Thinking About Thanksgiving

A festive kitchen and deserves an equally festive place setting. Right, concept and design by Jordan Payne Events. Image courtesy of ThisbeGrace Photography.

It's hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. Time for turkey and mashed potatoes, ciders and pumpkin pie, heirloom place settings and vintage serving pieces, and best of all, time with friends and family. However you're thinking of celebrating this American tradition, we hope you're setting each seat with style. 

 Get the look with P.O.S.H.

Chocolate Metallic Charger with Mottahedeh Tree Dinner and Salad Plate, Copper Metallic B&B Charger, Gold Lyons Flatware, Green Vintage Carnival Wine and Water Goblets. Resource One linen, exclusively at POSH.

 

New for November // Elegant Entertaining

New POSH items for tabletop; ready to layer. Bottom place settings: Left; Gold Rimmed Glass Charger, Arte Italica Cream Charger, Blue + White Dinner Plate, Basket Weave Salad Plate, Michelangelo Flatware / Right, Metallic Copper Charger, Basket Weave Dinner Plate, Exotic Bird Salad Plate, Birch Hall Flatware, Riedel Stemware

Just in time for holiday planning, Basket Weave China and Valencia Stemware have arrived at to the POSH showroom. Get them while they're haute.

Bring romantic adornment to holiday tabletops with the textured trim of our Basket Weave China - a 4-piece set including dinner plate, salad, plate, soup bowl for these chilly months, and coffee mug. Layered with the POSH Vintage Collection and other Fall/Winter favorites or let this pattern stand alone to give classic catering china a break over the holiday season. Once you see how guests love this charming ivory look, you'll never go back to plain white china again.

If you're thinking about bring in the holidays with the same stemware as last year, why not splurge on an elegant piece that stands out on place settings and bars. Our Valencia Stemware is an elegantly etched collection including white and red whine and champagne flutes. We'll toast to that. 
 

Moodboard Monday // Halloween

Can you believe this is the last week of October? For all of those Halloween enthusiasts (Jami, we're looking at you!), we have the goodies to get your going while you prep for trick-or-treaters and spooky guests arriving at your home this week. 

Row 1: Make an amazing pumpkin punch or spiced cider served in our Irish Glass. Image via here / / One of our favorite bloggers, Waiting on Martha, created an eerily cool scene for a Halloween party. We loved her presentation of punch and stemware. See all her glorious details here.
Row 2: Even more Waiting on Martha, from candy apples to eyeball amuse bouche. Style Me Pretty covered the details here.  
Row 3: Serve your ghoulish guests stylishly with the White Chloe Goblet while refreshments stay cool in your customized pumpkin cooler. If beer isn't your thing, how about a fun Poison Apple drink in a crystal coup.  
Row 4: Celebrate the Day of the Dead with Onyx Stemware. // Kelly Wearstler styles her Beetlejuice dinner rather stylishly, don't you think? // Going for elegance rather than eerie? Mint julep cups and mixed metals approach the evening with a stunning rather than spooky vibe. 
Row 5: Black striped linens will make even the plainest tablescape pop. // For even more delicious yet festive options for serving drinks, our Autumn Ardor page is filled with our favorite ways to imbibe, like this Rosemary Pear Vodka drink.  
Row 6: Amber Goblets add a nice touch to your harvest tabletop. // Decorate everything from your bar cart to your entry way. Our favorite finds for Halloween decorating are on Domaine. 

5 Things // November Favorites

Five things that are packing a punch this November also happen to be our Fall favorites. 
1. Arte Italica Cream Charger - Refined Italian elegance for just the right amount of ornateness with a neutral color to compliment any tabletop. 
2. Mahogany Rose and Mottahedeh Tree China Collections - Fall calls for deep hues, patterns that reflect the natural autumnal landscape, and of course, style that upholds family traditions. Feast the eyes while your feasting on everything from turkey to dumplings. 
3. Birch Hall Flatware - Add an Art Deco element so the first thing picked up at the table holds enough weight to not easily be forgotten.
4. Stella Goblets - Make a statement with the best color duo of all time - black and white. Our newest addition to the goblet family - the Stella - is a more mature version of our Chloe with a slim, elegant stem and substantial cup for the perfect pour. 
5. Crossback Chair - Inspired by the Parisian cafe chair, these crossback chairs go well with everything from farmhouse tables to family seating. 
Book your today to ensure these beauties make an appearance at your next soiree.

Fall Fetes // All the Pretty Birds

Birds of a feather always stick together: Left, Marchesa dress. // Right, POSH Place Setting.

