How to Create Tablescapes
- 1). Decide on the theme of your tablescape. You might choose a theme related to a season, holiday, birthday, interest or hobby. Clear all items from the table you will be using for the tablescape.
- 2). Collect absolutely everything that you have that you can use for your theme and that will fit on the table. Don't censor yourself at all, and think of items that may only marginally relate to the theme. Consider fabrics, books, candle holders or candles, photos, flowers, baskets, books, ornaments and bowls. The goal is to have a wide array of items from which to select.
- 3). Choose one item from your stash to act as the focal point. It needn't be the largest item, but should have an interesting shape or texture. Place this item on the table just to one side of the center.
- 4). Select other items which match your intended color scheme. Choose either a monochromatic scheme with shades of one color or a scheme that has a focal color and two accent colors. Metallic colors such as silver or copper are eye-catching as accent colors. Place these items on the table.
- 5). Decide if you want to have items that are all the same shape or if you want to have a variety of shapes. A tablescape of vertical candlesticks is as visually pleasing as one which features a round platter alongside a square box. Select the items that have the shapes that you want to feature and remove the rest from the table.
- 6). Examine the texture of the items on the table and choose a few that have contrasting textures. A hand-woven bowl has a much different texture than that of a polished brass candlestick. Select several pieces with the same texture and some with contrasting textures. Metallic objects will seem much harder than softer fabric ones. Aim for a mixture of hard and soft surfaces. Remove everything else from the table.
- 7). Select objects in a variety of sizes from those remaining on the table. Look for tall items for the back of the table and short items for the front. Consider also the width of the table and of the objects. Again, remove the objects that you will not be using.
- 8). Arrange the objects remaining on the table. Place the focal object to one side and the other items around it. Aim to cover only one third of the table. Place the larger items at the back of the table and the smaller ones at the front. Combine items, such as placing a small vase on a stack of books, for added interest. Create a balanced tablescape by imagining central lines drawn on the table from side to side and from back to front. For each item placed on one side of the line, add one or two matching items on the other side. You don't need to have symmetry -- a heavy, tall object can be balanced by several smaller ones.
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