Black and White (and Classy)

After a table full of pretty pastels, today's setting steps onto the dark side.  Dark...I mean...black!  Not dark and dreary, but black and white and elegant...classy.  The inspiration for this tabletop all began with some fabric.  Once again, I could not resist and made some napkins out of this beautiful fabric, Dancing Flowers by June Smith for M&S Textiles.

I love the slightly out of the ordinary color combination, pale pink, salmon, tan and brown with touches of green and grey and light blue...they all stand out on the deep black background.  The rest of the tablescape just fell into place.

I began with a simple black and white Chilewich table runner.  

I know I've been using these lacy white paper Lula placemats over and over lately, but they just make such a perfect layering piece.  Today they are layered over a plain round black placemat, making for even more contrast.

I chose my new favorite grey Hayes dinner plates from Crate & Barrel...and topped them with these darling...

Emma dessert plates (thank you Beth!), also from the Crate.  To give a little height to the table, I tucked the napkins carefully into my water glasses,

(Calistoga water and wine glasses, Crate & Barrel - several years ago).   Lucky for me, I celebrated both Mother's Day and my birthday this past weekend, and this very lovely Sleepy Hollow side dish by Michael Aram was one of my gifts.

I chose to use it this time as a candle holder, nestling little tea lights snuggly into black beans. I do love how it becomes the focal point of the table...

...but now where will I put my flowers?  I'm all for repurposing, so these stubby glass dessert dishes miraculously became vases for floating white roses!

One for each guest.

Whether it be your wardrobe or your tabletop, you just cannot go wrong with black and white.

I think all the different textures have added up to quite an elegant setting...

...Black and White and Classy.  Next week, the theme continues, but with a twist.  Stay tuned for more fun with Part 2: Black and White and Sassy!