October through December are our favorite months. From the fashion to the festivities - not to mention the weather, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. With the well-heeled crowd ready to strut their stuff, be sure to have a tabletop layered to perfection. Include a mix of porcelain or bone china with an elegant yet festive pattern, like the Exotic Bird China Collection. Add in an ornamental element, from hammered copper chargers from Jan Barboglio or textured gold flatware like the Dynasty 24 Karat Collection, and you'll have a well-rounded look worthy of the guest wearing Marchesa. For the pretty birds ready to shake a tail feather, don't forget a presentation of serious stemware - from champagne coup towers to vintage goblets. You'll be toasting all night long. 

Get the look above from POSH: Place Setting - Jan Barboglio Hammered Changer, Gold Rimmed Glass Charger, Barcelona Gold Dinner Plate, Exotic Bird Dinner and Salad Plate, Gold Bead Glass B&B Charger, Gold Leaf Double-Handled Soup Bowl, Dynasty 24 Karat Flatware, Gold Floral Lace Glassware, Amber Goblet. Linen - Champagne Hammered Velvet from Resource One, Inc., exclusively at POSH Couture Rentals.

Playlist // Fall in Love

Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire via here.

What is it about Fall that makes us feel like we can dance on air? Here is the playlist to get you excited about the crisp air, plan a party or two, and turn your dinner party into an unforgettable evening. Just don't forget to call us for the chairs and champagne flutes!
 

Weekend To Do // Fall Favorites

 
Happy Weekend! We're hoping Fall weather will actually happen this weekend, but either way, we're excited about the Texas State Fair and a few new items that are making it to our home and showroom.  What are your plans for the weekend?
 
1. Table Talk: Modern monograms and hand-embroidered elephants for linens? Definitely.  The fine-linen couturier Julia Berger collaborated with super society calligrapher Bernard Maisner on these beautifully detailed napkins that beg a place at the table this month.
2. Fashion Forward: Every girl loves Matthew Williamson for fashion, but now we can add his bold patterns and colors to our homes with ten vibrant prints designed for Osborne & Little this fall. Even if you don't add it to your walls, then at least grab this seriously cute umbrella.
3. Wall Love: We love everything from Deborah Bowness, but this glass tableware wallpaper takes the cake. It just might deserve a place in our showroom. 
4. Take Note: Taking the time to read blogs and newspapers is just fine, but especially with cooler weather to keep us bundled up and reading on patios, it's time to find a really great book. Stone Fox Bride, which we featured this week on the blog, has a reading list that we find quite refreshing. Get those Kindles fired up.
5. Warm It Up: The best thing about Fall is reintroducing warm soups and chilies to our family dinners. We've pinned several of our favorites to our Autumn Ardor Pinterest board.
6. Southern Tradition: If you live in Dallas, you can't help but notice the arrival of the Texas State Fair. Bigger and better than ever, with more friend foods and a new, improved Big Tex, we can't wait to get out there with the fam. 

WW // Bohemian Rhapsody

The Stone Fox Bride Sarah led down the aisle (left) and her bohemian tabletop (right). Photography by Stacy Newgent.

With all the beautiful weddings we see, it's hard not to have a #WeddingWednesday on the blog (Texas vendors and planners know how to do it right, y'all.) Today, however, we are inspired by a West Coast wedding featuring the anti-traditional team of Stone Fox Bride. Their vibe is anti-bridezilla, and their brides's Big Day always looks like the best party you wish you were invited to. The wedding of Sarah and Tom came across our blog feed, and we immediately fell in love with the chill mix of tradition meets bohemian rhapsody. It also fits the autumn looks we're feeling right now, so we picked our favorite POSH pieces inspired by this breathtaking wedding (which you can see in it's entirety here.). Are you in love with this look like we are?

Love the autumnal mix in the floral runner. Get the look with POSH with a white hemstitch overlay and jute linen with our new crossback cafe chairs.

Clockwise from top left: New Floral Damask linens in Silver, Ivory, and Taupe. / New crossback chair // Vintage amber goblets / A mix of couture and vintage for the perfect place setting: Gold Bead Glass Charger, vintage dinner and salad plates, vintage crystal cordials, mixed Michelangelo and Floral Elegance flatware, white hemstitch napkin

 

Presentation // Time to Shine

Champagne Coups get the Fall treatment with fresh apple cider and stacked champagne towers.

It's time to toast our favorite time of year, and there is only one thing to remember - PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING. 

