Designer

……………..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.

………………It’s always a good time when Cathy comes to my home, and we present a Facebook Live show!……….I had the table set with all of the trays of Linea jewelry that we would present. They were all numbered for the show line up. The kitchen was ready, and the flowers from my garden were all in vases……Cathy arrived with Jim, her husband, and the work began. Jim went on to visit his daughter who also lives in Connecticut…….Then it was 1:00 and we presented the show……I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did doing it……..We always have a good time, and we love to read out the ladies names who have joined us. It’s always fun to tell some stories during the show!……..When the show was over….we decided to make ourselves some Lillet martinis!……It was a beautiful evening and we took our drinks out to the rocking chairs, looked at the beautiful view of the Long Island Sound, and listen to Sade sing……Then we waited for Jim, their daughter Maddie and he boyfriend, Jared to arrive for dinner at a local restaurant al fresco!

………………..After the show Cathy and I waited for Jim their daughter and her boyfriend to arrive. We planned to go out for dinner at a local restaurant. It was a beautiful evening and we had an outside table……The food was fabulous and Jared said it was the best Pork Chop with hot peppers he had ever eaten…..Cathy, Jared and I all had the chop. It was thick and delicious! Jim and Maddie had the veal special stuffed with ham and cheese. Thy loved it too….as an added bonus we were entertained by a brass band that was passing through with a wedding party!……..It was a fun day and evening!