We just love the way the cheerful yellow of the charger accents the mushrooms of the dinner plate in this setting. It would make a wonderful table presentation in the spring or fall.

Here’s how to get the look:

Start with a lively yellow charger from the Anna’s Palette collection.

Add a whimsical dinner plate from Alberto Pinto’s Sous Bois pattern.

Throw in one natural linen tablecloth…

…and a couple of pieces from the Antique Forest Leaves collection by Anna Weatherley, and enjoy!

Trois Ors Red dinnerware is decorated with a stunning floral and leaf pattern, and finished with gold. We love it in this simple yet elegant table setting.

Here’s how to get the look:

A touch of red and gold makes this dinnerware so elegant.

Amber-colored champagne flutes echo the gold tones in the plates.

A natural linen tablecloth provides a subtle touch of luxury.

A set of gold-handled flatware adds just the right amount of sparkle, but isn’t over the top.

The spicy orange and warm neutrals in this table setting would look great at a holiday dinner. They would also work all year long.

Get the look –

Now that we’ve shown you some beautiful table linen choices for Thanksgiving, it’s time to set the table with our serving necessities and accessories.

Make guests feel warm and at home with Pomfret Candlesticks from Simon Pearce.

Add Lorel Gold Salt & Pepper Shakers from L’Objet.

Set out hors d’oeuvres or cheese on the Vagabond House Pear Branch Tray.

The Couzon Scenario Bowl and Vietri’s Affresco Buffet Plate are perfect for homemade side dishes.

Serve guests with pieces from the Lily Serving Set by Mary Jurek.

Dress up butter and gravy with the Mary Jurek Galaxy Butter Dish and Match Pewter Gravy Boat.

Dessert, everyone’s favorite part of the meal, looks extra special on the Julia Knight Peony Kiwi Cake Stand.

See all of our Serveware at GraciousStyle.com.

One of our all-time favorite holiday looks for the table is classic gold and silver. Metallics are so elegant, and the sparkle and shine adds a wonderful spirit of festivity to holiday dinners.

Add some sparkle, shimmer, glitz and glam to your table settings with these great metallic accessories:

From napkins and napkin rings to placemats and runner, Kim Seybert has done all of the hard work of coordinating this glamorous table setting, so all you have to do is unpack, set the table, and enjoy!

Warm, gold-toned flatware brings an extra touch of luxe to your place settings.

J.L. Coquet’s wide-band gold chargers are a great background statement.

Designed by Kim Seybert, these glasses add extraordinary flair to the table. Hand carved and hand painted with a textured finish.

Modern in style yet traditional in essence, L’Objet Place Card Holders are an elegant addition to the table.

See more great holiday looks here.

If you’ve ever attended an inaugural ball, red carpet premier, society wedding gala, or a major political fundraiser in the Washington D.C. area, you’ve probably seen the work of Andre Wells. An event planner par excellence, Wells has coordinated more than 4,000 events in the U.S. and internationally. We’re exhausted just thinking about that many parties!

We recently caught up with the busy Mr. Wells long enough to ask him some questions about event planning.

Gracious Style: How did you become an event planner?
Andre Wells: After years as a buyer I found a passion for the event planning aspect of my job. After a quick stint in the catering industry I was compelled to start my own business and create my own visions.

GS: What was the most complicated event you’ve planned?
AW: All events are complicated, because you are essentially bringing to life the vision of others through your own vision. You want to create unforgettable memories and the most positive experience for clients and their guests which takes a lot of foresight.

GS: How do you make an event more memorable?
AW: There are many ways to make an event memorable. For corporate or branding events you want to incorporate your brand through many elements of the event without being overbearing. Being aware of all the senses when you are planning your event is also important. Smell, touch, sight, etc. all have to work in harmony. The most important thing is flow. Having the intuition to foresee the needs of guests is key.

GS: What advice would you give to someone who’s planning to work with an event planner?
AW: Personally speaking, tenacity is key. Event planning is a job that requires you to manage expectations, emotions and most importantly, managing them with a budget in mind.

It is also important to ask questions and find a balance between creative input and the integrity of the company’s vision. Lastly, try to get as much experience and knowledge in every aspect of production from technology, to floral, to the culinary arts.

GS: What advice would you give to someone who’s planning a large event, such as a wedding, without a planner?
AW: Preparation is key. Use lists and make sure you are not too busy on the big day to enjoy it. If you are planning a wedding with no planner I urge you to hire help on the day and free your mind to enjoy your moment.

Thank you so much, Andre …  you are just amazing and we love what you do!

To learn more about Andre’s work, click here.

We were delighted recently when a customer shared with us her beautiful table setting using our chic black Festival table linens. Here’s what she had to say:

My guests thought the table looked lovely; I agreed with them. I greatly appreciate all your help with shipping it to me quickly. The quality of the linen is fantastic. I can’t wait to see how the fabric improves with age. Also, it was sewn on the grain; not all table linens are. It lays so straight and square in line with the table. My husband and I are delighted with it.

But don’t take our word for it; see for yourself:

Thanks for the kind words, Peggy. We think your table looks very lovely as well!

How have you made Gracious Style products your own? We’d love to see how you put your own stylish spin on things. Drop us a line on our website or post to our Facebook page.

Summer entertaining season is halfway over. We were starting to run out of decor ideas, so we turned to Flair: Exquisite Invitations, Lush Flowers, and Gorgeous Table Settings, by Joe Nye and Caitlin Leffel, which is packed full of gorgeous ideas for table settings, party decor and more.

Combining patterns and styles from around the globe, Joe shows us how to create settings that are fresh and unexpected:

Elsie by Charlotte Moss for Pickard dinner plate with Chelsea Botanicals dessert plate from Mottahedeh:

Home, James! Chinatown charger

Blue Canton Dinnerware from Mottahedeh:

This book makes a wonderful gift for anyone who loves to entertain.  And of course, it looks beautiful on the coffee table in between parties!

Click here for more details and to purchase.

These charming seashell napkin rings are just perfect for a casual summer meal, but they would look just as nice on a formal table.
 

Crafted with intricate detail, Hans Turnwald’s napkin rings feature a heavy silverplate base and four large shells. Each set includes four assorted rings. They are just right for the beach house!

Nobody does colorful, embroidered linens like designer Kim Seybert.  Her table accessories are like jewelry for the table – which is fitting, since Seybert was a evening wear designer before delving into home decor.

Her brilliant tabletop for the June issue of House Beautiful bears the trademark Kim Seybert color and vibrance:

To recreate this cheerful look at your own table, try these pieces from Kim Seybert’s tabletop collection: