Whoops! We forgot that yesterday was the first day of a new month which translates to mean we forgot to post the most popular post from November, 2011. No fears, though. We have it for you today. Come along as we look at the beautiful table setting the designers at Ralph Lauren’s flagship store in NYC created last year. To see this year’s look, go here.
The nice thing about being a DIYer is that if you don’t have a Ralph Lauren budget, you can still borrow some of his ideas and recreate or reinvent them for a lot less. And even though this table is from last year, the look is timeless.
I made two visits to the store and just by accident was able to see his Thanksgiving table, and two days later, I saw his Christmas table which I will share later.
For the table cloth, he used one of his plaid wool blankets. This is an easy trick we all can do with wool fabric or even a plaid stadium blanket. By the way, there wasn’t a painted piece of furniture in the place.
The informal chairs were wicker. To learn how to make similar pillows on the cheap, go here.
There were four chairs pulled up to the table, and he used two rich purple velvet pillows and two plaid pillow to match the table cloth. This is not a color most of us would associate with Thanksgiving. I love how they always think outside the box.
His centerpiece of various fruits, antler candle holders and even a demi-john ties in with the purple, also. This is easy to reproduce with fresh fruit that you can eat later. Many of you already own demi-johns and antlers.
The centerpiece was on top of a lazy-susan. (At this point I was being stalked by an unhappy sales clerk. I don’t think he realized that I had gotten permission to take photos).
Along with the fruit, there were deep red roses in julep cups. I think their philosophy is “more is more”.
He teamed his formal crystal with……
… silver flatware, plaid china, and a pewter charger.
I L.O.V.E.D. these linen napkins. The reindeer ties in with the antler candle holder but also could be used for Christmas. The napkin ring was a miniature stirrup and was very heavy.
The light was very understated. When I went back two days later, it had been changed.
Like everything else he touches, this table was magic with its mansion in the country feel. Like I said, he never disappoints. Now it’s time for you to go through your closets and drawers and put together your own RL table.
Take care.
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salmagundi says
Your RL posts are some of my favorites. Thanks for sharing. Sally
Daniela @frugal ain't cheap says
great pictures of a great table. About your question of using dropcloth as tablecolth, I wash all my dropcloth out of the package, and usually let it air dry (as the droplcloth will shrink some). But if you want a softer material, then the dryer will do the trick over time. I like the “messy” look of the dropcloth
Shauna @Satori Design for Living says
Ralph Lauren’s style is so classic and beautiful. To me that table is quintessential Thanksgiving. Love the idea of wool on the table- so rich looking!
susan@avintagefarmwife says
LOVE this table! I have been to the Ralph Lauren store in Michigan Ave. in Chicago and always love the way they have the home section decorated. Next time I will ask to take pictures because I can never remember all the things I want to copy! Newest follower!