Tis almost the season to be jolly, the time of year when we gather for family dinners, industry parties, and friendly holiday cheer. These celebrations are all about bringing people together to share food, tell stories, and bond over the feeling of togetherness. The table is the focal point of the party and the perfect place to set the theme for the event. Once you check out these festive tablescapes from seven of our favorite designers, you will surely be in the spirit to begin planning your own holiday shindig!
Nathan Turner
Photography by Nathan Turner
No one delivers the country chic aesthetic better than Nathan Turner, who manages to present flannel linens in a manner fit for the Queen’s table. In his “Holiday Dinner with Jenni Kayne” setting, the choice of regal jewel tones for the checked tablecloth offers a warm welcome, with the beautiful bleached wood branches serving as a reminder of the harsh winter landscape from which guests seek refuge. The composition is finished with centerpieces featuring winter blossoms in rich reds with pine green trim. You won’t have to bother lighting a fire, as your guests will already feel transported to a cozy country manor.
Bria Hammel
Bria Hammel is an expert at designing spaces that work for the way we live, and her holiday decorating takes an equally homey approach. Her designs for the season are all about evergreens, which not only look and smell great but will last through the entire holiday season, leaving you grateful for one less thing to do during this busy time. Bria is also known for weaving unexpected design moments into her spaces. She recommends hanging a simple pine wreath in your entry space, swapping out a decorative pillow for a brass basket full of wrapped presents, and adding white candlesticks and layered stockings of various textures to your mantleplace to complete the overall scene.
Photography by Bria Hammel
Bunny Williams
Photography by Ballard Designs
Bunny Williams says, “I love Christmas” and her passion shows in her holiday collection for Ballard Designs. Bunny knows the best way to deck your halls (and tables) is with a touch of sparkle, and much of her collection of ornaments, decor, cachepots, salt and pepper dishes, and napkin sets have a hint of shimmer. For the finishing touches to your table and mantelscapes, choose flowers that are in season and colors that represent the holiday your celebrating, as nostalgia is an important part of getting into the spirit. Bunny likes paperwhite narcissus, cyclamen, magnolia, and pine.
Charlotte Moss
Charlotte Moss is known to be the consummate hostess, having literally written the book on entertaining. In this video interview with Stacey Bewkes, Charlotte walks through her approach to designing a tablescape and explains why she thinks it is a fundamental part of everyday decorating. Perhaps known most for her traditional aesthetic, a Thanksgiving meal served on blue and white, toile-inspired china is quintessential Charlotte Moss. If you look closely, you will notice that Charlotte mixes different blue and white sets for a down-to-earth spin on a classic that is friendly and approachable.
Photography by Charlotte Moss
Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent
Photography by Nate Berkus
Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent know a lot about holiday decorating, even having put out a holiday edition of their Target line of home goods and decor, done in collaboration with Athena Calderone in 2015. Nate, Jeremiah, and Athena are a dynamite team and together produced this stunning tablescape that is holiday appropriate, but transcends what is seasonal.
Photography by Nate Berkus
Nate does remind us not to focus exclusively on the table when decorating for the holidays, as every good party needs a second, more relaxed seating area.
Ashley Whittaker
Ashley Whittaker has the best advice for the holiday season — to not stress and to have fun at your own party! Her positive attitude is evident in her cheerful designs that welcome guests like a bear hug.
Ashley is not afraid to take her holiday dinner table outside into nature, but always likes to incorporate interior elements, like a chintz tablecloth, to match the formality of a special occasion. Putting in the extra work to use china and glassware outside, “makes guests feel special”— the sentiment of a natural born host.
Alexa Hampton
Alexa Hampton can mix and match colors, patterns, and styles like the best in the business. Alexa’s tablescapes are a refreshing reminder that design is about having fun, and you will never get to know your personal style or discover the next best thing until you lose the rule book and experiment.
Photography by Traditional Home
Of course, what makes Alexa’s designs work is her impeccable sense of balance, so be sure to study how she transitions from one part of the setting to the next. For example, notice how the curves in the arabesque place mat connect the pattern in the tablecloth to the cabbage plate-ware.
Now that you are thoroughly inspired to plan your own holiday festivities, click here for tips on how to smoothly blend your personal and professional lives which will come in handy when navigating upcoming guest lists. Also, with all of the extra events on the calendar as the holidays approach, don’t forget to get your books in order for year-end. If you are not already using Design Manager for your interior design accounting and project management needs, give your business the priceless gift of organization and start a free trial today!