Casual & Stylish Table

A Relaxed, Never Stuffy, Meal

Host Darryl Carter shares his secrets for creating a stylish, but casual Thanksgiving table. He loves casual entertaining because it puts his guests at ease.

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• Meet the Host: Darryl Carter

Source Guide
Wall paint: Dunmore Yellow (DC-44) from the Darryl Carter’s Colors collection by Benjamin Moore; benjaminmoore.com

Color Play

There's no need to stay loyal to one period. Here, handmade stoneware chargers lend modern shape and pattern plus a not-so-serious feel to antique flow blue transferware plates and ironstone bowls.

Source Guide
Chargers: Modern Thumbprint, through Darryl Carter, Washington, D.C.; darrylcarter.com
Blue-and-white china: antique flow blue transferware; similar items available through replacements.com
White bowls: antique ironstone; similar items available through replacements.com

Serve in Style

Embrace the special occasion by topping simple platters with silver domed lids that make the "reveal" even more of an event. Leaving silver unpolished shows off great patina.

Add Bling with Rings

Embellish simple white cotton napkins with a collection of vintage silver napkin rings. Gather a collection over time at various antiques markets and estate sales. The quirkier the markings, the better.

Stock the Sideboard

Outfitted with 28 drawers, a black-painted apothecary cabinet can store all of these serving pieces, linen tablecloths and napkins, and candles right where they are needed.