While we may not be entertaining guests for a while, it can still be nice to elevate your dining experience with pretty plates, silverware, table runners, napkins and more.
The butter dish to rule them all: The shapes of these hand-thrown pieces by Hayes Ceramics make us so happy. $18 (and up), Made Local Marketplace, 2421 Magowan Dr, Santa Rosa, 707-583-7667, madelocalmarketplace.com (Karen Kizer)
Natural beauty: This pebbled glass is wonderfully thick and organically shaped. $22, Olive + Rose, 111 4th St, Santa Rosa, 707-919-3072, oliveandrosestudio.com (Olive and Rose Studio)
Great grains: Wooden boards are definitely having a moment. Top them with food or decor while adding dimension and texture to the table. These are especially good because they’re locally made using recycled woods. Made Local Marketplace, 2421 Magowan Dr, Santa Rosa, 707-583-7667, madelocalmarketplace.com (Karen Kizer)
Played-up pretty: Ribbons of bright color run through unbleached organic cotton in this table runner, handwoven in India by artisan weavers. A perfect blend of subtle and whimsical. $75, In the Making, Siri Hansdotter, 122 American Alley, Petaluma, sirihandsotter.com, inthemakingpetaluma.com. (Soil to Studio)
Free-form beauty: This pitcher, with a strikingly beautiful hand-formed shape, is a perfect vessel for water or displaying flowers. Made in Sonoma by Hiroko Ishida. $220, Pennyroyal Design at In the Making, 122 American Alley, Suite A, Petaluma, 332 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-280-3259, pennyroyaldesign.com (Debbie Wilson)
Hurricane flame: This oil lamp has won international acclaim and is a tabletop choice in some of Sonoma County's best restaurants. The design, circa 1972, is a Sonoma County original. Wolfard Glass still makes these handblown beauties in their Cotati studio. $69.95 to $143.05, The Wolfard Glassblowing Co., 368 Blodgett Street Suite #1, Cotati, 707-823-9994, wolfard.com
Traditional tea glasses: A traditional modern design in Morocco, these pretty vessels are handblown from recycled glass. $8, Bay' Ti Home, 1 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-774-6561, baytihome.com (Karen Kizer)
Golden tools: The rich color of these linen napkins offers an effortless style statement. Hello Penngrove, 101 Main Street, Penngrove,707- 665-5759, hellopenngrove.com (Hello Penngrove)
Pattern packed: Cups, bowls and tagines—handpainted in traditional Moroccan motifs—offer fantastic pattern that can be coordinated or contrasted. $8 (and up), Bay' Ti Home, 1 Fourth St., Petaluma, 707-774-6561, baytihome.com (Karen Kizer)
Pool to table: This bathing beauty atop this little plate brings the fun to the meal. It's handmade and hand-painted by BiBi of Vienna. $135, BaBoo Pop-up Shop, Suite 130 at The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., 707-824-5600, baboosf.com, thebarlow.net
Salt and pepper play: These ceramic shakers—by Israeli designer Maiyan Ben Yona—offer irresistible whimsy to your food-seasoning ritual. $75 (pair), BaBoo Pop-up Shop, Suite 130 at The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., 707-824-5600, baboosf.com, thebarlow.net (Maiyan Ben Yona)
Art accents: These small trays, by Maiyan Ben Yona, are spectacular. Full stop. They pair well with her salt and pepper shakers. $54 - $69, BaBoo Pop-up Shop, Suite 130 at The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., 707-824-5600, baboosf.com, thebarlow.net (Maiyan Ben Yona)
See what we mean? $75 (salt and pepper), $54-$69 (trays), BaBoo Pop-up Shop, Suite 130 at The Barlow, 6770 McKinley St., 707-824-5600, baboosf.com, thebarlow.net (Maiyan Ben Yona)
Gold Rush to table: Denim has finally made its way onto the tabletop—definitely worth the wait! Although this piece, by Fog Linen Work, is actually linen with a denim look. Yes, please. $16, Pennyroyal Design at In the Making, 122 American Alley, Suite A, Petaluma, 332 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-280-3259, pennyroyaldesign.com (Masaki Ogawa/Fog Linen Work)
Showstopper: Another fantastic hand-formed creation. This cream and sugar set was made by Veva in her Bloomfield studio. $140, Pennyroyal Design at In the Making, 122 American Alley, Suite A, Petaluma, 332 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-280-3259, pennyroyaldesign.com (Debbie Wilson)
In with the old: Because new is sort of out of style, and because reusing things is good for the planet, and because these silver-plated flatware pieces are so pretty, we love this flatware sold by the piece. $8 (per piece), Chateau Sonoma, 23588 Arnold Dr., Sonoma, 707-935-8553; Chateau on the Square, 453 1st ST W, Sonoma, 707-309-1993, chateausonoma.com (Chateau Sonoma)
We tend to think of our dining tables as simply utilitarian pieces of furniture. But the dining table is often the focal point of the room so it’s a good spot to infuse some extra style to your home. While we may not be entertaining guests for a while yet, it can still be nice to elevate your dining experience. Click through the above gallery for a few fantastic pieces for the tabletop. All are available in Sonoma County stores.
