In Good Taste
Visions of Vanilla
When setting your holiday table, let vanilla—in all its versatility—be your muse

This winter, shutting the door to the cold air means opening up the opportunity to create a warm atmosphere with food and décor. Whether your recipe calls for vanilla or not, let this classic spice lend its personality to your holiday gathering by setting your table in the warm aesthetic it evokes.

The taste of pure vanilla is as rich as the inky color of its pod, so balance brown tones against the elegant simplicity of ivory—the shade of a classic vanilla milkshake. Like the addition of hot fudge sauce, the layering of sumptuous chocolate brown dishes adds depth and texture, while perfectly supporting a tone-on-tone ivory damask tablecloth. With luxurious linens and smooth ceramics, your table will be reminiscent of the tactile experience of biting into dense pound cake smothered in creamy vanilla ice cream.



Plates by Juliska, $67.95 and $34.95 at Table Top Shop, 5000 30th Ave. N.E.; (206) 729-6222 or tabletopshop.net. Tablecloth, $109.95–$199.95 at Table Top Shop. Cake stand, $58 at Suburban Blue, 23535 Novelty Hill Rd., Ste. 310, Redmond; (425) 898-8380 or suburbanblue.net. Cup and saucer, $6.95 and $4 at Crate and Barrel, 2680 N.E. 49th St.; (206) 937-9939 or crateandbarrel.com. Beaded napkin ring, $3.95 at Crate and Barrel. Resin napkin ring, $2.95 at Crate and Barrel.