My friend PC considers tablescaping an art and I have to agree with him. One of the best parts of a weekly dinner is figuring out how you can make each evening a unique experience outside of the food and environment. Afterall, it is your house.

Over the course of the last year, I have found that I think as much about the way the meal is being presented, as I do about the food and company. For each of our PMs I think about color and texture of the food and the presentation. If simple fare, I go for a bit more ornate or daring table. If a complicated meal, a simpler presentation seems best. And each dinner involves a color story. Conversely – it is great fun to plan a meal around new dishes or linens. Last year I was charmed by some bistro dishes that reminded me of trips to Paris. I have had great fun with these – serving menus on them that are simple one dish classics. Seasonal flowers are good too. Nothing says spring like fresh tulips on a table – or sunflowers in the summer.

I have to confess, I am not generally inspired by home magazines or cooking shows but I do love to look at vintage and antique shops for color and pattern direction. A unique salt and pepper shaker, a table of white porcelain, cut glass… Featured here are a few shots from a recent visit to a favorite collectibles store mixed with a few of my own pieces. I aspire to be as good as my friend PC and as they say…. practice makes perfect. Looking forward to more dinners in 2013.