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    • Make your table tops with these ideas
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    Make your table tops with these ideas

    Pabio Posted on

    Kristi Zimmeth
    | Special to The Detroit News

    “A cheerful heart is good medicine,” reads a place card on a dining table designed by Ruth Casper at the Michigan Design Center. As part of the “Gather” event opening next Friday, November 8, Casper’s serene “Faithfully Yours” space features a quiet meditation corner, journaling table and welcoming space designed to host friends . It “celebrates the importance of creating intentional space in our home for spiritual time,” says the designer.

    While the tables and themes are diverse, celebration in all its forms is at the heart of the event, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and which presents nearly 30 vignettes in participating showrooms. Design enthusiasts can tour the exhibits and meet the designers who created them while returning with ideas for upcoming holidays and year-round fun. Entry is a non-perishable food item or monetary donation to the Gleaners Community Food Bank. “We are thrilled to host an event that not only showcases the exceptional creativity of our design community, but also gives back,” says Susan Todebush, Managing Director and Executive Vice President of MDC. “With each exhibition, we have the opportunity to reimagine how we gather in our homes, while making a meaningful impact by supporting Gleaners.” »

    Party

    Casper’s table may be calm and thoughtful, but there are plenty of other options if you like to entertain in a more exuberant way. Sullivan-Strickler Design’s table reminds us to “never lose your sense of fun” and “promotes a sense of cheerfulness,” says Theresa Sullivan. “Each place at the table… is curated for the enjoyment and entertainment of each guest, while the entire vignette is prepared for a community entertainment experience that evokes revelry,” she says. GHK Collaborative Design “Swanky Soiree” wants “visitors to feel like they are immersed in a celebration of good friends, good music and good memories,” a party that evokes an elegant cocktail party and the glamor of Old Hollywood,” says Cynthia Hahn . Wanda Brown took inspiration from the “legendary festive spirit of Mardi Gras” with her “Pari Gras” table, which “reinterprets the celebration with the use of luxurious materials such as fine china, metallic accents and glassware in crystal”.

    Alexis Elley was inspired by “Lekka Jol,” a South African expression that translates to “cool party,” she says. More of a gathering place than a table setting, she describes her vignette as a “sexy, casual place to entertain.” And if you have fond memories of sitting or planning a fun table as a kid, don’t miss the “Cool Kids’ Table” designed by Dayna Rasschaert.. Inspired by the “joyful energy” of her children and the latest addition to her family, puppy Poppy, it is a “blend of light formality and sophisticated whimsy” and “a celebration of the art of togetherness”, she explains.

    Have a good trip

    As winter approaches, who doesn’t dream of a getaway? The travels have inspired a number of designers, including Jenny Roush, who created an inviting “Lunch on Safari” table using camp stools and rustic place settings. “Lunch can be just as fun as dinner, so why not have a fun and unexpected theme? » she insists. Terry Ellis staged “The Epic Road Trip Planning Party: Wheels Across America,” using a favorite collection of U.S. national park posters and a bar table made from a bicycle. A more relaxed event puts guests at ease; she advises. “Everything doesn’t have to match,” she says, “large containers or clay pots with just cut branches and leaves look very organic and come together easily.”

    The Mediterranean attracted designers at Ellwood Interiors, who planned a “Mediterranean garden evening” featuring a lush stage draped in earthy greenery and lit by lanterns. “From craft cocktails to curated linens, every moment is thoughtfully layered,” according to a description. “Every detail evokes a feeling of timeless elegance and tranquility.” Debi Hollis was also inspired by this part of the world to design “Around the Tuscan Table”. “The goal was to create a space where everyone is welcome and guests can imagine themselves with friends and family. Sit back, relax, break bread together and enjoy an “affogato” (an Italian dessert), she says. Haley Kiarash celebrated “La Dolce Vita” with an Amalfi Coast-inspired table setting, featuring colorful china, olive trees and a mural depicting a sunny city backdrop.

    Table trends

    Sherry Tattrie designed “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and says when it comes to entertainment, the possibilities are endless. “Rules are made to be broken,” she says. “There is a creative use of materials and objects, both in the design industry and in the table industry. Hats have become lampshades. Tiles have become placemats. From the very traditional to the blatantly bizarre, today’s designs are more imaginative than ever.

    Theresa Sullivan agrees that the tables are moving away from the traditional. “Tablescapes are less about strict etiquette and more about selected elements and artistic expression,” she explains. “Entertaining doesn’t always mean sitting down at the table for a formal meal,” adds Anita Sneideraitis, whose table is inspired by botanical gardens. “You can provide stations for foods that don’t require a lot of cooking or can be prepared in advance, like charcuterie boards, food bars and appetizers. »

    “I’ve noticed a trend toward bringing nature indoors and using fresh, organic elements in table decorations,” says Haley Kiarash. “This reflects a wider shift in the design industry towards sustainability and the adoption of natural and handcrafted materials.” Elley agrees. “I see a lot of foraging when it comes to flowers,” she says. “The trends reflect a broader movement toward simplicity, sustainability and personalization of design, making tables both visually appealing and thoughtful,” says Valeria Zozaya. “Be creative with items you already own and bring nature to the table,” says Casper. “Adding moss, branches, stones or dried flowers from outside is always a beautiful addition.”

    “Setting a beautiful table can definitely enhance the dining experience,” says designer Joel Baird., whose elegant blue and khaki “family table” was one of the most welcoming of the event. Pulling color from the rug, he created a farm-to-table family theme with antique blue willow plates, khaki accents, and a rustic, approachable table made from two pieces of oak surrounded by mismatched chairs. He says his table reflects both tradition and trends, which include “lots of layers of china and flowers…There’s also a resurgence of granny chic because flowers and patterns are also popular.”

    Immersive, themed dining experiences are also a trend, says designer Sharon Gamblin, whose “Divine Dining” evokes an Asian theme using black, white and silver elements. “Think ‘Downton Abbey,’ ‘Gilded Age,’ ‘Bridgerton,’” she says. “I always rely on my themes,” she explains, adding “It helps make my table look strong and focused.”

    Entertain without stress

    Debi Hollis reminds hosts and hostesses to “keep it simple,” adding “Designing and entertaining doesn’t have to be over the top for people to enjoy it. » Planning the menu and table in advance will help you feel more relaxed, she says. Valeria Zozaya, who created a “Hounds and Tweed” sticker, agrees, reminding hosts and hostesses to “enjoy the moment” and “focus on the business, not perfection.” Guests appreciate your presence more than impeccable execution. Finally, don’t let planning overshadow the reason for gathering, designers advise. “If you focus too much on decorating, you’ll miss the point of enjoying those you want to spend time with,” says Debi Hollis. Theresa Sullivan agrees. “Once the guests arrive, join in the celebration and go with the flow. »

    “Start early and stop trying to impress your guests,” advises Cynthia Hahn. “Crystal is no longer just for holiday entertaining. Let’s also take it out for an impromptu dinner on paper plates… Enjoy the luxury of getting together, which is a welcome break from the often fast-paced, disconnected and messy experience of today’s daily life.

    “Come together: celebrate the art of hosting”

    10 a.m.-3 p.m. November 8

    Michigan Design Center

    700 Stutz Drive, Troy

    Non-perishable food or monetary donation of your choice to Gleaners Community Food Bank.

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