Black Rose Tablescape

Welcome to the Blog today, Friends, I am so excited that you’re here. Let’s explore this black and white table setting that, with the right lighting, can be just a little bit mysterious. Working in two colors is a good exercise in creating an interesting table setting with texture and shape. So let’s get started.

Black and white is a favorite combination and works well in any season. Summer is so filled with gorgeous color that sometimes I like to take a rest and allow my eye to relax with a quieter tablescape. The picture above illustrates the simple scene of alternating the two colors to create a restful but interesting plate stack.

A heavy white cotton tablecloth edged in white lines is the first layer on our table. It is followed by cotton white placemats with the same distinct lines in black creating the pattern. A beautiful fringe on each side of the placemat adds some additional texture to the table.

Here you can see the woven look of the placemats. The plate stack begins with a metal charger in matte black. the dinner plate has a scalloped edge that adds some character to the “Ultima” plate by Mikasa. Next is a salad/dessert plate by Noritake in a simple white porcelain with a very wide matte black rim.

You can see the lovely silver-plate flatware, “American Chippendale” by International Silver.

It can be a challenge choosing a flatware pattern that will enhance your overall setting. I was deciding between the two patterns shown above. Both are simple yet elegant and would work with the plate stack and overall design. The one on the left, American Chippendale” won out over the “Royal Plume” pattern on the right. What would you have chosen? There’s no right or wrong just a matter of which one you like best in this setting.

I experimented with several different crystal glasses. Some were more elaborate than others but these seemed to strike the right note with a little bit of design just like the flatware. They are by Vera Wang in the “Duchesse” pattern. I lover their elegant simplicity.

Napkins can also be difficult to choose although in this case the napkin choice came easily. It was the napkin display that was a bit more difficult. I tried the napkin in a simple solid silver-plated napkin ring and that looked really good but not perfect. Then I decided to turn the napkin into the rose you see above and everything fell into place. It looks almost like the topper on a cake.

Just a bit of color was added to the table in the very simple floral arrangement in a cut glass vase. The flowers, hydrangea, and the lemon verbena are from my garden. The blooms are also two-toned and fading adding a timeless feel to the table.

A few candles will be added for evening and with the lights dimmed the table will assume an air of mystery. Intimate dining for four will be a lovely way to entertain friends.

Just a note: everything on this table, except the flowers, was thrifted. You can create a similar tablescape by substituting your own dishes for the ones shown. The alternating pattern is what is most important. This would look great in blue and white, red and white or any other white plus a color combination you have on hand. Have fun!