The holiday season is around the corner and we want to help simplify yours with what we hope will be inspirational ideas for entertaining and gift giving so you can focus on what really matters; time with family and friends. We’ll be sharing ideas and offering tips that we learned while collaborating with our talented food stylist and one of our favorite designers.

A Tale of Two Tables

In both cases, to emphasize the harvest theme and our dinnerware collections, we chose to incorporate some of the fresh, beautiful bounty of the season by integrating natural textures and simple fragrance. By sourcing our local nurseries and produce stands, we found a variety of seasonal  colors and shapes to complement the table, dinnerware, and of course, to provide a delicious meal. 

TABLE #1

 
Our more casual table features our Lungotevere, Taormina, and Laccata Puro collections which already have the warm fall tones of butterscotch, rust, and fall foliage, so we complemented our table with white pumpkins over the more traditional orange. The addition of a more neutral palette allows the food and dinnerware to take center stage.

We love the movement of the trees and leaves that our talented painters have captured inspired by the Lungotevere which is the waterfront along the Tiber River that winds through Rome flanked with beautiful trees that show their spectacular colors in the fall.

The addition of eucalyptus provides a lovely aromatic (be sure to trim up the stems) and is visually appealing, and the dahlias add the perfect amount of texture and pop of color. A little tip I learned was to use odd numbers and not be too regimented about placement. As the table fills with food and serving pieces, this approach is more relaxed and natural.

TABLE #2

Our more formal setting features our classic originals Frutta Laccata, Sogno Toscano, and Terre di Chianti (Fruits, Tuscan Dream, and Land of the wine) which are mixed with our solids Taormina in rust and Laccata Puro in butterscotch. The perfect iconic Italian combination.

Italian fruits and vegetables are the foundation for flavor in the country's cuisine, from figs to lemons to tomatoes. Let’s not overlook the wonderful grapes and olives as well! The ability of Italy's chefs to make wonderful use of the country's abundant harvest is a major reason Italian cuisine is so coveted. The backdrops of Tuscany mirror our Sogno Toscano where each piece provides a painting of the Tuscan landscape that evokes the sunsets that have captured imaginations for generations.

This tablescape is presented on the traditional Italian long table which exudes celebration and warmth and yet the full setting of glasses, chargers, and flatware along with a stunning floral centerpiece lend a more formal feel. Notice the simple greens, lemons and artichokes as the runner for the table which is affordable, simple and could be enough on its own with votives as shown or with an additions of some smaller floral touches as well.

For me, the lessons I learned were to focus on quality not quantity, simple is always better, don’t be afraid to mix and match, and relax and enjoy the process as it evolves.

For more, please enjoy our post about Place Settings.

Focusing in on the specific place setting for your guests, each table offers something unique. Both options have the same ending feel that is the Italian way. Family gathering for a wonderful meal with love and laughter. Embrace La Grande Vita this season!