What's the Dish?

February 23, 2009

If you’re cutting back on fussy centerpieces, a dining table can get its fair share of decor from the dinnerware. Here’s a selection of fashionable, fancy patterns.

A sampling of fanciful china patterns

A sampling of fanciful china patterns

Photo: Nick Ferrari for BizBash

Carousel cobalt blue, $1.10, available from Perfect Settings in Washington

Carousel cobalt blue, $1.10, available from Perfect Settings in Washington

Photo: Nick Ferrari for BizBash

White with tangerine dot, $1.50, available throughout the U.S. from Unique Tabletop Rentals, a division of Classic Party Rentals

White with tangerine dot, $1.50, available throughout the U.S. from Unique Tabletop Rentals, a division of Classic Party Rentals

Photo: Nick Ferrari for BizBash

Deco, starts at $1.75, available from Party Rental Ltd. in New York, Washington, and the mid-Atlantic region

Deco, starts at $1.75, available from Party Rental Ltd. in New York, Washington, and the mid-Atlantic region

Photo: Nick Ferrari for BizBash

Spokes, 92 cents, from Classic Party Rentals in San Francisco

Spokes, 92 cents, from Classic Party Rentals in San Francisco

Photo: Nick Ferrari for BizBash

Majestic, $1.95, available throughout the U.S. from Unique Tabletop Rentals, a division of Classic Party Rentals

Majestic, $1.95, available throughout the U.S. from Unique Tabletop Rentals, a division of Classic Party Rentals

Photo: Nick Ferrari for BizBash

Casablanca, $2, available from Tablescapes in Chicago

Casablanca, $2, available from Tablescapes in Chicago

Photo: Nick Ferrari for BizBash

Aurora gold, $1.75, from DC Rental in Washington

Aurora gold, $1.75, from DC Rental in Washington

Photo: Nick Ferrari for BizBash

White with sienna rim and gold edge, $1, from Hall's Rental in Chicago

White with sienna rim and gold edge, $1, from Hall's Rental in Chicago

Photo: Nick Ferrari for BizBash

Architect, $1, available from Perfect Settings in Washington

Architect, $1, available from Perfect Settings in Washington

Photo: Nick Ferrari for BizBash

Imperial blue lapis with gold rim, $2.25, from Classic Party Rentals Chicago

Imperial blue lapis with gold rim, $2.25, from Classic Party Rentals Chicago

Photo: Nick Ferrari for BizBash

David Stark also created unique centerpieces for the 2018 Robin Hood benefit, also held at the Javits Center. The event, which had a “Lights of New York” theme, featured three-sided mini marquee centerpieces that offered messages of gratitude and celebrated the organization's anniversary.

15 Unexpected Centerpieces We Can't Stop Thinking About

Wow Attendees with a Tablescape From ART2TABLE

Why This Event Prof Left New York to Start Her Own Business in the Caribbean

Holiday Table Inspiration From Dine by Design

How Apartment Therapy and Pinterest Came Together to Create Showstopping Tablescapes—Just in Time for the Holidays

In September, Blueprint Studios designed and produced the San Francisco Opera’s Centennial Celebration Gala. At the arrival reception and dinner, an indigo and goldenrod color palette found in the table linens and flatware was especially striking. The team at the San Francisco-based event production company also used a mix of periodic textiles such as velvet, leather, crystal, mirror, and ostrich plumes throughout. See more: Over-the-Top Design Inspiration From Two of San Francisco's Most Swoon-Worthy Galas

10 Stunning Tabletop Looks We've Loved Recently

15 Unexpected Centerpieces We Can't Stop Thinking About

From interactive musical instruments to marquee signage to mini cityscapes, here are some of the most unique event centerpieces we’ve spotted over the years.

David Stark also created unique centerpieces for the 2018 Robin Hood benefit, also held at the Javits Center. The event, which had a “Lights of New York” theme, featured three-sided mini marquee centerpieces that offered messages of gratitude and celebrated the organization's anniversary.

Why This Event Prof Left New York to Start Her Own Business in the Caribbean

Meagan Hundt spent over a decade producing events in Manhattan—but the pandemic brought her to St. Barts. Now she's creating intricate tablescapes with her newly launched company, ART2TABLE.

Wow Attendees with a Tablescape From ART2TABLE

How Apartment Therapy and Pinterest Came Together to Create Showstopping Tablescapes—Just in Time for the Holidays

In perfect timing with the season of gathering, 10 designers brought their own personal style to the table—literally—at Dine By Design, inspiring guests to get creative with their holiday place settings in the coming weeks.

