Isn’t it funny how a chore we all tried to get out of when we were growing up is now almost a hobby?
From basic place settings to trendy tableware, our Idea Specialists™ at The Retreat at Mountain Brook in Birmingham, Alabama, are here with recommendations on how to set your table for spring!
HARMONIOUS WHITES
There’s no better way to start than with a set of strong white dishes—the potential for mixing and matching them with other elements of your table settings is almost limitless.
An always reliable go-to is the Gibson brand, and its Noble Court timeless rim shape 12-piece set is a value buy at Target.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more funky, check out Mikasa’s Coronado Pearl 4-piece place setting (part of its Portugal Dinnerware Collection) offered by Macy’s. Unique shapes and rich pearlescence turn everyday soup bowls and salad plates into works of art in their own right.
For serving pieces, pop over to Lamb’s Ears in Crestline Village, or visit them online. From elegant Montes Doggett pieces to the whimsical Bow Wow Platter, there’s something for almost every bunny in their stylistically wide range of offerings.
GLAMOROUS GLASSWARES
Pair your new dishes with a mix of goblets and glasses in all hues of the rainbow. We could (and do!) spend a lot of time looking at Lulu and Georgia’s Insta, so it just makes sense that we would be drawn to their Estelle Stemware, which comes in a variety of colors. We’re partial to smoke as we head into spring. But if you’re already ready for brighter and lighter, Pottery Barn’s Happy Hour Goblets might be just the ticket!
FUN WITH FLATWARE
We will always be a fan of Oneida and its classic Louisiana flatware, even if we do live in Alabama. What’s not to love about the luster and the details, not to mention the balance of the pieces? Plus, it’s always easy to find, just in case you accidentally get the butter knife caught in the disposal. Not that we’re saying we did that, you understand. A 45-piece set now available online at Bed Bath & Beyond includes dinner forks and knives, salad forks, dinner spoons, teaspoons, and more.
For something a little more casual, there’s the West Elm Color Pop Caddy—four place settings in Easter egg colors stored in a clever handled carrier, which means it’s easy to take back and forth from the dining table to the porch if you want to dine al fresco!
For steak knives, The Retreat at Mountain Brook Idea Specialists™ recommend shopping locally at Table Matters in Mountain Brook Village. We like the Vagabond House set with shed stag horn handles, adorned with pewter crown and accent ferrule; it mixes elements of elegant and rustic for useful and striking implements.
GET IT TOGETHER
Whether you’re serving a serious Sunday dinner or just enjoy seeing your table nicely set, a table runner is a little piece of magic you can use to draw everything together. No matter your style, from contemporary to Victorian with Southwestern and Scandinavian in between, the Houzz collection features almost any option you can imagine, and at almost that many price points! We decided on the Metallic Glam one in rose for our first one.
Placemats are another way to coordinate, and it’s really hard to have too many. From holiday happies to patterns and solids, again, options abound—it’s all about what makes you happy. The Spruce featured SHACOS round braided placemats as one of its 14 Best of 2021, and we can see why: They’re easy to wipe clean and come in everything from canary yellow to plain ol’ beige. We can work with that!
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