Think Pink: Inspired Romantic Tablescape Designs and Menus

Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography

Pink is powerful. Pink is unconditional love and nurturing. 

Think about a dreamy man’s sexy sport jacket. (and socks.) . 

Next – I needed to work in the string lights — both white and pink.
I make sure to put the battery operated switch on the upside in the whatever table runner I create in order to gain easier access amidst the tablescape’s many splendored accessories.

The faux flowers I strategically cut and anchored in some of our hand-blown heart Waterford crystal champagne flutes from the Millenium Series – filling the base with fragrant, violet, French Lavender seeds.

I often use table mirrors — or a number of a variety of mirrors – from vintage cosmetic compacts to cocktail coasters to wall-hanging mirrors as a key element of the tablescape design.

Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photograpy

Here, I want to point out, is a key DIY Tablescape construct that makes it such an extraordinary art form – and that is – repurposing or using a thing in a new way.
One’s eye for the “what if” needs to be so wow-worthy in order to elevate the “nice” – to the heart-clutching.

I used the pretty pink ballet music boxes from last year, as part of the tablescape anchor – and used it as the concealed surprise with an amuse bouche for one of our dinners. For the rest of our entertaining meals, I left the music boxes open, filled with – what else — pink feathers. This pink feather texture adds a sensual layer to the look.

Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography

Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography

I bought pink strands of hearts, and later added a pink flower light strand. And because I’m so smitten with flamigos, I got these adorable ones at Joanne’s that must be used for appliques… And in the same way, the airy pink florals that here, I scattered on the runner.

I brought out my pinkish, glittery placemats I had from Christmas, years’ past.

I purchased new Lenox Blush settings – they were just too pretty in pink and gold – and I’m thrilled with their look. I know I will mix and match with my other table settings for so many other occasions.

More of the artful layering-in included gold and pink glitter, of course (because as I always say, life is too short and you can’t have too much glitter!); along with those Conversation Valentine’s hearts that they stopped making (I have a stash!), and gold beads and “pearls” and ….

The Pretty in Pink February Tablescape is a delight in the day – and especially fetching at night, especially with all the ornamental string lights bouncing off the crystal and amplifying the glow of the fireplace.

It was coming together…

When setting the table for guests, I wanted to use a holiday-appropriate place-setting name cards. So, naturally – it was a heart-shaped card. I purchased a pink heart stamp – and Mother helped in the design:

I tied gold and pink ribbons throught the hole and set in the green holder stands.

Subsequently, I asked my brilliant botanical artist friend, Jean Gaulle if she could shrink up one one of her truly outstanding pieces of art — Look at this!

– and shrink it down so I could show off her art on the name cards. It was a lovely addition to our Ladies Who Lunch / Galentines celebration. Thank you, Jean.
Seriously, (y’all need to follow Jean on her Instagram – and get an original Jean Galle piece of art for your home. She is on the cusp of going huge/popular/recognized. Stay tuned — she was just asked to submit for a show at Filoli.
I’m so very proud to highlight, display, showcase my very talented friends. Always.
In this post it’s Jean – and the ever-incredible and inspiring, Angie Lambert Photography

In terms of the tablescape, a bit more layering was in order to get to perfection:

Following the work on the tablescape – it was time to design the entry hall.

Keeping with the theme of pretty in pink – I started with a smaller width tulle – only two or three layered wraps – red candlesticks I found at the antique shop – on sale; gold and white candles i had (I don’t light them anymore); the gorgeous gold candle holders my niece Marissa gifted us at Christmas (you’ll recognize them from the holiday tablescape); pink string lights, and then when I learned it was the Year of the Pig for Lunar New Year’s, I got these cute pink pigs (banks) with gold wings and crowns!

In the black plant urns I added cotton candy! The cream colored maple cotton candy from our Union Square Greenmarket and the pink (and blue) cotton candy from Dylans Candy Bar.

It’s all so frothy and pretty! (And to think some folks told me it couldn’t work….)

On the antique Asian wedding trousseau that I use as a side table, I placed the three-tiered candy dish – laden with chocolates and sweets. It’s also holding court under the still pretty-in-pink ornamental Mulhy Grass I cut in November.

I bring the candy dish to the table so that guests can enjoy the sweets. On the way in or out — it’s all happy good.

Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography

Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography

The favorite menu this holiday was my husband Bill’s Asian Miso soup — with pork, ramen, spinach and egg. It is delicious.

Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photograpy

And handsome, too.

My heart-shaped beet-burgers are so terrific, and I’m thrilled that guests love them too. Beets, chick peas, rice/quinoa, EVOO, and garlic – whizzed up in the food processor and shaped into hearts — served on a bed of beet greens sauteed in anchovy paste and EVOO, and baby greens.

The Ladies brought champagne and some extraodinary pink treats!

Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography

Ahhhhh.

Thank you, my Ladies Who Lunch clients and friends. And my artful chicas. I love you. And love entertaining tablescapes and experiences….

Please celebrate the glamour of every season.

Cheers!

Photo courtesy of Angie Lambert Photography