Author: Louis Dell'Olio

……………..A diner party at dusk or later in the evening takes on a whole different aura with the right lighting…..The right lighting can make it MAGICAL…..As soon as fall came and the evening got darker, Jac and I always ate by candle light. It wasn’t just for special occasions…..it was just something we liked…..When I have a dinner party I still use lots of candles…..but……I have now added some special lights to add some magic….I have two glass cylinders framed in brushed chrome that when you touch the base a white light comes on….touch it again and the light turns to a warm yellow [photo at upper right]. For this table setting I like the warm yellow light. It enhances all of the colors. When I did a black and white table I used the white light….In addition to these I have a group of lights that look like the Dandelion flowers. They are on stands, and at the top are a spray of fine wires with tiny LED lights. This group of lights I got from a company called NEST……NEST has an incredible array  of all different lights for indoor and outdoor……It’s well worth taking a look at. Right now they are featuring all kinds of autumn lights, and soon their Christmas lights will be making an appearance……….Lighting is often overlooked, but I learned long ago it makes all the difference in every room of the house!…………..even a dining table!!

I don’t only use my “magical lights” on the dinner table…..I also have them scattered around the room….photos at upper and lower left….They really do add a fantastical touch……and when we leave the table and sit on the couches looking at the view….the lights are there with us……the AURA continues……..Soothing background music is just as important when creating a lovely mood.

……………..Anne Klein always said……”A GOOD DESIGNER CAN DESIGN ANYTHING”……..Those are words I have lived by………..For me creating a table setting is like creating a collection of clothing……..You start PIECE BY PIECE…..STEP BY STEP….It’s about the COLORS….the TEXTURES and FABRICS….the ACCENTS……I always start with the PLATES…..In this case each plate is a different color, and each place setting are different combination of colors…..Then I decide on the color of the table cloth…the type , texture and color of the place mats and then the  chargers…in this case gold charges on straw……Then I chose the table ware….I chose knives, forks and spoons that are all different colors, and each place setting is different…..Next the napkins and napkin rings. The napkins I chose are 100% cotton oblong multi color stripes that pick up the colors of the plates……Next I chose the glass wear…..The wine glasses, water glasses and additional glasses are all in different multi color CONFETTI patterns……The water jug and the wine jug were added in the confetti patterns…..Salt and pepper shakers are chosen that compliment with the rest of the things….For this table I used multi color striped shakers….Next I chose the flower holders, a variety of bud vases and larger vases….some are patterned colorful vases in different sizes…..always coordinating with the setting….Lighting becomes a very important part of creating the mood for dinners at dusk and after…A variety of candles that coordinate with the established colors are chosen. I also like special novelty table lights……Two of my favorites are glass cylinders that with a touch change from white light to a warm yellow light. When I had my black and white table I used the white light, but for this multi color table I used the warm yellow light……Some of my newest lights I call my “wishing lights”. They remind me of the dandelion flowers that looked like balls of fine feathers. After you make a wish you blew on them all of the “feathers” flew. Of course they were seeds that would only spread more dandelion weeds!….This did not make my Dad happy!….Lastly, I choose the flowers. This is actually one of the hardest parts because you are up to the mercy of what’s available….Right now I have flowers still growing in my garden and the stores still have a descent selection…..Somehow I always make it work…I often will add some trinket or a conversation piece that just looks good……accents…….PIECE BY PIECE…..STEP BY STEP.

…………………Special glass, whether drinking glasses, wine, water etc are important to any table setting. The four center top confetti glasses can be used for Ice Cream……Sherbet……or Margaritas! Glass vases and bud vases of all sizes, shapes and colors add lots of interest to a table scape…..It’s all about the mix, and having fun.

………………The CENTER PIECE is the focal point, and it can be anything. However, it should be the largest most noticeable thing on the table whether a vase of flowers or a bowl of lemons……..Setting a table should be fun, no matter how fancy or simple. It’s the gathering place for family and friends to share conversation, and special moments.