Join Designer Jialun Xiong for a Grayscale Dinner for Two

The minimalist designer sets the table for an elegant and intimate meal.
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"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."

Designer Jialun Xiong sits at her pared-down, intentional, table for two. 

Designer Jialun Xiong sits at her pared-down, intentional, table for two. 

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.

Small high-wall Sera plates are joined by black and white stemware.

Small high-wall Sera plates are joined by black and white stemware.


Jianlun Xiong’s intimate dinner is an exercise in minimalism.

Jianlun Xiong’s intimate dinner is an exercise in minimalism.

"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."

A Taccia table lamp from Flos sits atop a Kristina Dam Grid sideboard while Xiong’s Black Kaleidoscope dining chairs complete the scene. 

A Taccia table lamp from Flos sits atop a Kristina Dam Grid sideboard while Xiong’s Black Kaleidoscope dining chairs complete the scene. 

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