Incorporating Metallics into Your Winter Entertaining
Sinkology is proud to present Kristan Allen, our design expert and guest blogger who runs the @FarmhouseRedefined Instagram. Kristan is here to share some design ideas and inspiration around designing your home around your copper sink.
Whether you’re planning a small party for a group of friends or an intimate dinner for two (ahem, Valentine’s Day!), a fun evening of entertaining is sure to beat the winter blues. I love creating a special atmosphere for a dinner party, but I don’t always have the time for anything too elaborate. I’ve learned that simple styling can make a huge impact, and with just a few special touches, you can create a memorable setting and tabletop.
Create a Small Cocktail Bar to Welcome Guests
A small bar set-up creates a warm and welcoming display for one guest or 10 guests. Think less is more on this one! For a quiet dinner for two, it can be as simple as icing down a bottle of champagne. If you have a bar area in your home with a prep sink, fill the sink with ice and a little water and chill your wine or champagne there. It’ll look streamlined and clean-up will be a breeze. If you’re thinking of adding a prep sink to your kitchen, you can create a big impact in a small space with Sinkology’s copper and nickel styles. No prep sink? No problem! Using an ice bucket like this gorgeous Sinkology solid copper ice bucket option creates a similar effect with metallics in a smaller, more portable package.
Shop Your House for Décor
Don’t get me wrong…I love shopping for home decor. But you don’t always have to reinvent the wheel every time you’re looking for accent pieces, especially when it comes to entertaining. If you’ve caught the last couple of blog posts I’ve written, you know I love mixing old and new. Something about the juxtaposition of vintage and modern holds a very special appeal for me. Case in point – I collect antique Christmas ornaments. I pick them up at flea markets or thrift stores throughout the year and just love the nostalgia they bring to my tree. As I was packing up my holiday décor this year, I left all of the pink vintage ornaments out as a subtle nod to Valentine’s Day. They look great as bar centerpieces in an oversized blown glass vessel and cloche. Festive and unique!
Tabletop Simplicity
I’m a huge fan of keeping things simple…particularly when it comes to place settings. I have a dark, distressed farmhouse table, so I brighten things up with shades of cream and crisp white napkins. These Pottery Barn plates have a subtle pattern and timeless style that easily go from everyday meals with my toddlers to special occasion dinners with more grown-up company. For some contrast and texture, I paired them with metallic-detailed wine glasses and scalloped wood chargers I bought from a local craft store for less than $5 each. I love cooking with fresh herbs and always have a few sprigs leftover. So I added some fresh rosemary for a pop of green at each setting.
Don’t Be Afraid to DIY
Linen napkins and napkin rings are an easy way to fancy things up a bit because, if you’re anything like me, you’re not using these items on an everyday basis. White napkins are great because they’re easy to wash and they complement any color scheme. I wanted to use metallic napkin rings, but I was having trouble finding what I was looking for. So I put on my DIY hat and made these napkin rings in literally 5 minutes with no out-of-pocket cost. I raided our garage and found some heavy-gauge electrical wire leftover from past home repairs. I stripped the rubber coating off and cut 12-inch lengths of wire. I wrapped each piece of wire around an empty paper towel tube, crossing it randomly to make a fun design. To close each ring, I twisted the two ends together like a twist-tie in the back. I went for the “minimalist” look, but you could add beads, use a different kind of wire or use several kinds of wire to get a whole new look with this easy project.
Voila! A few quick tips that will create a memorable setting for your next dinner party. For more ideas and inspiration, check out Sinkology’s Pinterest Boards. Also, don’t forget to share how you incorporate metallics into your home décor. Post your pic on Instagram, tag @Sinkology and me (@FarmhouseRedefined) and use the hashtag #metallichomelove. Can’t wait to see what you share!
Our team will be bringing more styles and design inspiration for more of our unique and handmade sinks. For more ideas on how to style your rooms around your copper sinks, check out our Pinterest page.
If you have any additional questions during your search, our Sinkologists are here to help. Contact us or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Houzz, Pinterest, or Instagram for more helpful tips and design ideas.