Chic on a Shoestring Tablescape

I had a few friends over for a dinner party not too long ago and here’s the table setting I whipped together. It’s the perfect lesson on achieving a high style table setting on a low budget.

I started with the flowers, purchased at my local grocery store for around $16. Although some may find the idea of a typical grocery store flower arrangement hideous, with a little re-arranging and creativity you can make them look totally chic. I cut the stems down and rearranged them in a textured, deep plum colored low vase. The flowers provided a bright pop of color against my natural linen tablecloth, which was an inexpensive find from Target at $16.99. It has hemstitch detailing on the bottom and looks far more expensive than it actually cost. My napkins were a steal from the Williams-Sonoma clearance bin, scored for $4.99 apiece! (With a little digging I found 6!) I absolutely love them, especially the paisley pattern at the bottom and the bright green detail. I chose to use these napkins since they complimented the colors in the floral arrangement nicely.

Here’s a closeup of the place setting. My dinner plates are from Martha Stewart’s former Kmart collection and the silver chargers were another Target find that cost $6.99 for a set of four. The white wine glasses were $1.99 each from Ikea. The candlesticks were $10 from Jamali Garden Supply here in New York. I’m recapping prices to illustrate the fact that you really don’t have to spend a ton of money to create a stylish table setting. When you’re dressing your table…or your home…the end result isn’t about the individual pieces, it’s about how you tie it all together! The green vintage water goblets were inherited from my Grandmother. The napkin rings were a steal from the online home sample sale site One Kings Lane which is one of my favorite places to shop for my home. My lattice patterned flatware from Lunt Silversmiths was another One Kings Lane score at $29 for a five piece setting.

You can see the detail of the lattice pattern in this close-up photo. I just love this flatware set!

Here’s the table just before guests arrived. For dinner I served baked chicken breasts with sun dried tomatoes and goat cheese (an Ina Garten recipe), roasted asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes! I think food always looks better on a beautifully set table and my dinner looked delicious! (Sorry I didn’t take a photo!) If you like this table setting, here’s how you can achieve the look:

1. Bamboo 20 Pc Flatware Set, $29.99 at Target. 2. Lacquered Gold Dot Chargers – Set of 4, $24.99 at Target. 3. Crystal Candlesticks, $14 at Homedecorators.com. 4. Gibson Elements Classic White Dinnerware 6 Pc Set, $19.99 at Macy’s. 5. Set of 4 Colorblock Linen Dinner Napkins, Sferra. 6. Fieldcrest Luxury Linen Hemstitch Tablecloth (various sizes), $16.99 at Target. 7. Green Vintage Glass Goblets – Set of 8 available on Ebay. 8. Oval Classic Napkin Ring, $3.95 each at Crate & Barrel. 9. Optimal White Wine Glass, $1.99 each at Ikea. 10. Floral Arrangement, Opalia Flowers in Brooklyn. (Or arrange your own with flowers from your local grocery store or deli!)