Video: Setting the Table with Bunny Williams

Celebrated entertainer (and interior designer extraordinaire) Bunny Williams talks to us about her love of china, her new dinner ware designs, and why she considers a table setting a work of art!

From the beginning, Bunny knew she wanted to design collections that have a mix and match look to them. In her blue-and-white Campbell House Collection, all the pieces are in the classic color palette, but the patterns and designs differ. Her Melange Collection features taupe, mixed with oranges and sage greens. Like her Campbell House Collection, each piece is different, but together they coordinate perfectly.

Setting the Table

Before getting started, Bunny picks a color palette. This evening she chose oranges, yellows, and a salmony-coral. Once her color palette is chosen, she knows what direction to go in for linens, flowers, and dinnerware.

When it comes time to set the table, Bunny always starts with a beautiful table cloth for dinner parties. Table cloths warm up a table and give it a more elegant feel which is appropriate for an evening get-together.

Next she brings in something a little bit taller, like her Greek Key Hurricanes. Set your table like you would decorate a room, adding items with varying heights, textures, and colors.

Bunny mixes her plates, alternating between patterns from place setting to place setting. Once you’ve added everything to your table, go in and adjust from there, tweaking the spacing, adding votive candles, and making sure napkins are neatly folded.

Table Setting Tips

• Think of your table like a little still life
• Give everyone their own salt and pepper cellars
• Use place cards to simply the seating shuffle
• Fold your napkins the Bunny way
• Add candle light at varying heights
• Use a table cloth during dinner parties and place mats during lunch

To see Bunny’s full collection for Ballard Designs, visit ballarddesigns.com/bunny, or find more tips and ideas from Bunny Williams on ballarddesigns.com/howtodecorate/bunny.