The well-dressed table

Published On: September 01, 2009

Who doesn't look forward to fall fashion? After months of revealing skin and looking sporty, couture returns. And why should wardrobe revision be reserved for just people? Your table is ready for some new swag, too. Nfocus asked some of the area's hottest party planners and design teams to update the traditional, elegant table so it looks just as fashionable as you will in your new autumn attire.

Michael Ryan King of Corzine's & Co.

Michael Ryan King channeled Africa in designing his lovely spread, calling his table, Supper in the Serengeti. "With fall around the corner, I wanted to use the colors of turning maple leaves for the table," he says. "I selected Africa II china by Hermès (there's never anything wrong with Hermès in Nfocus' humble opinion) with bands of rust and deep yellow and animals from the Serengeti including giraffes, zebras, elephants and cheetahs."

Mike chose crystal stemware with hand-engraved images of the same animals. To echo the color scheme, he used a woven-straw mat in rust and linen napkins. The French silverplate flatware is Albi by Christofle. For the center of the table, Mike used elephants from his own collection and yellow sunflowers to provide color and to keep the arrangement low enough to encourage conversation. Tall Val St. Lambert crystal candlesticks and short pillar candles complete the setting. Now that beats Tanzania any day—no need for mosquito netting and no reason to fear a hungry lion joining you at the table.

Sarah Boyce of Fabu

When entertaining, Sarah Boyce considers the entire environment. If the environment doesn't match up with the concept, Sarah says, "Change the concept or change the environment." Sarah drew on her favorite season, fall, for inspiration. "I wanted to do something untraditional that incorporated earth elements to give the sense of fall's warmth and texture."

She decided a screened-in porch was the perfect setting and focused on finding earthy elements, starting with a copper-topped table. "The patina in the copper was a wonderful green, which provided the start for our color palette," she says. She used peacock feather placemats with coppery brown, blues, greens and aqua—unexpected color choices for fall.

Tom Turnbull's contemporary pottery plates are unique, and Sarah liked the interplay between the blue charger and the sage plate. A cobalt-striped martini glass is a whimsical choice for the soup course. Stone place cards and a birdbath centerpiece enhance the earthy feel, as does the centerpiece created from objects found by a river.

Moroccan lanterns hang low over the table, providing an exotic touch, while copper screens offer spatial intimacy.

Carla Myers and Barbara Harlin of The Registry

Carla and Barbara chose a colorful Le Jacquard Francais Villa Toscane Clay tablecloth to ground their table while adding excitement. A new backdrop for your china, be it a fresh tablecloth or different table, is an instant update to any dining room, they say. The ladies also added Juliska ceramic chargers to the formal place setting to give the table a casual elegance, noting that formal ware doesn't need to saved for special occasions. The Royal Crown Derby salad/dessert plates also add a punch of color and whimsy to the elegant look.

Stainless flatware can dress down a place setting in a good way and with the numerous, versatile stainless patterns now available, sterling is not always a necessity. Another simple way to freshen the dining experience—topiaries. Juliska Jardins du Monde Topiaries add an artistic twist, but anything of height and interest can bring your table into fashion.

Soft white candlelight is a pleasant addition to any experience and washes everyone in a flattering glow. And don't overlook your yard. Fresh Annabelle Hydrangeas complete this table and Carla and Barbara got them free from their own gardens.

by Ellen Nelson