“For much of the pandemic, we all spent time eating at home in casual settings, perhaps even in front of the TV,” says Los Angeles up-and-comer Jialun Xiong, who designs furniture with a minimalist mien. Most of her pieces are crafted from black and white materials. “By creating a colorless dinner for two, I want to heighten the experience and have it reflect my design vocabulary.”

For Xiong, an intimate event should be a chance to slow down. “I want the mood to be sophisticated so that it shows appreciation for the people in my life.” The setting she imagined takes on a ceremonial quality.

“I’ve brought in monochromatic elements, incorporated a duality fo textures, contrasting details, layered shapes, and lines,” Xiong says. “I’ve paid close attention to the table’s positive and negative spaces within the overall environment.”

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