Place Setting Ideas - How To Set A Table

Food

How To Create An Instagram-Worthy Tabletop

Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano

Photography by Photographed by Maria Del Rio

Nov 12, 2014

There’s something about sitting down for a meal with friends that is a pleasure within itself. And if the tabletop decor and place settings are incredibly pretty to look at, well, it’s hard not to pull out your phone and snap a million pictures. With dreams of creating such events ourselves, we tapped florist and stylist extraordinaire Natalie Bowen to design three gorgeous table set-ups that you can totally recreate on your own. All you need is a little inspiration, a few cool products, and our tips, below!

: The Look: Modern Fiesta

: If your napkins don't match, don't worry. Mixing bright hues and prints in the napkins—and all over the table—adds to the colorful, fiesta feel, perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, and the like.
Left to right: RabLabs Pedra Fuchsia Coaster Set of 4, $68, Zinc Door; West Elm Ikat Bowls, $6, West Elm; Burritos Via Uno Dos Tacos; Maya Recycled Tumbler Set of 2, $11.98, Cost Plus World Market; Not Your Grandma's Vintage Flatware, $29-$39, Elsie Green; Jars Tourron Jade Dinner Plates, $31, Gracious Style; Gold Dot Napkin, $9 each, Furbish Studio.

: Using a statement coaster adds a nice finishing touch, as does an assortment of vintage, mis-matched silverware.
Left to right: RabLabs Pedra Fuchsia Coaster Set of 4, $68, Zinc Door; Not Your Grandma's Vintage Flatware, $29-$39, Elsie Green; Jars Tourron Jade Dinner Plates, $31, Gracious Style; Gold Dot Napkin, $9 each, Furbish Studio; Gift Wrap Table Runner, Paper Source.

: Use fresh mint or herbs from the grocery store or your own garden as part of the floral decor topping the plates.
Left to right: RabLabs Pedra Fuchsia Coaster Set of 4, $68, Zinc Door; West Elm Ikat Bowls, $6, West Elm; Maya Recycled Tumbler Set of 2, $11.98, Cost Plus World Market; Not Your Grandma's Vintage Flatware, $29-$39, Elsie Green; Jars Tourron Jade Dinner Plates, $31, Gracious Style; Gold Dot Napkin, $9 each, Furbish Studio; Gift Wrap Table Runner, Paper Source.

: We love the "fiesta" theme, because almost anything goes when it comes to the color palette. This is a real opportunity to use several of your favorite flowers for an awe-inspiring centerpiece or smaller arrangements.

: If you don't have a table runner, use wrapping paper, instead. It's relatively affordable, and you can recycle any not-too-soiled pieces for actual wrapping paper.
Gift Wrap Table Runner, Paper Source; 12 x 12 Platter, $46, Heath Ceramics; Tacos Via Uno Dos Tacos; Chinese Porcelain Salt & Pepper Set in Ivory (Used as Salsa Bowls), $10, Restoration Hardware.

: Whether there's a chill in the air or not, we like the idea of using a beautiful and textured blanket as a layering element.
Mexican Blanket, Establish SF.

: The Look: Layers of Neutral

: Rather than a traditional arrangement, use greens from your garden to make a flat "garland." This works well when you have a lot on the table because you can lay things directly on the greens.
Wheeler Pottery Tall Mug Set of 2, $56, Restoration Hardware.

Who says a white plate has to be boring? A subtle pattern or interesting edge and layering different neutrals on top of each other can instantly amp up the style factor.
Gold Flatware Set, $31, West Elm; Marin White Dinner Plate, $9.95, Crate & Barrel; Nordic Plate, $6.95, Crate & Barrel; Stonewashed Belgian Linen Runner in Ivory, $59, Restoration Hardware.

Wooden elements, like candle holders and a pile of cutting boards, can add a warm and natural feel to any tabletop.
Left to right: Cutting Board, price upon request, The Podolls; Woodsy Candleholder, $9.95, Crate & Barrel; Marni Glass, $20, Jayson Home; Gold Flatware Set, $31, West Elm; Marin White Dinner Plate, $9.95, Crate & Barrel; Nordic Plate, $6.95, Crate & Barrel; Stonewashed Belgian Linen Runner in Ivory, $59, Restoration Hardware.

