Gilding Yourself to Tabletop Perfection

It’s not everyday that an industry an insider dishes her well fashioned secrets but we are delighted to have Debi Lilly of A Perfect Event doling out her china genius. She’s shared her stylish guidance with InStyle Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, Bridal Guide, Chicago Social Magazine and now Be U Weddings. Perhaps you are looking to deck out bridal shower table tops, a #BeUtious rehearsal dinner, or Easter dinner with the “in-laws”? Follow Debi’s step-by-step guidance for a #vintageglam showstopper.

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Maybe it was the Marie Antoinette marathon I had this week…All that Versailles glam, every square inch covered in glistening gold leaf…All the French fantasy floral – tables, beds, cakes covered in soft, sorbet colored roses…Or maybe it’s Chicago winters – in need of some serious happy color. Whatever your reason – our favorite DIY glam this season is the gilded table.

You remember our fun post sharing our stylist secret, fresh from our book, A Perfect Event, for DIY gold leaf vases?

Well, here’s the perfect step by step to layering a vintage vogue tabletop, a la Queen of Versailles herself.

Photo Courtesy of Debi Lilly, A Perfect Event

Step 1 –

Create a color palette of soft, sorbet hues.

I seriously can’t get enough of this trend.  It says romantic, elegant, and timeless all at once.

Pick three hues – in the same palette – like blush pink, apricot, gold.

Stylist secret:  Three is a magic number, very eye pleasing.

Step 2 -

Layer in pattern.

We love chevron. (we love many things, bien sur!)

We created this custom paper runner by designing and printing our fave pattern right onto paper, in a soft, pretty pink.

Simply print (we’ll do it for you – call us!) and then unroll down your tabletop, on a bare table, or on top your solid colored linen (this blush pink silk shantung runner is a favorite, from bbjlinen.com).

Photo Courtesy of Debi Lilly, A Perfect Event

Step 3 –

Create a thoughtful collection of florals.

Instead of one vase, here’s our floral trick for 2013 – mix and match varied size vases for an instant clustered collection – a la flea market chic.  (Or family heirloom chic, whichever you prefer.)

You already know how to gold leaf, like a pro.  It is so easy!  Foolproof.

Next, fill vases with water.

I am totally obsessed with clustered trios of blooms.

This is fresh from Paris – where it is shown all over town in top hotels and oh so fancy French fleurists.

And – what’s beautiful – is it’s so easy.

Choose three similar hued blooms, in your color palette.  My personal favorite:  Summer Stock (full, fluffy), Spray Roses (ditto), Tulips (so sweet, everyone loves em).

Simply cluster blooms right into corners/sides of vase, creating three sections of massed blooms.

Photo Courtesy of Debi Lilly, A Perfect Event

Step 4 –

Down the center, tucked amongst the gold vases, tuck votives for flickering light and drama.

I love to use glass Moroccan teacups – collected from my travels through France – and set every few on top (more layering!) gold rim saucers.

Photo Courtesy of Debi Lilly, A Perfect Event

Step 5 –

Last step!

Set placesettings with gilded chargers (these glittered lovelies are by bbjlinen.com), pretty patterned vintage china plates (sourced from my favorite thesavoyflea.com), stemware, silverware and napkins (also bbjlinen.com).

Photo Courtesy of Debi Lilly, A Perfect Event

For a memorable, vintage favor, collect old softcover books (these are French, choose your own personal theme of stories, genres) and rip off the front cover and first few pages, to the pretty title page (these are thesavoyflea.com).  Wrap with ribbon in your color palette, and add a personalized tag and vintage key.

Voila – the perfect, pretty table.  Ready. Set.

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For more wedding inspiration, click here for Debi’s eMagazine, A Perfect Event: issuu.com/aperfecteventmag/docs/aperfecteventmagazine_winter2013. Still looking to soak up DIY savings? Be sure to attend the 4th Annual Meet the Experts: Arming the Recessionista Bride hosted by Pure Kitchen Catering, Thursady January 24th, 2013 at 6:30pm. Tweet your favorite bridal savy advice to help other #BeUGals pinch their pennies to wedding day perfection.