Tablescape Basics

If a beautifully set table is what you are after then you have to start with the basics. If you’re starting with the basics then you are in the right place. Tablescaping is a way to express your style but it can take many many years to accumulate all the elements you need for every type of table. In one sense, it can be a fun lifelong hunt for the perfect pieces. You never know where and when you’ll find a piece that speaks to you and inspires a whole table. It is best to start with the basics and build from there. The keys to building basics is to start with white and clear (glass). Remember: these are the basics so if you love grand millenial details or super modern asthetic just know that the more specific you go, the fewer options you have in tablescapes. Another way to put it is: crawl before you run.

I will be sharing 5 types of basics in each category that I personally love ( I either have them, or would buy them now if I was just starting).

Plates

Lets keep things round and white. Make sure to get a dinner plate and a salad plate, together they add interest and depth (a dinner plate on its own can look pretty sad, even with a napkin on top). You can go as bare bones basic as you want but if you can find one with edging that you love but won’t pull you into non-basic territory then go for it. An example of when to do this is : trellis edging - Adds texture and is engaging without lending itself to a narrow style scope. An example of when not to do this would be white plates with a scalloped edge, while these may be beautiful it also comes off as very feminine and girly. It narrows down into niche and simply wont work as a basic at that point.

Buying Quantities

An easy way to figure out how many of one thing to buy can be answered based on 3 things:

• Budget

  • Obviously it’s vital to stay within your budget, if you are just starting out then a set of 4 will do

• Table Size

  • Buy according to how many chairs are at your table, by doing this you will ensure that you are never short and that at least your tablescape will be in unison (If you have guests beyond the chair count that’s when you can pull out cheaper catering plates such as these from world market(below). In fact, all of their catering boxes work great if you need champagne flutes, dinner plates, etc.)

• Future Hosting Expectations

  • I always think of the scene in Sleepless in Seattle where Meg Ryan’s character and her fiance are doing their wedding registry and they both say that registering for 10 of each item is perfect because 8 is never enough and 12 is too many. They have a great point! However you need to think in the future (or at least your ideal scenario). Will you be hosting thanksgiving for your whole extended family? Just your immediate family? How many kids do you plan on having? Do you always have guests beyond family? Is your ideal scenario formal? Casual? Somewhere in between? Once you narrow this down then you can buy for your perfect amount.

Remember: Even when you move beyond basics down the road you will still be able to use that dinner plate as your base and begin to switch up with more specific salad plates to top them. Dinner plates that are specific in either shape, color or both can be one of your last investments.

Linens

Grab a good quality white linen like the onces I have linked. The key to maintaining it in it’s original form is to periodically take a bucket outside, fill with 1 gallon scaulding hot water, add 1 tsp powdered Tide deteregent and 1/3 bleach. Stir together and then place entire tablecloth in bucket to soak for 3-5 hours. Rinse thoroughly in the sink and then add to regular wash/dryer routine. You will be shocked at how new it keeps the tablecloth looking and at how effective it is in lifting out stains.

Cups

When it comes to picking your basic clear drinkware I suggest choosing items from a larger collection (ie same style in red wine, white wine, water goblet, champagne flute, etc.). You want to choose one tall thin glass and one shorter wider glass to start off, this way your eye jumps all over when you look at the table. The more glasses the better.

Flatware

Keep flatware simple, sturdy and make sure you buy in sets of 5 (1 knife, 2 forks and 2 spoons). Why sets of 5? Having each utensil included on the table takes up space and elevates the dining experience. Even if you are not planning on having soup or even having to cut you still set everything out.

Chargers

Chargers can be tricky in terms of “basics” because so many of them lend themselves to a specific vibe (not exactly basic). I’ve linked 5 options that I feel can be used the most in a wide array of tablescapes. In my world gold and silver count as neutrals. Check in stores like Homegoods around the holidays, as that is when they like to flood the market with packs of them, and on that note: dont underbuy, the chances that you will find the same ones if you end up needing more are slim.

Vases

If you have a round table you only need one vase to start off. If your table is rectangle you can get away with a center vase but I suggest two smaller vases to flank each side (spaced apart). In a perfect world, those of you with a rectangular table will buy every vase you purchase in quantities of 2 (this way they are evenly spaced down the center).

Candles/Votives

Mix up your candle light. Using white, non scented candles is very important and provides continuity for your table. Mix things up by using different votives, tapers, heights and widths. Make sure that you do not by the common tea lights that that are set in silver metal dishes- no one wants to see that! Believe me: now that I’ve pointed it out to you, you will never unsee it! I’ve linked the exact ones I buy. Additionally, there’s something incredibly chic about using the clear glass hurricaines for candlesticks (be sure to measure twice before you purchase though in order to avoid your candle stick placed in the holder and being 3 inches above the hurricane height! Once you have these basics it is a breeze to switch out your candlesticks for different colors to compliment your intended table.

Any questions, comment below…