Javier Burkle’s passion for creating exquisite dinner parties was fostered by his mother and grandmother, whose well-appointed tables set the scene for many memorable nights in his Mexico City childhood. Now, an invite to the Dallas-based designer’s events is a prize to be won, and clients of Burkle Creative (burklecreative.com)—the design firm he launched in 2015 after years spent honing his skills at Ralph Lauren and Neiman Marcus—are requesting his signature dining room aesthetic be brought to the dining table. Here, Burkle shares his must-haves for setting the ultimate tablescape—the kind guests will be talking about long after the last bite of cake is gone.
PORTRAIT PHOTO BY JENNINGS ROSS
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
(1) The egg is not only a beautiful centerpiece but also creates a unique experience with your guests. It’s a fun conversation piece, and a great center to build your tablescape around. Christofle 24-piece Gold Mood flatware service, neimanmarcus.com
TABLESCAPE PHOTO BY JENNINGS ROSS
(2) A charger tells your guests that you didn’t just give them a plate, you dressed their plate up with another layer. What better way to do that than with leather—the texture will make your china stand out even more. Ralph Lauren Wyatt charger, ralphlauren.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
(3) I always say that you don’t have to go traditional with your tablecloth! Adding a fun ikat with some great tones gives the table a new dimension—a more sophisticated, unique look. I like choosing my color story and then adding a pattern with complementary colors to excite the eye. Schumacher Bukhara ikat tablecloth, williams-sonoma.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
4 I love mixing and matching, and anytime I need extra texture or color, glassware is a fun way to do it. Mixing it with beautiful crystal just makes the table have an extra layer and adds a unique tone to the look. Mario Luca Giusti Venezia tumbler, nicholson-hardie.com
(5) A placard tells your guests that you went beyond just hosting, to personalizing a space at your table for each invitee. You can also use placards to guide the conversation for your guests and ensure that everyone is having the best time. Placard, avantgarden.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
(6) Every table needs a candle, whether it’s a taper or a votive. It’s all about the lighting, the mood and the warmth that a flame brings. Nothing is better than an intimate, candlelit room! My favorite are the 12-inch European style from Watson Kennedy in Seattle—they will burn for your entire party and they have the most beautiful colors! Watson Kennedy European taper set, watsonkennedy.com
