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An ItaliaItalia Dinner,Dinner, inspired by the Amalfi Coast
After spending 12 full days in Italy for the first time at the end of July, I knew I wanted to talk with my friends all about Italy when I returned, to compare notes, to laugh about the fun adventures in Italy and to reminisce about one of the best countries in the world! About a week before I left for my 12-day vacation I was shopping at my local Williams-Sonoma and spotted gorgeous flatware and tabletop accessories (all to be linked at the end) that were very Italy meets Diana, as you will see.
Williams-Sonoma generously supplied these items for my Italian dinner while my friends generously gave their time to come over and bring Italian food. I picked a few recipes from Italian cookbooks available on Williams-Sonoma and asked a few friends who I knew would be interested in coming over for dinner and if they’d pick a recipe, bring something from a restaurant (because I understand life gets busy!), or make a different recipe in mind. I want to encourage you as a hostess if the idea of and cost of food is overwhelming and you have friends who don’t mind to contribute in a small way, do a potluck style! Any friends who know you host regularly would be happy to lighten the load, and trust me if you have close friends they want to contribute!
I think my favorite thing about this Italian dinner set up is that I could mix my love for blue and white with lemon topiary plates! I hope this inspires you to mix patterns and not be afraid to make it your own.
Shall we go jump into the photos? I set up the day before and then take photos the next day when lighting and time allows, so this was the afternoon before my guests arrived.
Let’s start with the main attraction, the lemons on the chandelier? These lemon stems are from Williams-Sonoma, I can’t find the link as they might be sold out but if I find them I will link them. I thought if I put them through my chandelier it would look so unique like the Amalfi Coast lemon tree farm!
I encourage to decorate the chandelier if you have one and use faux or real florals depending on your budget (and how long they will last) because it makes it very festive! I have a post coming up about different ways I have decorated the chandelier and over the table rods. Ribbons are fun and so are faux florals and twinkle lights! I use my chandelier similarly to a table rod I use over the island or dining tables.
This Pantanello flatware is stunning! This flatware is made in Italy by a family owned company! It’s heavy and and it looks old world elegant. The woven placemats I bought at en estate sale for almost $1 each! I love a good estate sale score. I also think placemats are so valuable to keeping a tablecloth clean! Make sure you scoot them close to the edge and any spills or such will stay on the placemat (hopefully).
This light woven utensil caddy is great for buffet style serving. I think I will need another one with how large my gatherings can be and these are beautifully made. I will have a post about how to properly set up a buffet too! The quick summary – start with plates and work clockwise on the table or kitchen island, start with the salad, cold food, then hot food, main course, then bread and rolls, then the butter, lastly the utensils and the napkins.
If you want to see examples and a graphic, check out Williams-Sonoma’s website that has a section called The Art of Entertaining with links to entertaining tips and inspiration. From how to fold napkins, recipes, and tablescape inspiration, it’s a wonderful resource you will want to visit again and again!
These marble salt cellars with spoon swing and are magnetic swivel top and are from Williams-Sonoma and were the party favors. I used Canva to print name cards and wicker placecard holders were a sale item from Pottery Barn. That cute lemon centerpiece is from Williams-Sonoma! Benjamin calls it the lemon Christmas tree.
Did you know Williams-Sonoma sells food? Desserts, cakes, snacks, drinks, even turkeys! I served these lemon Sorbet, Set of 6 for dessert. I went to my orchard and clipped off my lemon branches the ones without crazy thorns to add to it because we know in Amalfi they do that! The branches are still on the lemon top!
I set out a few of my Italian souvenirs on the table too, the lemons! It’s apparent I am a maximalist when I set my table. More is more and I like the feeling of abundance. I hope you had a great time at my table and enjoyed this set up! Below are links to some of my favorite items or item I used. This dinner has me excited for the home projects we’re getting completed to host more – so many fun things coming up now that the weather is cooling down!
And just like that, the night came and went so quickly. Sometimes it’s a blur and I’m cleaning up what’s left (my friends do most of it thank the Lord they are so sweet and like family). I then think to myself wow that went by too fast. Then I remind myself that’s what life is about, enjoying the passage of time and I know I did just that!
Thank you for being here and reading. I hope you invite some friends over for a meal soon!
The menu
- Drinks: Pellegrino mixed with premix by Williams-Sonoma Spritz Cocktail Mix, Limonite
- Pizza, pasta, peach and burrata salad, Tuscan half chicken and tomato soup, generously provided by my friends Amber, Liana, Kate, Laura, and Brooke.
- Dessert: Lemon Sorbet, Set of 6 (yes Williams-Sonoma sells food!) and Chocolate raspberry with Buttercream frosting cake made by Lauren.
The MUSIC Playlist
- Italy Instrumental, 6 hour long playlist on Spotify
I always prefer playlist with no words as conversation can often compete with songs that have lyrics. I pay for no ads and it’s the best thing because as a hostess you can’t have a commercial come on, especially if you’re having a nice dinner and then some commercial comes on the air it can be a disruption.
Emily
This is absolutely gorgeous and so inspiring.