Look Magazine Design Luncheon Tablescape: Merging the old with the new
I had a wonderful time designing a tablescape for Look Magazine’s Design Luncheon at the Field Club in Greenwich, CT. Elaine and Chi Chi Ubina did such a fantastic job putting everything together. Many thanks to Jane Cumming and Tori Lawrence of Schumacher for your help with the collaboration!
There’s always something new to try when it comes to tablescapes and with the holidays nearly here, there was plenty of table decor inspiration to be found in all of the gorgeously designed tables. I loved being around so many talented designers and it got my creative holiday vibes flowing.
For my tablescape design, I strove for that beautifully balanced flow of merging the old with the new, and this event gave me the opportunity to pull together elements from several different inspirational sources.
I recently talked more about my tablescape design with Look Magazine in this Q&A. Don’t miss the Pro Tip for designing your own table!
What inspired your tablescape design for the LOOK Luncheon?
My design inspiration stemmed from a deep love for the South and its rich tradition of fine dining and table settings. Growing up, my mother was a wonderful hostess, and I learned the art of setting the table through her many gatherings—whether it was bridge nights, parties, or family events. She had a beautiful collection of china, flatware, linens, and silverware that influenced my aesthetic.
Tori Mellott’s new book, Southern Interiors, guided my fabric selections from Schumacher, where I chose a palette of pinks and browns, accented with orange to reflect the fall season and the spirit of Thanksgiving. The centerpiece featured flowers in a pot from a recent trip to Charleston, South Carolina, symbolizing both autumn and the anticipation of spring. The bouquet was a lush mix of dried garden flowers, rosemary, and fresh peonies, embodying a sense of organic sophistication. This experience of merging vintage elements with contemporary touches truly resonated with my vision of elegance without pretension.
Who would you invite as guests to this table?
My ideal guests would be my grandmother, Jane Glenn, my mother, Victoria Jane, my daughter, Ashley Victoria, and my sister, Beverly Jane. Both my grandmother and mother have passed, but their legacies continue to inspire me. For the luncheon, I used their cherished “goldware” china plates and vintage glasses, which made the occasion even more meaningful.
What is your favorite piece of tabletop décor at the Look Event?
My favorite piece from the event is undoubtedly the custom-made napkin rings and placemats. We can use any vinyl wallpaper to create elegant, double-sided options. Their oval shape is perfect for accommodating everything on the table, combining elegance with practicality, as they are easy to wipe clean. Additionally, the large feather napkin rings were a standout feature, and we can customize these in a variety of colors.
Does Clarity offer tabletop items for sale?
Absolutely! We carry a selection of tabletop items and can create custom settings tailored to our clients’ needs. Our offerings range from casual to bespoke place settings, silverware, barware, placemats, and linens. If you’re looking for assistance with your tabletop design, please reach out to Clarity Home Interiors. We can curate a collection perfect for your everyday dining or special events.
Our workrooms can craft any style of table skirt, whether modern or traditional. For this occasion, we designed a table skirt in a rich brown damask from Schumacher, accented with pink and orange trims to illustrate how a little detail can serve as the “jewelry” for your table setting.
Pro Tip:
Mixing and matching vintage and contemporary pieces can spark engaging conversations. When guests connect with your personal story, it enhances the overall atmosphere, allowing discussions to flow beyond the table. I love incorporating place cards and menu cards; these small touches elevate personal interaction. For this event, I collaborated with Mr. P’s to create a fall theme featuring pheasants, which added a delightful narrative to the gathering.
Sources:
Table skirt fabric: @schumacher1889
Table skirt labor: @topoftheline90
Florals: @hedgerow_farm
Placemats, napkin rings, linens: Clarity Home Interiors
Plumb chargers: @juliskaofficial
Candle, stemless glass, coupe, printed plate: @Anthropologie
China, flatware, gold glass, pinecone salt & pepper shaker: Amy Zolin, personal collection
Place cards and menus: @mrpsplacecards
Place card holder: @mrpsplacecards
Pot and gold birds: antiques from Charleston
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