Create 3 Tablescape Designs & How to Build Your Collection

I love to entertain and I love to make the people I love, feel special.  I absolutely love going out to dinner, but there is something magical about being invited to a dinner party at someone’s home.  It takes a lot of work to host dinners at your home, and it’s a lovely gesture when someone puts in that much time to prep and cook for you.   

In terms of food…I like to put out a spread with lots of varieties.  It’s always about 2-3 times the amount of food needed to feed my guests, but I like them to have options, not run out of anything, and I love leftovers…It’s like you are winning the next day!  Plus, so many people have dietary restrictions and aversions to different foods, and it’s too hard to please everyone with just a few dishes.

No matter what, I love to set a beautiful table for my guests.  My overall design style is definitely modern glam, sexy, mixed with traditional aspects, and layered with a variety of textures. I like things to be unexpected and not to contrived.  Therefore, my tables usually reflect that…however, I do love doing minimalistic, romantic, themed, or bright colorful ones as well.  I have such an appreciation for all things design and truly love so many different styles.  This is an easy, cost effective way, to incorporate a variety of looks into your home life.

To start my tablescape portion of my blog, I’m showing you an easy way to start building your collection.  Here are 3 looks, that require minimal additional pieces.  From one look to the next, you will see how easy it is to change out 1-2 pieces for a slightly different feeling.  I designed a whole built-in devoted to my entertaining pieces, and honestly I could use 4 times the space to hold all the ideas I want to do…I truly love to entertain.

TABLESCAPE #1

Let’s start with table one…Simple glam…a lovely winter evening set-up...perfect for the current times.   The table itself (which is from Z Gallerie (my absolute most favorite store) here) (similar) adds that rustic texture so it doesn’t seem too contrived, against these pieces.  The center piece is a faux arrangement, here.  I’ve never used a faux floral arrangement, however, I couldn’t find something similar that week, so I went with it, and added fresh little potted plants on the side.  You don’t always have to use fresh flowers, I’ve done some cool arrangements with just objects throughout the tablescape, and themed to that occasion.

You’ll notice I have no water or wine glasses on the table.  Most times, I will put out a water glass, but sometimes it just gets too messy.  I always serve a variety of champagne, wine, and cocktails, so the glasses aren’t quite determined till the arrival of guests and the appetizers.

With this setting, I actually pulled décor that was already in my dining room built in and added it to the table, because I love the play off the napkin rings (Z Gallerie, here) (similar).  The large silver spheres I got last year from Z Gallerie (similar here) and I have them in a gold color too.  The gold open weave placemats are a must (I have these in silver as well, Z Gallerie, here, and similar here).  I use these for everything and highly recommend!  I love combining gold and silver and making my own rules.  I layered a silver basic charger (similar) and then an ivory glass charger (Z Gallerie last year) on top.  These are hands down my fav chargers…and I just realized they no longer carry them…ughh!  However, I found a similar one Here and Here!  Clearly, I’m obsessed with layering, and I love combining textures.  The china is actually my momma’s, and really the only major thing I have of hers, so if I’m using that…you know you are special.  A silver grey napkin with a cool texture and sheen adds a nice layer and contrast (Z Gallerie, similar here).  I always have candles on my tables…it’s a must...these are tiny and just add enough ambiance.  Little crystal jewels adorn the table (Homegoods).  I set this as a basic table setting, usually I have a salad fork or steak knife.  I always serve dessert more casually afterwards, so I never include a dessert spoon.

TABLESCAPE #2

For the second look, I kept all things the same, but swapped out the basic silver chargers, for these gorgeous baby blue, beaded placemats (I actually got these at Homegoods for like $13-15 a piece…such a steal). (Similar Here and Here) I switched out the 2 large silver spheres for smaller gold ones (Z Gallerie, Here, I also own these in silver) and removed the centerpiece florals and added in fresh roses and two vases of lilies…super easy!  I love using one color palette of flowers, but mixing in different types.  This setting is much more spring and airy…it would be great for a luncheon as well!  I love the subtle pop of the baby blue placemats, and the extra glam it provides with all the beading.  Adding simple classic flowers, makes for a very fresh and happy welcoming.  So again, all I changed was the 2nd layer (swapping out the basic silver charger for the baby blue beaded placement), the floral centerpieces, and the two spheres…easy!

TABLESCAPE #3

For the third look, I added more color and texture.  This one is fun, colorful, and artistic, but still glam, and more of a festive, evening, dinner party.  This one goes to show, just how simple it is to change up your basic setting, to a completely different look.  I kept everything the same as look 2, yet changed out the napkin rings (similar Here) and added the peacocks (similar Here)…easy!  Sometimes, I’ll alternate every other setting with a butterfly then a peacock.  The peacocks have little clips on the backside so I can attach to the napkins.  These were both from Z Gallerie, and the peacocks were actually ornaments that you clip on a Christmas tree, but I liked them for my table.  This setting is definitely much busier and fun for people who appreciate more artistic things, and are a little more playful. So again, all I changed was the napkin rings and added the peacocks...extremely easy…and think of all the themed objects you could do this with!

Yes, there isn’t a world of a difference between the 3 setups, but my point is that with one or two additional items per setting, you can create different looks.  Build your basic setting, and then with each dinner party, add one new piece here and there, and soon you will also have an extensive entertaining collection.  Plus, there are so many out of the box ideas for napkin rings, chargers and placemats…get creative and make your own too!!

You know what’s even more enjoyable, is I’ll do a smaller setup like this, for just my hubby and I.  We have an active 20-month old daughter, so we order in and cook a lot these days.  Once she goes to sleep, and we have us time, I like to make it special, and create these little place settings for just us two.  Maybe it takes me an extra 5 -10 minutes to create a lovely and romantic dining experience at our home…easy!  Plus, it kind of makes it feel more like a date night!  We might be at home, but it’s time for just us, and well, there really is no better place than home anyway, but it’s important to make things special for each other!

As my children grow older, I definitely plan on creating these for our family weekly.  There is nothing more magical than family dinners, and the conversation about each other’s days around them.  As my momma taught me thru example…presentation is everything!  There is something so special about knowing that someone took the extra time, to create a beautiful presentation and a lasting memory for you.  One way is through the art of tablescapes.

May you all find little ways, just to show your loved ones how special they are. 

Going forward I’ll do a variety of these for you…I’ll even throw in some basic, but lovely every week options, for your family or partner.  Everything here can actually be scaled back for two people or a family of four etc.  I’m telling you, the extra little efforts make the most lasting impression. 

Happy Entertaining!!