Way of the West (elm)

I really, really wanted to do the same kind of tablesetting post that I did last year.  You know the one?  When I did these little get-ups:

  

and these:

 

Yeah…but it took me like 7.3 years to do…and I’m already runnin’ low on sleep (Thanks to the littlest Bower)…so I decided that this is one area that I would not be stressing to make happen.  Plus, I already did five holiday tablesettings (curtesy of Pier 1).  Or did you miss that one?  Here’s a sampling:

   

Sooo instead of almost-committing-tablesetting-suicide, I cheated.  I went to West Elm and snapped some photos of their tablesettings that really inspired me to think outside the box…or forest.  Get it?  Elm…forest…trees? 

Anyhoo…here is the first one:    

The first thing that really lights me up (I’m pun-erific!) is that large vase filled with christmas bulbs.  How cute is that?  Very reminiscent of icecubes chillin’ that bottle of wine. 

And then did you notice that the tablesetting color scheme was pretty much EXACTLY the same as the wine bottle label?  Talk about inspiration!  And then you could send friends home with a bottle to remember the evening…maybe with a cutesy tag to remind people of the good times they spent with you at the dinner party. 

What else I love about this tablesetting is that they used the standard ole white plates.  It just goes to show that you don’t need several sets of dishware…just different accent plates to spice things up.  And instead of adding a glittery ornament to the placesetting (that would leave bits of glitter everywhere for you to devour), they used a round beaded placemat instead with a sparkly napkin and a beaded napkin ring. 

The second tablesetting was small…just for a party of two.  But the centerpiece really needs to be shown off…it’s pretty genius…in a simple, why didn’t I do this before kindof way. 

Simple greenery and sprigs of pine trees, and even a few magnolia leaves make it seem casual, festive and takes up a lot of visual space…which if you are looking for a large centerpiece, you know that they can cost a pretty penny.  This one?  El cheapo.

The tablesetting itself intrigued me.  I love the layered placemat look…very textural…and it even reminds me of tiles that should be in a backsplash (I can’t help it…it speaks to the DIYer in me!).  The other thing that struck me was the double napkins and the double napkin rings.  Both different.  As one who is constantly needing a second napkin, this made me happy to see that I could put two in a setting (especially if finger foods would be the appetizer!). 

Moving right along we come to this silver and citrus setting.

You can see that the fine West Elmies did the same vase-o-lightbulbs with their wine bottle…awesome…but what really struck me silly was the fact that this tablesetting was for six…with a large centerpiece….at an OBLONG table.  Do you know how hard that is?  But they worked it like Selma Hayak and that dang sexy accent. 

Their first solution to the oblong table came in the form of silverware placement.  Notice how they put the head of the table silverware above the placesetting instead of beside it?  And because they had to find a solution for the napkin…they stuck them in the glassware.   Plus the centerpiece is in a tray…making it easy for removal or replacement.

They did all this without sacrificing a bit of style.  In fact, they even added a little layering with the dishware…topping it off with that silvery hammered metal bowl.  What’s so special about the bowl?  Well, I’m so glad you asked….

It is shiny – which bounces light – which makes the white placesetting seem even lighter…and more festive.

It is the same shade as the silverware, placemat and napkin – which creates a monochromatic placesetting – which visually looks less cluttered. 

It is functional.  Not only is it the perfect spot of a bit of soup, or fruit salad, or a couple of thai chicken spears with peanut sauce, but it is a little glitzy and glammy for a simple setup.

Another thing that got my wheels-a-turnin was this vase filled with shredded paper.  I love using cheap vase filler, and this would certainly fit the bill.  I can even imagine a candle in there or fruit instead of the bottles of wine.  And wouldn’t that be a fun way to turn a regular ole vase (even a Goodwill one!) into a classy and expensive looking gift basket?!  I think anyone would be thrilled to get a bottle of bubbly in a glass vase with some pretty shredded paper for christmas or as a hostess gift. 

Okay…and the last thing that caught my eye was this unique wall decor.  They took pages of a book and created this swirling effect on pallets.  But that isn’t what I really loved.  My heart really belongs to the mug with the golden pinecone tucked inside.  Wouldn’t that be devine as a placecard?  Like a mini christmas tree sticking out of the cup.

So what inspired you lately when it comes to tablesettings?  Any cute ideas out there for vase filler?  Maybe you have found the best way to set your oblong table without cramping anyone’s style?  Or perhaps you would like to raise your hand as a ‘borrower’ of nature when it comes to creating large natural centerpieces?

Please share.  Tell-m-all-about it.  Seven hundred points to those who caught the play on words in that sentence  🙂