Valentine's Day Tablescape with Molly Sohr 2021
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Valentine’s Day is only six sleeps away, and I’m thrilled to start this week with another fabulous table that’s full of pink and floral inspiration. I absolutely adore this vignette, partly because it was another opportunity to collaborate with the fabulous Molly Sohr, and party because it gave me a chance to play with my Christmas “toys.” Yes, friends – I did indeed buy myself more tabletop pieces for Christmas. What can I say? I’m Mary and I’m addicted to gorgeous table linens. In all seriousness, however, I’m a big believer in collecting pieces that bring you joy, can be dressed up or down, and complement what you already own. Everything here checks those boxes, so let’s take a closer look at these beauties, shall we?
One of the things I love about this table is that it doesn’t scream VALENTINE’S DAY. Of course, it would be beautiful for the 14th, but I’d just as soon use this for a shower, springtime celebration (Easter, Passover), or Mother’s Day. This is what I mean when I talk about finding pieces that serve double duty and can be used in different ways. I’ve long been a fan of Mrs. Alice products and couldn’t be more thrilled with this tablecloth and placemat/napkin set. The mauve-y tones are a sophisticated take on pink, and the shades of green and gold in the tablecloth mean that I can easily bring in other napkins, plates, etc. to change up the look. The candles are also from Mrs. Alice and a perfect match to the linens.
Cabbage ware is making a big comeback and frankly it’s a total classic – you just can’t go wrong (check out another take on this trend in my late summer table with Freshly Set). These white plates are a fun twist on the expected green and are endlessly versatile. For anyone looking to freshen their tabletop “wardrobe,” I suggest finding a set of white plates in a fun design or pattern. Sticking with white means that you can use them in a million ways, but you still get a nice change from your everyday dishes.
To round out the place settings, Molly and I used my bamboo flatware to complement the rattan napkin rings. Don’t be afraid to use bamboo and rattan year-round! They’re seasonless and I love their natural, organic vibe. We also used my new glassware (stemware here; water glasses here). Like the white cabbage plates, these elevated glasses are total workhorses, complementing a ton of my existing pieces and adding interest to any table. Hester & Cook place cards with Kate Fabling Calligraphy were the perfect finishing touch.
Molly is a genius with florals and designed these beautiful arrangements. I love that she used a combination of peach and blush here. The peach is a bit unexpected and adds some depth and color play. It reads quite modern because it’s not too matchy matchy and plays nicely against the more traditional linens. Keeping the arrangements small and low is a great trick: not only are smaller vases easier to style, but you’re also guaranteed that guests can see over them! The candlesticks provided contrasting height and their simple, geometric shape added another modern touch to the table. Don’t be afraid to mix girly things with more streamlined pieces; this helps to create an interesting sense of balance.
Now for the refreshments. The pièce de résistance is this amazing vintage punch bowl with a delicious lemon-lime-rosemary punch from Southern Living. It looks so pretty on the table, and since it’s within arm’s reach, no one has to get up to refill drink glasses. We used cake stands of varying heights to display beautiful sweets, including champagne cake bites from Caroline’s Cakes and scrumptious petit fours from Nashville-based Southern Squares. I talk about Caroline’s Cakes all the time and cannot recommend them enough. These cake bites are such a fun option because they lend themselves nicely to a “dessert bar” where people can try several different things. Susan at Southern Squares is so lovely and talented. She can match petit fours to any color scheme or décor, and like the cake bites, they're great for dessert bars (individual treats are also covid-friendly). The cake stand duet (similar here) adds some height and balances the punch bowl at the opposite end of the table.
All of these florals and dainty details are making me so excited for spring! It's just around the corner, y'all, and until then, I wish you the happiest, pink-filled Valentine's Day....XOXO.