Giving Thanks for a Beautiful Table

How does Jonathan Preece do it? In addition to being an interior designer and stylist with Bunny Williams Inc. and serving as Creative Director of BeeLine Home, Jonathan also creates stunning holiday tables for a coterie of clients and friends. Obviously, Jonathan's creativity- and energy- knows no bounds. Need proof? Just look at a Thanksgiving table that Jonathan designed for a client. While most holiday tables are as dry as a Butterball turkey (mine included), Jonathan's is a delectable feast.

The setting was a Federal house in Westport, CT that had been decorated by Bunny Williams. The client often hosted Thanksgiving dinners for 30 to 45 guests, all of whom were seated at tables in the main Dining Room and the Hall. When Jonathan was brought in to assist with the Thanksgiving arrangements, he suggested creating an enfilade effect by having a table in the Dining Room and two 72" round tables in both the Hall and the Breakfast Room.

Because the client loves drama, Jonathan came up with a scheme loaded with "Wow". One of the first things you probably noticed in the photo above is the male turkey taxidermy. (I've always thought turkeys were actually beautiful birds, and if this shot doesn't prove it, I don't know what does!) Also woven into the mix were branches of pear, maple, and magnolia intertwined with pyracantha vines. Jonathan also nestled purple variegated decorative cabbage plants into the mix.




Blanc de chine cockerels were perched alongside pumpkin tureens that did double duty as cachepots. Mercury glass votives, compotes, spheres, and toad stools added a little shimmer to the table. Mother Nature was present in the form of seasonal fruits and vegetables like brussel sprouts on the stalk, shitake mushrooms, pomegranates, and grapes.



Jonathan's client asked him to include place cards and gifts for the guests. Keeping with the theme of the table, the male guests received turkey callers, while the females got silver old fashioned hand warmers. And the kids? Mini Coleman lantern key chains. The place cards were actually plaster leaves with painted relief. The china was Wedgwood and the etched wine glasses were Christofle.


Over-scaled branch arrangements flanked the Breakfast Room Entry and added color and height to the main Dining Room. Albino pumpkins and decorative cabbage were clustered around a 19th c. garden urn. Love the drama of the uplight. And if you look carefully, you'll notice little bird houses made of bark and moss that hung on the branches.

So...after seeing these photos, I'm completely rethinking my Thanksgiving table. (Anyone know where to get albino pumpkins here in Atlanta?) If you think this is good, just wait until I show you Jonathan's Christmas table!

Tabletop Extravaganza

After visiting Mrs. Howard last week for their tabletop trunk show, I'm happy to report that people are still buying china, linens, napkin rings, and other table accessories. Thank goodness. I thought only a few of us were still entertaining at home. Happily, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Geoffrey Ross of Dransfield and Ross and Marc Blackwell were there to assist the ladies with updating their china and linens. (I'd love to say ladies and men, but I only saw female customers.) Now tell me, wouldn't you want to entertain a home, a lot, if you had pretty pieces like these?


Here's cute Geoffrey Ross ready to help update our tables.




Dransfield and Ross give napkin rings a whole new and fun look. How cool is that Taj Mahal ring? You wouldn't even need to put a napkin in it; you could just display it somewhere.



Dransfield and Ross napkins. Which color to choose?




Marc Blackwell's tabletop collection, also seen at top. Polka dots, stripes, and lots of silver and gold.

For information on the Dransfield and Ross and Marc Blackwell collections (oh, and William Yeoward too), contact any Mrs Howard location.

Jaime Hayon for Baccarat

Owen Lawrence hosted a party last week in honor of Spanish artist Jaime Hayon's Crystal Candy Set collection for Baccarat. Hayon's work is always vibrant, whimsical, and a bit fantastical, so it's no surprise that these candy jars, part of a very limited edition collection, are no ordinary candy dishes. I just don't see filling them with peanut m&m's, although I suppose you could.

I find it refreshing to see companies like Baccarat and Lladro (another line for which Hayon designed a collection) commissioning young, quirky designers to create pieces that might entice a younger generation into collecting crystal or porcelain. These old line firms may not survive if they rely solely on their traditional, bread and butter client base (I think quite a few of us, myself included, fall into the latter). Anyway, enough of the pontificating. On to the photos of the collection:



After Nine


Harcourt Lolly on the left and Lucky Green at right


Pina Passion Vase


Jelly Copper

And, because I love a beautifully set table, I couldn't resist a few snaps of Fio Pichardo's handiwork:





To inquire about the Hayon for Baccarat collection or any other Baccarat pieces you see in the photos, contact Owen Lawrence at (800) 499-3607.

(The image at top was taken from Hayon's website.)

At Home with Wedgwood

Recently, I was thinking about my favorite Tiffany & Co. tablesetting books from the 1980s and 90s (The New Tiffany Table Settings, Tiffany Taste, and The Tiffany Gourmet Cookbook) and lamenting the fact that there haven't been many books of late that have captivated me like the Tiffany books. On a lark, I ordered At Home with Wedgwood: The Art of the Table by Tricia Foley and frankly wasn't sure what to expect. I just received it yesterday, and guess what? No more lamentation- this book looks fantastic.

The book discusses the illustrious history of Wedgwood china and includes chapters on prominent Wedgwood collectors, including Suzanne Rheinstein, Charlotte Moss, Stephen Drucker, and Michael Smith. To be honest, I didn't have a chance to read the text last night. But if the photos are any indication, the text should be quite interesting too.


Designer Diane Martinson created a Neoclassical look for her home; the table is set with Wedgwood candlesticks in the Edme pattern.


