Bargain-store table settings that look like a million bucks

The High Holy Days can be a very stressful, time-consuming and expensive season — especially if you are the host for Rosh Hashanah dinner or Yom Kippur break-the-fast.

The idea of creating beautiful yet affordable table settings by using items from discount stores was born after we were asked to design a table for Thanksgiving dinner at a friend’s house. Ninety-nine-cent stores carry a wonderful variety of items in plenty of colors, combining to offer oodles of inspiration.

For Rosh Hashanah this year, we at Bentop events decided to design two different tables. They mix components available at 99 Cents Only Stores and items that many people already have at home. Then we went to the lovely home of our friends, the Aharon family, to realize our visions, both indoors and out. We hope you get inspired!

1. We found a round, red charger plate at the store that inspired us to design a classy, traditional table in red and a touch of gold. We used one of the holiday’s symbols, the pomegranate — 99 cents each — as the main motif. We dressed the formal dining table with a classy white tablecloth we found in the hostess’ linen closet. To provide a more expansive and fancier look, we chose beautiful plates and soup bowls with a little flower ornament, fancy wine glasses and champagne flutes (yes, the store carried those, too). Rich gold was the perfect accent color, and we were excited to find gold-and-red-beaded napkin rings and gold candle holders. Total cost: $75.

2. For the second look we wanted to create a different atmosphere to fit an outdoor space with a natural, casual and clean line. It was inspired by a color palette of apple green, festive white and a touch of silver. We covered a wooden table with an ivory lace fabric we bought in downtown a long time ago. We created a centerpiece using some vases we found in the hostess’ pantry and filled them with small green apples from 99 Cents Only Stores and hydrangea flowers we bought at the local market. At the store, we found square, light brown charger plates and simple white dishware to fit it. (We always recommend combining different styles when setting a table rather than using a complete set.) We combined this with elegant wine glasses and drinking glasses featuring a wavy pattern. Completing the scene were ivory linen napkins wrapped with silver ring napkins and silver candle holders. Total cost: $70.

Hanna Benrosh is creative director, and Lirit Rosenzweig Topaz is managing director, of Bentop events, an event production company based in Studio City.