Rustic Chic Table: Vintage Dishes with a Dough Bowl Centerpiece
In this post: Do you love the mix of rustic with refined? This rustic chic table is based around a vintage dough bowl centerpiece paired with elegant tabletop elements. ⇒
If I had to call out one style habit I most gravitate toward, I’d have to say it’s creating balance through mixing. I love to mix casual with formal, masculine with feminine, rugged with elegant, and rustic with chic.
In fashion it translates to denim and diamonds or delicate lace paired with tweed. I’m most often seen in tailored blazers with combat boots and there’s no question this is paralleled in the way I style my home.
Perhaps it’s my penchant for the note of surprise or that the contrast brings out the beauty of the disparate pieces.
But I so love the mix and it makes its way to my favorite tables, as well.
With this in mind, I set out to create a lovely table with all white dishes and a neutral dough bowl centerpiece. What could provide more contrast than crisp white and rustic wood?
But something happened when I got to the flower shop and my pulse quickened when I saw what was on display. What can I say? I couldn’t help myself!
Oh, I did indeed set a white table. It’s nearly all white in fact, with white vintage dishes on my white washed table, snow white napkins and white upholstered chairs.
All I was looking for was a few pale lilac stems to bring out the tiny florals on the antique china. And that’s when the trouble began…
I got to the market and there were hyacinths! Intoxicating purple hyacinths!!
I tried to look away.
Really, I did.
But to me hyacinths are like dark chocolate. I just don’t possess that kind of willpower. And once the hyacinths were in the basket, well, it was a small leap to the magenta wax flower and the next thing I knew the basket was filled with pink ranunculus.
I mean, really, is there ever a reason to walk away from pink ranunculus?
Above are the vintage dishes that started it all.
In line with my preference for mixing, I love to mix my vintage patterns and this entire table was inspired by the middle salad plate with the ever-so-delicate tiny flowers bordering the scalloped edge.
They actually worked perfectly with my existing Limoges dinner plates and I topped the stack off with one of my favorite purchases, the sweetest little demitasse set that I found in an antique market in Paris. I can still see them buried on a dusty shelf where I asked the shopkeeper to pry them out from.
Honestly, they took my breath away.
And because I wanted the vintage dishes to take center stage, I chose my clear crystal goblets in the glen plaid pattern as all they needed to do was to reflect the light.
My embroidered white napkins are also vintage and they were recently bleached to freshen them up.
The chippy white napkin ring kept everything tonal.
Well… almost everything…
I used vintage brass candlesticks with smoky grey bobeches and acrylic candles with silver flecks.
Dough Bowl Centerpiece
And then the piece that I was so excited to feature was this gorgeous rugged antique dough bowl. I purposely kept the table bare to play off the patina of the old European bowl.
As I went about styling my dough bowl centerpiece, it really began to look like spring was in full bloom. And true to my predilection for contrasts and mixes, those enchanting feminine florals balanced out that great big wooden bowl.
As I looked back at my table when all was complete, I was tickled by the fact that this table set with formal French china, silver and crystal, had an oh-so-carefree air that is exactly what I usually strive for.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate some occasional strict formality, but I find a rustic chic blend so much more compelling.
More Ideas for Mixing Rustic with Refined on the Table
- Layer a raw wood charger beneath fine china: Pair an organic wood base with delicate, elegant dishes to contrast textures beautifully.
- Use linen napkins with silver napkin rings: Combine the relaxed feel of linen with the polished look of gleaming silver.
- Place rustic woven placemats under crystal glasses: The natural fibers of the mats add an earthy touch that balances the sparkle of refined glassware.
- Decorate with a burlap table runner and fresh greenery: Let the natural texture of burlap provide a base for lush foliage to add sophistication.
- Pair enamel plates with elegant gold flatware: Mix utilitarian enamelware with the warmth and luxury of metallic flatware for an eye-catching contrast.
- Incorporate mismatched vintage china: Use plates with delicate patterns alongside rustic accents like wooden chargers or stoneware bowls.
- Use hand-thrown ceramic bowls on a crisp white tablecloth: The organic, imperfect texture of pottery contrasts beautifully with the formality of white linens.
- Place polished silver candlesticks on a distressed wood table: The juxtaposition of tarnish-free silver and weathered wood adds a chic, curated feel.
- Arrange fresh wildflowers in cut crystal vases: Combine untamed florals with refined vessels for a relaxed yet elegant centerpiece.
- Tie napkins with jute twine and add a sprig of rosemary: The simplicity of natural twine balances the effort of folded napkins for a charming touch.
- Mix rustic wooden bowls with glass stemware: Serve salads or sides in earthy wood bowls alongside sophisticated, refined glassware.
- Use a combination of rustic stone coasters and elegant porcelain cups: Add a grounding element to delicate porcelain with raw stone accents.
- Incorporate antler or horn accents in your centerpiece: Pair rustic decor with sleek floral arrangements to bridge the styles seamlessly.
- Combine a raw-edge cheese board with crystal decanters: Serve charcuterie on an earthy board, accented by sparkling decanters of wine or whiskey.
- Layer a lace tablecloth over a raw wood table: Let the intricate lace pattern soften the rusticity of an exposed wood surface.
- Place rough-hewn wooden candleholders alongside fine taper candles: Pair rugged textures with the sleek elegance of slim candles for a striking contrast.
- Use galvanized metal serving trays with fine china cups: Bring a rustic farmhouse touch by mixing utilitarian metal with sophisticated teacups.
- Decorate with simple kraft paper name cards and elegant calligraphy: Pair earthy materials with refined script for a thoughtful and stylish detail.
