Cross Reference: Setting the Table with Ali LaBelle
Statement tableware for memorable gatherings
Welcome to Cross Reference, a collaborative series exploring how personal taste shapes discovery. I invite a guest curator whose eye I admire, we decide on a theme, then each go off to hunt for our favorite finds. Same prompt, different paths—a side-by-side look at how aesthetic sensibilities diverge and overlap.
Today’s guest curator is Ali LaBelle: creative director, brand strategist, writer of À La Carte, and general person of impeccable taste.
Over margherita pizza and wine at Bar Bacetti last week, Ali inquired about my ideal restaurant decor (answer: Sam’s Place, designed by Lafayette Studio). A simple question on the surface, but it revealed how constantly Ali observes her surroundings, contemplating what makes a space inviting, interesting, and comfortable, somewhere you want to return to.
Ali has translated this appreciation for physical spaces into the coziest corner of the internet. Her Substack is filled with curious investigations of places both ubiquitous and long forgotten, like a recent deep dive into “The Art of the Department Store,” and she offers thoughtful tips for elevating the every day in a way that feels warm, nostalgic, and approachable. Ali also runs @pastagirlfriend, described as a “pasta appreciation project.” It doesn’t get cozier than that.
In many ways, I consider Ali to be Substack’s de facto hostess— lovingly designing a visual feast for us all, week after week. So when I decided to dedicate an edition of Cross Reference to hosting and table dressing, I knew there was no better guest curator. We decided to jazz it up a bit and narrowed our theme to statement tabletop pieces— the kind that guests will comment on, the things that make a table memorable. Here’s what we each found.
Lindsay’s Picks
‘Statement’ is often conflated with ‘flashy,’ but I prefer to think of it as having a point of view: pieces that pull you out of monotony and make you stop and take note. Statements don’t have to be big and loud, a playful detail or an interesting shape can elevate the everyday just as much as something bold. Making a statement is about letting objects have personality and giving the little touches room to be a bit more considered.
Schott-Zwiesel crystal wine glasses: An interesting stem or some etching really takes glassware to the next level. If you’re catering to more of a martini crowd, Ali found these fun green glasses.
Ceramic olive oil vessel: I’ve had my eye on this cruet for years now— I’m imagining filling it with a homemade vinaigrette.
Handbuilt black ceramic sculptural candelabra: A bold candelabra can moonlight as a centerpiece and live on a mantel or credenza when not in use.
Ornate silver-plated serving tray: Perfect for some crostini.
Large handmade abstract ceramic plate: Serveware doesn’t have to match! I love collecting misc. dishes and platters and then mix and matching.
Brutalist pewter serving set: Serving utensils are an easy way to add some interest and you’re guaranteed to find a use for them on every table, no matter how big or small the gathering.
Vintage Michael Aram coral handle silver-plated serving set: Another fantastic sculptural set— these would make for a really special gift.
Mid-century sphere salt and pepper shakers: Small touches can make a big impact, especially high touch objects that everyone will be picking up and passing around.
Stainless steel footed bowls: Throwing some nuts or olives in a cute dish is the ultimate low effort, high impact move. I also love this steel olive boat as a centerpiece.
Vintage floral serving bowl set: Instant chips and dip upgrade.
Antique Felix Freres silver candlestick holders: So elegant! These can also be used as vases.
Embroidered Italian-themed napkin set: Table linens are a fun opportunity to get playful, there are a lot of custom options out there too.
The collab we didn’t know we needed! Frank Lloyd Wright x Tiffany & Co. crystal candlesticks, simple but stunning (perfect if you don’t have room for a big centerpiece).
Sterling silver demitasse spoons by Stacey Kinetyk: there are so many tiny spoons in the world, and I’d love to own them all. Use these for serving toppings, condiments, or coffee.
Ali’s Picks
Ali’s picks are the perfect balance of whimsical and refined, elevated and inviting, modern and classic all at the same time.
“I think of ‘statement tabletop pieces’ as things that aren’t for everyday use and that add a little pizzazz to the dining experience. Maybe it’s a set of table linens that makes your tabletop feel extra fancy or a pair of mugs that inject some personality into your morning. I’m not the world’s most colorful person—I like metallics, neutrals, and small pops of considered color—so a lot of this comes in the form of novelty shapes and moments from design history that bring something special to the table.”
Ali’s selects add interest via their subtle stories, shapes, and textures. For example, as she noted, this 1950s Italian Candelabra “does a lot of heavy lifting as a centerpiece without taking up a lot of space.”
Miniature pewter chair place card holders: “Things like placecards and napkin rings feel a little chi-chi and over-the-top anyway, so leaning into the novelty of the fussiness is kind of funny.”
