Even if you don’t have all the red accent plates and placemats – I mean, seriously, you know I’d just throw down some nice matte red wrapping paper and call it a day – the napkin treatment is easy and really makes the holiday statement for you. You can get these little bells at any place with Christmas tree gear, and then all you need is some kitchen twine and a sprig off the Christmas tree or from outside.

So easy, and so festive.

If you don’t have kitchen twine, just use some ribbon instead. It’ll be even more colorful.

Throw some votives around the table, stick a few more sprigs of greenery in vases, and you’re all set!

I might use this design idea for a dinner party I’m giving my family between Christmas and New Year’s…

All photos from Restored Style, via The Sweetest Occasion. Restored Style bought most of the tableware at Pier One, so if you’re into this look exactly, check it out.

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Mix it with a little dark forest green accent, and it’s absolutely gorgeous on a table. I’m pretty obsessed with this whimsical baby’s breath bouquet.

Imagine a row of vases filled with baby’s breath down a table – monochromatic, simple, and striking.

Photo by Meg Perotti

The great thing about baby’s breath is that it’s available any time of year, usually at your local supermarket, and is inexpensive compared to any other flower.

A few small accent vases, such as this succulent nestled in river rocks, would also be a lovely addition.

Photo by Meg Perotti

And I LOVE this placecard holder! Perfect for a rustic at-home holiday dinner.

Photo by Meg Perotti

All of these photos are from a Los Angeles wedding featured on Style Me Pretty, photographed by Meg Perotti.

P.S. I picked all these photos and got excited about how perfect the colors are, and then I remembered – I wrote another post about winter white and evergreen already! Siiighhhhh…It’s a sign. I love this color scheme.

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Now, I’m not really a pink kind of girl. I rarely use the color and even more rarely wear it, but in the right situation and with the exact right shade of pink, it works for me. And it works even better in the dead of cold, hideous winter when everyone wants some warmth and friendliness in their life. This shade of perfectly pale pink gives winter some color without being garishly too much.

The pinks, gold, touches of glass green and a little cheery yellow/orange make me so happy!

I would use this color scheme for a girls luncheon, a baby shower, or for a more uncommon gathering, an afternoon tea for absolutely no good reason at all. Wouldn’t it be lovely to cover the table in a very pale pink tablecloth and gold candlesticks, then use a few tiny bud vases filled with kosher salt to hold up lollipops and name cards (or if you’re really ambitious, as in the inspiration board: cupcake pops)? I’d add just a few touches of green or blue glass vases or water glasses for some pop against the pink, et voila – you’re done. Nothing to it.

Add some friends, an assortment of tea sandwiches and champagne with a raspberry at the bottom of the glass, and it’ll be a lovely party.

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This fall I went to the Central Park Conservatory Garden for the first time, and I was so struck by the beauty of the half-circle arbor covered in greenery.

• Arugula Salad with Roasted Yam, Apple and Gouda
• Orecchiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs
• Green Beans with Mushrooms and Shallots
• Olive Bread with my Herb Butter

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Snippet and Ink

This inspiration board is for a wedding, obviously, but would be so easily transformed into dinner party decor with a crisp white tablecloth, an ivory lace runner down the table for a little old world flavor, and simple glass or milk glass vases with only greenery in them – or maybe a creamy/almost yellow-colored flower or two.  I’d add candles candles candles up the wazoo to light up the white for a dinner, or just a few votives for a brightly sunlight winter white lunch.

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