HILUXURY – Hawaii Luxury Magazine

Photo courtesy Leah Ball

This formal dinner setting by neiman marcus is done with the theme of "Island elegance"

Photo courtesy Aubrey Yee

Pacific home's laid-back, tropical aesthetic complements a casual dining tablescape

Photo courtesy Kaz Tanabe, Party Hawaii

A chic "upscale hawaiian" outdoor setting by Kaui philpotts

Creating the perfect dining arrangement for every occasion

While garnishes make a pretty plate, there’s another – often overlooked – key to really making a dish pop: a finely staged table setting.

Several local experts in visual styling, furniture design and entertaining offer tips to creating innovative table settings for various occasions. Whether it’s a formal dinner, a casual affair or a stylish outdoor lunch, these arrangements boast bits of flair that will leave your guests impressed – even before the food arrives.

The Formal Dinner

Jeannine Espinda, visual stylist for gift galleries at Neiman Marcus, staged a tablescape of oranges, greens and golds that perfectly reflect the ambiance of a formal August/September dinner. The table arrangement, in addition to being modern and sleek, incorporates touches of “Island elegance,” evident particularly in a unique shell motif teapot that’s exclusive to Neiman Marcus.

Doug Jago, visual presentation manager at Neiman Marcus, explains that a well-designed table setting can actually enhance the effect of a meal.

“We like to use interesting elements which create a reason for conversation,” he says. “This can relax your guests, especially if they are meeting each other for the first time. Using a combination of wonderful plates and touches of shells doesn’t take away from the formal feel but adds character to your table. We like to think our table settings are like a gift to your guests, in addition to the wonderful meal you will all be enjoying together.”

The Casual Affair

The aesthetic savvy of Pacific Home founders Jennifer Johnson and Aubrey Yee brings bright bursts of color and a clean, down-to-earth sensibility to all of their Island-inspired projects. Their take on a “casual” table setting exemplifies that, with a “Pacific Bistro” concept that utilizes a teak table, ceramic dishes, Duke Kanahamoku sign and aged bauhaus glass bottles dating back to the 1700s. The arrangement and ambiance perfectly befit a lazy afternoon of sipping chilled wine, enjoying a light snack and chatting casually with friends.

To create your own casual table setting at home, Pacific Home staffers recommend combining unique treasures from the local flea market or from your travels abroad with new furniture pieces. Doing so gives you an ever-evolving arrangement that “allows for entertaining for years to come.”

For price listings and product information, visit www.pacifichome.com.

The Outdoor Lunch

Kaui Philpotts, author of Party Hawaii: A Guide to Entertaining in the Islands, was charged with a chic outdoor “girls’ lunch” setting at Queen Emma’s Summer Palace. She used subtle bursts of color and touches of Hawaiiana – coral-motifed napkins and bamboo-handled flatware – in a fresh arrangement that complemented the event’s natural surroundings.

Philpotts advocates “theming” parties. A personalized or seasonal inspiration narrows the focus of a table creation.

“There are many natural themes throughout the year – Labor Day, Fourth of July. These are easy to build on. There are also themes like going away parties, where you can cater to a person’s interests. Whenever possible, it should be fun,” she says.

Philpotts adds a tip for shopping for just the right table pieces: “Before you walk out of your home and spend one cent, you should look in your own closet and drawers. You’d be surprised to see what you have.”