I am forever staring at my linen collection contemplating the different combinations I could piece together with what I have on hand. As with my cooking, repeat performances are rare. I love to mix it up. I also like to find unconventional items to use. For instance, I’ve cut the ribbon, strings or ropes from boutique shopping bags and used them as napkin ties. Or I’ve used one of my silk scarves as a table runner. I often find remnant pieces of material that can be overlays or runners. This practice of using what you have is a lesson in buying restraint and making due with what exists. You don’t always have to run to the store for new items in order to finish your table. So, putting that idea to use, if you like some the choices I show below, I encourage you to scour your brain and your home for interesting pieces that could emulate the style. This post is all about the mix and match, focusing on how swapping out a placemat, a plate, a napkin, or even changing how to fold a napkin can make a dramatic difference.
I pulled out a variety of dishes of all shapes and sizes along with cloths, runners and napkins so I could play around.
A napkin sampling: from gray to beige, burgundy and blues and deep green
Placemats: different colors and textures create a completely different mood
Silver and gold chargers, plates and bowls…mix and match
Various materials used for runners or even tablecloths. From the raw and rustic to the chic and elegant.
In order to not drive myself crazy, for demo purposes I only created a single place setting for each style. No need to create an entire tablescape in this instance. The goal is to show the various styles, then you can build around the place setting, repeat for the number of guests and finish the table as we usually do with candles and florals.
Here we go.
Black & Gold
Using a textured black placemat and a black napkin, here are 3 napkin styles for different occasions.
Black Napkin Rosette
Place a a strip of neutral colored material down the center of the table as a table runner. I used a silk remnant I bought at a garage sale. Then add the black placemat, gold charger and white plates. I happen to have a crystal cut glass trimmed in gold to use for water. Use what you have to enhance the theme. Then, swirl the black napkin around to create a rosette and place it inside a small bowl.
You can use my simple swirl method to create the rosette or the fold and roll method (see videos below).
Tied Black Napkin Drape
Using the same set up, but maybe adding a tad more bling by adding a gold rimmed dish, fold the napkin in half, grab it at the center of the fold, let it drape and tie it off with a decorative ribbon.
Black & Gold Candy Cane
Fold the napkin in half and roll it up, then using a ribbon or rope wrap the napkin roll in a candy cane fashion. I like placing it horizontally.
Whites & Grays
In the unconventional items category, this one features a velvet and silk scarf of black and deep red tones with small silver beads for sparkle. Start by laying the scarf down the center of the table as you would any runner.
Whites & Gray Rosette
Use a stack of pure white plates and bowl then tuck a gray linen napkin rosette into the small bowl. (See video below for napkin demo). The white plates sandwiched between the dark colors create a balanced contrast. Add clear, simple glassware.
Whites & Gray Flat Flower
Same set up, this time creating a large flat flower petal to place between the plates. (See video below for napkin demo)
Whites & Silver
Keeping the same white plates and the gray linen napkin rosette style, swap the black runner for a silver one with some sheen. Change the glassware to more elegant crystal and now this place setting has upped its ante.
Soothing Blues & Whites
With Spring sprouting up, and Easter a week away, this next set could easily be used for the upcoming festivities.
Classy Checkerboard
No runner necessary, just a rich blue placemat. Use a silver charger and white plates with a long rectangular napkin fold placed vertically to create contrasting visual lines. If you have glassware that can add to the blue notes, great. If not, opt for simple glassware.
Checkerboard Roll
Keeping the same set up, this time make a chubby little roll with the napkin and place at the top of the place setting.
Circles & Squares
Swap out the white salad plate for a deeper blue square plate, swirl the checkerboard napkin into the rosette to be featured in the center small bowl. If you don’t have a square blue plate, maybe you have a plate with florals that could compliment the blues. Think Springtime.
Pointed Blues & Gray
Swap out the white salad plate for a deeper blue square plate and mimic the angles with a long triangle folded gray linen napkin.
The Regal Velvets
Burgundy & Gold
Velvet makes anything more elegant. Deep hues like burgundy and hunter green continue that royal feel. A simple napkin roll adorned with a gold napkin ring, paired together with gold and crystal glassware all amp up the elegance factor.
Silver & Gold Grounded in Green
Swapping the gold charger for a silver one makes both the plate and the placemat pop. Replacing the burgundy placemat with a green one to match the napkin then using a ribbon that repeats the silver tone in candy cane wrap method completes the look. This silver and gold with green approach is elegant with a touch of contemporary.
Silver & Gold
This series is all about mixing silver and gold pieces together.
Sparkle & Drape
Silver shimmer runner with silver charger and gold plates. Gold glassware and a neutral beige napkin delicately draped to the side. I love this place setting. It’s elegant with sparkle and would make a lovely Easter table setting that is a tad off the usual trend.
Sparkle & Abstract
A simple switch of the same napkin creates a different mood. Lay the napkin in an abstract puddle on the center of the plate. (See video below on easy it is to create this effect.)
Elegant Daytime
Swapping out the silver runner for a white sheer fabric lightens the feel. Place the salad plate to the left and a gray linen napkin tucked in a large water goblet. Still elegant but more daytime feel.
Gray Triangle
Keeping the same set up as previous but folding the linen napkin in a large triangle then tucked between charger and dinner plate.
Gold Take Charge
Swap the silver charger for a gold one and create a rosette with a deep rich burgundy napkin.
Gold Take Hold
Using the gold charger and runner with golden hues, add a gray/silver napkin in a fluted fold under the salad plate
Freshen Up with Yellow
Brighten the whole setting up with a burst of yellow. A simple long rectangular fold is all that is needed to bring on the freshness. This is another lovely Easter setting.
The Floating Table
I have several pieces of remnant materials that I use either as a runner, a tablecloth or an overlay. For my birthday this year, JuanCarlos said he would make me a special dinner. And since it was a special birthday, I wanted to create a pretty table. I used my silver and gold theme to create an elegant table for two. But as I said, it was a special celebration, so he and my sister, Alyssa, surprised me with a dinner party that included some of my family. See how easy a table for two transformed into a table for 8. This is a perfect example of how to take an idea and expand it out.
And what would a celebration be if not for the food, glorious food. I snapped a few photos of the meal. All my favorites things, with some of my favorite people. And yes, I made my own gluten free carrot cake adorned with candied carrot shards.
I know this might have been a lot of options to digest, but really they were variations of a similar theme. The goal was to demonstrate how changing a charger or a napkin or even the placement of the items can alter the look and feel. I hope these gave you some ideas and jumping off point to decorate your next table-scape.
For more table setting and napkin ideas, don’t forget to review some older posts:
Napkin Folding - 5 Basic Folds - Countless Options
