Natural Beauty
Give tabletops a festive air with winter palettes inspired by organic elements
Icy Blue The right mix of color and texture does more than inspire—it lends balance to a tabletop that simultaneously impresses and relaxes guests. This frosty palette, made tangible in the glacial blue of a handmade bowl, is set by chunks of rock crystal and a silvery pressed-vinyl placemat—a wintery blend that speaks of sharp chill and soft drifts of snow.
ABOVE, LEFT A handmade cup by Munemitsu Taguchi ($30) is paired beautifully with a vintage, mottled glass from Swank Retro ($4), and a scattering of decorative crystals ($12 to $22) from Victory.
ABOVE, RIGHT The palette is emphasized by a collection of icy-blue plates, including a crystal low bowl from artist Kevin Caufield ($38) and Match pewter ($84), on a backdrop of silvery spun vinyl by Chilewich ($8). For detailed buying info, please see our Buyer's Guide.
Piney Green
Photo by Todd Hafermann, Styled by Barbara Schmidt
ABOVE, LEFT Ho-hum holiday green gets a crisp makeover by combining a hand-painted, mint-glazed plate by Sanam Emami ($75) with a vintage “Soreno” plate ($4.50) and more shimmery pewter. Snips of evergreen add an organic touch.
ABOVE, RIGHT A mixture of high and low achieves the look: a vintage “Soreno” cup ($3) with a green tumbler from Crate & Barrel ($5.95), and a Portmeirion highball by Sophie Conran ($20 for two), the English interior designer. For detailed buying info, please see our Buyer's Guide.
Of a Feather
Photo by Todd Hafermann, Styled by Barbara Schmidt
ABOVE, RIGHT A pale palette of silver, gray, and white gets its kick from shades of berry and burgundy. Stacked beneath the wispy feather are a gray vintage plate ($4), a glass salad plate from Crate & Barrel in eggplant ($10.95), and a handmade green and burgundy ceramic plate by artist Kevin Caufield ($42). A cloth napkin in lipstick-bright currant ($3.95) and a spun-vinyl placemat from Chilewich ($16.50) add the finishing touches.
ABOVE, LEFT A handmade, cranberry-rimmed salad plate by artist Kevin Caufield ($22) serves as an impromptu saucer for a retro glass cup from Swank Retro ($5). Also seen: the “Ella” crystal tumbler from Juliska ($52), and a faceted, amethyst-colored votive from Crate & Barrel ($7.95). For detailed buying info, please see our Buyer's Guide.
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