This week’s post is of a quiet, simple dinner for “Just Us Girls” when we want to relax, unwind, jibber-jabber, and have a good time in an elegant setting with minimal fuss. I hope you enjoy its simplicity.
Getting together with “the girls” is always fun. I have such a good time with them just relaxing, rehashing old stories from days gone by, and dreaming about the future. No better way to do that than over a hot meal in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. Music for tonight: Soundtracks from “First Wives Club” and “Something’s Gotta Give”, a little Billie Holliday, and Patsy Cline.
Soft pink and velvety rich chocolate brown on a white background is the color scheme. It is a little on the contemporary side. A large round mirror anchors each place setting. Next comes a silver beaded edge charger. Then my favorite…fabulous glossy chocolate brown and white “Delfina” dishes with a silver rim from Z Gallerie! How I longed for these dishes!!! I was finally able to buy them a few months ago. They are classically clean-looking without fussy adornment. I love them! The rim of the Mikasa “Jamestown Platinum” stemware is a perfect match. The menus – generated on my home computer – are a brown underlay and a soft pink vellum overlay with pink velvet ribbon.
A peek at the plate. A bit difficult to pick up on the actual color, but believe me…to die for!!!
Keeping with the contemporary look, I chose these unusually shaped silver napkin rings. They remind me of a gentleman’s cuff link. Very snazzy!
The curvy J.A. Henckels “Bellaserra” stainless mimics the lines of the napkin ring. I love the way the knife sits on its edge.
The centerpiece is kept simple and streamlined. Pairs of clear oyster votive cups punctuate the “lamps” made of clear glass pilsner vases topped with a squared off bell shade in chocolate brown (from Walmart!). Click here and scroll down to Tip #21 see how the lamps were put together. While it is not completely evident from these photos, I must share with you a little secret: When using a clear lamp base such as this, try turning the LED votive used for illumination upside down. In doing so, you illuminate the shade and cast the light down into the glass which looks so cool!!! While I used white for this tablescape, it’s even cooler if you use a colored LED votive! Try it and see what it does for the lamp and your adjacent florals! (For more candle lamps on this site, see“Raining Orchids“, “All A’Bloom In Pink for Spring“, “Should Have Put a Ring On It“, and “It’s All About Me!“.)
The contemporary look and feel is completed by a mass grouping of petal pink calla lilies in a simple clear glass vase. Nestled between the taller lamps, it brings a soft dash of color to the table.
Other pink & brown tablescapes on this site include:
Chocolate Traditional
Au Revoir!
Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon
Be sure to check out the newest Table Twenty-One Table Tip, too! Coincidentally, it’s #21 on the tip page! Click here to find it or on the “Table Tips” tab above. Once on the page, just scroll down to Tip #21!
Remember to check out my other tablescaping pals at Between Naps on the Porch for more tabletop ideas!
I am joining Susan and the bunch at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.
Tablescapes at Table /Twenty-One 
I so love the pilsners as table lamps.. way way way cool. Oh my. I’ve seen those plates and they are absolutely scrumptious. I love the modern feel of the table. The flowers even fit in with their edgy ways. Great table!!!
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So pretty! Love the look of pink and brown together, very contemporary. The lamps really add a dramatic flair and those dishes are terrific! I checked out your “Tips” – how did I miss that before!!?? So glad you mentioned it now and I read every one – very helpful!
DD
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I gotta try that! LED light…..upside down……way cool! You certainly tortured me this week with the menu card that couldn’t be read. Don’t you know by now that I’m a total voyeur with your tables and I study every little detail? I double and triple clicked and still couldn’t read it. Come on girl…give!
Linda @ A Toile Tale
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Hey, Linda! The menu was so blah, I didn’t think anyone would be interested. We started with a potato-leek soup. Main course was sweet mustard glazed ham, tomato au gratin, a medley of winter vegetables (most of which I personally can’t stand…but it’s all about the guests, right?) :-), and plain ol’ sourdough rolls. I had an apple walnut pie with vanilla ice cream for dessert. The food was really good. I may have to do that pie again!
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Oh my…..I’ll come by for a blah meal anytime!
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Your table might be simple but it is really elegant, Alycia. I am sure you all had a great time. It is always fun to have a get together with the girls….Christine
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Great minds must surely think alike. I’m currently waiting for the arrival of a service of Coalport Athlone in the chocolate brown. I can hardly wait for it to be in my hands and on my table. I have so many ideas. Your page of tips is great. The pilsners with the followers and LCD candles is sheer genius. I’ve had a sack of six followers sitting in a closet for years. Now I feel like I can use them safely. Thanks for sharing your charming design and your wonderful ideas. Cherry Kay
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Thanks so much for visiting my new little blog and leaving such a great comment about my first tablescape. I had to laugh about what you said about my husband’s excitement about all of this leading to cooking on my part. He actually asked if he could sit at this table to eat. The answer was kind but firm. NO. I reminded him that, while we were dating, he actually spilled spaghetti that went down into his shoe! He is the person for whom the Tide to Go pen was created!
But, he is cute and he puts up with me, so what’s a girl to do?
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Looks like a delightfully inviting and restful dinner table to me!!
Wouldn’t mind it one bit!!
Very sophisticated looking but yet peaceful.
Bon appetit!
blessings, Nellie
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Alycia! I love the colors of this table and I love the “lamps”. Gorgeous!
I have pilsners somewhere around here or at the lake. Can’t remember where I put them! Anyway…I am going to make some of those lamps. I have an idea twirling around in my head.
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WOW! As usual, every detail is STUNNING! Those vases with the shades just floored me! LOVE IT!!!!!! Gosh, I just love stopping by!!!!! The colors are wonderful. Your guests were truly lucky to have a seat at the table!!!
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What a gorgeous table setting! I love the tablecloth and the soft lightingg.
I hope you will stop by and visit the linky party I am hosting. There are prizes!
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Alycia, whatever you do, you do it with style! I love this “casual” table for a night with your girls. It is so elegant to me. I am sure everyone had a wonderful time. Love your idea of using the mirrors. Thank you so much for including your music selections too! Music is such a big part of a dinner at our home that I love hearing what you are playing – some of my favorites. I can’t seem to have a dinner lately without Billie Holiday! 🙂
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Hi Alycia! Elegant and beautiful table! You are so clever to ‘invent’ the pilsner table lamps! This may have been a quiet week for you, but every detail seems well thought out and right on!! I have been craving female companionship lately, but this is just as good! I love the mirrors and your gorgeous new plates are to die for. It’s so fun to have a night with friends, yours are very lucky!!
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Glad you got the dishes you were longing for — I know that feeling! You get a bee in the bonnet and it just will not go away till you get what you want. I think I am as intrigued by your playlist for this party as I am the table — quite a mix. You really do offer up the best ideas.
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Alicia, you get many wonderful comments on your tables, deservedly so, but what I really want to compliment you for are the thoughtful comments you leave people. They are so much more meaningful than “Pretty”, “Nice”, or whatever and take considerable time on your part.
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