Posts Tagged ‘tabletop’

February 11th, 2014 No Comments

our “mud australia” tableware is perfect for neutral table settings

If you aren’t familiar with the line of tableware we carry on the shop called Mud Australia I hope you’ll check it out. It’s glazed on the interior or tops of plates and bowls and matte on the outside. It’s beautifully minimal and goes well in most any setting, from a contemporary table to a rustic table. We carry the line in milk (cream) and slate (a deep gray, almost black) but there are many colors if you’d like us to special order another color. I love the shape of the bowls and the tiny lip on the plates. … Read more

January 21st, 2014 No Comments

creating a beautiful place setting with black tableware and paper whites

So many of my clients are afraid of using black, including at their table. I’m a huge fan of black tableware, so much so I have a lot of black items from tumblers to linens to plates for sale on my shop.  Foods look so beautiful against black. Picture grilled corn, roasted tomatoes and a grilled fish against black- gorgeous. So when setting your table consider using black instead of basic white. Simply by using a black napkin with a simple cut paper white stem on top is a classic and beautiful place setting as you can see above. Below, … Read more

January 7th, 2014 No Comments

use beeswax as a place card holder for cold winter dinners

A simple, but fantastic idea for place cards is to take a piece of beeswax and roll into an instant holder. Most taper candles come with a small sheet of plain beeswax to help secure the candles in your candlestick holder. We carry taper candles over on the Little Blue Dish Shop, which come with small rectangular beeswax sheets and the best thing is our tapers are all on sale! We have over 16 colors to choose from and they are all made in Kansas City. Use the coupon “freeshipping” at check out to save even more.  If you have … Read more

October 22nd, 2013 No Comments

need a fast centerpiece idea? it’s as simple as a bowl of oranges

Having friends over at the last minute or just looking for a different table setting idea other than flowers? Pick up fruit, like a bag of oranges and place them in a white bowl (like above) or a wire bowl (see below).  Fruit in multiples is the key to it looking abundant and stylish.  Fruit alone can be very beautiful and minimal- whether it’s apples, grapes, limes etc. – it all depends on your color palette, but keep to one type of fruit for the biggest visual impact. If your table is very large, group in several bowls or one … Read more

October 8th, 2013 No Comments

pumpkin vases (in a pale palette)

It’s easy to have your pumpkins become your table centerpiece. Hollow out the pumpkin like you usually would and leave the top lid with stem off. Use any container or vase which is just a bit lower than the top of the pumpkin so you don’t see it, place inside the pumpkin and arrange your flowers. It’s best to have some foliage or cascading greens to cover up most of your cut top, this will make it look more clean and finished looking.  Fall hydrangea, mums and ferns could also work well in an arrangement. We also loved this gray … Read more

September 5th, 2013 No Comments

a new collection at crate and barrel by designer paola navone coming september 9th

Crate and Barrel has teamed up with Italian designer Paola Navone to create a line of casual pieces for everyday living. It will consist of 140 pieces including tabletop, furniture, textiles and accessories. Paola Navone might be better known in Italy but has quickly been making a splash here in the US with several collaborations including the design of the Como Hotel which is set to open in Miami this December. Paola Navone is known for her passion for travel and a global design aesthetic. Here’s a sneak peek of some of the items. – Lynn Butler Beling … Read more

August 20th, 2013 No Comments

summer table settings made up of bountiful vegetables (and where those glasses should actually be placed)

This table setting caught my eye. As I noted yesterday golds are still making a showing for tabletop items, from candles to candle sticks to flatware. It’s slowly been folded into the trend market for the past 5 years and it’s still holding tight. But let’s talk about summer vegetables for centerpieces, votives and even salt cellars. How creative this is to use lettuce as individual salt and pepper cellars- and a radish hollowed out for a votive holder. These are clever ideas and using vegetables as your centerpiece in late summer certainly can be elegant and seasonal. Using a … Read more

August 6th, 2013 No Comments

check out my shop’s collection of mud australia plates and our unique accessories- all the tableware you see here can be found at the little blue dish shop

I really love these plates and bowls that I have at my shop. They are from a collection called Mud Austalia (made in Austalia) and it has to be one of my favorite lines of tableware. The inside is glazed and the outside is matte. We carry them in cream and a slate color. Paired with our Belgium linens from Libeco and our stainless steel accessories from Alessi, you can see how a table setting can come together with them. Felt accessories like our bunny egg cozies are sure to bring a smile to … Read more

July 23rd, 2013 No Comments

create a dramatic table setting with black, peach and pale pink

I love these black compotes and bowls that I have on my online store, little blue dish. (They are made by an Italian glass company called Nason Moretti.) I like to fill vessels with candy for quick and easy centerpieces and also fill the felt favors you see tied with black polka dot ribbon with candy as well for guests to take home. This color palette could really work for any season and any occasion- and for more formal gatherings add a calligraphed place card for each guest within the palette. I alternated black cards with cream calligraphy and … Read more

July 9th, 2013 No Comments

set a casual summer table with our Jars bowls and plates from france

Our feathered bowls and plates from Jars and made in France have a subtle pattern reminiscent of water- perfect for a summer table setting. Cream and blue colors transport you to the sea even if you’re not by the beach.  A simple floral centerpiece of hydrangeas is classic and elegant.  See the Jars stoneware collection on our Little Blue Dish Shop. (Featured in Architectural Digest July issue and shot by Pieter Estersohn)