Welcoming friends and family into your home gives you an opportunity to create experiences that they will always remember. A simple way to make a delicious holiday meal even more memorable is to make some thoughtful decisions regarding table decorating. “Tablescaping” involves creating a layout for your dinner table with both ambiance and function in mind.
Where Do I Start?
When you design, you never start from scratch. First, pull out the materials you already have and consider your dining area space. The following questions will help you get started and help inform the direction that you take with your decor:
● Which dinnerware, glassware, or ceramics are you using?
● What colors are in the dining area?
● How much natural light does the room have?
● What is the shape of your table?
● How are you serving your meal?
The answers to these questions will guide you as you create your tablescape. Creating a tablescape requires creativity, but also attention to practicality. If your dinnerware occupies the majority of the space available, for example, then you’ll want to consider design elements that take up less space, as to not create too much clutter.
The Fun Part: Designing
Building a tablescape requires structure and planning.You’ll take your base elements and add details that will complement them. Let your instincts guide the decisions you make and if you like the way it looks, then go with it!
At Terra Nova the natural elements of a home help drive the decisions that we make. For example, if you have a large dining area with plenty of natural light, consider contrasting this by creating a more intimate dining environment. Using colors that cast a warm glow into the room will make the space more cozy. Candles are also a simple and effective way to add some physical and visual warmth.
Using some plants or flowers from around your house can be a thoughtful way to keep the outside environment present at your meal. Here in Missouri, both American Beautyberry and American Holly grow in the winter, and could be an option for your tablescape. If you have relatives who are visiting from out of town, including native plants can provide a boost of color as well as a chance to introduce your visitors to the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
We also love decorating with herbs and spices to showcase some standout ingredients in your meal. If you are serving a dish with rosemary or cinnamon, you could easily incorporate cinnamon sticks or a simple sprig of rosemary with the table settings.
Pro-tip: When in Doubt, Keep It Simple.
We all have creative, crafty friends who have a natural eye for detail and design. While there’s a lot to learn from these friends, do not stress if you’re new to hosting holiday events. Our design team at Terra Nova is drawn to clean, thoughtful designs. An easy way to ensure that you are creating a beautiful tablescape that works is to simply keep it simple!
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