Everywhere I look I see seersucker — a fabric that epitomizes summertime. Aprons, tablecloths, napkins… it’s everywhere and I love it!
Dransfield & Ross seersucker napkins
Southern Living tablescape
India Rose seersucker apron
India Rose Seersucker Bag
The 56th Annual Corcoran Ball was the place to be this past weekend. The event is one of the most prestigious fundraisers in DC and hours upon hours are spent making sure it is one of, if not the most, beautiful galas in town. The Corcoran Ball raises money for the Corcoran Gallery of Art and its many important education and outreach programs. The often one thousand or more guests in attendance all come out to support the Gallery and to have a fabulous time.
One of the highlights of the evening is the way that the galleries are decorated and the design of the tablescapes that the guests sit at. The event is catered and designed annually by Occasions Caterers, one of DC’s premiere catering companies, in conjunction with the Gala Committee. I had the opportunity to walk through the Gala to see the beautiful tablescapes and unique touches Occasions created for the guests of the Ball.
Congratulations to the Corcoran and to Occasions for a gorgeous event!
Flowers are by Jack Lucky, lighting by Light-olutions, and equipment/rentals and tenting are by Perfect Settings.
the main floor
double napkins are all the rage
these chandeliers are stunning
the view from above
triple plates and a dramatic napkin fold
tassled chair topper
purple + red = drama
rose petals dot the plate
forgive the photo... here is stunning, masculine setting perfect for the charcoal-paneled room
lush texture makes for a stunning arrangement
I love this napkin fold
yellow is always so cheery; paired with black it packs a punch
each plate around the table had a different letter on it, drawing from the "alphabet" tablecloth
I adore this chair cushion. It is the epitome of feminine.
sparkle, sparkle, sparkle
here, umbrellas are a fun way to add height to a room with a seemingly limitless ceiling
I love the repetition of circles in this tablescape
this flatware is adorable
forgive the fuzzy photo of this beautifully canopied table grouping
copper, mint, and brick red is a fabulous combination
once again, the chair cushions are divine
the canopy
a tropical wonderland
a coconut water glass -- too clever!
mod tables with a pop of poppies
cocktail tables in the late night party space
lounge area for the late night party
gorgeous planters each filled with one type of flower line the grand staircase
Do-it-Yourself Customized Napkins
I spotted these napkins yesterday in Food Network’s magazine and loved them so much that I immediately looked to see where similar ones could be purchased. I was excited to read, instead, that these customized napkins can be made at home in three easy steps:
1) Create a message or image on your computer.
2) Use your home printer to print the image on iron-on transfer paper (found at craft stores).
3) Iron the labels onto fabric, towels, or napkins.
Now you can whip up some clever napkins just in time for your Labor Day picnic!
Beautiful blooms set into a folded napkin, from Martha Stewart
I am often asked by brides the best way to incorporate the napkin into the place setting at a wedding. My answer is always the same: there are lots of choices and the decision often depends on what else is “going on” with the place setting (e.g. will there be a favor set at each place setting, how many glasses will be on the table, will there be a first course already plated…).
These days there are no hard and fast rules as to where the napkin should go and how it should be folded. But if a bride is at all concerned about etiquette and tradition, it’s worth keeping in mind some long-standing do’s and dont’s when it comes to napkins.
1) Make sure the napkin is properly pressed. Period.
2) Please, whatever you do, DON’T put the napkin in the wine glass. T-A-C-K-Y. And not only that, but as Suzanne Von Drachenfels notes in The Art of the Table, “Because the fabric may leave lint in a wine glass, the stemware fold is not suggested for an elegant meal where a special wine is served.”
3) Consider a pocket fold if you are having a menu at each place setting. It helps make the menu look purposefully placed, like it has a “home.”
4) Traditionally, it was considered an ostentatious act if a hostess placed the napkin to the side of the plate, rather than on top of the plate as that was a sign she was showing off her china. For that reason, many still prefer to set the napkin on top of the plate (again, this works only if your first course is not already plated as guests sit down.)
5) Keep in mind the fabric. There is nothing worse than wiping your mouth against a scratchy napkin — or one that won’t absorb anything. For this reason I always encourage brides to feel the napkins and not just look at them as they select their linens.
6) Make sure extra napkins are on hand — you never know when you are going to need them. They fall to the ground, they are used to clean up a spill, they catch on fire (I wish I were joking)…
7) Don’t place a lot of stuff on top of the napkin as sometimes the items can fall out when guests pick up the napkin — this can be embarrassing and awkward for your guests.
These are just a few of the things to consider when choosing napkins and a napkin fold. Above all, keep your guests in mind and make sure that however the napkins are set that they complement the rest of your beautiful table!
I’m always looking for great hostess gifts — something unique to bring when visiting a friend or attending a party.
These numbered napkins from Heather Lins make a perfect gift for so many reasons!
