniature posies at each setting with hollow lemons for vases. BRILLIANT OUTLOOK Invite friends for luncheon or tea served with a prismatic mix of yellow, red, and green that is elevated by lively patterns and creative details like a linen curled into the shape of a rose. (Opposite) A flared emerald napkin ring bejewels the scene while a stylized place mat and bamboo flatware imbue an Asian feel. SEASONAL HARMONY Buttery tones and burnt orange pair well with earthy brown and subtle taupe for a timeless look…

BLUSHING BEAUTY Capitalize on the everlasting youthfulness of soft pink tones intermingled with cream and alabaster. An airy tulle table skirt extends a grand welcome to this ladylike soirée, while myriad vases holding single flower varieties like lisianthus and delphinium create a showstopping centerpiece that gently reprises the colors of each place setting. LASTING ALLURE For an alfresco meal shared between sweethearts, take cues from the unmatched splendor of a bold sunset. Layered together, Oasis Purple chinaware by Royal Limoges and a vivid orange tablecloth nod to the prismatic palette of an evening sky. Rattan place mats juxtapose with the tabletop’s finery for a scene that is both laid-back and dazzling. PRETTY PAIRING Serving as a backdrop for this merry outdoor display, pink-and-beige striped runners atop a white cloth make way for lighthearted Mayflower dishes…

SWEET SERENITY Playing off a monotone milieu, a small table swathed in creamy layered cloths sets the stage for an intimate candlelit dinner. Glass plates bearing a ruffled gold border, along with a dessert dish trimmed in tiny blue dots, add contrast without veering far from the subdued color scheme. AU NATUREL Versatility abounds when accessories shine on their own. Pair a pebble-gray plate with a wooden charger for a striking balance of cool and warm hues. A single bird rendered in coordinating colors completes the look, and a pearl-edged linen imparts textural interest. Similarly, pleated leather napkin rings (opposite) lend depth to a place setting composed of ivory and mixed metallics. PRISTINE PANACHE Lean on the lustrous presence of white to unify a multitude of styles. A geometric bowl and accent plate give a…

COVER Styling by Kim Chiselko. Photography by John O’Hagan. Special thanks to Monmouth Historic Inn & Gardens. AWASH IN AZURE Page 7: Styling by Sidney Bragiel. Photography by John O’Hagan. Page 9: Styling by Sidney Bragiel. Photography by Jim Bathie. Straw Loop Delft Blue place mat; Juliska. Wedgwood Nantucket dinner plate; Replacements, Ltd. Jodhpur dessert plate by Jacqueline Cambata Designs, La Rochere Dragonfly tumbler; Bromberg’s. Fiesta 5-Piece flatware in white; Cambridge. Page 10: Styling by Tracey MacMillan Russell. Photography by John O’Hagan. Indigo canape, dessert, and dinner plates, oblong serving tray; Gien. Page 11: Styling by Mary Beth Jones. Photography by Stephanie Welbourne Steele. Juliska Sitio Stripe Indigo dinner and salad plates; Bromberg’s. Page 12: Styling by Tracey MacMillan Russell. Photography by William Dickey. Juliska Country Estate Delft Blue dinner and salad/dessert plates;…