Tablescape a new trend in decorating

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This article was published 02/05/2004 (7903 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Often times it’s the small touches that are important. The fringe on a throw pillow, unique finials on the curtain rod or a vintage lace doily under a vase, for example, are all small enhancements that can make a difference in the overall appearance of a room.

One of the newer trends in this small-scale decorating is the art of the tablescape. Creating a beautiful display on any table, be it in the dining room or just an occasional table, can be a fun, inexpensive and creative endeavour. With the right elements in place, you can change the mood or theme of a room just by changing the table display. This is not your Grandma’s cluttered-dresser-top kind of decorating, but rather a small-scaled art form that can easily evolve with your desires and moods.

Tabletop as art

I dropped by Sears Home Store on Ellice and they let me play around with their accessories and set a few different tablescapes for this column. The tone-on-tone look of this dresser setting is calming yet the heights, shapes and lines of the various pieces works well; especially reflected in the dresser mirror. Interesting but not cluttered.

This dark, sleek table needed a little texture, so I grabbed some decorative balls and placed them in a large silver bowl. A bit of sparkle goes a long way. The shadows that this setting casts were an added bonus, adding depth and interest.

A tablescape doesn’t necessarily have to be on a table. Use your imagination to create interesting displays like the one on this ottoman. I broke up the formal look of the tufted ottoman with a decorative throw, then placed a serving tray on top which is used to display the tablescape.

Make your display count

You must de-clutter your space in order for your tablescapes to be effective. You want the display to be noticed and admired, so clear the room and then put back only the items that will work with your scheme. Good lighting is important so consider adding a table lamp or candles to your tablescape or ensure that it’s well lit from above, especially in the evening. Don’t forget to utilize items like table runners, linens, doilies and mirrors beneath your display for added drama.

Mix it up

Creating an effective tablescape requires practice and patience but is a fun pastime. You should mix textures, shapes, colours, heights and sizes in such a way that it is eye-catching and pleasing. Pay attention to light and shadows at various times of the day and incorporate this factor as well. As an example, I have a suncatcher that at certain times of the day reflects magical light around my office. On a tabletop, it may be the shadow that a piece of sculpture casts or the way the sun glints off of a cut crystal piece. The fun part about tablescaping is that it doesn’t cost you anything as you’ll often be able to use items that you have on hand. If you don’t have decorative items that ‘speak’ to the scape, then go on a shopping trip to find items that bring a little magic into your life and into your decor. Play with varying elements until it works for you. Practice makes perfect and luckily, it’s not a permanent project so there will be no regrets.

Gather ideas from photos in magazines, or better yet, visit decor stores and make special note of their displays and how they make them work. Pay attention to photographs or paintings of still life settings for inspiration. The Internet is another great source for photographs and images to inspire your creativity.

In order for your tablescapes to be effective they should be designed in such a way so that you can easily maintain the look. A dusty tablescape will quickly lose its appeal. If your tablescape involves a lot of small objects, consider displaying them on a large tray, which can be removed for easy cleaning or use a table runner under the display.

Connio@3web.net