billet-doux: place settings

Oh, how we love a beautiful place setting. Having a gorgeous an inspiring pattern makes it easy to change the look seasonally by incorporating different chargers and accent pieces. When we look for patterns for home, we often think of their ability to transform with different layers as well as stand the test of time in their design and durability. That's why we are so excited about the Scalamandré for Lenox patterns and Oscar de la Renta's tropical inspired line. (We wrote about the Scalamandré Zebra pattern here.) These look like the perfect additions to your personal collection, and they would be easy to change up throughout the years. 

 Top: Our favorite from the Lenox collaboration is the Bouvier pattern, based on the Scalamandré Tuileries silk print Jackie O used in her NYC bedroom - very chic. 
Middle: The  best-selling Love Birds (left), a perennially fresh pattern of one the earliest and most beloved Scalamandré patterns, and (right) Toile Tale,  an enchanting Chinoisierie pattern of beautiful flowers.
Bottom: Oscar de la Renta knows the beauty of tradition, as well as life in the tropics. This blue + white line of hand-painted stoneware is based on his beloved Punta Cana lifestyle - something we'd love to incorporate in our lives and our home. Plus, think of how cute they would look with Rattan chargers or dressed up with Barcelona Silver. 

If You're thinking about zebra print

Scalamandré is known for quality designer fabrics; you probably are aware of their cult classsic pattern, "The Zebras," from its appearance on wallpaper in nearly every interior design blog and shelter magazine. Now this cool design is coming to tabletops with their fine china partnership with Lenox. How cool is that? We can't wait to get it for our own tabletops, as it is a look we have gone for again and again with clients. The biggest thing to remember with such a strong print or pattern is not to be afraid of it. Go ahead; get wild!

All the cool kids channel Margo from The Royal Tenenbaums. Left: A frame from the film. Right: The Zebra Pattern by Scalamandré for Lenox.

Left: The pattern on wallpaper for ELLE DECOR | Right: Image via THE NEW YORK TIMES

We'd pair the collection with rattan chargers and dark linens for an exotic theme and Barcelona Silver and Gold China for a more regal look. If you don't have the Zebra china collection, use a pattern linen and keep the tabletop simple with deep colors for a dramatic look. The Dallas Opera accomplished this perfectly with the 2012 la Traviata Onstage Dinner.

Add a little zebra print to your tabletop. | 2012 TO DO ONSTAGE DINNER, la Traviata

 

RENTALS: Black Chiavari with black cushion / Cut Crystal Glass Chargers / Silverbead Flatware / Silhouette Stemware 
Planning + Design, MORGAN VAUGHN | Linens, BBJ | Rentals, P.O.S.H. | Florals, DR DELPHINIUM | Photography, LYNN MICHELLE PHOTOGRAPHY