Modern Design Table Settings

I don't have a dining room table, nor do I really have a specified dining area. It's hard sitting in front of the television with a plate in your lap, knowing that there is a house out there where I'll one day end up living... a place where I can host my friends and family in a "big girl" dining room. Though I won't be moving until next year, I've spent a lot of time thinking about that special gathering place and what it will look like. I've always loved a simple tablescape, not too many accessories or accents to crowd the food because — let's face it — it's all about the food. 

In this room, I envision a Nelson Bubble Lamp, Hans Wegner chairs with a lovely vintage wood table, white candles and some sort of modern sideboard laid out with a spread of cheese, grapes, and other hors d'oeuvres.

The white candles, sitting in Heima candleholders from Normann Copenhagen, will anchor the scene, one on each end of the table. They will be joined by the Icosa salt and pepper shakers from Supermarket, (which I already own, but are sadly hiding in my pantry, waiting for the day when they can be proudly displayed).

Each place setting will have some sort of graphical print napkin such as the Sam Hedaya Napkins from Macys, with a set of vintage teak napkin rings. Anchoring each place, I will use Chilewich's signature fabric, which I love — it's easy to clean and looks great in any setting.

I currently own some nice, square Pottery Barn dishware that I've had forever, but see something simple, like CB2's modern dinnerware, fitting in with my vision. Pairing with a more expensive, designer set of cutlery like the Arne Jacobsen five-piece set, it is the perfect mix and match of expensive with thrifty that I like. In my house, things break all the time, so when it comes to dishes and glasses, I know better than to spend too much. I would probably use my current set of OPTIMAL wine glasses that I purchased from IKEA. I've already broken a few, but at $1.99 a pop, I don't care all that much.

Crate & Barrel's Swoop Bowls would be brought to the table, brimming with food, while for bread, I'd love to use the Espresso Quadro Basket at Chiasso. This clever expanding trivet from Blomus also catches my eye, as does this wood and metal one from Bed Bath and Beyond.

Although my dreams of entertaining in this capacity are a few months away, my tablescape vision is complete. I guess, in the meantime, I suppose I should learn to cook, no?

Click here to see the Modern Design Table Settings Slideshow.

This article was originally published on October 12, 2010.