Happy Easter everyone!

Almost every night my fiancé has whipped us up a delicious dinner with our new notion of staying home — nothing too fancy, but always tasty. So I had the itch to do something for him and set up a romantic dinner table for two. No, I didn’t cook, lol. But I did order the most delicious Thai takeout from Bangkok O-Cha in West Palm Beach! If you’re local, I highly suggest ordering the Pad See Ew (aka stir-fried soy sauce noodles, I added tofu) and Pad Thai (traditional street food perfection), their two most popular items on the menu! My fiancé, who’s traveled to 50+ countries, loves Thai food and happens to be very particular about it — that’s why we were SO happy to discover a new favorite. We’re wanting to make a point to order takeout at least once a week to continue supporting our local communities… 

Whether you cook or not, creating an experience at home has become very important to me lately. While I’m all about trying out new restaurants (my fiancé and I are quite the foodies!) and indulging in new culinary experiences, I also love splitting a bottle of wine over good conversation and savory dishes at home. Bonus? Wearing pajamas. 

To me, luxury isn’t about spending a lot of money. It’s about investing in the small things like the details – aspects that may not provide immediate value but make it that much more special. Think back to your favorite dining experience. What made it unique? I can guarantee it was a detail like the waiter remembering your name, something extra special happened because it was your birthday/anniversary, or the chef coming out to thank you after dinner in addition to the delicious meal. We’ve been fortunate enough to have had lots of incredible experiences – I think back to our trip on the Amalfi Coast where the chef at JK Place in Capri surprised us with not one – but three desserts with limoncello. Or, my fiance’s birthday dinner at Hiden in Miami – one of the hardest places in Miami to get a reservation! Tucked away behind a taco stand, you find the finest sushi experience in all of Florida. Unique fact: The restaurant only seats 8. There was an intimate and cozy feeling about it all.

Ask yourself, “How can you recreate something similar at home?” 

Here are a few ways, I set up our dinner table: 

Linens  

First things first, set the table (literally) with a tablecloth. I thought about ordering a new one from India Amory for this dinner, but given the timeframe I opted for a piece of fabric I had laying around my apartment. Whichever route you take, make sure the tablecloth is ironed, steamed and free of wrinkles. If it’s too big, gather the extra fabric at the bottom and tie with a piece of ribbon to smooth out the top. 

Favorite brands include India Amory (for affordable luxury linens), Land of Belle and Williams Sonoma.  

Create a centerpiece 

Much like takeout, some florists are allowing curbside pickup and/or delivering to residences to stay afloat right now so don’t be afraid to order fresh flowers! Opt for a short vase, if you have one, so you can see each other while eating. Provide an accent with scented candles at varying heights, seashells (to hold a piece of bread) or any knick-knacks you have laying around your home as long as its cohesisve. Get creative! Tabletops are supposed to be fun.

Use Fine China!  

It doesn’t matter if you’re serving pizza and fried chicken or if you’re cooking the most incredible seven-course meal, now is the perfect time to whip out the fine china! Since we’re still building our registry via Zola, we currently don’t own any sets yet, but I have my eyes on a few brands like Cabana and Mottahedeh.  

*The plates I’m using are from a local brand in Florida called Coton Color. They can be purchased from Neiman Marcus here.  

And your best flatware!  

While I don’t have fine china (yet), I do own incredible silver flatware from Christofle. It was a generous gift a few years ago…tucked away in my storage closet for special occasions only *ahem like now. But as beautiful as it is, it didn’t quite go with my tabletop décor so I went with a simple gold set instead. I also have a bamboo flatware set that’s perfect for alfresco dining! 

Make a playlist 

I’m all about playing music to create an atmosphere. Perhaps you are trying to replicate a favorite dining memory with your quarantine partner? Opt for a playlist that transports you back to that exact spot. Or maybe you’re trying to create a relaxing environment? Play soft jazz. Music is an essential part of creating a mood and one that should be curated thoughtfully. 

I recently made a new Spotify profile that’s public. Click here to view my playlists.

Air, lighting and seating

My apartment is pretty small so lighting too many candles plus cooking can make the air feel too smoky. Purifying your indoor air, a small detail that’s oftentimes overlooked, is equally as important so I like to open my window or put my mini Molekule in the kitchen. 

Another important feature is lighting. Most apartments don’t come with dimmers (mine certainly doesn’t!) so light just enough candles to create a soft, flickering glow along with a warm and inviting atmosphere. I promise it makes the Thai food taste that much better! 

And seating! I adore my banquette, famously called the “Bungalow Banquette,” but sometimes I wish I had cushions, so for now I always keep a few throw pillows to help make the room feel more comfortable. 

Time 

If there’s one positive thing this difficult chapter has given us, it’s the gift of time. Take your time eating, talking and soaking it all in. There’s no better way to enjoy a weekend night at home… (and yes, treat yourself to dessert and order chocolate-dipped strawberries or vegan ice cream…or both!). 

Happy indulging everyone! 

Xo, Stephanie

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WICKER CHARGERS: Pottery Barn

DINNER PLATES, SALAD PLATES: Coton Colors (Florida based brand)

GRAY NAPKINS: (c/o) India Amory

PINK NAPKINS: old, Pottery Barn – similar version here

CANE TUMBLERS: Pottery Barn

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