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: Embellish

You have the basics of Fall fete planning (if not, go here), but P.O.S.H. likes to go beyond basic. "More is more" is a rule we live by when it comes to entertaining.  Go the extra mile and make guests feel extraordinarily special with thoughtful touches peppered throughout the evening. 
Tabletop: Throw in elegant additions to the tabletop with couture chargers or a pop of color with beautiful vintage goblets. Embellish in the areas guests can't help but notice - a luxurious chair, a glass compote for a specialty dessert, linen napkins, etc.
Dress: Show guests you care by dressing the part. Channel your inner hostess with the mostess and dress colorfully and elegantly. We love Marilyn's timeless style and Mick's devil may care (and, frankly, glamorous) look.
Color: No matter what or where, embrace it.

From top: Colorful chargers on an all-white tabletop // Channeling Marilyn and Mick for easy and elegant sartorial style // Specialty linens and chairs, glass chargers and layered vintage china plates, gorgeous goblets - all to better embellish a stylish tabletop. Images via pinterest.

 We want to hear from you! What's your entertaining style for Fall fetes?

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!

Tabletop Tuesday: Once Upon a Fairytale

Once Upon a Fairytale, designed by Tami Winn Events. Photography by Tracy Autem Photography. Published in Brides of  North Texas, Fall 2013.  Get the look with POSH - Fruitwood Grand Chiavaris are the chairs of choice for a generous Southern seat.

Tami Winn's Fort Worth roots make her the ideal planner for a rustic yet luxe tabletop. If you know Cowtown, you'll understand why a love of landscape and nature as well as art and beauty permeates Tami's designs. For Brides of North Texas, she took her tabletop concept to Howell Family Farms and let her work come to life in this Southern fairytale setting. We love the mix of natural elements - burlap and greenery - juxtaposed with elegant mixed metals and decadent place settings. All you need is the happily ever after...

Get the look with POSH - Gold Rimmed Glass Charger / mixed china collections of Gold Leaf, Gold Scroll, and Barcelona Gold / Royal Gold Stemware / Gold Lyons Flatware / Vintage Glass Compotes / Fruitwood Grand Chaivari

 
Read more about Tami Winn in our Tastemakers series. For a behind-the-scenes look at the photoshoot, click here. For more gorgeous shots from the talented Tracy Autem, visit her blog here.  

Vendors // Tami Winn Events – Floral & Design // Behind the Scenes Video by Candlelight Films // Paper Planet – Paper Products, Chair Signs & Menus // Howell Family Farms – Location // Rent My Dust – Vintage Pink Sofa // Quest Drape  // La Tavola // Beyond- Linens – Chandelier // Posh Couture Rentals

Transition: Falling into Place

See the ad in the latest issue of D MOMS.

We're beginning to transition our summer to fall tablescapes, but there are always a few pieces that linger - blue + white heirloom china being one of those things. For our D MOMS ad, we thought it would be nice to have the fashion-forward (and on of our favorite tastemakers) Joslyn Taylor pick her favorite transitional tabletop pieces for elegant and easy Southern entertaining. Needless to say, Jos didn't disappoint. We typically see blue + white china on spring and summer tablescapes, but it can make the jump to fall with a few thoughtful layers. Jos picked the Jan Barboglio Hammered Copper Charger to add a masculine, textured element for the foundation and added autumnal hued amber goblets to ensure this place setting set the tone for the season. Completing the look with Dynasty 24 Karat Flatware and Simply Platinum China brought in the perfect metallic touches while vintage glass compotes added just the right amount of whimsy for festive entertaining. We love her look for fall. How do you make the transition to fall tablescapes? Want more blue + white? See here.