A Year at the Table: 12 Modern-Heirloom Place Settings
A beautifully set table is never just about what is new or old or even “beautiful” for that matter. It is about how they blend together AND how they function (but that isn’t what this piece is about). Last year, we styled over a hundred place settings, each designed through a modern-heirloom lens. Answering the question, “how do we take this storied element and give it new, personal life?” Some began with inherited china or vintage stemware, others with a contemporary anchor, but finding balance in the mix. Here, we share twelve of our favorite settings and the elements that give some of these heirlooms a second chance.
Consider this a study in intentional tablescaping—and a reminder that the most memorable place settings are the ones that feel collected over time.
January \ “Mingle & Manifest“
Tortoise placemat – Kim Seybert – similar option
Charger – ‘Sollevare’ Provvista Designs (hand made; woman owned; organic)
Dinner Plate – white+gold Porcelain
Salad Plate – Waterlily Wonderlust by Wedgwood
Stemware – Karma champage; Karma wine; Tortoise Wine
Flatware – Black + Gold
February \ “This is Your Sign”
Charger – Acrylic Chargers
Dinner plate – Royal Crown Derby ‘Old Imari’
Salad plate – white+gold Porcelain
Stemware – Schott + Zweisel
Flatware – Black + Gold
Candlesticks – Vintage
Runner – Gauze Apricot
Napkin – Ivory Gauze
March \ “A Celebration of Spring”
Placemat + Napkin– Evelyn + Kate
China – Wedgwood “Butterfly Bloom”
Stemware – Etched
Flatware – Acrylic Handle
April \ “A Table Your Won’t Passover”
Charger – Glass w/ Gold Rim
China – vintage; similar
Flatware – Acrylic Handle
Stemware – Modern
Linen – Floral
Napkin – Green Gauze
May \ “Petals + Prosecco”
Linen- Green +White
Placemat – Pink Antelope
Charger Glass w/ Gold Rim
Dinner Plate- vintage; similar
Salad Plate – Noritake ‘Peony’
Stemware – Etched
Flatware – Acrylic Handle
Candlestick- Gold Floral
June \ “From the Earth to the Heart”
Linen- vintage mudcloth; Similar
Placemat – ‘Spaghetti’; Black Croc (similar) Doodle (similar)
Charger- Grey Marbled (similar)
Dinner Plate – Black with Gold Rim
Soup Plate- vintage- Carrera Gold Marble
Flatware – Gold Bamboo
Napkin – Black Shiborhi- Custom; Black Fringe
Napkin Ring – black agate
July \ “Meadow Muse“
Background- wallpaper
Placemat- Iza Silva Florentine ‘Malachite’
Charger- ‘Gracie’ Black and White Charger
Dinner Plate- Christian Dior ‘Malachite’ vintage + ‘Golden Parrot’– Wonderlust Collection Wedgwood
Salad Plate- McKenzie Childs ‘Butterfly Toile’ + ‘Butterfly Garden’ McKenzie Childs Enamelware Plate
Flatware- bamboo
Stemware- ‘Lily’ Green
August \ “An Ode to Edith- A Study in Tomato”
Rattan Charger- Open Weave
Dinner Plate- Fitz + Floyd ‘Sicily Green’
Salad Plate- Twig NY ‘Camille’
B+B Plate- Bordallo Pinheiro Tomato
Flatware- Red Handle
Coupe Stemware – similar
Tomato Cup- vintage
Linen- green and white check
September \ “For the Love of Fall”
Placemat- Tortoise
Charger- ‘Sollevare’ Provvista Designs (hand made; woman owned; organic)
Dinner Plate – vintage Royal Crown Derby ‘Red Festival’
Salad Plate- antique Imari
Appetizer Plate – Molly Hatch x Twig NY ‘Rosa Regosa’
Napkin- White Linen with Rust Border
Napkin Ring- Green Leather + Brass – custom
Flatware- Laguiole ‘Tortoise’
October \ “A Very Vogue Halloween“
Linen- custom Jill Seale
Charger- ‘Gracie’ Black and White Charger
Dinner Plate- Christian Dior ‘Malachite’ vintage
Napkin- custom Jill Seale
Flatware- Black + Gold
Nov \ “Give Thanks & Gather“
Tortoise placemat – Kim Seybert (woman owned) – similar option
Charger- ‘Sollevare’ Provvista Designs (hand made; woman owned; organic)
Dinner Plate- vintage ‘Autumn Leaves’ by Mitterteich
Salad Plate- Molly Hatch x Twig NY ‘Rosa Regosa’
Dinner napkin- vintage
December \ “A Hunt for the Holidays”
Placemat- Green Antelope
Charger- Glass w/ Gold Rim
China- vintage; similar
Napkin- White Linen with Rust Border
Flatware- Laguiole ‘Tortoise’
Glassware- vintage Culver Gold Highballs; Ned Smith Water Fowl; Etched
At the end of the year, the takeaway is simple: set the table with what you love and let it tell a story. When past and present meet, the table becomes timeless.
Design | Ghost Host by MB
Photography | Eli Turner Studios
