When it comes to maximalist design, no one embodies this style quite like renowned interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Known for his eclectic taste in design that combines bold prints, rich colors and luxurious materials, Pollard certainly knows how to create extreme, ultra-sophisticated homes.
It’s no different when it comes to creating dinner table settings, where the expert designer directs a lively approach that results in personalized and innovative table settings.
Taking to Instagram, the designer shared a video talking through his top tips on how to set the table, and it’s giving us plenty of inspiration for the coming months as we anticipate the festive dinner party season.
“The art of setting the dinner table is truly an art and allows you to be very creative,” Pollard begins the video. We agree, so to help you take this experimental approach to dining table design, we’ve summarized our top Pollard tips below for you to follow, as well as rounded up some Pollard-inspired dinnerware items to help you on your way.
Dinnerware layer
Dinnerware is an essential part of a table setting, so it’s a good starting point when it comes to choosing the overall color of the table. ‘I always like to mix things up a little, especially with my dinnerware,’ explains the designer.
Pollard prefers to create a layered look with his dinner plates, with mismatched colors and sizes of plates adding interest. Whether you prefer a simple look or a colorful and extreme look, you can experiment with different layers of patterns as much as you like to suit your preferences.
CB2 Sapphire Black Dinnerware Set
Each piece in this stoneware dinnerware set is handcrafted and features polished details, making it an excellent starting point for your table design.
CB2 Daphne Glass Dinnerware Set
These glass plates are perfect for bringing a layered look to the table, while adding a touch to the vintage-inspired design.
Anthropologie Vietri Amalfitana Striped Dinner Plate
Featuring bold blue and white stripes, this plate brings a fun look to the dinner table and is perfect for creating a layered look.
Choose colored glassware
Pollard chooses to style his table with glasses in different colors, including a bright green that matches the aforementioned dinner plates, and a rich purple option that he explains provides “a little more character” to the setting.
Follow Pollard’s advice and experiment with cheerful colors with your glassware, or if you prefer, keep things classic with uncolored glass for a timeless look.
Anthropologie Morgan Wine Glasses, Set of 4
Sold in a set of four, these wine glasses in the shade “Wine” add a touch of sophisticated color to your glassware collection.
McGee & Co. Myth Smoke Bubble Wine Glass
This wine glass features a smoke bubble finish for an elevated look, while its sturdy shape makes it a practical choice.
CB2 Elegant Old Fashioned Double Glass Set of 6
These vintage style glasses feature a smoke color finish and a tapered shape guaranteed to add interest to the table.
Finish the look with napkins
Finally, your dinner table setting can really be enhanced with napkins, as Pollard explains: “Napkins are a really inexpensive way to change that up.” You can buy many colors and constantly update the look of your table.’
Pollard opts for a set of purple napkins that complement the matching glassware, creating a bold, lively look. Using rich colors on the table, like those used by Pollard, is an especially timely choice for this time of year: The upcoming winter months are the perfect time to embrace the warm, deep shades associated with fall decor ideas.
If you’re more drawn to a simple look, choose napkins in neutral colors that are versatile to match well with many different design styles.
CB2 Bolt Ginger Orange Linen Napkins Set of 4
These napkins are made from 100% natural linen and are perfect for creating a fall-inspired look.
CB2 Dark Green Poplin Napkins, Set of 8
Made from 100% cotton, these rich green handkerchiefs are a timeless choice and will work well during the winter months.
CB2 base polished brass napkin ring
Made of polished solid brass, this napkin ring is a classic design that goes well with many different colors and styles of napkins.
Whatever style of flatware you choose, remember to experiment with it and see it as a way to channel your creativity. As Pollard says, “It’s always fun to be creative, and it makes dinner taste so much better.”
Looking for more table design ideas? We’ve rounded up the best fall table decor ideas to give you more inspiration for creating stunning table settings this fall.
