Atlanta’s preeminent hostess, tastemaker Danielle Rollins, shares her five cardinal rules for setting the perfect Southern table.
Use Heirloom Linens
To buy: No. Four Eleven. Oversize linens with (or without) a monogram. Savannah, GA; numberfoureleven.com or 912/443-0065
Mix-and-Match China and Glassware
Select the basics and add embellishments for a look that is “uniquely you.” Use simple stemware to counter-balance more decorative china, or vice versa.
To buy: Replacements, Ltd. A veritable warehouse of patterns. Greensboro, NC; replacements.com or 800/737-5223
Use Vintage Silver
To buy: Scott Antique Markets. Open the second weekend of every month, a treasure hunt through 3,300 exhibit booths. Atlanta, GA; scottantiquemarket.com or 404/361-2000
Set Place Cards
To buy: Gadabout Paper. Hand-drawn cards with monograms. Atlanta, GA; agadabout.com or 843/325-6488
Arrange Seasonal Flowers
To buy: Wakefield-Scearce Galleries. Mint julep cups, a Southern twist on bud vases. Shelbyville, KY; wakefieldscearce.com
