When asked to set a holiday table inspired by Alton Brown, Food Network design director Wendy Waxman created a tabletop with an industrial feel to it, since the host of Good Eats takes a scientific, conceptual approach to food. She started by covering the table with corduroy, a century-old fabric, and incorporated other objects reminiscent of Alton, such as lab beakers and quirky Christmas ornaments.
Watch the slideshow below and click on any of the smaller images for more detail. Information on the products Wendy used can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Play the slideshow below and watch as the table is set.
Click on a photo to enlarge it.
Wendy used vintage Bakelite flatware from Mr. Pink (223 W. 16th St., NY, NY, 646-486-4147). While there, she also purchased Russell Wright glassware that had a holiday feel to it.
For plates, she chose Ben Seibel's (a big name in mid-century plate design) Fjord china pattern which ironically had an American/Southwestern look (Hollywood and Vine Co., 203-852-0649).
Wendy went to City Foundry to get a truly Altonesque centerpiece - a piece of old lab glass. Normally intended to sit on a bunson burner ring, (which is too high for a table), Wendy used a wooden ramekin instead because Alton likes things that have multiple uses. She also used another lab glass measuring cup, similar to a test tube, with gradations in which to mix drinks. Another quirky touch would be pipettes (lab stirrers), which Alton likes for stirring.
For napkins, Wendy selected a bright mustard colored set from Barney's. She thought they'd go well with the cranberry colored Bakelite.
Wendy chose sparse flowers (Nerine Reds and Craspidia) which she placed in a vintage piece of California retro pottery.
The other lab beakers can be used for gravy while the small white and mustard colored objects can hold condiments, butter, salt, etc.
Pre-war Czechoslovakian Christmas ornaments from a New York city flea market added a peculiar and quirky touch to the table.
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