HOSTING: The Fall Table Inspiration

Nobody’s keeping score and at the end of the day, and no matter what you do, as long as it’s done with love, you’ve already accomplished what you set out to.

I adore a beautifully set table and cooking isn't my favorite activity, presentation is how I show the people in my life how much I care about them. Creating memorable moments for my friends and family doesn’t require anything elaborate. To me the essence of a great gathering is love, combined with creativity and imagination and a thoughfully arranged space.

There was a time in the past when I aimed for the perfectly polished gathering, and my quest for the elusive "perfection" left me stressed and headed for a few ruined evenings. Now, I own the environment I want to create. I don’t rush. I usually have a glass of wine close with music playing in the background. I use what I have on hand and I play around with things until it feels right. There are no strict rules. While traditional hosting methods and table setting standards do exist, if the linens don’t match or if the flowers are from the bodega, it’s all still okay. Nobody’s keeping score and at the end of the day, and no matter what you do, as long as it’s done with love, you’ve already you’ve already achieved what you intended.

When advising my clients on table design, I often recommend that they visualize the table in their minds, take stock of what’s around their homes that can be used to bring their ideas to life and then use whatever those things are to create their table moment. While presentation is important, creating a thoughtful dining experience with your table as the foundation doesn’t have to be elaborate or complicated. Experiment with layers to create depth until it feels right to you.

So, if nothing else, remember to: utilize what you already have; take your time to create the atmosphere you desire; embrace your creativity and appreciate the imperfections.