A glass bowl on a bronzelike stand will serve nicely as the focal point once it's filled with hydrangea or Christmas ornaments. Satisfied that we've exhausted Target's offerings, we head for the next destination. Ikea, of course, the Scandinavian store whose wares are fresher than gravlax and cheaper than last year's wrapping paper. Counting on quality Scratch that last question. We're browsing for table settings for six plus mantel and coffee-table trimmings, an upscale version of our Target mission.
Class is the operative word here.
Jenkins and I choose damask place mats in a rich bouquet of green, gold and plum, plus plum napkins and those pricey napkin rings. For the coffee table, we pick a glass platter on which we'll balance column candles. The mantel will sport a matching bowl filled with polished river rocks and hydrangea. So's the price. Naturally, I don't get to keep all this stuff, but I do collect a representative sample to strew about the house.