Savannah Style: A Man’s Table

By Brandon Branch

You can imagine how thrilled I was to design and style a “Man’s Table”. Not that I don’t love every minute I spend designing linens, furniture and the like for Paula…it’s just sometimes…a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do!

I channeled my Dad and Pawpaw when putting everything together for this month’s tabletop inspiration. After all, June is all about Dads. I usually like to do a nice mix of old and new when I design anything, but this time, I chose to go all vintage to honor these two very important men in my life. It’s funny, when it was all said and done, I stood back and thought how new it all looked. I only wished my Dad and Pawpaw were there to pull up a chair and have lunch with me.

Here are the ingredients I used:

China, Glassware and Flatware: The china is an exquisite set from the 1940’s. It has a delicate pine cone pattern and rims of 24kt gold. I borrowed it from my mail carrier, Jimmy Rahn. It was his mother’s pattern and I just love it. If you take away nothing else from me, my design team and Southerners in general…let it be to BORROW BORROW BORROW. (After all, it is an honor to have someone else love the things that we love.) The Art Deco Black Glass Stemware is my new favorite thing! It was a gift to me from my friend and colleague, Libbie Summers, on the completion of my latest stylebook, Paula Deen’s Savannah Style. The flatware is Paula’s own and the knives rest gracefully on the antique sterling knife rests that look like children’s jacks. You can just make out the handle of Paula’s own vintage tomato knives on the plates. The rich butterscotch colored Bakelite handles of the knives were the color inspiration for the centerpiece.

Flower Arrangement: I love this ice bucket turned vase. It’s a vintage pewter golf trophy from 1952! The perfect receptacle for this “man’s” centerpiece. I filled the trophy vase full of apricot and orange cymbidium orchids, yarrow, Star of Bethlehem and holly leaves.

Take Away Tip: My favorite part of these tabletop inspirations! This month, I used bow ties for my napkin rings! It’s just that simple. The key is to hand tie them. No cheating here….pre-tied ties just don’t evoke the same feel.

Extras: I repurposed a couple of old glass decanter bottles for tea on the table. One for sweet tea and one for unsweetened. Since my Dad and Pawpaw were big hunters in their day, I added two old brass bird dog figurines to dress the table. Lastly, I dropped a few orchid blooms here and there and added two old boxes I use for cuff links in my own home closet. Let’s Eat!

Reader Comments:

I love that table. It is beautiful. I also like the wood that the table is made out of and I am dying to find a table like that somewhere for my own dining area.

By Heather on August 20, 2010

On page 107 in your Savannah Style book there are two club chairs that I adore. Would you please tell me the name and make of the fabric on these two chairs. I have two chairs to have reupholstered and I would love to use this fabric. Thank you much! mperry

By margaret perry on July 25, 2010

How cute is ur tablescape !! o.k. need help…am having my son’s rehearsal dinner on a riverboat in tuscaloosa, ala, in october….any suggestions as to what centerpiece I can use…
My sister lived in Savannah for 30 years…she was mary jane chappell…her husband was chap chappell(insurance). I have dined @ ur first restaurant over 15 years or more ago…
I have all of ur books…great !!
the strawberry cake is delicious. made for daughters bday but it has stuck in the pan both times i have baked it…
thanks….

By sallie c. alston on June 22, 2010

I love it all, but I want to know where you got that table? I love it.

By Sharon Shipley on June 17, 2010

Men don’t use napkins they use their sleeve!.....just kidding. That is a very cute idea thanks for sharing with us. Love your show and love your ideas. Many blessings to you paula

By Becky Grice on June 17, 2010

I want you to know that I love your show, I watch it time it is on. My youngest niece just went to see you in Little Rock Ar on the 12th of June, she told me that you was so awesome to see in person.We have cooking listen evry time we go to her house. Thanks for being on the food networth.

By Sandra Pennington on June 17, 2010

Love the table decor, inviting and cozy. Looks like it is calling to you to enjoy a meal and then sit at the table for a long while after the meal is over. What I love most is the actual table. It looks old and conveys the feeling that many pies were cut and served on that table, as well as many comfort food meals enjoyed by those who were lucky to sit around it in the great ladder back chairs. The oldness of the table gives it a life of its own with lots of memories. The items used to set this wonderful old table were really icing on the cake! Thanks for all of your great ideas!!

By Annie Bookser on June 16, 2010

bow ties! how smart and creative! i think its great you encourage borrowing. nowadays, its easier and more economical to ask around and borrow or barter with friends. i just would not have thought to ask the mail carrier! lol
Another great setting Brandon.

By Donna S on June 15, 2010

I loved the article and wish I could try it out this Father’s Day, but I am recovering from heart surgery, so my husband and sons will have to wait until next year when I can go all out for them. I, too, miss my father very much especially at this time of the year. He was a wonderful man and even tho he has been gone 37 years, I have many happy memories of him that sustain me.

By Melanie Brandt on June 15, 2010

Hi Paula Thank u so much for sharing ur scrumptious recipes. I love ALL of them. We have been in Wash. State for 21 years but my husband and I were born and raised in Texas. I watch u on TV alot and love ur Southern personality. Thanks for the SMILES !! gina

By gina on June 08, 2010

Paula,
Like you I love to do Father’s Day Dinner or Brunch for my hubby of 51 years, and also my 4 son-in-laws, and all of the children and grandchildren. We make it fun and delicious food for all of them. My hubby, son-in-laws, and grandsons are all hunters too, so decorating is always easy to do for them. We have lily’s blooming that time of year and they make beautiful table arrangements. Love all of your ideas, food, and etc.

Look forward to all of you magazines, and cookbooks. Have my sister and daughters hooked on them too!

Your friends in Fulton, MO.

By Mrs. Mary L. Overkamp on June 08, 2010

What a wonderful table. I also love to use vintage items when setting the table.
This is a perfect tribute to your father and Papaw.

By David Gillaspy on June 08, 2010

Pauladeen.com

Savannah Style: A Man’s Table