We all live such busy lives that it's often only around the table that we get to spend time with family and friends. To make your next dinner party special, I'm going to give you some tips and tricks to help style your dining table, and make it look the best it can.
I've picked up these leather chairs from Contents International Design. They have thin stainless steel legs creating a light modern design, and helping the room feel open and airy. The leather has a beautiful texture with a stylish perforated detail. They're very comfy and warm to sit in, but are really easy to clean: perfect for a dining room.
For my table setting, I've chosen Ellen DeGeneres' latest collection for Royal Doulton in a beautiful brushed grey charcoal glaze. The colour contrasts perfectly against the stoneware base, giving that right mix of gloss on matt; very on-trend. I've also chosen this colour because it works perfectly with the sideboard drawers. It's a great tip to remember, to look around the rest of the room for inspiration when considering the colour palette for your next dinner party.
I'm also incorporating serving-ware, vases and the classic cutlery range from Royal Doulton. At my dinner party, I like all of the knives and forks that I can have. I feel it makes the dinner party feel lush and inviting. And don't get worried about it; as my mum told us when we were little, just start from the outside in. Easy peasy.
Now, whether it’s a dinner party for seventy or a dinner party for two, it's all about setting the mood, and one quick way to do this is with your artwork. So consider placing something that people are going to be happy with sitting and looking at for the duration of the meal. Something interesting, something strong, something bold… because we are all going to be looking at it right through three courses an beyond. I have chosen a striking artwork from my range with United Interiors. This piece is called JABRIX, a magnificent exotic bird which I've chosen especially because of the colour which is going to relate to the styling of the table. This is definitely a conversation piece!
The final component for my dinner party is the table centrepiece. It's what everyone is going to look at first when entering the room, it's going to finish the look. Remember that different heights will make the composition interesting to look at, but also be aware that you're going to be looking through it and around it when you talk to your guests throughout the meal. I sourced this amazing floral display from Lady Gnarbo, a beautiful mix of flowers including Australian natives and metallic with beautiful plummy tones, which help tie my look together. The complete look on the table, the different heights, the colours and the textures, when combined help create an interesting space, ensuring its a feast for the eyes as well as one for the tummy.
To find your own inspiration, look at your room, look at your artwork, look at the crockery you are going to use. Think about what meal you're going to serve. Use all of these influences to tie your look together and make sure it's cohesive. Allowing you to achieve a warm and inviting look and make your dinner party a special event.
I'm calling my table's look 'Elegant Autumn'. We are entering that beautiful and moody time of the year when the light's changing, it gets colder and with it comes the time to start entertaining indoors. I hope I've given you some inspiration for your next dinner party.
James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James Treble has more than 25 years of experience in the Building Industry and Interior Design. His knowledge and experience in adding value to homes, through clever design & styling, is now published for all to learn and benefit from. Interior Design For Profit is now available online.
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