The word tablescape can strike fear into the hearts of all but the most hardy decorating or entertaining mavens. However, rather than dreading this entertaining undertaking, look upon the challenge of creating clever tablescapes as a way to explore your creativity, work within a firm budget, and add finesse and polish to your event.
Definition of Tablescape
While you may be hard pressed to locate the definition of "tablescape" in a traditional dictionary, the functional meaning of tablescape in the catering, entertaining, and decorating industries refers to all of the decorating elements that you amass on your table to create a vignette. In a practical sense, this definition does not refer to the salt and pepper shakers on the table, but rather, to the decorating aspect of the tabletop.
Elements to Include in a Tablescape
- Table Linens
- Serving Pieces
- Plates and Glassware
- Flatware
- Flowers
- Candles
- Decorative Items
Pulling the Elements Together
Creating a tablescape is a process that will impact the way your guests will perceive the vignette or party space. In a simplified example, Cracker Barrel restaurants use a basic element to force customers to feel as if they are returning to a slower paced, more relaxed era in America’s history. How does the restaurant accomplish this? They cleverly attach a replica of an old fashioned General Store to the entranceway of each Cracker Barrel restaurant.
In addition, they place an nostalgic peg jumping game on each table to reinforce this concept. The result is that the customers are occupied while waiting for their meals, they subconsciously feel relaxed and de-stressed, and they will browse through the retro goodies on their way to the door.
Your Tablescape
Begin with your concept in mind; determine the theme of your tablescape. This may be a simple as “an afternoon at the beach,” or as complex as “Broadway musicals over the past century.” Next, take stock of the decorating items you have available. Generally, you do not want to blow your entertaining budget on the tablescape, but over time you will want to make intelligent purchases that can transition from tablescape to tablescape.
In the case of the “Afternoon at the Beach” theme, you could envision the following elements: sand, shells, beach glass, driftwood, marine life, and colors like blue and green. If you opt for a tropical beach scene, you would include coconuts or palm fronds. If you wish to represent an eastern shoreline, you would include beach grasses and perhaps a kite. Read Creating a Beach Tablescape for more details. Otherwise, continue this article at How to Create a Custom Tablescape.
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