How To Set A Romantic Table - My Guest Post @ Hadley Court Interior Design

Is it any wonder, probably the most romantic month of the year is February? More than likely, this is due in large part to the celebrating of Valentine's Day. But why should Valentine's be the only day of the year for celebrating love or setting a romantic table for two? As I wrote and shared my tips on how to create a romantic table setting for the Hadley Court series Celebrating Gracious Living, I recalled some of my own personal experiences on setting romantic tables for two throughout the year. Going out to dinner can get expensive – not to mention crowded, lack of privacy, perhaps a limited menu, along with eating in a seated time session – and that’s just not romantic. Setting a romantic table for two at home for Valentine's or any memorable occasion can create a new memorable moment for the two of you. Be sure to visit the Hadley Court blog to see where I share my tips on incorporating the season and your location into your planning, selecting the menu, romantic recipe references, tips for shopping together, setting the mood - including a romantic music play-list and a classic romantic movie, dessert ideas, and how to incorporate those moments you and your partner have shared - all important factors in How To Set A Romantic Table...  especially for Valentines Day...

Although I shared at Hadley Court inspiration for romantic outdoor settings for Spring, Summer, and Fall -  For Winter (especially THIS Winter!), bring your romantic table setting inside & fireside similar to how this Valentines Love Letter Shoot was done at Ruffled…

 

Who else but Ralph Lauren can tell a romantic story on a table setting?

 You may not be able to fly to Venice for your romantic dinner, or even go on a gondola (or boat) ride, but you can take the “idea” of the memory to be the inspiration for your romantic table setting – and make it personal to you both...

 

 Be sure to join Hadley Court on the Celebrating Love ideas pinboard on I created on Pinterest for additional inspiration and ideas. In Midland Texas, where Hadley Court Founder Leslie Hendrix Wood is located, they do a lot of formal entertaining, which was the core inspiration for my other Hadley Court blog guest post contributions including:

Top Tips: How To Set A Formal Table

 The Gracious Dinner Party – Top Tips For Making Your Guests Feel Welcome

Top Tips: Table Manners For Gracious Living 

Etiquette Top Tips: Formal Dinners and Business Luncheons

Thanks for stopping by,

 

Dinner Party Hosting Tips To Help Guests Feel Welcome - My Guest Post @HadleyCourt

You’ve decided to host a dinner party, but you don’t know where to begin? You want to make guests feel welcome, but you’re not quite sure of the right way? For my guest post in the Hadley Court series, Celebrating Gracious Living, I put together & share my top tips for being a gracious host / hostess and making your guests feel welcome in your home for a dinner party - in Hadley Court style. The key to hosting a dinner party is planning – every last detail – and by doing so, plus being able to relax and enjoy your guest when they arrive, you will help put them at ease. Your guests will feel comfortable and welcome in your home. Since blog Editor Leslie Hendrix Wood lives in Midland Texas, and they do a lot of formal entertaining, Leslie wants to help her readers with these guidelines to reference - including even Organizing Your Kitchen Tips, which guest contributor Jessica Gordon Ryan wrote, and also goes hand in hand with my post today. You can read at The Gracious Dinner Party – Top Tips For Making Your Guests Feel Welcome at Hadley Court today. Here's a peek at what you'll find...

 

Being the gracious & elegant host / hostess...

 

Decide whether to cater or cook the dinner yourself...

 

Apply my previous guest post in the Celebrating Gracious Living series, 

Top Tips for Setting a Formal Table...

 

See how lighting creates ambiance...

Tips to host a relaxed Outdoor Dinner Party...

 

About Hostess Gifts and parting favors - these show gratitude...

Visit Hadley Court today...

 Thank you for stopping by...

NOTE: image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5, image 6

How to Set A Formal Table - My Guest Post @HadleyCourt Interior Design Blog -

Have you ever wondered how to set a formal table? Today, Leslie Hendrix Wood of Hadley Court asked me to pull together guidelines and inspiration on how to set a formal table for your next social gathering. From an Easter brunch, to hosting a dinner party to planning a wedding event, I shared  detailed information, inspirational images and informative charts on the the art of setting a formal table setting. In Midland Texas, which is where Leslie is located, they do a lot of formal entertaining. By sharing all of the details of setting a formal table, the post will help inform and inspired ~ I'm grateful to Leslie for hiring me to write this blog contribution for her blog ~ I learned a few tips too in pulling the post together and I know I will never look at a table setting quite the same again!

 (all above images from Eddie Ross.com)

Besides my Top Tips For Setting A Formal Table, I also included links to creative napkin folding and ideas for setting up dessert using a bar cart or buffet. Don't miss the wine chart showing which wine glass goes with which wine, what temperature to serve it at, and what foods to pair fine wines with - perfect for most any social gathering, whether formal or casual - and also helpful to choosing the stemware for your table setting.

How often do you set a formal table where you live? Do you have any other tips for formal table etiquette to share? After reading my guest post, please be sure to leave a note in the comments on Leslie’s blog, HADLEY COURT. 

"Thank you, Lynda, for the lovely words and images that follow and for helping Hadley Court’s readers understand more about the art of gracious living."

 You're very welcome Leslie - and I hope you, the readers, also enjoy the post plus take-away tips as you are organizing and planning for upcoming special occasions and family celebrations for the new year ahead.

Thanks for stopping by...

OUTDOOR LIVING FOR FALL

Autumn is all about embracing nature, the harvest and layering rustic elements into beautiful tablescapes and decor. Before the winter chill and before the snow starts to fall, take your indoor rooms outdoors: create engaging gatherings around festive tablescapes, snuggle in your favorite plaid blanket, sip wine with friends, or even enjoy s'mores with your family around an outdoor fireplace. Welcome friends and family to your home with a simple fall festive entry made up of a mum filled urns, dried corn stalks, or perfectly placed  pumpkins on the stoop. Besides experiencing outdoor living for fall at home, this is also the best time of year for families to experience local parks with a picnic, a walk through the golden Fall leaves or enjoy a friendly game of chess. Read more about embracing outdoor living for Fall on my guest blog post today at Hadley Court - Gracious Outdoor Living for Fall.

 

source

 

source

 

source

 Embrace nature, the harvest and rustic elements as welcoming accents to layer into your tablescape... 

 

 source

 

source

 

source

  Take advantage of the beautiful Fall weather to visit your local parks... 

 

source

 

source

 

source

 

source

 

source

Experience the 'Pure Joy' of outdoor living for Fall now, before it passes you by in the blink of an eye...

For additional Fall inspiration, see my boards on Pinterest:

AUTUMN INSPIRATION and OUTDOOR LIVING

 

While visiting Hadley Court, also be sure to see my previous guest blog posts...

Trend Meets Tradition: Chesterfields

Trend Meets Tradition: Black Lamp Shades

Classic Styling at High Point Market Fall

Thanks for stopping by...