Red and green, the classic combination that conjures up Christmas memories and magic. This year, we all need sentimentality in spades, prompting my take on a traditional tablescape that features these two tones and a soupçon of festive flourishes.
Happy Thanksgiving week, dear readers! ‘Tis the season for turkey and tracking down a terrific surprise for everyone on your nice list. In the spirit of supporting smaller brands, I wanted to publish a list of places I personally patronize year-round. This isn’t your typical gift guide, rather an old-fashioned rolodex of clever and very chic outposts organized by category. Two categories to be exact: Ladies and babies. Whether you’re browsing for the haute hostess in your life or your prickly niece, there’s an online shop for that.
It’s a common saying here in Atlanta that the reason we all live here is for exactly four perfect weeks in the spring and another four blissful ones in autumn. It can be said that we don’t usually have to scrape ice off our windshields during winter, but the pollen, humidity, mosquitos, and thighs sticking to any chair surface become our seasonal penance for the aforementioned coveted weather.
At Chez Muffy, we make the most of our bluebird afternoons by breaking bread al fresco. I have two tables at my disposal—our teak behemoth for entertaining a larger crowd, and a rattan one of more intimate proportions that wears linens beautifully. On this particular evening, I pulled out my very favorite India Amory tablecloth and Herend’s beautiful Blue Garland china for a little garden gathering.
Accoutrements such as Loulou La Dune placemats (they double as napkins too!), sage glassware from The Avenue, and a fresh eucalyptus centerpiece layer in nicely. Other sources include delicate bud vases via Mrs. Alice, bamboo folding chairs from Amazon, and Ballard Designs’ Suzanne Kasler Directoire sofas in the background—highly recommend!
I also want to highlight Freshly Set, a brilliant outpost for rented linens. These aren’t your typical poly-blend event eyesores but chic designs from your favorite tabletop purveyors. I recently had the pleasure of setting a table with their wonderful wares and look forward to renting again and again. Don’t have holiday-ready patterns? Thanksgiving is the perfect time to give Freshly Set a try!
Thank you for stopping by dear readers, wishing you all some peace this week—or at the very least a stiff cocktail and excellent dish! Happy tablescaping!
Everything in the summer should be light and uncomplicated; languid days lounging by the water, casual tables set for al fresco dining, and balmy evenings spent enraptured by a game of backgammon. While this slowed down season has brought with it postponed plans and uncertainty, I find that cooking familiar flavors captures the spirit of summers past we’re all longing for lately.