Dining in Haute Style

Books are like people I find, some are passing acquaintances and some become cherished companions. Such is the fate of a forlorn copy of The Elegant Table by Barbara Wirth, that I found at New York's most famous used bookstore the Strand one lucky day. Published in 1987 this book features some of the most famous people in France entertaining at home and in their workspaces. With spectacularly set tables, that often glimmer with brilliant vermeil and flawlessly polished silver, it offers an illusion of calm and civility that is in contrast to the world we live in today. I have selected a few of my favorite tables for todays post. 

The classic combination of crisp blue and white is always right. The dining room of Mr & Mrs David Ogilvy at their chateau Touffou is filled with Chinese export porcelain set against a large mahogany table. The silver chandelier only adds to the refined style of the room. 

Walter Lees' kitchen cum dining area of is a great use of space. The addition of the mirror panels adds demension to the long bench like table surrounded by stools. 

Again blue and white china sets the tone,  the Blue Dragon Worcester plates, vermeil and silver.

Venetian glasses add sparkle. 

Style icon Hubert de Givenchy is the master behind this grand dining room.  He is described as making "the simple sublime and the sublime simple" in this Regency room. 

Helxine orchids in simple terra cotta pots mixed with Gouthiere candlesticks decorate the table. 

Red and blue is one of my favorite color combinations so this dramatic dining room by American designer Phyllis Lapham is a knock out in my opinion. The candle light from the Austrian chandelier adds a poetic note to the space.