In all my experience with event planning, I must say that the tablescape is by far my favorite. If a table is decorated nicely and full of details, this could “make” your decor. Any chance I have the free time, I play around with different settings at home. I Absolutely LOVE IT! There are so many opportunities to show your creativity from the glassware, napkins, and everywhere in between. So today we’ll break down some of the key elements for creating an amazing tablescape.

Linen

I like to think of linen as the backdrop that creates the perfect canvas to display all the wonderful details you add to your tablescape. The great thing about linen is that you can be as flamboyant or demure as you like. A busy tablecloth will come in handy for simple settings because there is no need to overdo it with tabletop details. Whereas, plain linen invites you to be as over the top with details as you want without the table looking too busy. Let’s not forget that chair covers are considered linen as well, just be sure to style them appropriately so they don’t upstage the main star of the show - The Table.

Centerpiece

The next step for me is the centerpiece. Even if you don’t physically place the centerpiece at this time I like to make sure I have an idea of what it will be. If you have large centerpieces, it might be helpful to place them and build your table around it. The centerpiece should be the single thing that ties the look all together. It should dictate the theme of your table whether its super elegant or extremely casual. You want to be sure your centerpiece and other details tell the same story or your table will look scattered and confused. This is your chance to be as creative or expressive as you want to be.

Chargers, China & Napkins

Chargers are handy for adding dimension to your place settings. The days of your basic charger are long gone! Chargers today come in a variety of styles, mirrored which is my favorite, glass, metallic, wood, palm leaves, and so many more. How can you not get excited about that??!! If my charger has a lot of personality, I tend to keep my china pretty muted. If I decide on spunky china pieces then my chargers will most likely be subtle. Another opportunity to present some pizzazz is my stemware. I love to use colored pieces for that added flair but nothing beats the classic clear glass. Napkins are also a great excuse to add some punch to your table. My favorite looks include a rose fold, monogram, or tie with a perfect ribbon in a contrasting color or pattern.

Candles

I would have to say that candles would be my next favorite thing about table decorating. Its something about seeing the flickering flames completely change the mood when the lights are low. They have the tendency to bring the heavy drama to a tablescape and cost close to nothing. I love to play with different candlelabras and candle holders to help tell my design story. My husband loves to frequent the flea market and sometimes I tag along to hunt for candle holders there. You can certainly score some unique finds for pennies at the Flea Market.

Stationary

Our final touch for the tablescape is the use of stationary. I feel it creates that personal touch for your guests. It speaks specifically to them. A welcome card, menu, place card, or thank you note, they all let your guests know you’re glad they’re there.

Tablescapes really help set the mood for your gathering, and no gathering is too small to take advantage of creating an amazing setting to dine. Actually, I prefer a more intimate gathering so I’m able to really go the extra mile at finding those memorable details to set the scene. I hope you’ll find this useful and be able to take bits of this information to use at your next event.

Until next time.

-K