FLAWLESS BY DESIGN
TIPS FOR THE TABLE
by Roric Tobin

I am thrilled to be teaming up with Modern Luxury and designing a space for DIFFA’s DINING BY DESIGN 2019.  It’s exciting to be a part of one of the most distinguished design events of the year.  As someone who loves to host dinner parties, it’s an opportunity beyond compare.  I know that many people feel daunted with the prospect of throwing a dinner party.  I won’t get into setting a menu and working out the timing [I’ll leave that to Ina or Martha].  But I certainly do have some tips that will make the decorating come together.

When designing an interior, we start with the artwork and build around it.  With my furniture line, the pieces of furniture are functional works of art – the showcase pieces that set the tone for the entire room.  When throwing a dinner party, why not take the same approach?

• Try picking one key centerpiece and working from there – and be unconventional in your thinking.  It doesn’t have to be a traditional floral arrangement.  Try a sculpture.  Have the napkins pick up one of the colors in the piece and let the design flow from there.
• Pick a clever theme and let it inform your table design.  You don’t need to slavishly carry it out to every detail, but just a few main touches that incorporate the theme will carry the idea through.  For one dinner party with an art theme, we took a white canvas tablecloth and splattered it with paint a la Jackson Pollock.  Then we chose colorful orchids and put them in paint cans for a centerpiece.  Placecards were on miniature easels.  You get the picture….
• Bring out the good stuff.  Most of us don’t live in a world where a staff can keep twelve-piece settings polished and perfect.  But you probably have a few sets of good china stashed away.  Not only does it make the tablescape look much more high-end, it makes your guests feel that this is a special event.  And trust me, 99% of them will treat it as such so you needn’t be too worried about careless breakage.
• Stay sparse!  You may think that large blank spots on your table may be unsightly, but having it overfilled is far worse.  Sometimes less is more, so always make sure you leave enough room for the place settings to function.
• Be wary of low decorations.  A guest involved in conversation may inadvertently set their glass of Bordeaux down on the moss or stem you’ve let get too close to their plate and you’ve a disaster on your hands!  [And a hefty dry-cleaning bill]

The most important tip is to remember that dinner parties are supposed to be enjoyable.  And the best way to do that is to make it enjoyable for you.  Instead of thinking “Oh goodness, how will I do this?” get in the mindset of “How can I make this fun?”  Going in with the right attitude will make all the difference.