Don't feel bound by tradition this holiday season. Forgo Thanksgiving's typical palette and the red and green of Christmas and instead let muted tones — with a touch of color — add elegance to the table.
Each place setting: Faux Shagreen oatmeal place mat, $10.95, cb2.com; Pedra artisan dinner plate, $14.95, crateandbarrel.com. Top left: Handmade plate by Maggie Jaszczak, $65, handmade dish by Robyn Peterson, $25, both northernclaycenter.org. Top right: Handmade plate by Doug Casebeer, $65, northernclaycenter.org; Danish Bungalow cereal bowl, $42, michelevarian.com; clear orbs, similar ones $29 for set of 24, amazon.com. Centerpiece: Handmade dish from artist Re Jin Lee's BDB NY, $104, michelevarian.com; faux snow-dipped leaves, frosted ornaments, golden branches, poinsettia all available through local florists, koehlerdramm.com has resources. Lower right: Handmade plate by Maggie Jaszczak, $65, northernclaycenter.org; Danish Bungalow poke bowl, $52, michelevarian.com; vintage dish, $25, similar available at anthropologie.com. Lower left: Handmade plate by Doug Casebeer, $65, northernclaycenter.org; Aurora linen napkin, $4, crateandbarrel.com; Michiko Shimada-designed bowl, $28, michelevarian.com; gold-encrusted ornament, $20, similar set of four at westelm.com.
Barbara Schmidt of studiobstyle in Minneapolis is a nationally known creative director and stylist.
