A tea party, for example, is a welcome opportunity to take something traditional and make it feel modern. Using fresh dinnerware, floral serving items, and more from Walmart’s spring offering, her whimsical approach takes the opulence of the Regency era and turns it on its head. “Most would say my glossy white dining table and velvet wingback chairs feel out of place with the heirloom-inspired pieces, but I think it’s lovely to see two different styles merge into one,” says Klaric.
“My two favorite styles are postmodernism and the Renaissance era, which is kind of strange,” says interior designer Dani Klaric. “I feel as if people limit themselves to just one look, and they really don’t have to.”
No limitations is Klaric’s approach to pretty much everything in her Miami Beach apartment. “My guest room is a bit Art Deco; my office is more mid-century,” she explains. And her dining room, which serves as a backdrop for weeknight dinners and over-the-top celebrations alike, is an amalgamation of all her interests and inspirations.
Words by Niellah Arboine Photos by Pablo Enriquez Styled by Jeanne Canto
Gen-Z’s favorite designer is bringing back the tea party.
LET THEM
My two favorite styles
are postmodernism and the Renaissance era, which is kind of strange. I feel like people limit themselves
to just one look, and
they really don’t have to.”
Layer Cake
Food for Thought
Palette Cleanse
“When we talk about adding texture, we are talking about layering textiles, materials, colors, and metals in a space,” says Klaric. “I love using contrasting fabrics,” like placing an embroidered lace tablecloth over a solid-color linen for a fun blend of old-meets-new. The same goes for layering the items on the table. “Stacking more than one plate per seat always looks great,” she adds. “And cloth napkins bring an extra tactile touch.”
Creating the right mix of textures, however, involves more than just adding decor. “Don’t forget about your walls, lighting, and flooring—even for just a table setting!” says Klaric. On the dining room walls, a gallery of art in an assortment of sizes (all in mismatched frames of varying colors) mirrors the organized chaos of the tabletop. “People always ask me about that gallery wall, because it’s huge and there is so much going on,” she notes—but that’s part of its beauty and a reflection of her design mantra. “As long as you have confidence in whatever you’re putting together, it will end up looking good.”
Height also adds dimension to a table—and lets you show off your assortment of treats (in this case, tiered cakes and playful gelatin creations). “Place the taller items in the back or in the center, depending on the type of layout you have,” recommends Klaric, citing the range of stands used in varying colors—white, mint green, clear glass—and printed tiered serving trays. Beyond pieces that elevate the food, she suggests integrating objects of different sizes, like an antique-inspired bust sculpture, twisted taper candles, vases with fresh flowers, and teapots in many shapes. Despite a loud mix of colors, patterns, textures, and heights, she’s able to achieve a level of quirky maximalism without making the table feel cluttered.
Color is at the core of Klaric’s designs, whether it’s a grouping of soft pastels or an explosion of primary shades. But when it comes to color, her philosophy is simple: “Choose a palette and stick to it,” she says. “Since colors are subjective, there are no rules; there’s no right or wrong. I think you can use every single color that exists in one room. It just depends on how you do it.” Here, gingham-border plates are set atop blooming ones; turquoise pieces are placed next to classic mirror service trays; and vintage-inspired floral or marble teacups and saucers are scattered throughout. “There’s no such thing as too much,” she adds. “So don’t be afraid to use lots of patterns and colors.”
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EAT CAKE