Years ago, we had a set of white plates and one day, I put the whole stack in the basement. I have always collected vintage plates to shoot food on, many of which are featured in my books. I love color and pattern and decided it would make me smile each day to eat off those instead. So now, about once a year, I go down to my stockpile of 100+ plates in the basement and choose 12 to keep in our kitchen cupboard. The kids eat off them as well! They aren’t precious because I paid less than $5 for each and I put them in the dishwasher too. It makes mealtime just a little more fun and our table a lot more colorful.
I’ve always loved a mix-and-match table. So when I was recently gifted a set of Rose Marble Dinner Napkins from my friends at Goldie Home, they went perfectly into the mix. I chose a photo table cloth I made as the base and an overall warm-colored palette of pinks and oranges. I am not fancy when hosting. I don’t usually set a “proper” table with extra salad forks etc, and I usually only put spoons out if we need them. I can honestly never remember which side the fork even goes on!, but if I want to remember, I check the little illustration I did in The Forest Feast Gatherings.
Another tip I share in The Forest Feast Gatherings is to use a platter as the centerpiece. This is my go-to! Here I’m using the wooden tray my mom brought back from Italy as a teenager in the 1960s. I start by putting flowers in the middle and then add whole fruit or vegetables around it. It adds a pop of color and is easy to move if you need the table space for a platter of food later.
Color overload isn’t for everyone, but I have so much fun with it. I try to incorporate it into not only the table setting but also what I wear and the food and drinks I serve. Find more of my tips in this fun Entertaining Q+A I did with Goldie Home.
If you’re setting the table for Thanksgiving in a couple weeks, try mixing it up – things don’t need to match. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to add extra pops of color!
SHOP THIS POST:
Rose Marble Linen Dinner Napkins by Goldie Home
Copper Flower Pitcher (similar)
The Forest Feast Gatherings Cookbook
The Forest Feast contains affiliate links which means we may make a small commission if items are purchased via links we provide, at no additional cost to you. This post is an (unpaid) collaboration with my friends at Goldie Home. They gifted me the napkins and I love them so much I had to share!