Think Pink: Inspired Romantic Tablescape Designs and Menus

Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography

Pink is powerful. Pink is unconditional love and nurturing. 

I surely must’ve had pink power whispering in my ear while I was contemplating what the Valentine’s Day Tablescape would look like this year. 

Albeit, if I’m being totally honest, at the time that the design concept was gradually coming to me, I think I was channeling unabandoned romance; unbridled “pretty,” along with pink’s luminous textural art; its ability to blend or play with other colors and, well, its ability to elicit pure delight!

With pink as the inspiration, I took out those pink accessories I had in my tablescape collection that would work here, and then set out to shop for what I hoped would be the “fulfilling” design pieces. 

I had already decided I wanted tulle as a defining design element. 

After all, who can deny tulle is a dreamy, cloud-like confection? It’s the perfect pink tutu gliding en pointe in our dreams. It’s the dreamy pink prom dress. Pink petticoats fluffing pretty. princess dresses. 

And remember, Power Pink is not just for dames. 

Think about a dreamy man’s sexy sport jacket. (and socks.) . 

So Pink it was to be.

Mother and I went to a local Joanne’s fabric store and after poking around with this and that - Voila! I found not one but two widths of pink tulle -- on rolls! C'est formidable! I also found some faux florals -- on sale -- that I determined I could amend to make a kind of flower display. And that they were Peonies -- my most favorite bloom -- so naturally, they stole my heart. 

I also found pretty faux floral napkin rings. 

Usually, I shop the floral district in Gotham - for both real and faux florals. But these choices adapted (or yielded) -- to my design! And I think you’ll agree. 

I cut the faux floral pieces to create a more natural-looking display in the champagne glasses that worked as my vases. And added white and pink baby orchids - real ones. 

As support for this floral design treatment or aesthetic, I will share with you that even though I’m a passionate garden designer and floral arranger dedicated to using “real,” seasonal flowers (along with some exotics) to amplify a holiday celebration, I have used faux florals for some years - without feeling too cringeworthy - for my clients who need floral compositions with no maintenance - or because the thought of importing so many exotics along with their attending transport footprint, gives me pause… 

And then, in October of last year, one of my true entertaining, garden, and floral “she-roes,” the ever-glamorous Carolyn Roehme posted on Instagram about her “evolving” perspective on the use of faux. She mixes real and fake. What a nice vote of approval for a process I’ve enjoyed pursuing albeit with some reluctance. So yeah! I LOVE Ms. Roehme. We must be garden sprites from another life… 

The Tablescape 

When designing a tablescape - which is clearly distinct from setting a nice table -- is that, foremost, you are telling a story -- creating a kind of display that will delight your family and guests. 

A memorable table design is infused by the occasion. 

Then the creative, artful execution comes in to play. There is the deliberate, thoughtful, layering of a dynamic, designed composition. After all, even the best home tablescapes as opposed to one-off events table decor - can be modified and updated as a holiday transitions. Think Winter Holiday to New Years’ or Lunar New Year to Valentine’s. You can add and modify the foundation layout.

Fast forward to my pre-Valentine’s Day with family, followed by a Ladies Who Lunch / Galentine’s Day luncheon. I was over the moon with their heart-clutching and sighing reactions! As a home entertainment designer, that is exactly the reaction you hope to elicit. I live to delight family and guests! 

The Tablescape Design Process for Romantic Tablescape

Picking up where I left off shopping for the elements... 

On the table, I started layering the tulle runner. I went back and forth. And back and forth. And back and forth. I sincerely thought it would take a few of these end-to-end goal post efforts. But like any good design project, the ultimate determination is in the look. 

Rather surprisingly - I used all 25 yards of tulle that was on the roll. 

I wanted that cloud-like, ethereal look. 

Next - I needed to work in the string lights -- both white and pink.
I make sure to put the battery operated switch on the upside in the whatever table runner I create in order to gain easier access amidst the tablescape’s many splendored accessories.

The faux flowers I strategically cut and anchored in some of our hand-blown heart Waterford crystal champagne flutes from the Millenium Series - filling the base with fragrant, violet, French Lavender seeds.

I often use table mirrors -- or a number of a variety of mirrors - from vintage cosmetic compacts to cocktail coasters to wall-hanging mirrors as a key element of the tablescape design.




Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photograpy





Here, I want to point out, is a key DIY Tablescape construct that makes it such an extraordinary art form - and that is - repurposing or using a thing in a new way.
One’s eye for the “what if” needs to be so wow-worthy in order to elevate the “nice” - to the heart-clutching.