We asked Jami and Laurel to give us insight into the top tabletop trends for the upcoming season, and one thing continues to catch everyone's eye - bright and shiny additions like crystal and cut glass. Bring in luxe details that stand out, like bubble bars with coups rather than flutes and stacked champagne towers to really set a celebratory scene. Laurel loves Fall ciders, which we see making an appearance in October with our champagne coups.

For tabletop, go with Jami's favorite look - a mix of bone and ceramic china with crystal pieces. You will instantly upgrade the most simple place setting to a plush tabletop in no time. For parties pass drinks in a combination of vintage crystal coups, cordials, flutes, and goblets for a Gatsbyesque feel that is making a huge mark this Fall. If all else fails, pick a piece of crystal to show off, and toast the season in style.
 

An array of POSH Vintage crystal champagne flutes, cordials, and compotes for toasting the season.

Love the Look // Leopard

Animal prints always make a strong statement come time for cool weather. And, as we all know, leopard is a neutral that never goes out of style. If you can pull off an animal print accessory, then you should be able to bring that look to your tabletop for a personalized look. Whether it's just a hint of leopard with a custom linen alongside a chic and timeless china pattern, like Gold Scroll China (shown left, above) with Christofle Flatware, then you can pull off of the animal print with an Amber Goblet or Elise Cut Crystal Stemware. However, if you really want to make a statement (and why not?!), then produce an outstanding tabletop with the complete Leopard China set that will have all your guests wanting to take a walk on the wild side. It takes a special woman to pick leopard for her place setting, and we want to be her friend. 

Get the look: Left, Gold Scroll Dinner Plate, Christofle Flatware // Right, Jan Barboglio Hammered Copper Charger, Leopard Dinner and Salad Plate. 
 

TO DO // Summer's Last Hurrah

Summer, you were great, but we're moving on. Our last hurrah of the summer involves a lot of work in Oklahoma with great vendors (hopefully, we will get to share more with you soon), but once we get home, we plan to chill and enjoy the last few official days of the hot months by looking forward to fall. 

1. Breakfast in bed? We still need to catch up on all those September issues, not to mention our favorite blogs!
2. We love Marchesa's pinterest inspiration board. All the lovely details you would expect from the glamorous fashion duo. We see much more Marchesa in our future. 
3. Our favorite china patterns tend to go on the table, of course. However, it's hard to pass up this delightful wallpaper when it comes in blue + white. #classicsrule 
4. Inspired by the Mui Mui's veritable feast during fashion week, we're thinking up new ideas for displaying goodies at future parties. Perhaps a party with our friends to bounce ideas of each other and come up with creative concepts. Sounds fun! Just look at the Girls Day In party Rue shared on their blog. Can't wait to try this out!
5. Speaking of fun Fall fetes, how about a vintage botanical party inspired by your friends at 100 Layer Cake? We'd love to take this to the next level with #POSHVintage. 

Your turn! How are you spending the last weekend of summer?

1 Pattern / Three Ways / Mahogany Rose

Image 1 + 2 design and image by POSH / Image 3 design by Marin Fiske-Rankin for SMU, photography by Tamytha Cameron

One of our favorite patterns for autumnal entertaining has to be Noritake Mahogany Rose. This complex place setting - a mixture of geometric print and floral rose overlay patterns - can be personalized in literally hundreds of ways. The contrasting dark and light hues can edge up a modern tabletop while the rose imprint brings an elegant touch that would otherwise be lost. Geometric prints and 80's throwback floral are big this Fall, both of which take center-stage with Mahogany Rose, and we couldn't love it more.

PLACE SETTINGS

1. We love our layers: Rattan Square Charger / Jan Barboglio Hammered Copper Charger / Gold Rimmed Glass Charger / Gold Leaf Dinner Plate / Mahogany Rose Salad Plate / Mottahedeh Tree B&B, teacup, saucer / Dynasty 24K Gold Flatware / Amber Goblet / White Chloe Goblet / Silhouette Water Goblet / Natural Metallic Weave Linen by Resource One, exclusively at POSH

2. Vintage goes glam: Hand Cut Crystal Charger / Barcelona Silver Dinner Plate / Mahogany Rose Salad Plate / Vintage white and floral B&Bs / Vintage Silver Footed Compote / Birch Hall Flatware / Vintage Blue and Smoke Goblets / Silver Goblet / Metallic Weave Runner by Resource One, exclusively at POSH

3. Glamorous Gold: Jan Barboglio Hammered Copper Charger / Barcelona Gold Charger / Mahogany Rose Dinner Plate, Salad, Plate, B&B / Gold Floral Lace "Hot Toddy" Demitasse, Water Glass, Wine Goblet, Champagne Flute / Silverbead Flatware / Jute Linen

 

Color Envy: Going Green for Fall

Marilyn's elegant (and of the moment) style. Image: Source unknown /  The Sevres Collection adds sophisticated style to every place setting.