Charlotte Moss set a table for a post ballet supper using Wedgwood black basalt and creamware- all set on a pink tablecloth. Gorgeous.


Stephen Drucker is an avid collector of black basalt portrait busts. In this photo taken in his apartment, a basalt wine ewer and a collection of over 500(!) reproduction plaster casts provide a graphic display. Now I'm inspired to start collecting plaster casts.


Lord Wedgwood's home outside of Philadelphia. (I thought for sure it was in England.) The green Chinese Tigers teacups are a c. 1984 Wedgwood pattern.


Author Tricia Foley's Upper East Side apartment where drinks are set on a table with black basalt ware and silver punch bowls used as coolers.


(All images from At Home with Wedgwood: The Art of the Table)

Entertaining à la Dorothy

It's Monday, but I'm already thinking about my weekend entertaining. Who better to turn to for a lighthearted take on design and entertaining than my gal Dorothy- Draper, that is. Here's what she had to say on the subject of entertaining one guest (but I believe her suggestions would work for two or three guests as well).

*If the meal is to be dinner then do not serve this in the dining room where you and your guest are uncomfortably conscious of being just two people in a room arranged for a larger number. Instead, have a card table set up in the living room or on the porch.


This 48" square card table and cloth from Ballard Design might be slightly large for two, but for three or four it would be perfect.

*The menu should be short, simple, and simply delicious. Every dish should count.


A nice gratin is simple, and it can be elegant too, especially when served in an Ercuis Gratin Dish. I have two of these that I use for entertaining and I absolutely love them. (Try serving Ina Garten's Seafood Gratin in one.)

*Choose flowers that are small and fragrant- lilies of the valley, white daisies with six dark red roses, or sweet smelling freesia.


I actually don't agree with Dorothy because I think you should avoid fragrant flowers on your dining table. However, this Martha Stewart Lily Centerpiece is pretty for another area of your home, and it's on sale too.

*If you want to be really festive there is nothing that looks more enticing than a wine cooler filled with ice and a small bottle of champagne, sauterne, or chablis peeping out of this, waiting to be opened.


How about this...


chilling some of this? And forget about getting a small bottle per Dorothy's advice- unless you have to go to work the next day.

*Try a combination of a turquoise-blue linen cloth with flame-pink camellias, white china and candlesticks of clear glass.


One of these blue Sferra linen tablecloths might be nice (available at F&B Specialty Linen).


And this white Augarten Opus china, available from Owen Lawrence, would look great with table linen of any color. I would love to have that covered vegetable dish- how great is that?

*Perhaps you have picked up some blue Staffordshire or old Canton china plates.... Try these on a mustard-yellow cloth with a big bunch of bluets or purple violets.


I know this table is not set with a mustard yellow cloth, but I do think it's a pretty table nonetheless. (Table set by Mrs. Angier Biddle Duke)

And most importantly:
*The same rule of careful attention to the details, simplicity, and few courses (deliciously prepared and attractively served) applies to the small informal luncheons or dinners you give. Your friends will be quick to appreciate the fact that you have tried to give them a good time. Moreover, they'll have a good time, and so will you.

(Draper tips from Entertaining is Fun!: How to Be A Popular Hostess. Duke photo from The New Tiffany Table Settings)

Nymphenburg to the Rescue

I too would share Wallis' glee at visiting the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich. Wallis had a thing for porcelain (amongst, um, other things), and so do I. Why is porcelain perceived to be something old, fussy, and outdated?

I find it depressing that many of today's brides forgo the fine china and sterling flatware for something low maintenance. Well, whoever said life is easy? Isn't it nice to have special, exquisite things for which to care? And don't you behave a little differently, perhaps in a more civilized manner, when you're dining from formal china? It's the same thing in terms of your wardrobe. I find myself slouching when I'm dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, but when I make an effort and wear a dress or suit, I tend to stand more erect and mind my manners too!

One porcelain manufacturer that is attempting to keep porcelain relevant for today's society is Nymphenburg. With a history that dates back to the mid-18th century, Nymphenburg honors its past by manufacturing historical pieces that have been part of its collection for over two hundred years- perfect for those traditionalists. But they also are embracing modern design by engaging artists like Ted Muehling and Hella Jongerius to design more contemporary pieces. It's really the best of both worlds.

Lest you think that some of Nymphenburg's porcelain figures and accessories are too traditional, perhaps it's time to rethink them. I believe it's all about the environment in which you display the porcelain. I like the incongruous look of a very traditional piece of porcelain in a starkly modern room. And if you need further evidence, look to design guru Murray Moss. He displays all kinds of Nymphenburg porcelain amongst the more cutting edge wares at his eponymous Manhattan shop. Moss, and Nymphenburg, are making porcelain cool again.


Bavarian Lion paper weight, based on a design by Johann Peter Melchior, c. 1800.



Chinese group with vase, ivory glazed, design by Konrad Linck around 1770.



Egg vase in glazed coral red by Ted Muehling, 2000



The "Atlas" pattern is inspired by ikat weaving. Would it surprise you to learn that the pattern on this china was designed in the late 18th century?



Butterfly collection, plate sky; by Ted Muehling, 2000



Nymphenburg Sketches, Game series; Hella Jongerius, 2006



I'm now coveting Mare Nostrum fish service. The rococo shape was taken from Nymphenburg's Cumberland service of 1760, but the variation with the fish motif was added in 1928.



Bonbonniere Eye container, 2009



Hare in Cabbage, Luise Terletzki-Scherf, 1960. Not for everbody, but this figure made me smile.

Image at top: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, accompanied by Princess Hella of Bavaria, visited Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg in 1954. All images from the Nymphenburg website.