RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Golden Cheetah plates by Lynn Chase and crystal by William Yeoward bearing palm tree etchings.
Set for the holidays Every day items such as pine nuts, cranberries, pears and ribbons went from ordinary to extraordinary in the hands of Neiman Marcus's visual design team, who put their magic touch on holiday dining room displays -- casual to formal -- at C.S. Wo.
Their work will set the stage for First Lady Vicky Cayetano's signing of commemorative Christmas ornaments to benefit the Washington Place Foundation (See "Ornament sales").
The eight settings can be viewed from 10 a.m. Sunday and will be on display through Dec. 1.
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Clean lines enhance a contemporary dining set at C.S. Wo. The china pattern is by Rosenthal from Germany. It comes in a six-piece gift collection. All the settings are from Neiman-Marcus.
Those looking for ideas for their own holiday table settings
can make mental notes or bring a camera for an "inspirational" shot.
Examine the combinations and for your own table, think in terms of what you already own, and what you would like to highlight or revive, adding pieces where necessary.
Neiman Marcus visual presentation manager Doug Jago, along with assistants Jeanine Espinda and Judy Yu, took their inspiration from the gold cherubs and ribbons in the C.S. Wo showroom. Thus, each grouping is touched with gold accents.
The team aimed to complement each furniture tableaux. One result is a sleek, zen-like setting with a contemporary dining table as a backdrop.
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
A pear set in a dish of cranberries bring out the rich tones of a Red Crackle plate from Tuscany. The sheer beaded table runner is from Pakistan.
A Neiman Marcus spokesperson suggests bringing a plate from your setting into the store and asking a housewares sales associate for tips on how to build around it.
Jago said the display's theme is "Comfort and Joy," so the goal was to make guests feel at home and cozy.
"The nuts, berries, and permissions creates a holiday feeling that will take you from Thanksgiving through Christmas," he said.
Food items were introduced to enhance the aura of sitting down to enjoy dinner.
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
A golden-colored pear picks up the gold throughout the showroom and a red ribbon picks up the red of the Crackle dishes. Apply the theory to pieces you already own before deciding on a color theme for your holiday party.
"The chestnuts take me back to my childhood," said Jago, who used them in a centerpiece cascade of mixed nuts.
Jago said the display is exaggerated, but easy to duplicate at home. Its effect is to invite guests around the table.
"It's not just there for show," he said. "You can crack nuts and start a conversation."
Star-Bulletin staff
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Judy Yu, above right, and Jeannine Espinda, visual stylists for Neiman Marcus, put finishing touches on a table setting at C.S. Wo. Their displays will be on view Sunday through Dec. 1.
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