When each guest or family member is assigned a number, there is no question of whose napkin is whose. No more wondering, “Is this my napkin?” And using linen napkins for everyday dining is so eco-chic! (For more on using linen napkins for everyday, check out this previous post.)
Heather Lins has chosen a fabulous font which makes the design so appealing. It’s fresh and modern and the neutral palette can work with any decor.
In my opinion, a home can never have too large a linen napkin collection, making these a near foolproof gift!
Heather Lins Home Numbered Napkins 1-6
I love using cloth cocktail napkins when I throw a party. Set alongside appetizer plates and glasses on the bar, the small napkins are a great way to tie in the color or motif of one’s party. Cloth cocktail napkins are not only a nice touch for guests (who wouldn’t prefer cloth to paper when dabbing one’s lips?!), but they are also a small way to show care for our environment. Instead of throwing paper napkins away into the trash after a party, all the host has to do is toss the cloth cocktail napkins in the washer to be cleaned for the next use.
A standard cocktail or tea napkin is 12″ x 12″ before folding. There are some lovely choices for a host to consider, all available through a variety of stores. Here are a few that I like:
Leontine Linens RIley Cocktail Napkins
Williams-Sonoma White Monogrammed Hotel Cocktail Napkins
Set of Six Toasts Cocktail Napkins from Geary's
Crochet tea napkins available at Neiman Marcus
Roxie Print Cocktail Napkins from Crate & Barrel
As a general practice, using cloth napkins at home not just when entertaining is an important way to limit trash/waste generated in the house. Be sure to check out part one of this post that discussed using napkin rings and cloth napkins as one eco-chic way to entertain.
I’ve always loved using fabric napkins. Somehow using linen over paper makes even the simplest meal so much more civilized.
Many a day when working in corporate america, I would pack a set of flatware and a linen napkin in my lunch bag. Doing so reminded me of the importance of pausing and enjoying a meal (which is so hard to do with the hurried pace at which so many of us live) and made even a modest sandwich or salad taste like a treat.
I also prefer using fabric napkins to paper ones at home for weeknight dinners and often keep them in napkin rings. I am not always a fan of napkin rings, but there are some beautiful ones out there and they actually serve a very practical purpose — one that is rooted in history.
Suzanne Von Drachenfels, author of The Art of the Table: A Complete Guide to Table Setting, Table Manners, and Tableware, writes of napkin rings:
“Before the washing machine and dryer eased and enhanced our lives, fabric napkins were laundered by hand. To conserve time and energy, at family meals napkins were enclosed in a personal ring, often made of silver, an accessory that identified the napkin for reuse.”
With increasing attention on sustainable living and eco-sensitive practices, even the smallest change we make in our household can have a big effect on our world at large. Why not consider using fabric rather than paper napkins for dinner? Select a unique napkin ring for each family member to help distinguish whose napkin is whose. (Just don’t forget to wash the napkins regularly!)
Use a mixed-and-matched set of napkin rings or have a set monogrammed with the initials of each family member.
These are perfect for identifying whose napkin is whose; I adore the chalkboard element!
Chalkboard Napkin Rings from MoMA Store
For the luxurious home table, incorporate these into your mix-and-match napkin set.
Villa Palladio Napkin Rings from Geary's
Inspired by nature, these pearl shell napkin rings from Crate & Barrel come in three different colors, making it easier to assign one napkin ring to each family member.
Pearl Shell Napkin Rings from Crate & Barrel
I love Kim Seybert’s designs and these coral napkin rings (available in a variety of colors) are a perfect way to reflect the popular coral trend:
Kim Seybert's Coral Branch Napkin Rings
Let’s face it, any of the choices from L’Objet would be a fabulous addition to any table, but here’s a sampling available through Neiman Marcus:
Gold-plated napkin rings from L'Objet, available at Neiman Marcus
In preparation for a dinner party at my home this week, I pulled out some tablecloths and linen napkins from the linen closet. Even when properly washed and stored, I still find it necessary to iron the linens again before using them.
Rather than using starch when ironing napkins, I prefer to use linen water. Just a light spray helps ensure a crispness to the napkins. The aroma is also a nice treat for guests when they use the napkin during the course of the dinner. It’s just one extra small touch to help guests feel even more welcome and comfortable during a dinner party.
What linen water is my laundry cabinet right now?
Caldrea’s Basil Blue Sage scent is my current favorite.
Caldrea's Basil Blue Sage Linen Water
It beat out L’Ocitanne’s linen water which appears to have been discontinued. Pillow spray is the closest they make now.
Lastly, Prada’s Infusion d’Iris Perfumed Linen Water is luxurious and available at Neiman Marcus and other department stores.
Prada's linen water available at Neiman Marcus
The Rex & Regina Blog shares both trendy and traditional ways to extend gracious hospitality through weddings, other social occasions, and at-home entertaining. Learn more about Rex & Regina.