Picking a theme will help guide your decisions and bring a cohesive look to your table. It will help you decide on colors to use and decorative elements to incorporate into your table setting. Simply put, a theme helps to set the mood of your dinner party!
By incorporating natural elements into your tables cape, you not only save money but also bring in the seasonality of the outdoors. For example, during fall and winter, I look at what is available out in the yard… Branches, leaves, evergreens, berries, holly, etc. Mixing what you find outside with live flowers from your local florist will add layers to your table and centerpieces.
Your tables cape should have many different levels to keep it interesting and make a statement. Think about how to build beyond the horizontal surface of the table. This could be tall vases with branches arching out or even hanging things down from the ceiling. Just remember, you want to keep the eye level of heated guests open to allow conversation across the table.
Controlling the amount and kind of light can set a mood for your table. I like to dim the chandelier and use a lot of candles for my tables capes. It creates a cozy and intimate mood and everyone looks great in candlelight. Staggering the heights of candles adds interest, as does incorporating mirrors to reflect light around the table. Worried about open flames? Choose votives instead of tapered cadges or even battery operated options. Small string lights are also great to use in natural pine bows down the center of the table.
A lot of people create a stunning, center tablescape and then forget about the place settings around it. Your theme should influence the type of dishes you use, the charger under the plate, the napkin, how it will be folded, etc. I strongly believe in the use of name cards when having a dinner party. It shows that thought was given to the placement of people and makes guests feel special by having their spot elegantly marked. It also helps to avoid the awkwardness of who is going to sit next to who if it is already thought out and planned ahead of time.
Hopefully these design tips will help simplify your Holiday decorating so you can enjoy gathering with family and friends! Happy Holidays!