I used the pretty pink ballet music boxes from last year, as part of the tablescape anchor - and used it as the concealed surprise with an amuse bouche for one of our dinners. For the rest of our entertaining meals, I left the music boxes open, filled with - what else -- pink feathers. This pink feather texture adds a sensual layer to the look.



Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography



Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography

I bought pink strands of hearts, and later added a pink flower light strand. And because I’m so smitten with flamigos, I got these adorable ones at Joanne’s that must be used for appliques… And in the same way, the airy pink florals that here, I scattered on the runner.



I brought out my pinkish, glittery placemats I had from Christmas, years’ past.

I purchased new Lenox Blush settings - they were just too pretty in pink and gold - and I’m thrilled with their look. I know I will mix and match with my other table settings for so many other occasions.




More of the artful layering-in included gold and pink glitter, of course (because as I always say, life is too short and you can’t have too much glitter!); along with those Conversation Valentine’s hearts that they stopped making (I have a stash!), and gold beads and “pearls” and ….

The Pretty in Pink February Tablescape is a delight in the day - and especially fetching at night, especially with all the ornamental string lights bouncing off the crystal and amplifying the glow of the fireplace.











It was coming together…

When setting the table for guests, I wanted to use a holiday-appropriate place-setting name cards. So, naturally - it was a heart-shaped card. I purchased a pink heart stamp - and Mother helped in the design:


I tied gold and pink ribbons throught the hole and set in the green holder stands.

Subsequently, I asked my brilliant botanical artist friend, Jean Gaulle if she could shrink up one one of her truly outstanding pieces of art -- Look at this!

- and shrink it down so I could show off her art on the name cards. It was a lovely addition to our Ladies Who Lunch / Galentines celebration. Thank you, Jean.
Seriously, (y’all need to follow Jean on her Instagram - and get an original Jean Galle piece of art for your home. She is on the cusp of going huge/popular/recognized. Stay tuned -- she was just asked to submit for a show at Filoli.
I’m so very proud to highlight, display, showcase my very talented friends. Always.
In this post it’s Jean - and the ever-incredible and inspiring, Angie Lambert Photography

In terms of the tablescape, a bit more layering was in order to get to perfection:







Following the work on the tablescape - it was time to design the entry hall.

Keeping with the theme of pretty in pink - I started with a smaller width tulle - only two or three layered wraps - red candlesticks I found at the antique shop - on sale; gold and white candles i had (I don’t light them anymore); the gorgeous gold candle holders my niece Marissa gifted us at Christmas (you’ll recognize them from the holiday tablescape); pink string lights, and then when I learned it was the Year of the Pig for Lunar New Year’s, I got these cute pink pigs (banks) with gold wings and crowns!

In the black plant urns I added cotton candy! The cream colored maple cotton candy from our Union Square Greenmarket and the pink (and blue) cotton candy from Dylans Candy Bar.

It’s all so frothy and pretty! (And to think some folks told me it couldn’t work….)



On the antique Asian wedding trousseau that I use as a side table, I placed the three-tiered candy dish - laden with chocolates and sweets. It’s also holding court under the still pretty-in-pink ornamental Mulhy Grass I cut in November.




I bring the candy dish to the table so that guests can enjoy the sweets. On the way in or out -- it’s all happy good.


Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography






Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography

The favorite menu this holiday was my husband Bill’s Asian Miso soup -- with pork, ramen, spinach and egg. It is delicious.


Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photograpy

And handsome, too.

My heart-shaped beet-burgers are so terrific, and I’m thrilled that guests love them too. Beets, chick peas, rice/quinoa, EVOO, and garlic - whizzed up in the food processor and shaped into hearts -- served on a bed of beet greens sauteed in anchovy paste and EVOO, and baby greens.




The Ladies brought champagne and some extraodinary pink treats!


Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography

Ahhhhh.

Thank you, my Ladies Who Lunch clients and friends. And my artful chicas. I love you. And love entertaining tablescapes and experiences....

Please celebrate the glamour of every season.

Cheers!

Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography

The ABC’s of Designing a Captivating Back-to-School Tablescape

Artful Back to School, Seasonal Harvest Tablescape 

While it was time for students to trade in their summer swimsuits to return to school, it was also time for me to change out the red, white, and blue patriotic-themed tablescape design that was in residence.

The summer’s look was fueled by Independence Day and the Fireworks and Mother’s Birthday party. The design proved to be very enduring; with a few minor updates and edits the look took us straight through Labor Day.



I was sorry to see it go.

