‘Tis the tablescape season
Do you hear that? The distant sound of Mariah Carey in the air? Well, not so distant, actually—the holiday season is upon us and her ubiquitous radio presence has returned in full force. Personally, I don’t mind it! You can’t deny that’s a pretty good Christmas song, and it’s part of the traditions of the season to hear it a good thousand times between now and New Year’s Eve. Keep singing, Mariah. ‘Tis the season!
When the holidays come around, our homes really get a workout. Between hosting holiday events, relatives visiting from afar, and special days with family, now is when we ask our spaces to be flexible and well-prepared to meet our changing needs. Part of a home design’s value lies in its ability to step up to the challenges of every season. And one of the ways a home is really flexible is in how it can offer you space for seasonal decor. Here at home we’re longtime collectors of vintage holiday decorations, and the holiday season in our house isn’t complete without a good rollout of our many boxes of vintage ornaments, garlands, lights, and candles. In this way our home transforms, puts on a different suit, and helps us feel cheerfully full of festive spirit!
Today I thought I’d share with you some holiday decor ideas centered around a vital piece of home furnishing: your dining table. After all, with hosting season upon us, it’s time to get that table into the holiday spirits! So, here are three of my favorite design tips you might consider when designing a table-scape for your next holiday dinner.
1. Incorporate some sheet music
This is a fun one! Sheet music is both, of course, a functional item (pretty handy for carolers) and itself a lovely piece of artwork. Vintage sheet music books make great additions to your table setting—with their lovely lines and fun covers they can add both color and texture to your design. Consider using sheet music as place settings!
2. Add in some nature
Now this is a classic: a sprig of evergreen, a holly bough, and a bowl of architectural pinecones can all make for gorgeous natural additions to your holiday table. With their clean colors and classic feel, a little bit of the natural world can go a long way towards a beautiful setting.
3. Consider the Christmas village
We’ve been collecting vintage paper Christmas village houses for many years, and I’d say we have a pretty ample assortment—you can find these at many an antique store, or sometimes new on the shelf at your chain store of preference. A Christmas village setting adds a little whimsy, a little bit of storytelling, to your holiday table.
Of course, all this lovely decoration needs a place to stand, doesn’t it? Your dining table is an anchor in your home design. Not only does it serve as the place your family gathers for meals and special occassions—pretty important work!—but it’s also a multi-purpose piece, a space for kids to do homework, for crafters to work on projects, for the family to enjoy a board game or a puzzle. The dining table can shape your space, both in function and in design feel. It helps support your family, and all of life’s joys!
Looking to find the perfect dining table for you and yours? Reach out anytime! I can help you get a unique, custom piece, perfectly tailored to your needs and tastes. I’d love to help your holiday season be the best it can be—and a good dining table will help you get there.
Wishing you all a festive few weeks, complete with hot cocoa and good music. May your festive table settings inspire awe in your friends and family! Better start working on mine!