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A Low Key New Year’s Eve

by habituallychic

12 . 30 . 09

Every year, about a million people crowd Times Square to watch the ball drop at midnight on New Year’s Eve. And yes, I said a million. I looked it up. As you can imagine, that creates a bit of chaos in the city even beyond all the street closings. That’s why my friends and I usually prefer to celebrate at someone’s apartment for either drinks or a dinner party. If you plan on doing the same, here are a few ideas and images to help inspire you! Happy New Year!

When you think of New Year’s celebrations, usually silver comes to mind but I think gold is a lovely alternative. It has a warmer feeling and the table designed by Carolyne Roehm above and top has a beautiful mix of colors that adds to that warmness. I found a set of gold rimmed wine and champagne glasses at Housing Works last year that would be perfect for this type of table.

Martha Stewart decorated this mantle with a collection of clocks to remind everyone of the passing of time. If you don’t have enough to display this year, you can always plan for next year!

I feel in love with this image last year when I saw it on Style Court. What a beautiful way to greet your guests for the evening.

And don’t fret if you don’t have a set of matching champagne glasses. As you can see here, a tray full of mismatched glasses can be just a beautiful as a perfectly matched set.

This chic table belongs to one of the designers who works for Sarah Richardson and was seen in Canadian House & Home. The silver setting and pale blue chairs whisper winter and couldn’t be more beautiful.

For those who prefer darker colors, this table from Ralph Lauren Home mixes gold, silver and black that would be perfect for a more masculine setting.

This table also doesn’t worry about matching china or flatware and as you can see, there are actually two tables. A few smaller tables sometimes with less people make for a better party than one big long table. For fun, you can have people change seats between courses.

There is a simple elegance to this table setting that I absolutely love! It would also be perfect for a New Year’s Day breakfast!

I think this table was intended for Christmas but would also work for New Year’s Eve. If you are hosting a celebration, you can definitely leave up your Christmas tree but I would change out some of the other decorations around the house to reflect the party theme.

This table is set for a birthday celebration but could also inspire a beautiful New Year’s Eve table and especially one in a warmer climate. I also think presents at each place setting is fun and they could be filled with inexpensive gifts or fun fortunes for the New Year!

I hope no matter where you are or what you do for New Year’s Eve that you have a wonderful evening and don’t forget to take a taxi or appoint a designated driver!

16 Comments
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  1. avant garde December 30, 2009 | 3:14 pm

    all such fabulous ideas. happy new year!

  2. Lacquered Life December 30, 2009 | 3:18 pm

    I love the tray of mismatched glasses, I have all matching ones, and now I wish I didn’t! Happy New Year!

  3. Ivy Lane December 30, 2009 | 4:04 pm

    Lovely images! We are going to hunker down by the fire New Year’s Eve…. just my Hubby and I….This post has inspired me to set the dining room table for “two” with our wedding china etc! Happy New Year Heather!!! and all you readers as well!! I enjoy coming here daily to catch up on what’s Chic and new and love to read everyone’s comments…

  4. An Aesthete's Lament December 30, 2009 | 4:19 pm

    Very inspiring! Which means I need to get cracking on tomorrow’s tabletop!

  5. caroline @ patagonia gifts December 30, 2009 | 4:53 pm

    wow so lovely table settings! this year we’re not celebrating at home… so I won’t forget my designated driver! have a wonderful new year!

  6. Gramercy Home - Atlanta December 30, 2009 | 5:29 pm

    I adore the table by Carolyne Roehm – It’s perfectly elegant and warm. Great post – thanks for sharing.
    Happy New Year!

  7. Katherine Lee December 30, 2009 | 7:21 pm

    i’m really loving the black and gold combination and the collection of clocks. brilliant.

    xo katherine aka. urban flea 🙂
    http://www.urbanfleadesign.net

  8. Jenna December 30, 2009 | 8:37 pm

    I love the idea of having lots of clocks on the mantle! Happy New Year Heather!

  9. Style Court December 30, 2009 | 9:19 pm

    Have a very chic and happy New Year’s Eve Heather! (So glad you liked that vignette.)

    Cheers,
    Courtney

  10. DoxaHome.com December 31, 2009 | 1:21 am

    I concur, I much prefer a little dinner party or cocktail party at a friend’s home…lived in the city but would never even DREAM of going to Times Square on New Years…well, frankly anytime outside of catching a show. I love the Ralph Lauren image, beautiful!

    Happy New Year,
    Jaime

  11. Southern Aspirations December 31, 2009 | 2:31 am

    oh my goodness great rooms! And I agree about the warmth of gold- and love the rust color you’ve featured as well.

    Best of luck avoiding all the traffic snarls tomorrow and have a lovely evening!

  12. Reggie Darling December 31, 2009 | 12:18 pm

    In my 20s and 30s my favorite way to spend New Year’s Eve was out on the town until the morning’s sunrise. In my 40s it became all about swell dinner parties, and now that I’m in my 50s (how did that happen?) my favorite place to spend New Year’s Eve is at home, celebrating the dawning New Year with a bottle of champagne and snugged up in bed when the ball drops. What never changes? The enjoyment and pursuit of beauty and style…in one’s surroundings, life, and friends.

  13. Ana Balbinot December 31, 2009 | 12:46 pm

    I hope you have a wonderfull new year! With lots of joy,peace and harmony.
    Xoxo

  14. the NEO-traditionalist December 31, 2009 | 1:08 pm

    Have a lovely New Year’s Heather! A dinner party with friends sounds like the perfect evening. Oh and your decor selections are to die for, but of course.
    XX Kate

  15. jones December 31, 2009 | 3:00 pm

    Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and thanks for all of the super posts of the past year. Be Well! Mary

  16. Habitually Chic December 31, 2009 | 3:54 pm

    Avant Garde – glad you enjoyed them! Happy New Year!

    Lacquered Life – Ha! They would make a great thing to start collecting a flea markets and thrift stores! Happy New Year!

    Ivy Lane – It’s snowing here today and I wish I had a fire! That sounds lovely! You post a photo of the table too! I’d love to see it! Happy New Year!

    An Aethete’s Lament – I hope you will also post a photo of your tabletop! I bet it will be very chic! Happy New Year!

    Carolina – So good to hear! Be careful and have a great night! Happy New Year!

    Gramercy Home – I feel like I need to start buying her books. I love every tabletop she designs! Happy New Year!

    Katherine/Urban Flea – The clocks idea is so brilliant that I can’t believe no one else ever thought of it. Gotta love Martha! Happy New Year!

    Jenna – it is a fabulous idea! Happy New Year!

    Courtney/Style Court – That’s one of my all time favorite vignettes! Thanks for posting it! Happy New Year!

    Jaime/Doxa Home – I had a fun night out at Tao when I first moved to NYC many years agao but then we couldn’t find a cab home and had to hire a car. It’s just not worth it! Happy New Year!

    Southern Aspirations – the rust and gold is so different and original. I love it too! Happy New Year!

    Reggie – I know! I think the older I get, the more I don’t want to go out which is probably why I never meet any single men! Hope you and “you know who” have a fabulous night! Happy New Year!

    Ana – Thanks! You too! Happy New Year!

    Kate/Neo-Traditionalist – Hope you and your fiance and cute puppy have a wonderful night! Happy New Year!

    Mary – You’re welcome! Thanks for always stopping by! I appreciate your continued support! Happy New Year!