You’ll soon learn two of my loves: all things holiday and show-stopping tablescapes. So I jump at the chance when I get to combine the two!
Here are three simple ways you can add a little spark to your seasonal tablescape.
Don’t be predictable
It’s easy to dust off the china sets, and lay plates and bowls accordingly. Instead, take a chance and mix up vintage and modern to immediately elevate visual interest and create a fun, whimsical vibe.
Rules were intentionally broken when mixing formal chinoiserie dinner plates with a casual patriotic red salad plate. To further contrast the formal china, I added jute placemats and casual indigo blue drinkware. Jute placemats, often seen on outdoor patio tables, serve as a nod to summertime!
Photo: Ashley Smith Photography
Not only does the table show a vintage/modern combo, I also mix patterns with solids. The blue chinoiserie patterned plate is able to pop when contrasted with a solid plate. Or, the striped vase and table runner, offset by solid colors composing the centerpiece. Plus, you can’t have a 4th of July table without stars and stripes!
Always look for playful touches
Not only will your kids appreciate this, but so will the kid at heart in you!
I cut white wooden stars from a dollar section garland find to serve as the focal point of the place setting. These could easily double as a name place card.
Cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes! Having the dessert out to entice upon sitting is sure to add an element of whimsy and temptation. You’ll see in a lot of my tablescapes, I use cupcake holders. Be they tall, covered glass domes (as pictured) or even small white ceramic ones you snag in the Target dollar section, they help to add anticipation for that post dinner treat!
Photo: Ashley Smith Photography
I’m a big believer in using cake trays for a plethora of other reasons outside of displaying cake! They give great height to centerpieces. And I almost squealed in the store when I found the perfectly shaded red and blue candy-coated raspberries to serve as a bold accent for the centerpiece composition!
Stay loyal to a color palette
After highlighting the importance of breaking the rules, there is one rule to which I remain loyal! Stick to a simple color palette. For the 4th, our obvious choice was red, white, and blue.
Especially when mixing styles, it’s all the more important to keep your color palette consistent. This helps so as not to confuse the eye. The blue shown in the napkin and chinoiserie plate is called “chambray blue”. I’m a big fan of toting your napkin along with you as you shop your tablescape to ensure complimentary colors. Even the blue on the label of the French Lemonade pulls in the right shades. (You will soon find this World Market French Lemonade, that comes in many colors, is found on almost all of my tablescapes to add flair and flavor!)
Photo: Ashley Smith Photography
Lastly, perhaps nothing pulls together a well-appointed table like a table runner. I got lucky when this one happened to be a perfect match for our “chambray blue” napkins. Love it when that happens!
Sourcing:
There’s absolutely no need to break the bank when creating a show stopping tablescape! In fact, I’m a one trick pony when it comes to where I source my tablescapes. Ready? World Market, Tuesday Morning, Amazon, Marshall’s, Home Goods, and Target are my go-to’s. Sometimes you get lucky on your first pit stop and find all you need!
All plates, drinkware – Tuesday Morning
Jute placemats, table runner – Amazon
Cupcakes- I often run to the local grocery store to save a buck here! For my Colorado friends, check out the “Kimberly’s” brand at your local King Soopers or Safeway. They’re especially gourmet and quite tasty!
