Here we are once more, another holiday season full of gatherings both intimate and large. If you have been assigned the arduous task of hosting this year that means you are worried about two things; having enough food and drink, and making sure your table is a welcoming and cozy oasis. I can’t help you with the first one but from experience can tell you to just buy the fourth bottle of wine because chances are you’ll need it. As for the second worry, let me help by giving you a simple list of dining essentials so together we can make sure your table is both functional and beautiful for your guests.

The first essential is to give your table a frame of sorts, something to contain all of your food, tableware, and decor. This can be a table runner or a tablecloth that will compliment the color scheme and vibe you’re going for. Your next layer is going to be of course your centerpieces; brass candlesticks, colored tapers to match your aesthetic, maybe some smaller votives around the tapers to give a height difference.

As we build out we want to add some natural elements to our centerpiece so I would suggest a beautiful piece of pottery (bonus points if it’s a local potter like Katie Weber) with some dried stems or maybe some dried oranges or cranberries strewn around the candles. Here at Dune we have a dried stem bar so you can build your own mini dried bundle, tie with twine, and add a dried orange to place on each person's plate.

Now, we can dress the outer edges of the table. This means dishware and glassware. It’s nice to layer your dishware to give your table some depth so I would put a dinner plate down and top it with a salad plate. Then add a set of vintage glassware for your guests to use for the evening. If you have a specific cocktail you’re serving you can use the appropriate glass or you can go simpler by using more multi purpose glasses such as high balls, large wine glasses, or rocks glasses. At Dune we have numerous vintage glassware sets that we have sourced so you can buy in sets of 2, 4, or even 6 to create a cohesive table.

The last layer of your table would be napkins and napkin rings. Cloth napkins instantly class up any table and can come in various colors, patterns, and textures. If your table is quite colorful you can add a fun pattern to round it off or use a neutral color to give it more elegance. If your table has been quite neutral to this point, bring a pop of color to the evening with a patterned colorful napkin. As for napkin rings, just use them. Your night of hosting is stressful enough there is absolutely no need to learn how to fold several cloth napkins into a turkey. Napkin rings come in various mediums and colors. Simple brass ones go with every season if you’re looking for a base set.

The rest of your table is just adding in your personality! If you have a vintage decanter to show off, put it on the table. A beautiful new ice bucket? Stick a bottle of something bubbly in it and show it off!

Last and most importantly, let good company surround your table and you’re sure to have a snug and toasty holiday season.

Cheers,

Angelina

Dining Room Essentials