Demystifying Tablescaping

Tablescapes.  What are they?  Who’s making them and why?  

 Tablescaping is not a new concept.  Creating an artful table began back in the late 18th century, but the noun/verb did not come into existence until designer David Hicks coined it in the 1960s (according to my internet search.) So what exactly is an artful table?  The answer to that is purely subjective which, by definition, means you can’t get it wrong.  How liberating!  When it comes to modern day tablescapes, there are no governing rules or secrets to creating an eye catching tablescape.  It all boils down to preference: Yours!  No Martha Stewart DNA required.  All you need is a willingness to experiment and try.  The more you do, the more you’ll discover about your own preferences for style, colors and textures.  Before you know it, you’ll be surprising yourself with what you’ve created.  I liken the process to creating a set for a movie or a play.  It’s a chance for you to create an entertaining story for your guests.  Tablescapes can be whimsical or formal, seasonal or specific.  It can be born from your imagination or copied from one you admired.  It takes your senses on a little joyride and it has the power to create lasting memories of your evening spent with family and friends.  So how do you go about creating them?  I’m glad you asked!

Before I create a tablescape I always consider the following components listed below.  They keep me on track and on task.  As Captain Barbossa said in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean:  “They’re more like guidelines.”  If they resonate with you, terrific!  If they don’t, then absolutely disregard them.  Are you ready to get started? Jump in and discover the joy that comes from surprising yourself by what you create!

Budget   

When I’m designing a tablescape the first thing I determine is how much I’m willing to spend to get the look I’m going for.  I’ve discovered that you can create beautiful tablescapes without breaking the bank.  In fact, I consider it a challenge to do so.  You’ll be amazed at how every day items in your cabinets can be incorporated into your tablescape.  The trick here is to think outside the box.  The more you do, the better you’ll get at it.

Theme

Themes always give you a place to start.  When considering one, take into consideration the time of year and the holidays or the month’s events.  It can be an entire season, or a specific holiday or event.  Write down colors and textures that come to mind.   Allow your creativity to percolate.  If you get stuck you can always turn to Google or AI.  When I want to create a tablescape for a specific theme I ask google or AI to give me images that are associated with my theme.  This then informs me of potential color palettes. For example, a summer themed tablescape brings to mind the following for me:  the beach and brightly colored beach towels and cabanas, sand and sea shells, beach chairs and colorful umbrellas, sunshine and frosty drinks.  All of these images help me create the vision for my tablescape and they give me ideas for what I want to include in my scape.  I recommend picking a theme and then jot down the images and colors that come to mind for you.  This will become your starting point. 

Tablecloths, Runners, Placemats & Napkins

This one is entirely subjective!  Do you love tablecloths with bright, bold patterns, or do you prefer table runners? You could use both to create a layered effect, or just opt for placemats.  Keep in mind both placemats and table runners need not be made from fabric.  I have used faux grass, preserved moss and sand for a dramatic and fun effect. I happen to love placemats because they help define one’s individual (physical) space at the table.  They also allow you to introduce color and texture.  When it comes to napkins, you have a choice: Paper or fabric?  There is no wrong answer here.  I prefer not to wash and iron tablecloths and napkins, so I usually opt for elevated paper napkins.  It all boils down to what appeals to you visually. 

 Flowers - Real and/or Faux

I generally incorporate real flowers as part of my tablescape but I’ve also used faux flowers as well as a combination of both.  My preference is to have multiple small arrangements.  After trial and error, I would agree with the “experts" that odd numbers seem to look the best.  Oftentimes these small arrangements can be given to your guests as parting gifts which will keep the recipient thinking about the wonderful experience they had as a guest in your home.  As for the containers for these small arrangements, get creative!  I’ve hollowed out mini pumpkins, used small terra cotta pots, colorful mini tin pails, antique tea cups with saucers, just to name a few. 

I have two principles I stand by when I use real flowers in my tablescapes.  I never use overly fragrant flowers and the arrangements are never more than eight inches high.  There is nothing worse than smelling the strong scent of a flower when you’re trying to enjoy the aroma of a deliciously prepared meal.  By the same token, I want to be able to clearly see the person across the table from me.  

Using faux floral elements also has some advantages.  They do not require any maintenance and they hold their shape and colors and they can be used over and over again.  Nowadays you can find some very realistic looking ones.  My recommendation?  Experiment!  Blend the two and see which reflects your personal style.

I have also used dried flower hurricanes (that I’ve made) in place of flowers which does double duty:  They provide a colorful addition and they can be used to hold candles or fairy lights.  Which leads to the next component I always incorporate.

Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important components to a tablescape design.  I use candles and occasionally fairy lights on every tablescape I create as they add so much to the ambience of the evening or gathering.  Generally speaking, I prefer to use real candles as opposed to faux.  When using real candles, make sure they are unscented, and place them in a hurricane or candle holder for the sake of safety.  My hurricane of choice is a clear glass cylinder.  Grouping them together in varying heights allows you to create a bigger impact as you’ll see from the picture below.  Side note:  The tablescape pictured below is purely just for looks to demonstrate the impact that varying hurricane heights all next to each other can have.  If I intended to use this for an actual dinner party, I’d move it all to the buffet behind the table as some of the hurricanes are too tall and would prevent a clear line of sight to people sitting across the table.  Once again, there are no rules; just determine the look you like the best. 

I also think fairy lights go a long way to creating a soft mood but they bring the challenge of hiding the battery pack.  I have covered them in preserved moss in the past which makes them easier to camouflage within the tablescape.  I’ve just draped them along a runner as well as placed them in individual hurricanes.  Beauty is you get to decide what you like best!

I’m not typically one for trends, however mini table lamps are very popular right now, and I confess, I love them!  They come in all shapes and sizes.  You can change out the shades or make your own.  

Props / Bling

Once I’ve placed the floral arrangements and lighting in my tablescape, it’s time for the fun finishing touches.   Here’s where having a theme helps you complete the look you’re going for.  Last year I created a tablescape for Easter and I incorporated miniature baskets filled with jellybeans, small wicker bunnies all on a runner of faux grass and hand dyed wooden eggs.  Equally fun was my Halloween tablescape last year.  I used skeletons, gauze ghosts that I made, small tabletop lighted trees with miniature halloween ornaments, black gauze and I placed black bats (that were cut out with my cricut machine) in the trees.  You can have a look here: https://www.craftingablissfulbungalow.com/tablescapes

The point is you can incorporate anything that helps tell a story or creates the mood or experience you’re going for.        

 Place Settings: 

 Chargers, placemats, place card holders, napkin rings, plates, bowls, flatware, glassware and napkins all round out this last component.  These are the items that finish off the total look of the table.  You can use all of them or just pick and choose what you want to incorporate.  Personally I don’t have a large collection of china with different patterns and colors so I use round, white dinner plates and build from there.  I do happen to have a small collection of salad and dessert plates that I like to incorporate when I can.  So generally speaking,  I introduce color and pattern with my placemats, chargers, napkins and place card holders.  I love adding my personal touches by making these items.  If you’re not a DIYer or into creative crafting, you can always buy these items or omit them altogether.    

 I usually serve buffet style, so while I do set the table with flatware, glassware and napkins, I do not put out the plates, but rather stack them at the beginning of my buffet.  My table still looks pretty with all the other elements in place.

So there you have it!  I hope this post inspires you to create a fun tablescape of your own.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to DM me or reach out via email:  jodi.hoffmann@craftingablissfulbungalow.com

Happy Tablescaping!