While I love throwing a good party and pride myself on setting a great table, I also love to pick the brains of the style geniuses that abound these days. One such person who has jumped on my radar of late is Heather Taylor, a Los Angeles based style maven who has morphed from a gallerist to blogger, mother and now textile designer, with her Heather Taylor Home collectionHer collections – ranging from tea towels and table linens to scarves and baby blankets – are designed in Taylor’s Los Angeles studio and hand-woven in Chiapas, Mexico.

This summer, Heather added to the fun by launching Heather Taylor Home Events (HTH Events), a collection of handmade, vibrant and textured linens available for rent. They’re the perfect way to take any table to the next level. I recently sat down with Heather to pick her brain for her favorite tips for setting a festive summer table.

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Tip 1: Mix and Match. Mixing patterns and color in unexpected ways instantly gives your table a feeling of depth and texture. Just be sure to create a balance. If you use a patterned napkin, take it easy with the plates. Too many different patterns can look chaotic.

Tip 2: Stay centered. Always have a focal point in the center of your table. Grab the prettiest flowers you can get your hands on and casually arrange them in a vessel. If it’s last minute and flowers aren’t an option, a beautiful bowl filled with citrus or fruit will always feel fresh.

Tip 3: Pare down. Less is definitely more. I like to scale down the size of my glasses (sometimes I use small water glasses for wine) and the amount of flatware on the table for a look that feels more casual.

Tip 4: Go with your gut. To avoid looking like you copied a tabletop straight from a Pinterest board, try not to get too hung up on the current trends. Instead, make the table a reflection of you and your aesthetic in order to create something really beautiful, approachable and special.

Tip 5: Go naked. Especially in the summer months, a “naked” table feels seasonally appropriate. Do away with a table cloth in favor of runners and napkins

I want to thank Heather for sharing her awesome styling tips with us. Now I’m feeling extra inspired to throw my next dinner party!

images courtesy of Heather Taylor Home

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