My boy and I love entertaining.
I’m lucky enough that he’s a pretty awesome chef too so, whilst he’s off planning his menus and making sure the food and beverage is all sorted, I can do a bit of hunter-gathering of my own.
Usually in the form of sourcing lovely table decorations, to make things look pretty.
After all, it’s always best to stick with your strengths ;)
We’ve got some friends coming for supper and lunch over the next couple of weekends and I thought I’d create a vintage style table setting.
There are some gorgeous things available on-line at the moment; mix these up with cut herbs — from the garden if you’re lucky enough but shop bought would work just as well — and some vintage table-linen and you’re all set for a very stylish shindig.
Even before the food’s made an appearance.
Quick View of What You'll Find on This Page
How to create a vintage style table setting
1/ Cutlery 2/ Napkin 3/ Glass Plate 4/ Slate Name-tag 5/Embroidered Napkin 6/ Plate 7/ Floral Glasses
Of course if you haven’t got a budding chef at home, creating a beautiful vintage style table setting is a sure-fire way of wowing your guests so much that they’ll probably forget all about the food.
Creating a pretty table is a great way of distracting attention!
Add to the mix some fizzy wine and you’re all set. You could serve fish and chips from the shop and your dinner guests would be bowled over.
Chin chin :)
This post was written in collaboration with House Of Fraser but all thoughts and words, as ever, are my own.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
That looks lovely, and the chalkboard tag finishes it off perfectly – can I come round for dinner? ;) Beautifully embroidered runner, too. Looks like a family heirloom! :D #TwinklyTuesday
Thanks so much! And yes — you’re right! The embroidered runner was made by my granny! :)
I love that cross-stitched place mat – beautiful x #homeinterest
Thanks so much lovely! It was one of my Grandmas!! ;)
Absolutely gorgeous! I’ve been decorating my table with herbs and vintage napkins too – but need some gorgeous glasses like yours to complete the look :)
Thanks so much :) It’s lovely, isn’t it, setting the table and making it look all pretty! I’m sure it adds to the flavour of the food ;)
I love planning dinners and have already made some purchases for my Halloween table. I usually do plain glasses but I have some really old ones in the loft, this is inspiring me to get them out and use them. I love the idea of using herbs too, so pretty. Thanks for the inspiration and hosting lovely xx
Aah me too!! And recently I’ve been really getting into the more ornate glasses!! The clean lines have been replaced with cut crystal! :)
We love entertaining at The Barn too and I get real pleasure from setting the table! It’s one of the things that I always look at in a restaurant, how they accessories the food with simple or ornate cutlery, how they arrange everything. John Lewis is great for table setting inspiration too! Love your chalkboard hearts – did you make them? #HomeEtc
Aaah me too!! It DEFINITELY makes the food taste better!! ;) And no — I bought the little chalkboards a couple of years ago! Great for using instead of name cards!
Gorgeous ideas here Caro and you have reminded me that I have beautiful table linen embroidered with ivy that would work really well for this kind of look. I adore that lavender napkin bound with twine! We also have a cross stich table runner from The Bavarian’s nan. We could give it an airing too.
Your fizzy wine from Aldi sounds delish. Any luck finding Prosecco in cans yet? I can still post you some you know ;)
#HomeEtc
Fionnuala from http://www.threesonslater.blogspot.com
Thanks lovely!! It’s ridiculous — I’ve got an ENORMOUS cupboard full of props to make the table look lovely!! The Aldi Prosecco is amazing — it’s won lots of prizes because it’s such a close alternative to Champagne. Love it! And no. No Prosecco in cans as yet!! I’m still looking!! ;)
Gorgeous, I need to come to one of your dinner parties I think your so good at making things looks so pretty! #homeetc
Thanks darling!! Any excuse to make things look pretty and I’m there like a shot ;)
Love this – so pretty! I particularly LOVE the cross stitch table cloth – was that a vintage find? xx
Thanks so much Poppy! The little cross-stitch mat was one of my Granny’s treasures! I’m so lucky to have been given lots of her beautiful things when she passed on xx
Oh, that makes me love it even more – how special to have that. She’d love that you’re using it in new ways, such a wonderful thing to have xx
Aah thanks lovely. Initially, when I was given them I wasn’t quite sure what to make of them but I’m delighted now, to be the lucky custodian :)
It looks lovely. The slate name tag is a lovely idea and looks so perfect for the theme. I adore these selections! Thanks for being a great co-host and friend! Jess xx
#HomeEtc
Thanks chickie. And likewise. So happy I met you xx
Very pretty! I love that little mat/tray cloth. I must try that sparkling Chardonnay! #HomeEtc
Thanks so much Lizzie! The little cloth was one of my Granny’s. I seem to have *acquired* LOTS of her bits and pieces!! ;)
Ooh I do like that delightful place setting. Make mine a flavoured water though I’ve never liked the taste of wine. Strange hey?! #HomeEtc
Each to their own! :) I absolutely hate the taste of beer myself!! It’s something that I thought I’d grow into as I grew up but, no, still hate it! :) xx
Love this, Caro. I adore rosemary place settings. It looks so nice against a white plate. Also, a few years back we had a Christmas Eve Eve champagne and fish n chips party. It was wonderful. Such a fab combination.
HA! It’s one of my FAVOURITES!! Fish and chips with posh pop and posh place settings are the best!! ;)
Looks very nice, and the lavender and slate tag is a nice touch. We don’t really do entertaining very often as the cooking stresses me out, but I like the idea of fish and chips, but still decorating the table! #HomeEtc Sabrina xx
Gosh — we we entertain A LOT. But like I said, I have the easy job as my boy does most of the cooking!! I’m pudding queen but leave the rest to him ;)
Very cute idea :) I have always been a bit of a bore with my table settings but should definitely try something like this next time :) #homeetc
Thanks so much :) Aah you definitely should!! Perhaps do a lovely dinner to celebrate when your renovations are finished?! x
I love these, We don’t really do much with the table at the moment, we re-decorated the kitchen earlier in the year and the old place settings don’t really match. I would love something pretty like this. x
Thanks love — I’m OBSESSED with lovely things for the table!! The only thing is, my ever expanding collection is taking up too much room!! ;)
I love those embroidered napkins and those glasses! We don’t host many dinners or lunches but I definitely have a lot to learn if we do in the future! Must get myself on pinterest more! Thanks for hosting #HomeEtc ☺
Aah I’m obsessed with entertaining!! Even when I was at uni, we used to hold dinner parties for all out friends!! Totally love getting everyone together for some lovely grub! :)
I really like the chalk board tag. As a below average cook, I’ll be employing some of these ideas!
It definitely works. Distract your dinner guests with a fab table setting and they’ll forget about the food ;)
I adore this… I’m a sucker for anything embroidered or hand sewn! And fresh flowers will get me every time. Serve me pot noodle on this and I’m not sure I’d notice.
Beautiful x
Aah me too pet! I’ll be joining you with the Pot Noodle — chicken and mushroom? ;)
Aah me too pet! I’ll be joining you with the Pot Noodle — chicken and mushroom? ;)