As the clock counts down to midnight, few things feel more special than gathering around a beautifully set table with the people you love most. For Kansas City home décor icons Mary Carol of Nell Hills and Diebolt's and her business partner, Rebecca, New Year’s Eve is the perfect opportunity to mix sparkle with sentiment, creating a setting that feels festive yet warm and inviting.
Their latest table design captures exactly that spirit. “Our theme here is obviously New Year’s Eve,” Rebecca laughs. “We found these cute little ‘ring for champagne’ bells, and it all started from there. Mary Carol saw them and said, ‘Oh, I want that at my place setting!’ So, we built the whole table around that playful touch.”
From there, the magic unfolded naturally. Candlelight glows softly across the table, setting a celebratory tone. Tiny disco balls and balloons bring in just the right amount of shimmer and fun. “It’s really more of an intimate little gathering of close friends,” Rebecca says, “so we wanted it to feel festive without being over the top.”
One of their favorite touches is something simple yet stunning: the napkin bows. “We love bows,” Mary Carol admits. “We used wide satin ribbon for our napkin rings, which is so easy to do but has such a wow factor. It says, ‘Let’s celebrate!’ without taking hours to prepare.” Each setting also includes a cheerful party horn, a whimsical nod to the midnight toast to come.
Mary Carol and Rebecca are known for their relaxed approach to design, encouraging hosts to mix and match rather than stress over perfection. “We mixed different china patterns on this table,” Rebecca explains. “We actually used three kinds if you count the bread and butter plates. It gives the table personality.” A gleaming candelabra anchors the look, while a soup tureen repurposed as a centerpiece adds a creative twist. “A lot of people have pieces like that sitting around,” Rebecca notes. “Just fill them with disco balls or ornaments and you’ve got a beautiful centerpiece.!”
Even the tablecloth carries a story. The soft square of decorator fabric belongs to their friend Judy, who often reminds them not to take entertaining too seriously. “We were getting caught up in the details, polishing silver, worrying about perfection,” Mary Carol recalls fondly. “And Judy said, ‘You’re not entertaining the Queen!’ She’s right. It’s not about perfection. It’s about people.”
That sentiment captures the heart of Mary Carol and Rebecca’s philosophy. “Take the time to invite people into your home,” Rebecca says. “That’s one of the kindest things you can do for your friends and family. It doesn’t have to be fancy or stressful. The best gatherings are the ones where everyone feels relaxed and loved.”
Their New Year’s Eve table proves that a beautiful celebration doesn’t require weeks of planning or endless polish. With a few ribbons, a touch of sparkle, and plenty of laughter, you can set a scene that welcomes joy right along with the new year.
After all, as Mary Carol’s mother always said, “If you have fun setting the table, your guests will have fun sitting at it.”