Sterling silver geometric cocktail picks: “Imagine using these to serve gildas or in a martini glass with olives. Such a little thing, but a big statement.”
Vintage tortoise lowball glasses: “I like adding pattern to my table via glassware—somehow it feels a little more artful than, say, via a placemat.”
Antique Italian “Buon Appetito” tablecloth: “Maybe a white tablecloth isn’t a ‘statement,’ per se, but they just don’t do embroidered linens like they used to!”
1950s Richard Ginori Doccia porcelain factory dish: “Ginori is having a moment, and I love the lore of these plates, which feature Ginori’s factory and were gifted by the brand to their dealers.”
Antique silver plated serving dish: Ali and I both have a weakness for silver tableware and the floral motif on this one is absolutely stunning. “It was hard for me not to pull about 1,000 silver pieces for this because I think silver in and of itself brings a lot of texture to a table, but I love how this example still feels dainty and not heavy, unlike many of the others out there.”
Vintage red cotton napkins with lace trim: “The lacy trim on these makes them feel festive—they’d be perfect for the holidays or Valentine’s Day.”
Silver plated galloping horses cutlery rests: “Cutlery rests sort of fall into the same category as placecard holders and napkin rings—they’re sort of pointless, which is what makes them fun.”
Custom name doily: “Imagine a custom doily at each place at a table that guests could take home!” Editor’s note: Please invite me to that one.
Vintage Pagnossin Treviso Coffee Cups: “Mugs are an easy way to bring some personality to the mix because they’re often used on their own, not in the context of a full tablescape. I love ones that look like they came (or literally came) from an Italian bar.”
1930s pierced metal champagne holder: “Why slap a bottle of wine down on the table when you could place it in its own little vessel?”
Vintage Kemp & Beatles brass bow napkin rings: “Maybe a subtle statement, but place any napkin in these napkin rings and they’re instant vibe-shifters.”
Vintage Vallauris coffee cup set: “I can’t get enough of the pottery that comes out of Vallauris, France. You may recognize the abstract motif from Dakota Johnson’s kitchen tour—her plates are Vallauris, too.”
Florentine wood carved painted gilt tray: “I haven’t really seen anything like this, which is the magic of vintage—you won’t find it on everyone else’s table.”
Vintage pewter fish dish: “I love a novelty shape, especially if it’s in a material like pewter or terracotta.”
I appreciate Ali’s attention to after-dinner items like coffee service and dessert plates. Often an afterthought, they’re a fun opportunity to bring out specialized trinkets:
“There are tons of midcentury Italian coffee receptacles and accessories out there—I can’t imagine a chicer way to serve after-dinner coffee.” Pair with: this 1950s silver and porcelain sugar bowl.
More Ginori! “Dessert plates are my favorite dishes to get a little weird with—they don’t necessarily need to match the rest of what’s happening on the table and can really contribute to the presentation of a dessert. Like, imagine a square of tiramisu on this!”
And, *Drumroll*… Our Shared Picks
“I think a set of fun, personality-filled silverware is a nice way to bring a bit of a design perspective, even to the everyday table,” advised Ali. And, I agree— this set of 1970s Sergio Asti flatware got the dual stamp of approval from the both of us (on closer inspection, there’s only one place setting available— perhaps a case for solo statement dining?). “Imagine these with plain white plates and some short-stemmed wine glasses—it’s giving ‘chic wine bar’.” I also love this Brutalist set.
This striped tablecloth also made both of our lists (I had saved the pink and burgundy variant), as an option that can really punch up the vibe without being too distracting. “Patterned linens can look a little much sometimes, but I do love a good stripe, especially one in a kind of weird color palette.”
All of our finds (plus some extras) can be found here, and for a deeper dive, check out these standout shops from our selections:
EpalladioCeramics- gorgeous handmade ceramics
SageCocoons- antique table linens
toandfrogoods- always a treasure trove of sleek, modern pieces
FouilleVintage- lots of French silver
VintageOllie- more silver!
SoftieVintageStudio- modern accents
LEAFRLNG- ceramic plates
shoprochele- great novelty assortment
shopgraceandgreta- a little of everything( this mug set!)
BuzziDining- Italian vintage ($$$ but fun to browse for inspo)
TessVintageAmsterdam- for some playful pieces
Big thank you to Ali for indulging me in this exercise— be sure to check out her Substack here.
xx Lindsay
Cross Reference: Danish Design with Talia Mayden
I've always been fascinated with personal taste, especially in the context of vintage shopping. How two people can explore the same flea market, thrift store, eBay, or Etsy, and return with completely different yet equally incredible items, while still leaving plenty of treasures for the next person. We all come to the table with different perspectives,…
This was the most fun I’ve ever had on Substack. Thanks for having me, Lindsay! Come over sometime :)
Crossover of the century