Entertaining Tips Archives

My Classic Christmas Tablescape | 2019

December 19, 2019

I love creating tablescapes, especially at the holidays. There is just something special about gathering family around a beautifully set table and celebrating Christmas.

This year my table decor is classic and traditional and includes a fun mix of dinnerware. Let’s gather around the table and celebrate the season!

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS TABLESCAPE

One of my favorite details at the table are the small evergreen wreaths that hang on the back of each chair. The vibrant green wreath paired with a red satin ribbon really pops.

Because I have a lot of blue and white ceramic decor in my living room, I decided to use a mix of red and blue on the table. I draped the table in a blue and white tablecloth and added a red runner down the center.

Then I created the centerpiece.

Since my place settings have a traditional vibe, I wanted the centerpiece to be a bit more whimsical. I placed a grouping of glass and ceramic Christmas trees down the center of the table and tucked greenery and berry sprigs at the base.

A few red ornaments and mini white ceramic trees add more visual interest.

ENTERTAINING TIP: Scented candles can interfere with the flavors of the food being served. Instead of candles, mix fresh evergreen sprigs in with faux stems to add a festive scent to the table.

Glass and Ceramic Christmas Tree from HomeGoods

I used faux evergreen placemats as the base of each place and mixed different dinnerware pieces for an eclectic look. The red tartan plaid melamine plates look great with my formal white, red and blue willow plates.

At top of each place setting I folded red napkins in the shape of a bow with my thrifted green beaded napkin rings as the center.

Placemats from Pier (no longer available) // Plaid Dinner Plates

TABLESCAPE TIP: Layers help to create a table that is appealing from every angle. Consider each layer, from the tablecloth up to the top of the centerpiece. Use items with different textures and finishes to make the tablescape come to life.

Gold Flatware–vintage (similar here)

My sideboard and tiered bar table got a festive touch with greenery and red ornaments.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE TABLE

Now that I have the table all set, I’m working on my dinner and dessert menu. Wish me luck as I tackle Costco and the grocery store tomorrow.

Cheers!

For more tablescape inspiration check out these posts:

2018 Christmas Tablescape

2017 Christmas Tablescape

Summer Tablescape: Bright & Bold

June 20, 2018

It’s hard to believe that the official first day of Summer is just a few days away. In honor of the new season, I pulled together a light-hearted and tropical themed tablescape. To be honest, this tablescape has been in the makings for weeks. I finally got around to photographing it and the timing couldn’t be any better because this table screams summer entertaining.

Like so many of the tablescapes I create, the theme for this table is based on a single item–the palm leaf plates.

I’ve been spying these plates at HomeGoods for a while and finally decided they needed to come home with me. I purchased the small plates first and then went back and got the salad plates because I love the pattern so much. #homegoodshappy

The purchase of the plates led me on a hunt for a table runner and I found the perfect one at Hobby Lobby. Actually, I bought this gorgeous green malachite fabric and made my own table runner for less than $12.00. Unfortunately this fabric is no longer available but I found two similar options here and here.

Along with using wrapping paper as a table runner, making a runner using inexpensive fabric is one of my favorite entertaining hacks.

To add depth and dimension to each place setting, I layered the dinnerware. I used square wood charger plates (thrifted) as the bottom layer and then placed round woven rattan chargers on top. I snagged the round chargers at a store here in Atlanta that was going out of business. The additional of the brass rim makes them really special.

I pulled out mat wedding china and placed the white dinner plates on the rattan charger. Then I layered the two sizes of palm leaf plates.

I love adding a pop of color to my table settings and decided there’s not better combo for summer than pink and green.

To create a layered look with the napkins, I used hot pink dinner napkins and place these cute green and white lattice design paper napkins on top. For casual events, it’s ok to use paper napkins along with cloth napkins. Or use paper napkins alone.

My bamboo flatware adds another nod to summer and I just love using it to dress a table. (p.s. The 20 pc. set of flatware is on $35 and it comes in a lighter color as well)

pink napkins from World Market (similar color here)

My centerpiece was really easy to pull together. I used three of my milk glass vases along with these green candle holders I bought several years ago. You can recreate the look with this budget friendly set of candleholders.

My glassware is another HomeGoods find. These bamboo glasses are melamine (acrylic) but look like the real thing. They are perfect for outdoor entertaining and come in a larger size too. (p.s. I just spotted the same glasses at Tuesday Morning the other day–in case your HomeGoods is sold out).

Instead of buying fresh flowers, I filled the milk glass vases with silk stems I had in my stash. The color is a dead on match to the napkins.

I love the away my table turned out. It has a preppy vibe but still feels classic and pulled together.

I’ll be in Oklahoma the next few days helping my mom with a garage sale and packing up her house. In just a few weeks she’ll be moving to Atlanta and will get to enjoy my tablescapes in person.

Thanks for stopping by today. I’ decided to do a little decorating for the 4th of July so I’ll be sharing that with you next week. Stay tuned.

Outdoor Entertaining (plus some tips)

June 23, 2015

My nephew was in town over the weekend which meant I spent a lot time with him and my brother. Since I knew I was going to be hanging out at my brother’s new place I decided to decorated his balcony for a little impromptu entertaining.

My brother lives in the city and has an extremely large balcony. When you’re out on the balcony you have a great view of high-rise buildings and lush landscape.

The decorating has just begun for this space and so far they (hey Mary) have added plants and purchased a small table and chair set, and an umbrella.

I carried a few items with me and set up this simple table setting which played off the colors in seat cushions and umbrella.

Dynamic table settings are all about the layers and as you can see I used several.

I started with the linen placement and then layered on top of that with a wood charger, square white plate and decorative salad plate.

The colors in the salad plate, place mat and napkin all pick up on the colors in the cushion.

Pattern mixing can really energize your table setting do don’ be afraid to combined different pattern styles. As long as there are common colors that run through all of the elements you use the combo will work.

It’s always fun to through in a pop color which is what that flowers provided.

Since the table was small, I placed the flowers in a decorative wood box and displayed them along side the table.

If surface space doesn’t allow, don’t be afraid to decorate around the space inside of on top of it.

Setting up an entertaining environment doesn’t have to be lots of work. Combine elements you already own, in a fresh new way and in a flash you’ll have created a beautiful setting.

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS TABLESCAPE

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE TABLE

all images were taken by me