These are not re-created table settings, but are all authentic images of vintage 70s table setting ideas, scanned from a variety of old home and lifestyle magazines.
Woven basket trays as placemats
The wicker trays give this table texture and an entirely different feel than it would have without
Vegetables over a colorful patchwork
As carefree a luncheon as you’d ever want mixes real vegetables, Lenox’s “Antique” goblets, Lunt’s “Jefferson” pewter flatware, “Midsummer” range plates by Denby and Stangl’s spongeware, all placed on a runner of patchwork.
Simple retro table setting with cabbage centerpiece from 1970
Retro floral and pink table setting from 1977
Red geranium flowers color this table
Outdoor garden tablesetting idea from 1970
Pretty vintage ’70s table setting ideas with blue accents
Gold-themed party table for eight
At home in the West: Vintage tablesetting idea
Among the many appealing qualities that give zest to the West are easy informality and rugged simplicity. Both have influenced America’s life style; both inspire the setting [below].
Bold pottery and Indian baskets complement Lenox Temper-Ware, incredibly strong ceramic dishes in which you can bake, freeze, heat and serve. Here, a blithe pattem is teamed with textured blue glasses and stainless steel flatware on a gay patchwork quilt turned tablecloth.
Tablesetting: Temper-Ware by Lenox. Dewdrops pattern. Lenox Crystal: Hand-blown Impromptu pattern. Stainless flatware by International. Native American baskets and sculptures from American Indian Arts Center. Candlelites by Lenox
Sweet, rustic table with fresh daisies
Elegant Wedgwood dishes and table setting from 1978
Rustic table in an eat-in kitchen from the seventies
Elegant square table with Asian theme decor
Dining on a low table in front of the fireplace
Multiple glass party tables, each seating four
Old-fashioned country-style tablesetting with red & white theme
A Pennsylvania Dutch-style table setup
MORE: Funny Cake recipe: A Pennsylvania Dutch treat (1949)
Simple rustic table for two with yellow accents
Tropical flower theme for a two-person table setting
Holiday dining arrangement with pear centerpiece
Fresh indoor garden-themed table
A table setting inspired by art (1977)
A setting inspired by a painting gives a warm glow to a corner with a peachy-orange wash on the wall, the color picked up in the brick-patterned tablecloth. and in the unusual kumquat. navel orange and cornflower centerpieces.
Products: Aynsley “Marlina” china; Kirk “Old Maryland Plain sterling flatware; Waterford Eileen glasses; First Editions Times Square fabric; Fallani & Cohn napkins; napkin rings from Bloomingdale’s; cupboard from David Barrett: chairs from Le Grenter. Painting, “Still Life with Orange and Black Cloth” by Loren Dunlap at Wally Findlay Galleries.
Yellow flowers for a welcoming breakfast table
Tulip time (1975)
The tulip, a colorful harbinger of spring, bedecks the breakfast table with a show-off display to cheer the weary and wake up the world. Simple and direct, this table setting revolves around the casual approach and color play.
The tabletoppings by Block China fit into the mood of this breakfast celebration: Hearthstone “Tulip” plates are aswirl with orange and blue on a white ground; crystal orange juice glasses and the “Espana” flatware.
Underneath is a plain blue tablecloth as the backdrop for cheery orange place-mats, appliqued with tulips in dark and light blue, and dark blue appliquéd napkins folded to farm petals, both designed by Kathleen Moore. An arrangement of white tulips in a blue and white jar is a fitting contrast.
Elegant golden-themed dining
Red & white lobster theme for an outdoor dinner by the water
Strawberries everywhere!
Table with a blend of old and new (1975)
Designer Richard Himmel created a commanding dining room by using white in many of its subtle dimensions and using it authoritatively. It’s a room that’s so clearly attuned to the times — uncluttered, streamlined.
The pristine union of new forms with classic style is most evident in the glass-topped dining table and regal balloon-back side chairs. The princely table setting glitters with silver place plates, brown lustre dishes, vermeil and silver dining accessories.
The focal point changes from fine art to a splendid view of the grounds.
Vintage ’70s table setting ideas: Iris theme
MORE: 40 vintage centerpiece ideas: Beautiful table decor from yesteryear
A sweet tiny flower table setting
Vintage ’70s table setting ideas: Egyptian splendor
Create a regal setting with Egyptian accents. Graceful ‘Gold Heron’ china; ‘Weave’ gold-plated flatware. Gold-plated goblets and gold mats.
(Editor’s note: Honestly, we don’t know what’s inside those little scarab beetle boxes on the plates.)
Old Southern-style tablesetting idea
Sunburst, straw and stoneware (1975)
A sunburst of wheat inspires a setting of Pfaltzgraff stoneware, straw mats and Oneida pewter.
Classic sandwich glass and natural materials
Imperial’s “Cape Cod” Sandwich glass, an American classic, is combined with dried grasses, turkey feathers, a shell napkin ring.
Simple pewterware, fruit & nuts
The rich simplicity of Colonial life is seen in Gorham’s “Charleston Reproduction” pewter and a basket of fruits and nuts.
Ruby red and artichoke green (1975)
Viking’s “Ruby Epic,” is patterned with the crewel print of the underlying tablecloth of Stroheim & Romann fabric. Stainless and pewter are by Oneida.
MORE: See the vintage card tables & folding furniture almost everyone used to have
Apple & ivy harvest theme (1975)
Apple twigs and ivy weave this harvest theme with Franciscan plates, Denby flatware and glasses from Fostoria.
A slight variation on the above theme
The first dinner party (1976)
Whether the guests are the maid of honor and best man, the bride’s parents, the young couple across the hall — that first dinner party is very special.
The bride shows off her gleaming new silver, uses her bold china and delicate crystal, splurges on food, wine, flowers — and dares to set her table with flair.
Lenox China: Interlude pattern. Lenox Crystal: Evening Star pattern. Wine decanter by Imperial Glass. Candleholders and salt arid pepper set by Taunton Silversmiths with Lenox column candles. Flatware by International.
Red and white tablesetting with fine china
A cozy low table setup with pillow seating
Dining room and summer terrace (1977)
For a party that grows, a winter dining room flows onto a summer terrace. like this one in St. Louis. The dining room window wall slides back completely, so the space stretches as far as you need it.
Country summer dining table with kumquat centerpiece
This was back when people sometimes put cigarettes on the table for their guests
Colorful tablesetting inspiration from the seventies
Black & white party table settings from 1972
Christmas table setting ideas from 1972
Vintage table setting with eggs from 1972
Colorful tablesetting inspiration from the seventies
Simple garden table settings from 1970
Elegant formal vintage table decor from 1970
MORE: How to set a formal dinner table: Rules from 1915
Fancy vintage tablesettings for a wedding or large party (1970)
MORE: 50+ vintage ’50s table setting ideas & inspiration
Retro Christmas table setting from 1970
ALSO SEE: Festive Christmas table settings: Ideas for holiday tables with retro style (1900s-1990s)
Vintage party table decor from 1970
Fancy luncheon table setup from 1970
