Anyway, I love anything Barbara Barry so when I saw this in the magazine, I thought it would make a great post to join the party at Between Naps on the Porch; and in my favourite colours too!
The dinnerware and stemware are from the Wedgwood Radiance Collection. Curtain call flatware. Napkin ring and place mat, Golden Goose, Mendocino, CA.
Barbara’s tips for tablescapes:
“Think of the table as a blank canvas where you express your personal style. Don’t set it the same way twice”.
“Break the rules! I set the knife in the fork, or put all the flatware on the right side. I find it limiting the way it’s traditionally set.”
“I say flowers should be arranged in five minutes. . . cut, plop, tweak, done. I like them low and I like them fresh”.
A tip I heard once about determining how high the centerpiece should be is “rest your elbow on the table and your arrangement shouldn’t be any higher than the top of your wrist”, that’s how you know. Otherwise people can’t see each other across the table!
Related posts:
Barbara Barry’s Philosophy
How to Create a Tablescape
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Barbara Barry.
But thanks for posting this. Those are great tips, especially the one about the centerpiece height. I always wondered.
D
hi maria.. the tablescape is gorgeous.. as always.. and the tips are a real help.. i agree with her completly in breaking the tradition.. it just makes the whole process a whole lot fun.. n the centerpiece tip is useful as well
ReplyDeleteLove anything Barbara Berry touches. This table is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI love the Wedgewood dinnerware!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous display ~~
xo Laura
www.brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com
This is beautiful Maria. A perfect fall tablescape.
ReplyDeletexo
Brooke
Great post! I love all the tips, and the image is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMaria--I have trouble getting rid of my favorite magazines also! I seem to always find something I have missed the first (or second) time :) This is lovely, but the centerpiece rule might prove difficult for me sometimes. I think if you make it "airy" enough you can exceed that heighth--besides some rules are for breaking :)
ReplyDeletehi maria, I really like this post, I love her comment "cut, plop" etc... how funny... she is so right too!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty - thanks for the share and I too love to set the table different!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty setting. You may have heard - Barbara Barry will be on the Washington Post's online discussion today at 11 am ET. Unfortunately I have to go the dentist!
ReplyDeletebeautiful!!! I love these tips too!! (Especially the fork-in-knife!) Of course I learned something here!!!! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Pretty :-) I really like Barbara's tip to arrange the cutlery in unexpected ways. There are certain elements you have to use when you set the table, so you need to find other ways to get creative :-)
ReplyDeleteHope your king size headboard fits up the stairs!!
Kelly
i put a tablescape for my brazilian for his bday romantic dinner extraveganza n i thought it looked really pretty till i saw this trick's tablescape n yea no mine dont compare!
ReplyDeleteLovely table ... and i do like the advice about the height of the flowers; I hate great tall arrangements on a dinner table --put them on the buffet instead! :-)
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS china....
Cass
Yes, this is a lovely table. I too like BB. Thanks for sharing. ~ Sarah
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Maria. Now I know we can find a pretty table and join in the fun without having to take the time to set our own tables - thanks for the tip!!
ReplyDeleteThe tabletops in House Beautiful are always one of my favorites to read about every month!
ReplyDeleteI have the same sickness with magazines and they are piling up. good think I am organized!
Love your blog...I really have learned so much about color!
What a beautiful, warm arrangement. And thanks for the tip about how to measure a floral centerpiece. So easy and I'd never heard it before. Thanks Maria!
ReplyDeleteWhat a warm and inviting table. I really liked the tip about the height of flower arrangements and the tablescape was, of course, beautiful. I know you won't lack for reading material when the cold winds of November start to blow :-). I hope you are having a wonderful day.
ReplyDeletelovely!
ReplyDeleteI love those old magazines as well.
Such fun and relaxing to look at them.
Autumn blessings,
d from homehaven
great advise for the center piece.
ReplyDeleteHello Marie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the tablescape and Barbara Barry's philosophy on setting a table. I love her quote on flower arrangements!
~ Tracy
LOVELY setting!!! I would love to dine in that spot!
ReplyDeleteMaria,
ReplyDeleteI love this tablescape, good choice choosing Barbara Barry. Always a fan of Wedgwood, this pattern is stunning!
I love Barbara's tips. I totally agree with her flower arranging truism's and believe flowers should be cut low. There is always room along the edges of the room for skyscrapers! lol!!
Thanks so much Maria!!
xoxo
Jane
Great post! I love the tips...
ReplyDeletexoxo
Julie
I am in the midst of recycling approx. 200 design magazines, they get so dusty! Designers keep everything so inspiration is always close by, but this designer has to get more organized. Great tip on the wrist and centerpiece height.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of Barbar Barry...just loved your tip on the centerpiece...thanks for sharing...may you have a great weekend my friend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
ReplyDeleteBreak the rules. I don't even know the rules in the first place. What I need is the rule book. I always spend do much time trying to make my flowers look nice nd they still look dorky. Thank to Babs I'm going to start dumping and tweaking.
ReplyDeleteMaria,
ReplyDeleteTimely post as we are all getting ready to celebrate the holidays. Now is the time to decide on themes and getting things (checking our inventories) to decorate with for the holidays.
Bette
Gorgeous tablescape and great tips! I like nontraditional settings as well! :)
ReplyDelete