Inspire me! Holiday table settings

katarczyna

I know most people are still thinking about Thanksgiving. But I'm already planning Christmas dinner. I need inspiration for table settings, nothing has been wowing me, and I think I just don't know where to look.

I have black chairs, white table cloth, silver chargers (don't have to use), and all white serving pieces. I like buying basics so I can snazz it up every year - but I'm bored!!!!

kdb1986

different size apothecary jars you can change out all sorts of items inside, silver chargers remind me of like winter wonderland, with snow covered birch trees etc. world market had really cute birch wood candles and cute evergreen fake trees that would fit on a table top and cute little bird napkin rings, and beautiful antler centerpieces...theres so many ideas! good luck

Ginger Le Coeur

I love black, white and silver together. I throw a NYE party every year and I start with some basics as well, I have plenty of white, silver and gold pieces so I can blend a theme color each year. PP mentioned winter wonderland and birch and I love that idea. I once suspended birch branched over my table as part of an installation.

CB2 has some inexpensive clear glass balls of different sizes that look really nice on the table, decorated with some oranges, and live greens. You can then string some beautiful ribbon of your favorite accent color around, and find some small Christmas ball in that accent color as well to add another punch of color. 

Last year I used teal and blue (white and silver) as my theme. I really liked these blue ornaments from CB. I past years I have also tied these around the napkins with a pretty ribbon and those have been party favors. CB has them in several colors. 

Have fun!

TarHeels&Rebels

So we know that I answer most of the posts on this board, and you'd think this one would be right up my alley.

I read it when you posted and thought, "yeah, I'm sure there are lots of good tablescapes out there, I'll go google a few when I have a minute."  Well I've just spent a while looking and ya know what?  There aren't.  You're right.  Christmas tablescapes are just kind of lackluster. For whatever it's worth, you might be inspired by some of the Christmas pics on my Pinterest (linked below), though only a couple are tables.

I have white and silver china and the one piece of advice I can offer is this: add color!  The very first time I used my wedding china, I was all excited and wanted to do an elegant white cloth.  Yeah, no, that tablescape was a snoozefest. White dishes beg for a dramatic tablecloth (consider renting for something different) and a dramatic centerpiece to pull it together.  Remind me when I get home and I'll show you a party I did with a deep red crinkled taffeta cloth and red flowers and the white china with silver serving pieces.

katarczyna

I have apothecary jars I fill with fake snow, ornaments, other random things I like... but I feel they clutter a table too much. I prefer to fil with plates of food. But I do love them and use them. I think the rest of the house will be fine decor-wise, but the table is what's killing me right now! But thanks for the ideas!!  

TarHeels -- Thank you so much! I knew you'd respond (well, I hoped you would, anyway!), and am glad you agree.

I did find some... I might pinterest them myself when I get home (work blocks it, boo), and will share a link. Just in case others want inspiration. Granted, they're all things that caught MY eye, and aren't necessarily all the lovely ones out there.

I was thinking about all white, in fact... and also about buying cheapie chair slipcovers. I HATE the dining room chairs and always planned to replace, but don't have the funds right now. So glad you said they were a snoozefest, you're right about color.

Loved t-day table last year - did orange chargers, tan tablecloth, and it was just so simple and pretty with the white.

I do have a red tablecloth and a gorgeous piece of gold silk fabric I've been dying to use as a tablecloth. But ILs are sloppier than toddlers, and I'd murder them if they spilled on it! Might experiment this weekend...

TarHeels&Rebels

Now, this table was too narrow for flowers, and this was only maybe my 3rd time ever hosting anything, but you can see just how dreadful it was:

Isn't it super sad? lol  White plates, white napkins, white cloth. 

And then there's after I got a clue:

 

The colored background makes such a difference for the white and silver.

katarczyna

lol I don't think the white is all that sad - I think if there were white flowers or candles, it'd be quite lovely!!

But I LOVE that red tablecloth. Like - I want to wear it as a cape. What if I do multi-white tonals, like white, gold, silver, taupe, ivory... So there'd be some dimension, but it's all still very white?

 

I guess I have to do a few mock runs. Might post the evidence for a poll in the coming week(s). 

TarHeels&Rebels

katarczyna:

What if I do multi-white tonals, like white, gold, silver, taupe, ivory... So there'd be some dimension, but it's all still very white?

 

I guess I have to do a few mock runs. Might post the evidence for a poll in the coming week(s). 

I agree with doing test runs.  It should work in theory, but it might fall flat IRL and need tinkering.

6fsn

I was just watching The Chew and Clinton Kelly was doing a tablescape.  It was all white plates and napkins with silver chargers, napkin rings, and other silver accents.  It was beautiful.  He put a silver ornament at each place setting and a small silver picture frame for the placecards.  It was gorgeous.

I think the problem with Tars is that it was literally flat.  There were no different textures or heights or STUFF.

There was also a really cute buffet idea where they put apples or other things in a trifle bowl and put a pie on top as a way to serve and add height.

I'm trying to find a link, but since it's only just now airing it may not be there yet.

katarczyna

6fsn:

I was just watching The Chew and Clinton Kelly was doing a tablescape.  It was all white plates and napkins with silver chargers, napkin rings, and other silver accents.  It was beautiful.  He put a silver ornament at each place setting and a small silver picture frame for the placecards.  It was gorgeous.

I think the problem with Tars is that it was literally flat.  There were no different textures or heights or STUFF.

There was also a really cute buffet idea where they put apples or other things in a trifle bowl and put a pie on top as a way to serve and add height.

I'm trying to find a link, but since it's only just now airing it may not be there yet.

 

Thanks! DH and I didn't get a chance to experiment this weekend, but I need to think of a bribe to get him to pull the stuff out tonight. I feel like playing.

BTW - I've seen GORGEOUS stuff at ZGallerie, but budget is tight this year and I want to use what I have.