Holiday Table Inspiration From Dine by Design

10 Stunning Tabletop Looks We've Loved Recently

From florals encased in ice to a French-inspired dining vignette, we've rounded up a handful of looks that made us wish we had a seat at every table.

In September, Blueprint Studios designed and produced the San Francisco Opera’s Centennial Celebration Gala. At the arrival reception and dinner, an indigo and goldenrod color palette found in the table linens and flatware was especially striking. The team at the San Francisco-based event production company also used a mix of periodic textiles such as velvet, leather, crystal, mirror, and ostrich plumes throughout. See more: Over-the-Top Design Inspiration From Two of San Francisco's Most Swoon-Worthy Galas

8 Tabletop Design Ideas for a Mother's Day Luncheon

However you're celebrating the upcoming holiday—whether over Zoom or in person—make it an occasion to remember with a thoughtful tablescape.

Another inspiration tabletop spotted at DIFFA's annual event, this ethereal display marries feminine hues with metallic touches for a showstopping setting—certainly better suited for those with a go-big-or-go-home mindset. See more: 18 Dining and Tabletop Ideas From Diffa's 2019 Dining by Design

#ThrowbackThursday: 12 Inspirational Installations From DIFFA's Dining By Design

Looking for some inspiration? Look no further. While DIFFA's signature fundraiser has been postponed until 2021, we're taking a look back at top moments from years past as an ode to the creativity-filled benefit.

Novita Communications partnered with design studio Maiarelli Studio to create an installation that aimed to connect reading with the feeling of empathy. Instead of plates, open overturned books covering the topic of AIDS occupied the place settings, and stacks of books served as table legs.

See Inside This High-Tech, Multisensory Experience from Don Julio

How BET’s Stylish Anniversary Dinner Honored the Past—and Embraced the Future

This Event Turned Home Decor Into a Celebration of Latinas' Life Moments

C2 Montreal 2025: How the Business Conference Puts Creativity in 'Motion'

Inside the Build: How Bellagio Fountain Club Delivers F1® Weekend’s Most Luxurious Hospitality Experience

What's New in Meetings and Trade Shows: MPI WEC Heads to St. Louis, New Trends Report Shows Corporate Events on the Rise, and More

Event Planners Are Thinking Micro To Bring Back Live Events

Coastal Cool - One of many hyper-curated tablescapes from Hestia Harlow, the newly launched event platform that's creating a revolution in our industry.

Event Design & Decor

Forecast: 10 New Products & Ideas for Summer Events

Ideas, products, trends, and other new stuff to have on your radar from across North America.

The Lodge at Sonoma recently launched its Sonoma Bike Tour program, created in partnership with Mission Bicycle Company, a boutique bicycle shop in San Francisco. The program features an insider’s guide to spots in Sonoma within biking distance, and the Ultimate Wine Country Bike Tour Package (starting at $344) includes the use of two custom wine-colored bikes made exclusively for the lodge. Plus, guests can go on a scavenger hunt with stops and tasks at participating locations such as tasting the special “Vella” cheese at the Vella Creamery.

Event Design & Decor

5 Cool Ways to Use Graffiti at Events

Street-style tagging adds color and vibrance to events. Here are some eye-catching, out-of-the-box ways to use graffiti in tabletop design, rentals, catering, and more.

2. Brighten up a seating area.

Printing & Graphics

10 Creative Menu Designs Your Guests Will Eat Up

Here are some ways to make the menu look as appealing as the meal printed on it.

For a private wedding, held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington in March 2018, Favored by Yodit Events & Design and By Dami Studios created golden menus with cherry blossom frames to mimic the event’s theme.

18 Dining and Tabletop Ideas From Diffa's 2019 Dining by Design

From a whimsical peacock-feather tablecloth to trompe l’oeil details, the fund-raising event offered up cool, creative, and clever concepts for decor, lighting, themes, and more.

Novita Communications partnered with design studio Maiarelli Studio to create an installation that aimed to connect reading with the feeling of empathy. Instead of plates, open, overturned books, each covering the topic of AIDS, occupied the place settings and stacks of books served as table legs.

10 Best Ideas of the Week: a D.I.Y. Gin Spritz Wall, Warhol-Inspired Poppy Centerpieces, a Vintage Typewriter Installation

Here's a look at 10 steal-worthy ideas we spotted this week.

It’s A Thing Experience

Page 1 of 45