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Because she’s not traveling right now, Domino associate style editor Julia Stevens likes to let her mind do the wandering instead—and lately it’s landed on her ideal dining room. In her fantasy Mediterranean villa, it’s always Aperol Spritz hour and her table overlooks the big blue sea. Here’s how she’d fill the rest of her dream space. 

A Twist on Open Shelving

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Potting Table, Nickey Kehoe ($3,800)
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What a shame to hide your dishes in a cupboard. Technically a gardening shelf, this piece has the perfect surface area to act as a buffet, too.

For Serving Up Style

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Mini plate, Pomelo Casa ($23)
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Just imagine doling out a crunchy fennel salad on sunny hand-painted plates.

Killer Waves

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Izabel Lam Sphere Bronze Flatware Set, Loq ($85)
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Playful, whimsical, modern, and unlike anything I’ve ever seen. These are at the top of my “When I Grow Up” wish list.

The Next Big Thing in Pottery

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Water Pitcher, Sister Parish ($80)
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Spongeware ceramics offers a fun farmhouse feel. Dare I say it’s the new Splatterware?

Make an Outline

This Balineum collection stands out in a crowd of hand-painted tiles, even if it’s used as a trim.

A Material That’s Like a Fine Wine

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Cayden Dining Table, Restoration Hardware ($3,165)
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There’s something freeing about an oak table that only improves with age. Bring on the candle drippings.

Precious Metal

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Arcadia Steel Side Chair, Terrain ($228)
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Curved wrought iron and a style-forward silhouette make for the be-all and end-all of dining chairs.

Easy Being Green

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Palmetto Linen Fabric, Carolina Irving (Price upon request)
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Somewhere between a cabana stripe and a classic palm print, this textile adds greenery when fresh flowers aren’t around.

Glow-Getter

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Cascais Chandelier, Serena & Lily ($1,998)
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A woven light fixture keeps the vacation vibes alive, even in the middle of winter. I’d install it with a dimmer for moody dinners.

It’s Lit

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Tamegroute Candle Set, Maison Numen ($79)
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Tamegroute pottery, named after its Moroccan birthplace, looks great against any color candle.

Cocktail Hour Champ

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Teak Cutting Board, BHF Home ($40)
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This wood cutting board looks like it’s been passed down through generations, and everyone knows that all good dinner parties start with a cheese board.

Clear Winners

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Ichendorf Aurora Glassware, Design Within Reach ($70/set of 6)
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Sure, colored glass is fun, but there’s nothing like a classic design to let your orange wine shine through.

The It Bag of the Season

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Willow Woven Flatware Caddy, Pottery Barn ($20)
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A picnic-friendly caddy is necessary for when you spontaneously decide to take your dinner party down to the beach.

Your Menu, Sorted

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Il Buco: Stories & Recipes by Donna Lennard and Joshua David Stein, Amazon ($29)
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I love rustic Italian-style dinners, and this book, which celebrates the restaurant’s 25th year, is full of inspiration.

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