Setting the Table for an Intimate Holiday
I don’t know about you, but this year, the our holiday traditions are looking a little bit different than usual. This was suppose to be THE YEAR that the family all comes over to sit down for a big Christmas family dinner. I was planning on unlatching my extendable table, and spending a few minutes trying to remember where I stashed the leaf for it from last year’s holiday gatherings. But the gathering part isn’t so much a thing this year, at least for our family. We’re opting for intimate and small. BUT that’s not to say that I haven’t been going ham on really trying to spread some holiday spirit throughout the home. No sirree! And naturally, imparting my design wisdom to all you fine folks is what brings me the most joy. We are going to break this space down, starting with the table itself, to really create a cozy and beautiful space.
I have the pleasure of partnering with AllModern (affiliated links below) to help you start with the basics. Like I said…we’re going to need a table. That’s an important one. But I’ve also found a couple other items to really give your dining room some character. You know I love my wood tones, so I incorporated plenty of them. I also found for a 4-seat glass tabletop as it adds some more openness to a small space. The sideboard is very similar to the one in my house but it’s slightly smaller in length to better fit in your intimate dining room. And you guysssss…THAT. LIGHT. PENDANT. Swoon.
When setting your table, here are a couple other things to consider:
ONE
You don’t need the “magazine table” settings in order to have a beautiful tablescape. What I mean by this is you don’t need a charger with a dinner plate underneath the salad plate underneath the bread plate and the name tags, the napkin rings, the 6-piece brass dinnerware sets, blah, blah, blah. Honestly, every year, I invest in one more fancy thing to add to my formal dinning tablescape, and it works! I can’t afford to just buy all the things all at once and boom!…I have the tablescape equivalent to a first class dinner on the Titanic. (But you wait a couple more years, and I just may!) I would start with some nice plates you only use for those special occasions, then move onto the chargers and napkins.
TWO
This is the THE FORMULA (sung by a choir) for decorating a table. You can never go wrong with these basic decor items. I personally try to use all four at once, but I wouldn’t check off less than two:
Add some LINEN—out of all of the decor items you can have, I think this one is the most important. Tablecloths, table runners, napkins, placemats or a combination, but I wouldn’t go for all four at once.
Add some LIGHT—this can be with tea light candles, candlesticks, or small battery operated wire-lights. The pendant above your table just won’t cut it, sorry.
Add some HEIGHT—(also we’re rhyming now) BUT not too much, careful with this one. You don’t want to block the view of your guests.
Add some PLANTS—notice I didn’t say greenery or just flowers. And I’m counting fruit in this “plant” category as well. I double dog dare you to get creative with this one.
THREE
A table is a place for gathering with the ones you cherish to share your lives over a meal. So why not tailor it to fit your select company? Perhaps you add a family heirloom to your decor, or you start a fun tradition? Maybe you create name tags for your settings and on the back is a game? Maybe you set a spot at the table for the family member(s) who couldn’t be there? This is by far my favorite element in design, so I encourage you to have some fun with this and really make this your favorite room in the house.
Keep the inspiration going with AllModern, where you can find more: modern dining sets, modern extendable dining tables, modern dining benches, modern plug-in wall sconces, and mid century modern dining sets. They also share some handy tips in their 8 Small Dining Room Ideas!