I am not sure how this happened, but I have been without basic white placemats. It sounds crazy considering my obsession with tablescaping, but in a way I find it slightly comical that out of my extensive table linen collection it's the basic white placemats that I am lacking. Over this past weekend, I came across these Cane Embroidered Placemats from Williams-Sonoma and totally fell in love. In addition to being pretty, classic and filling my white placemat void, they are currently on sale ($8.99/placemat online, but I paid $6.99/placemat in stores)! Naturally, I had to celebrate the acquisition of these placemats by a creating a new tone-on-tone tablescape. What I love most about this tablescape is that it works for multiple seasons and any meal of the day (just switch out the wine glasses for champagne flutes if you use this scape for breakfast/brunch).
To create this table, I knew that based on the colors of the placemats I wanted to keep the theme to tone on tone (meaning all from the same color palate- grey/beige/white). I framed my every day dinner plates with these rattan chargers from World Market. To top off the place setting I added a Wide Bordered Napkin (also on sale!..I bought these on a double sale day in store for $2.98/napkin. Currently they are on sale $6.99 online) in mirage grey with a pandan basketweave napkin ring. Since we are now well into the spring season and the consumption of light bodied red wines and white wines are equally on the rise I opted to keep both red and white wine glasses on the table, along with my CB2 Cave Cooler water glasses. Note- When your guests select their wine, remove the glass that isn't being used from the table to create more table space.
In keeping with my tonal theme, the centerpiece is simple, elegant and neutral. A dozen polar arctic white roses fill the tall center crystal vase, framed by my antique silver tray (similar here). To fill in the empty gaps on the table, I placed bud vases filled with white spray roses and rock-cut crystal votives (which also add great ambiance).
I am beyond thrilled to finally have a set of white placemats. They really can be used for so many different settings throughout the year and the flax colored cain embroidery gives them a bit of added character. I will definitely be using this tablescape this weekend. I just can't decide if it will be for brunch or dinner. I have menu ideas for both but cannot make up my mind on which course to host. Suggestions welcome!