Fall is all about the classics for us. When hosting our first soirees, we like tried-and-true patterns that mix easily with new chargers and seasonal palettes, which is one of the reasons why the Sevres Collection is at the top of everyone's list for favorite china patterns. 

Yesterday, we touched on tips for planning Fall fetes, including dressing the part (both in our wardrobe and on our table). We love the undeniable style of Marilyn Monroe - she who could turn from girl next door to bombshell. This nostalgic photo of her is a look we'd like to carry out in our hostess duties - easy, sophisticated, and the perfect mix of black and green for Fall. Translated to tabletop, we'd take the same classic style, pop of color, and undeniable glamour by adding the Sevres Collection. Alone or with a fabulous Mottahedeh Charger, Rattan Charger, or Jan Barboglio Charger, this collection is in a class of its own. We love that you can mix it with couture pieces as easily as vintage collections. Make sure this pattern makes it to your tabletop this Fall.
 

Fall Fete: Basic Prep

Festive designs from Paperless Post.

We're anticipating Fall and the festive fetes that will be thrown once the crisp weather arrives. If you've been gone all summer and need to get back in the swing of things, have no fear. We're sharing our favorite ways to prep for Fall, starting with the basics. Step one, check out invitations from paperlesspost.com and send a save the date or invite. Fall fills up quickly for society swans, so set the date and time!

Engraved coasters and menu cards from bell'INVITO /  Top hostess, Gwyneth, of course, has great recipes to try with friends on GOOP. / The D Cookbook has top chefs from DFW with the ultimate recipes to impress guests. Pre-order here.

Get your menu planned: The D Cookbook features local chefs (including those on the hot list right now from FT33's Chef McCallister to mainstays like Stephen Pyles) which are sure to impressed a well-heeled crowd. If you want a little more foodie fun, or just want to host  friends a' la Gwyneth, check out Goop for healthy yet delicious options. 
Go the extra mile: Order engraved coasters and menu cards from bell'INVITO. Nothing pleases like personalized paper goods.

Image via Pinterest.

Places: Get reacquainted with tabletop placement and etiquette. Knowing the proper places sets a luxurious tone for dinner, as well as making guests feel important. A few easy tips: Four-lettered flatware goes on the left (fork) and five-lettered flatware on the right (knife, spoon). Drinks are always in the top right corner of the place setting, above the knife and spoon. For tried-and-true etiquette tips, look no further than The Emily Post Institute. 

Check back tomorrow for more prep tips to make your party unforgettable with tips on decor, tabletop, and more!

If you're thinking about blue + white for fall

Flawless Valentino campaign. Images via Valentino / Blue and White China takes center stage on an otherwise minimal setting of Royal White Charger, Clear Glass Charger with Silver Rim, Silver Flatware, and Blue-Green Swirl Stem Glassware. Image via POSH.

Inspired by the Valentino Fall editorial campaign, our transitional tabletops from the last days of summer to the early days of fall have a heavy blue and white feel. Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli cited Flemish paintings and "Calvinist simplicity" as inspiration for their fairy-tale sartorial 2013 collection. What we take from the look (beyond just gorgeous blue and white): Let your prints do the talking when going for a more minimalist feel. One gorgeous china pattern with a stunning accent goblet may be all you need for a modern tabletop. This is perfect before layering on more pieces for fall, in both your wardrobe and tablescape. Flawless.

Take Note: Modern Rules

With notes of masculinity and fresh modernism hitting the runways, we're inspired to move forward with bold lines in feminine palettes and truly show our stripes. We still love the elegant ease of Chanel's always on point looks, as well as the easy yet refined style of a simple stripe. As we're on the cusp of Fall's social season, we imagine our favorite tastemakers will start off with conservative theme before heading into really decadent thematic palettes in the holiday season. Are you loving the stripes and masculine trends your seeing?

Chanel Resort 2014. Image via Style.com / Modern style via Colin Cowie Weddings. Get the look for your modern place setting by stealing a note from Chanel's style book: Clean linens and minimalist palettes with a slight dash of color in just the right spot. We'd go for pure white china or stoneware, Silverbead flatware, and Ambe goblets.

