Set the mood for food
I come from a big Italian family where meals have always been the focal point of our get togethers. Some of my most precious memories have been those spent around the dining table with the people I love. We are a noisy bunch, and whether it’s a large gathering or a small get together, it’s important to me that my table looks beautiful and welcoming.
Truffle Counter-Height Dining
Just because it’s a small gathering doesn’t mean it has to be paper plates! Here in Hawaii, we have the luxury of outdoor living year round. Do you have an outdoor seating area that you can utilize for meals?
Invest in some quality colorful and funky acrylic tableware. Mix up the color combinations to give your table an exciting and vibrant look. Use colorful place mats and cloth napkins to make your table pop. Have fun with it!
Make your guests feel comfortable. If it’s a casual meal, set up an informal buffet table. Start with a centerpiece. An arrangement of tropical fruits looks great.
Get creative with your food display. Use pedestals or cake stands to showcase your appetizers or desserts at different heights. Carve a pumpkin to host your squash soup. Scatter nuts on your table for a fun, random look.
Formal dining is a different matter. This is your time to shine. Bring out your very best dishes, glassware, cutlery, and linens. A centerpiece is important. For a formal dinner, I almost always use fresh flowers. This can be a simple bouquet of roses, or a mixed arrangement. I recommend a low arrangement so that my guests can see each other. Candles and music are essentials to enhance the mood.
Spiga Formal Dining
The most important thing is to enjoy yourself. Formal doesn’t have to mean fussy. Setting a beautiful table tells your guests that they are important to you and that you took the time to make it special. It’s the spirit of your home that your guests will remember long after the food is gone. ciao
Contributed by Christine Bongiorno-Grabau, Home Furnishing Consultant at HomeWorld Furniture Honolulu.
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