FAVORITE, ELEVATED ENTERTAINING + EVERY DAY BASICS
I have touched on this quite a bit in many blog posts, but over the years, I’ve pared down all of my every day and entertaining basics to pieces that are as beautiful as they are utilitarian – pieces that are perfect for every day, but also elevate special occasions and holidays effortlessly. Simple white dinner plates and platters, French wine glasses that double as beautiful water glasses and water hyacinth placemats elevate a weekday dinner to a truly special occasion and are some of my favorites, along with bamboo flatware, silver serving bowls, wood boards, rattan and silver trays, glass hurricanes and marble accents. They’re classic accents that look as beautifully displayed in the kitchen as they do when in use.
With the holidays right around the corner and fall being my favorite time of year to entertain, I thought this was a great time to share pieces I like to collect and where I find them! Be sure to scroll all the way down to the end of the post for links to some of the pieces here, as well as many similar pieces!
TRAYS – I love to corral everything together in one spot; it makes it easier to carry everything or for guests to help themselves if drinks and glasses and napkins are all in one spot and they look beautiful stacked or leaning on counters when not in use. I have found a lot of rattan trays at HomeGoods, but also love the Hapao and Nito trays from Williams Sonoma and think they’re worth the investment because they’re so versatile.
IRONSTONE PLATTERS – Etsy and antique stores are where I find a lot of ironstone and sometimes I can even find them at thrift stores for a great price.
MARBLE FOOTED BOWL – I use mine for fruit on the counter, but when entertaining, it’s a great way to add some height to a buffet table or filled with fruit for a centerpiece.
SILVER CANDLESTICKS – These are my grandmothers and we use them every single day. The kids pick out different colored taper candles, depending on the season or the holiday. If there’s just one thing you do to elevate a table, it’s add candlelight! You can find them on Etsy and at most antique or thrift shops.
BAMBOO FLATWARE – I love the texture bamboo adds to a table; we don’t use these every day, but the kiddos love it when we do. They also add an unexpected decorative element when not in use; I keep them in an ironstone soup bowl in my glassfront cabinets!
SILVER ACCESSORIES – I love to use silver whenever possible; my favorite way is to add antique salt and pepper shakers to the every day table and – no surprise – they look fabulous on the counter when not in use. I try to stick to trays, candlesticks, bowls and serving pieces that don’t have a lot of detail to them because it makes it SO MUCH easier to polish!
MARBLE PASTRY BOARD – I like to use mine for charcuterie, but it works just as well for appetizers or a cocktail station, looks beautiful on the counter and is the best way to roll out sugar cookie dough with the kids!
Similar silver tray
Rattan tray here and here
Bamboo flatware here and here and here
Water hyacinth placemats (my rectangular ones are discontinued, but I love the rounds!)
What are some of your favorite entertaining pieces?
Posted in ENTERTAINING
Hello and welcome to Bungalow Blue Interiors!
I'm Kelly, interior designer, stylist, hostess with the mostest and editor of my blog, where I share pics of my work, my own home, décor projects, entertaining hacks, where to find the best decorating deals and all the beautiful things that are currently inspiring me!