Effortless Elegance

THESE ELEMENTS WILL LIVEN UP YOUR TABLE!

These elements will liven up your table

THERE WAS A TIME when breaking out the fine china meant outfitting the table with a perfectly matched set, often obtained via the wedding registry or passed down through generations. But in today’s world, things have become more flexible, which leaves room for creative combinations of tabletop arrangements.

Though it’s clear that mixing is a must when it comes to table settings, there’s an art and structure to achieve the best results. “I have several dinnerware for the ‘theme’ or food to be served as well as placemats, which I have collected over the years,” Alexandra Cojuangco says. Whether you’re hosting a cocktail party, barbecue or intimate luncheon, setting a theme always energizes and captivates your guests. “For Christmas batch parties, I’ve done a masquerade ball theme with masks. I’ve also entertained for Halloween using several themes and I ask my guests to come in costume.”

Start with color and pattern to begin expressing your artistic side. For chargers, the large plates

under individual plate settings, you can choose solid white and translucent, geometric-patterned or gold-rimmed ones beneath your casual china—the choice is up to you, as long as you tie the color scheme together.

Stay with similar color schemes when mixing and matching china from different settings so they look like they all belong together. If you have china with a white or off-white background and pieces that include florals, swirls or lines, do not set two similar pieces together. Keep color tones in the same shade for consistency and a pulled-together look.

Simple china, stylish florals and swirls look elegant, but feel casual when paired together. It’s all in the details, so choose striking fine patterns to add interest without distracting from the rest of the table.

These Ito Kish plates with themes of Philippine country life lend a disciplined, casual vibe to the set up. Use simple, bold color napkins to counter balance a decorative plate.