Using touches of metallic—in this case, gold—can also add instant depth.
Marni Glass, $20, Jayson Home

Want to up your cheese-plate game? Always garnish it! Just one sprig of greenery or a flower will pull the whole thing together. As will a scattering of fruit, nuts, and crackers. Sidenote: One of these cheeses is actually dairy-free! See below.
Cutting Board, price upon request, The Podolls; Marni Glass, $20, Jayson Home; Gold Flatware Set, $31, West Elm; Marin White Dinner Plate, $9.95, Crate & Barrel; Nordic Plate, $6.95, Crate & Barrel; Stonewashed Belgian Linen Runner in Ivory, $59, Restoration Hardware. Cheeses Via Cowgirl Creamery and Kite Hill.

Don't be afraid to put sweets on your cheese board. These almost-too-beautiful-to-eat chocolate items can sit pretty on the table until dessert and coffee time.
Mind Your Manners Tea Towel, $29, Nathan & Co.; Vintage Bowl, Elsie Green; Shield Cutting Board, Nathan & Co.; Tondo Bowl, $6.95 Crate & Barrel; Wheeler Pottery Tall Mug Set of 2, $56, Restoration Hardware; Toffee Chocolate Macadamias, $12, Charles Chocolates; Mint Chocolate Almonds, $15, Charles Chocolates; Candied Valencia & Almond Milk Chocolate Bar, $4.95, Charles Chocolates; Candied Valencia & Almond Bittersweet Chocolate Bar, $4.95, Charles Chocolates; Stonewashed Belgian Linen Runner in Ivory, $59, Restoration Hardware.

The Look: Indigo

Have a little DIY energy in your veins? Try making your own indigo-dyed runner and napkins, like we did here, for a fraction of the price of store-bought versions.
Pure White Ceramic Bottle, $19, West Elm; Cosmo Cups, $14.95, Crate & Barrel..

Think outside the box when it comes to "florals." Cotton works great and lasts forever. If you have a stash on hand, you'll be able to make quick, rustic-chic arrangements in a flash. Meanwhile, small greens laid on the table add another decor element, bringing the eye up and down.
Pure White Ceramic Bottle, $19, West Elm.

You don't actually need glasses at the table. We like the idea of a mug in its place, for wine, water, or whatever beverage you're serving.
Pure White Ceramic Bottle, $19, West Elm; Mug, stylist's own.

To offset the hippie-dippy feel of the indigo, we chose sleek and modern flatware. This balance is key.
Ittala Tools Piano Workshop 5-Piece Flatware Set, $96, AllModern; Siirtolapuutarha Plate, $38.50, Marimekko; Sääpäiväkirja Dinner Plate, $45, Marimekko; Cosmo Cup, $14.95, Crate & Barrel.

A little plate-topper, whether it be a castaway from the floral arrangement or a name tag, can instantly elevate a tabletop. With the holidays coming up, we love the idea of placing an affordable, take-home ornament on top of a napkin or plate.
Ittala Tools Piano Workshop 5-Piece Flatware Set, $96, AllModern; Siirtolapuutarha Plate, $38.50, Marimekko; Sääpäiväkirja Dinner Plate, $45, Marimekko; Cosmo Cup, $14.95, Crate & Barrel; Pizza Via Starbelly.

A beautiful statement plate can work wonders and serve as a place setting's focal point. We are obsessed with this one from Marimekko.
Sääpäiväkirja Dinner Plate, $45, Marimekko; Ittala Tools Piano Workshop 5-Piece Flatware Set, $96, AllModern.

If you don't want to slave away in the kitchen, we don't see anything wrong with ordering takeout or delivery and placing it on one of your own pretty platters. As long as it tastes amazing, your guests won't care who made it.
Tory Burch Spongeware Rectangular Platter, $128, Tory Burch; Pure White Ceramic Bottle, $19, West Elm; Burgers and Fries Via Super Duper Burger.