- Layer white linen tablecloths with plaid or striped fabric accents: Add rustic charm with plaid napkins or a striped runner against a formal white backdrop.
- Serve drinks in mason jars alongside crystal pitchers: Balance casual and upscale by letting mason jars mingle with refined serving vessels.
Resource Guide
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Lory,
Just beautiful,the dishes are exquisite! Love Edith and Evelyn,one of my favorite blogs.
The table is beautiful. Love your dishes and particularly the demitasse cups and saucers that appear to have a touch of lavender. Thanks for the tip on Edith & Evelyn!
Ginger
Really pretty Lory! I know how you feel about flowers. I was shocked to see tulips in my local grocery so I had to come home with them. It feels like spring.
I love those vintage dishes.
Nancy
Lory, I love your casual elegance. I have not seen acrylic candles before.
Because the flowers are fresh, do you put a wet floral block in the bowl or floral water tubes or are they for the photos and moved after ? Really lovely. I can see why you couldn’t leave them.
If I’m doing the flowers for an event, they will usually stay through the event without water and then I move to a vase later. For this shoot, they stayed overnight without water and I moved them the next day to a vase. But if I wanted to keep them in the bowl, I would have used foam.
Lovely! I was impressed by those beautiful candles. Everything pictured makes me long for Spring!
I love the way the glowers are laying in the dough bowl like you just came in from the garden. Your chins is dreamy. A lovely, light table reminiscent of spring.
That should be “flowers”. I’ve pinned the dough bowl for future reference.
Thanks, and yes, I knew what you meant… 🙂
Lory, STUNNING, you always set a wonderful table. Love Cindy shop and have had my eye on her dough bowls. You filled it with pretty colors. The Hyacinths must smell amazing
Cindy
Omg, how I love the smell of hyacinths!
Beautiful as always! Love how your new kitchen and breakfast area is providing stunning foundation for your pretty pieces. Where can I find these smoky grey bobeches?
Thanks, Hilary! The bobeches are from a tiny shop in Mougins, France, so you may need to talk to Josh about that… 😉 I have seen many online, but they’re often plastic or acrylic. These are a thick crystal so I wish I could find a source here for them. Will certainly post about it if I ever do.
So pretty, Lory! I’m glad you got swept up by the colorful flowers and changed your plan a bit. The color really pops in the center of your white setting. Your table settings are always beautiful.
Such a lovely tablescape and I adore the color in the flowers, which is so needed right now. By the way, I know there is concern about the lead content in antique china. Do you serve with your pieces?
Thanks, Donna! Most of the time I use the patterned plates for the salad plate and layer it on top of a solid white dinner plater, so I mostly serve on the dinner plate. However, I do have a few full sets of china and I do occasionally serve on them. Never really heard you weren’t supposed to.
Love, love, love your vintage dishes, especially the lavender flowers!
Lory, I love your blog…one of my very favorites. Your tablescape posts are amongst my favorites as well. I save each and every one of them as reference. I truly love this “all white” winter tablescape and I’m sure if you’d filled that antique dough bowl with white roses, white hyacinths, etc. I would have loved it and thought it beautiful. However, your choice of pastel spring flowers really set off the white motif of your table setting and elevated its design to exquisitely beautiful. Just perfect.
Gasp! Such a pretty post Lory!
Thanks so much, Janet!
Walking away from these beautiful flowers would have been an impossible task and I’m happy that you didn’t. I know we have lots of winter weather left here in Michigan but looking at this pretty table is pure joy. Thank you!
Stunning, stunning, stunning!! I just discovered your blog and feel I have met a kindred spirit. Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Alecia, and welcome!!!
Oh awwww so gorgeous … I have my mother-in-laws round wood dough bowl that she made bread in for so many years till it cracked down one side … I treasure it As always love the table and the decor
This beautiful table is a breath of fresh air filled with spring wishes!
Thank you so much, Sandra!!
Oh my! Those lovely florals in the dough bowl are like a breath of spring air! Beautiful!
Gorgeous flowers, plates and photography!
http://jeanneselep.blogspot.com/2018/02/valentines-hutch-version-2.html
Oh goodness!!! Beautiful post and such a gorgeously set table and the flowers in the dough bowl are just the special beautiful touch
Beautiful for the eyes and painful on my empty wallet. Adding up the cost of each item exhaust my brain. All for the eyes pleasure only.
Thank you for the kind words and I understand what you are saying. But most of the items on this table were collected over time, either passed down through the family, or bought in vintage markets through my travels over the years. I offer source information for anyone who’d like to add a piece or two to their collection, to complete the look, but the whole point of mixing unmatched vintage pieces together is to make use of what you already own, and add in new found pieces as they are discovered. Hope that helps!
Love all your tablescapes. I have my mother’s silver plate like you used here, but it badly needs polishing. Have you found a silver cleaner works really well?
Thank you so much!! And yes, I have. This is my favorite cleaner for polishing my silver: https://amzn.to/3GF9kBO
Love that centerpiece! Nothing thrills me like spring bulb flowers! BTW, grape hyacinth is a totally different flower and while they aren’t nearly as fragrant (and much smaller), they are also a springtime favorite!
That is so funny and such a timely comment, as I was just thinking about grape hyacinths yesterday and thinking I wasn’t really sure what they were!
Beautiful Lory! You set a charming table every time.
To the lady commenting on the price of purchasing pieces to set a lovely table, you can find vintage pieces on Facebook marketplace for very reasonable prices. Resell shops such as Etsy are very pricey. It might take a bit longer to find what you want but that is the thrill of the hunt. Many boomers are downsizing and selling their fine china, crystal and silver.