I recently had the pleasure of holding one of my table top seminars at Gump’s. The audience was comprised of forty ladies from the “National Smart Set”, an African American social organization, which was started at Howard University in 1937. Along with Sigma Pi PHi (Boule) they held their annual national conference in San Francisco this year, with a long weekend packed full with events. Gump’s held two of them, a perfume presentation about the creation of their signature scent Baroque Pearl by Gary McNatton of Through Smoke Creative, and mine about setting creative tables.
Gary, known for his award-winning design of fine fragrances, home products and packaging has worked with the GAP, Banana Repuplic, Old Navy, Mottura and CMA. He shared the story of how the Baroque Pearl perfume was created and let each guest experience how the different notes made up the final scent. To everyone’s delight he shared that Gump’s home collection scent won the prestigious Fifi Award in 2008, beating out fragrance power houses such as Prada and Marc Jacobs, and that their new signature scent Baroque Pearl was a semi-finalist this year. I am not surprised, as Gump’s holds a very special place in San Francisco as one of the luxury purveyors who always does everything to perfection.
My presentation following Gary’s was about setting a proper dinner table and then how to break the rules in imaginative ways. I took guests through the process of arranging formal and casual table settings, showed them how to use color and details, and gave examples and ideas on creative approaches to special occasions, seasons and holidays. I placed an emphasis on mixing it up and adding antique, vintage, one-of-a-kind objects to the table for variety and interest. The ensuing Q & A was followed by hands-on interaction with the ladies in arranging crystal, china, and flatware in more unexpected ways.
Here are some of the suggestions I gave to the ladies:
Use your fine china, crystal and silver, and not only for holidays.
If you want to make it more informal mix in color and vintage items. Add more humble natural materials, such as horn, bone and wood.
Bread & butter plates are a perfect way to add a splash of color to a place setting. Generally they are more ornate than the other plates. They don’t need to match, simply coordinate.
Mix clear crystal with color glasses. Different shapes, sizes and hues can make a formal table more interesting and approachable.
Finger bowls are a great way to add color, texture and shape. They can be any material as long as they hold water.
Small bowls make perfect salt cellars and can add a colorful and ornate touch to each place setting. Also, salt and paper shakers come in many unique designs, looking more like sculptural objects than utilitarian. Having a few sets on a long table avoid having to ask for either.
Vintage flatware can be an interesting addition. Antique fish sets, for example, are very decorative and can generally be found for a song compared to other utensils, as they are sadly under-appreciated.
Keep centerpieces low, so that guests can see one another across the table.
Centerpieces do not need to be made of flowers. All sorts of sculptural objects can set a different mood. Some may be found around the house.
Flowers do not necessarily need to be in the center. Small arrangements can be placed with each place setting. All sorts of small containers can serve as vases.
You can get a lot of boom for your buck from napkins. If the right color and pattern is not available you can simply have fabric made into inexpensive napkins by the neighborhood seamstress. Keep in mind to choose fabric that feels good on your lips. (Non-absorbant and polyester napkins are a big pet peeve of mine.)
Napkin rings can be made from all sorts of materials and objects. For example, for a ladies luncheon inexpensive pearls can be wrapped around a rolled or folded napkin, or vintage brooches could be used, which are then then given as gifts to the guests. Also gorgeous ribbons can provide an instant splash of color.
I feel it is important to experiment and have fun, because there is very little that one can do wrong. First and foremost entertaining is really about the company. Selecting guests who will enjoy one another and making them feel welcome will set the mood more than the most gorgeous table. I was so lucky to be in such charming company that morning. A shout out to the ladies of the National Smart Set!
All photos by Christine Marie McDonald for Adeeni Design Group.
Cheers,