But as the ornamental grasses were sending out their inflorescence, the summer style was looking jarringly out of sync… Out of style... It was time...

Part of my rationale was I had so many other garden and writing priorities - but I was clearly pushing the limit. Even my yogi master told us today,”It is a time for change. And be mindful of the change,” he admonished. I will be mindful, I promised myself.

Upon reflection, I knew I wasn’t yet ready for Halloween. So what was the inspiration to be for an end of summer/September look?

Not a surprise, it happened at the Greenmarket. I took one look at those irresistible and happy-looking Teddy Bear sunflowers and I was immediately smitten.



It was an easy next step to broaden the design concept to include the harvest! And to complete the Tablescape story, to add a bit of whimsy -- in this case, the "Back-To-School” element. I always look to add a wink and some charm when designing a tablescape.

The art of a tablescape’s storytelling is what distinguishes it from being just a pretty table. Furthermore, the story makes it unique -- no one else can tell your artful story.

Of course -- the very edibles we’ve been nurturing all summer in our farm-ette need to be celebrated. Just as the cornucopia of yore spilled forth with the bounty of the garden, I wanted to give our pretty - and delicious -- fruits and vegetables their own time to shine in the spotlight.

We revere our food -- so it’s only natural then they were to become the stars of a Harvest Tablescape.

What would be the best receptacle for the sunflowers? See, I don’t always use a traditional vase. Floral designs can often be best showcased in other, repurposed vessels, including liqueur glasses, antique or vintage glasses or jars, local glass works, napkin rings - I have ghost ones that have a side pocket insert for buds and blossoms. There’s also plenty of cocktail and baking items that are cute and clever enough to re-purpose within a tablescape.

I discovered a long-forgotten vase that seemed to jump out from my tablescape inventory shelf -- and why not? After all, it is adorned with -- drum roll, please -- sunflowers!

It made the cut, of course. To balance out the center of table floral display - I looked for two others. The glossy black urns would work in scale and the color looks crisp with the yellow of the sunflowers. I had to find a way to keep water inside the urns for the flower stems, and found that egg cups did the job -- in turn placing them inside the urns.

I also brought out the autumn soup tureens that look like squash and pumpkins that I got some years ago at William-Sonoma. Pretty. And functional.

Overall, you can see and understand how the tablescape design gets layered. Each element adds to the story and suggests yet another object or component that will enhance the look.



I kept the mirrored plates with the gold glitter on the table (preserves the integrity of the antique table -- and well, you just can’t have too much glitter!)

Gold and black was fashioning a bold and striking color statement for this emerging tablescape. It was infusing an elegant, eye-catching appearance.

I spray painted small faux pumpkins last year and placed them at key spots on the table.

I also used the big gold pollinators: bees, grasshoppers and butterflies. After all, the pollinators are key to growing our gardens -- in the real world!



Clear glass square vases could best hold the harvest -- a colorful display of peppers of all colors, and topped off with lipstick red tomatoes.

We grow shisito peppers (these are super delicious to enjoy at your evening’s cocktail hour - just blistered and seasoned with sea salt), jalapeno, chile,

and this year we grew chef Dan Barber’s Row 7 peppers. We were delighted with the beautiful Habanada Pepper -- all the taste without the sizzling tongue burning.

Love it! It’s a perfect ingredient for so many dishes - from salads to soups.

The whimsical “pièce de résistance” that anchored the Back to School story line was the placement of little chalkboards on a tripod -- used to label or identify food / dishes on a buffet. You’ve seen them at events, probably.

I used the chalk that comes with the mini blackboards and wrote out a few “lessons.” Arithmetic: 1+1+1=3; The Capital of NJ is __; A,B,C, and “Teacher’s Pet.”


They looked great - - so engaging and fun -- plus, the blackboard’s color accented and harmonized the black and gold cover style that this composition had taken on.


To add sparkle when the sun goes down -- outside (ha) -- I added string lights to the tabletop to keep the spotlight on our sunny, sunflowers, inside.

Concealed in short gold cups that are repurposed from a previous, floral display; topped with mini green-striped faux pumpkins to hide the mechanics of the string lights. This way, the glitter peeks out, adding just the right amount of enchanting glow to the sunflowers and table decor.



Perfect!

Today’s “lesson” in tablescape design is:

• Tell a story with your tablescape look; 
• Design with the season; 
• Use what you have -- repurpose items 
• Celebrate the “food as character” design element
• Add in some fanciful or playful elements that solicits a wink and smile for you and your guest

Enjoy your glamorous, Back-To-School tablescape. Or contact me and I’ll design one for you.