set a table like ina garten

I have a slight obsession with the Barefoot Contessa – her recipes are elegant but so easy to follow (I have yet to try one that hasn’t turned out amazingly), but just as much as I love her food, I am also a huge fan of her decorating and entertaining style.  Her rustic-meets-sophisticated table settings are anything but complicated, but rather elegant and simple, just like the food she serves.  Sticking to tried and true favorites like white plates, linen napkins, seagrass placemats and no-fuss centerpieces – usually one type of flower en mass along the table – creates a beautiful, sophisticated yet comfy vibe for guests and lets you relax when hosting and enjoy the party!

To set a table like Ina, water hyacinth placemats add lots of texture and make plain white dinner plates really stand out:

Add a pop of color with linen napkins and simple silverware:

 White, unscented votive candles and small vases of hydrangeas are a must:

 

Ina’s partial to rustic farm tables, but if you don’t have one, add your own rustic touch by mixing vintage  bread boards and baskets with simple white platters:

Happy Thursday!