Guest Post from Mochatini: Creating a Fabulous Tabletop Decor

Allow me to introduce today’s guest blogger Manvi from Mochatini. Manvi is a blog designer, photographer and amazing interior stylist from Washington DC. Manvi loves decorating and styling chic tabletops, and there has been talks of a coffee table book on her tabletop designs.  I am honored to have her here today to give us some simple tips of creating a fabulous tabletop décor.

Hello Delishhh readers,

I am Manvi from over at Mochatini.org, and very happy to have met Ewa and even more honored to be invited here.

I have to start by saying Ewa is an amazingly patient woman. I had promised this post a while back but starting a new job, breaking my collarbone and travel kept delaying me. She has been so nice about it all. So thanks Ewa for having me here.

As you all know Ewa is a lady with great taste and her recipes look sooo delectable. And meals that good need the right table decor. Be it a sit down dinner party of two or ten, potatoes or lobster, give your guests an experience they wont forget.

So here are a few simple tips to a creating a fabulous tabletop decor.

Start with a theme, if you can’t pick one, take inspiration from your menu or the pattern on your plates.

If you haven’t bought your first dinner set, go for a set of white round plates. Food looks its best on white and they are easy to incorporate into any setting. Shop at thrift stores for glassware and ceramics to decorate with. I frequently come back with vintage tea cups, large vases, candles for under $5. Recycle assorted food jars and use them as vases.

A very important element in creating the right ambiance for your dinner party is mood lighting. Turn off the main lights and light non-scented candles. Tea-lights are amazing. Avoid too many as you might end up making your table look like a wedding altar.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match dishes, styles, linen etc. Who likes matchy-matchy anyway? Just make sure to edit and avoid having too many elements.

Flowers. They can be expensive and you have probably heard this several times but look flowers in season. Look out for special deals at local grocers like Trader Joe’s, whole foods or giant (being friends with a florist always helps too). You can make a small bouquet go a long way by breaking up the arrangement into several vases. If your budget has no room for fresh flowers think about looking in your refrigerator. Berries, limes, lemons and herbs places in clear vases make lovely centerpieces. Another idea is to grow potted succulents.

Fabric napkins. Invest in a few sets of fabric napkins. Cotton ones are the easiest to care for. If you are crafty, sew them yourself. Avoid using paper napkins as much as you can.

Reuse old wrapping paper and make attractive menu cards. Glue the wrong side of an old wrapping paper to cardboard. Handwrite the menu on the cardboard side using a felt tip pen. Take it a step further and make them double duty as place cards. Personalize for each guest by adding their name.

Always have enough still and sparkling water. I never serve water in plastic bottles, so bring out those pitchers, or for a French bistro feel, reuse a clear wine bottle.

Never stress about any of this. Focus on the meal and think about your table decor while you cook. Be spontaneous.

Thanks Ewa for the opportunity to meet your wonderful friends.

Thanks Manvi for such a lovely post. If you haven’t already, hop over to visit Manvi at Mochatini!