Masculine looks never look so good. Chanel Miranda Kerr's look for a lunch look and steal the idea for your tabletop with our new striped linens, available in a rainbow of colors. Contact us today for details.

xxx

Plan: Fall Fête

It's way to hot to do anything less than dream about cooler weather. So in the regard, we're perusing magazines and blogs for inspiration for our Autumn Ardor mood board. Are you already thinking about the direction of your Fall fêtes? Your party and tabletops should  be a direct reflection of your personality, and no one personalizes place settings better than P.O.S.H. Overwhelmed of where to start? Think about what you like - from the blogs you read to your wardrobe purchases and get inspired. We've created a fun diagram to determine your muse and signature P.O.S.H. style for the season to help things along. It's time to play with patterns!

Do you fall for the bohemian glamour of Texas girl Jerry Hall, the luxurious high-end aesthetic of Lee Radziwill, the sophisticated starlet style of Grace Kelly, or the pretty and polished look of new mom Kate Middleton.

Pretty: Leopard Charger, Simply Ivory China, Amber Goblet, Leopard China / Sophisticated: Resource One faux snake skin linen, Barcelona Silver China

Ornate: Gold Pebbled Charger, Gold Leaf Stemware, Green Vintage Carnival Glassware, Dynasty 24 Karat Flatware, Floral Elegance Flatware, Copper Metallic Charger / Haute: Onyx Stemware, Carmen Black + Gold China, Metallic Brocade Linen from Resource One, exclusively at POSH. 

 

If you're feeling peachy keen

Pretty in peach: A simply white square dinner plate adds a modern element to this sweet peach tablescape. It's like a white tee for your couture ballgown. Jil Sander would approve.

 We love a great peachy hue. It basks in Summer tablescapes with hints of orange and red or sets off a sweet yet simple place setting. Come Fall, it strikes a chord with deep browns and greens. Simply put, it's the under-appreciated neutral of the color wheel. So, if you are already thinking about peach when it comes to event decor or your fashionable attire, go for it. Peachy keen, indeed. 

Chic peach: If simple is not your calling card (don't worry, we always think more is better), then call out the couture with a luxe layered look that will go from sweet to sassy with the bat of an eye. Get the look with P.O.S.H. Gold Florentine Charger, Arte Italica Dinner Plate, Gold Leaf Dinner Plate, Sevres Salad Plate, Birch Hall Flatware mixed with Artesian Flatware, and Light Pink Chloe Goblets.

Plan: Before the Fall

Places, please. From left: Mottahedeh Tree Tea Cup + Saucer, Dynasty 24 Karat Flatware, Jan Barboglio Hammered Copper Charger, Gold Rimmed Glass Charger, Gold Leaf Dinner Plate, Mahogany Rose Salad Plate, Mottahedeh Tree Salad Plate, Amber Goblet, Pure Stemware

July in Texas means it's hot in here. We prefer to keep it haute by dreaming up autumnal tablescapes with fab pre-fall trends. It's all about the texture while transitioning to crisp weather, not to mention, heavy metals and glowing hues. Terra Hoebing, our Inside Sales Manager, hand-picked her favorite Fall finds for an elegant and artistic place setting. Geometric prints, classic Mottahedeh patterns, amber goblets, and 24 karat gold flatware - and even Fall favorites are on our Summer Special. What's not to love about that?

With just a few months left to plan for your Fall fetes, it's time to get over the lazy days of summer and prepare for festive evenings and cooler temperatures. If anything, it will help these triple-digit days go by a lot quicker. Tell us; what are you planning for Fall?
 

Tabletop Tuesday: A Perfect Mix

Fruitwood Chiavari with Tufted Cushions, Bronze Metallic Jute Linens

A perfect mix of masculine and feminine means equal parts distinct texture and shimmering cuts. Translated to tabletop, an ideal example is the place setting designed for the Meadows Museum. With a Jan Barboglio Hammered Copper Charger, the geometric and rose imprint of the Mahogany Rose China, and the sophisticated glistening of Gold Leaf Glassware, this could be one of our favorite layered looks. Beautiful to the eye and interesting to the touch, this is both ornate and cultivated - ideal for an elegant evening. For those planning ahead for Fall events, keep your eye on this P.O.S.H. place setting.

Jan Barboglio Hammered Copper Charger, Barcelona Gold Charger, Mahogany Rose Dinner, Salad, and B&B Plates, Gold Leaf Demitasse, Dynasty 24K Flatware

Gold Leaf Tom Collins, Wine Goblet, and Champagne Flute.

Design + Concept, Marin Fiske-Rankin | Floral, The Garden Gate | Rentals, P.O.S.H. | Photography, Tamytha Cameron Photography | Venue, The Meadows Museum at SMU