Table for Two: Bohemian Sparkle (And a Giveaway!)

Since my birthday has always fallen close to Halloween, I've grown up with many themed parties - and not always to my delight. But, I've learned to embrace the season and make it my own, which is how I came up with the concept for this tabletop design. I wanted something warm to reflect the fall palette, with a little bit of sparkle for this birthday girl...
Inspired by the fabric overlay (a sample of a gorgeous pattern that used to be available through Schumacher), I pulled the saturated reds, golds and deep chocolate browns into all of the tabletop elements creating a very rich palette! The large dishes are actually a very deep plum from Ikea, the gold decorative dish is from a Japanese shop in our International District, and the napkins I created myself from leftover fabric.
I rummaged through the silver bins at a local antique store to find the mismatched silverware, and once again emplored the use of my kaarsKoker decorative candlestick sleeves to add another layer of pattern that complimented the fabric perfectly! The smokey glass vase was much more ideal than a clear vase in this case.

From the local flower market I picked up some mini calla lillies, chocolate sunflowers, echinacea, and another filler that I'm not sure of, but it's been dyed a vibrant orange for the season.
I had to have a splash of sequins for my birthday table, so I used them to wrap the napkin, and topped it with this cute decorative ribbon out of my stash. Then, evoking a bit more fall, I tucked in the brown velvet leafs to top it all off.

What do you think? Are you ready to try it yourself?? Well, good, because we're going to get you started by giving away a pair of these kaarsKoker candlesticks and sleeves!! You are absolutely going to love the versatility of these pieces. The top of the brass candlesticks twist off so you can switch the sleeves out seasonally - they are simply genius!
All you need to do is pop over to the kaarsKoker website and browse your sleeve options, then let us know which one is calling your name by leaving a comment below (be sure to leave your email as well so we can get in touch with you!). Or, if you're ready to purchase your own pair, use the code COCOK for 20% off at checkout (good through 12/25). kaarsKoker will also be including a pair of 6" ivory tapers with every pair of candlestick purchased through end of year! Can we say excellent hostess gift for the holidays?

The contest will end Friday... and who knows... maybe I'll design my next tabletop around the winner's pick!

Fall Tabletop Inspiration: Menswear!

Since my boy likes to remind me during my decoration outbursts that there is a man in the house, I thought it fitting that the first installment in my new series, Table for Two, be all about him. Well... kinda.

Inspired by a beautiful pinstripe in navy and white found at my local fabric store, and menswear inspired candlestick sleeves from Karskokker (featuring shirtstripes and houndstooth!), I grabbed a few of my favorite things and went to work!
I wanted to accent the table in colors other than blues and whites to add some richness, and this bloom I had just picked up in a bouquet at the market helped determine the palette. I added a band of velvet chartreuse ribbon to wrap around simple linen napkins, and plucked a pair of burgundy chopsticks from the utensil drawer.
I put all the elements together at our little dining room table... The flower found a home in this vintage trophy cup that I set square in the middle of the table, I then grouped the candlesticks in sets of three on each side - and mixed in a vintage brass pair of my own for height.
I love the contrast of materials here - the modern white plates help the pinstripe really pop! The velvet and brass bring a traditional richness to the table, and the chopsticks are completely unexpected and a great addition of color. This is not your typical sushi setting, that's for sure (but it does happen to be our favorite meal!).
And the final product! (My poor little flower wilted waiting for the boy to get home!) Proof that a lovely table doesn't have to cost a fortune... so you can splurge on dinner! What do you think boys? Could you handle coming home to this?

resources: 1* linen napkens, target 2* candlesticks and sleeves, kaarskoker 3* dishes, pottery barn