“Rythme” Dinnerware by Hermes – Red

You might remember this beautiful plate as it broke in the sink, complete with uneaten steak in The Devil Wears Prada.  My friends laughed as I involuntarily shreiked at the site of the breakage in the theater- as I might do in the stores as I see a plate heading for my concrete floors.  And just as the clothes and furniture and shoes and bags were “just so” in the movie- their pick of china was as well.  This is a classic and yet modern set.  Its simplicity can be used with so many other patterns that it is a great choice for someone just starting out their china closet.  

Recently, we had a bride who chose this pattern because she her wedding was going to be near July 4 and she wanted to use it with blue for a celebration each year on their anniversary.  We did a large white charger and a navy blue Charger by Ginori. And we added navy blue wavy napkins from Dransfiled and Ross. We topped it off with American Flag place cards from Dempsey and Carroll and when it was done- she was right.  It looked a little July 4th- but in a very sophisticated way.  For the rest of the year, she will simply use the set as is and occasionally add her white chargers when needed. 

For a bachelor in Washington, DC;  we did this china on a black charger  by Ginori and a black place mat  by Kim Seybert and used a combination of black cocktail napkins by Anichini with red and white napkins from both Dransfield and Ross and Kim Seybert. The effect was totally different. 

There is also a lot to be said for the understatement of the china and a simple elegant and crisp Portuguese linen from George Henry would make a very formal and yet understated table. 

“Siesta Blue”  Dinnerware by Hermes

I used this also popular placesetting for a client for a client in Nevada- where the sun always shines and my biggest worry was that the natural inclination to use orange would be too great for both my client and myself.  Instead we went in the other direction and did a bark brown placemat from Deborah Rhodes for the eat- in Kitchen. And of course a bright orange mesh linen napkin from Anichini- no napkin rings- very informal. For lunch we switched up and added a wild place setting by Alain saint Joanis that took the look over the top- again on bark brown- but linen this time and large white crisp napkins from George Henry with a huge swirling monogram- in you guesssed it, orange- bit we also put in scrolls of the turquoise in the monogram. WOW!

For Dinner, we did octagonal brown placemats in linen and matching napkins- no monogram but a tasteful gold, slim napkin ring and very understated place setting.  For evening the flowers were done in bright yellow, deep orange and raspberry. The plates needed no help to shine with the most refined of placesettings.  Placecards were added with a butterfly in the left corner by Dempsey and Carroll.-Deb