This pretty Christmas table setting doesn’t use your typical Christmas colors.
Nope!
It’s a lilac, silver, and white tablescape. And it’s SO FREAK’N PRETTY!
To say “I love it” is an understatement.
If you’ve read any of my other tablescape posts, you’ve probably noticed that there is always an inspiration for the table settings I create. I always need a place to start ~ a launching point ~ for my ideas.
The inspiration for this holiday table setting was the transparent lilac-colored salad plates. My dear neighbor gifted them to me. They were handed down to her ~ she was downsizing ~ and asked if I wanted them.
Whadda ya think my answer was ~ duh! Yes!!
I love the color. So unique and soft. It was actually hard to pinpoint the color, as they aren’t really purple, they have a hint of pink, and they’re transparent, so the color isn’t pronounced.
To bring out the color of the plates, I knew white needed to play a huge role in the tablescape. That way the color of the plates would be seen and not hidden or overtaken by other colors on the table.
The dilemma I faced was finding other items for the Christmas table setting that would work with the plates. They were such an unusual color, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make it work.
But boy was I able to make it work ~ and boy did it turn out pretty!
Check out what I found and how I pulled it all together below …
How to Create a Pretty Christmas Table Setting
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Step 1: Select the foundation for your pretty Christmas tablescape
When you’re creating a pretty Christmas table setting, start with the base layer. The foundation. You want to choose something that will resonate as “pretty” on your table.
I chose to use a sheer white tablecloth that had solid white design elements and scalloped edge detail. I’m honestly not sure where I got it. I believe I found it at an estate sale.
*Estate sales are wonderful for finding beautiful, barely used, tablecloths.
Doesn’t it look pretty just by itself, with nothing on it?
If you have a wooden table that you don’t want to completely cover, go for a pretty table runner or placemats. That way the table is clearly visible, and you’re adding to it with gorgeous table linens.
Step 2: Create a pretty Christmas centerpiece for your table
Once you have the foundation on your table, it’s time to create a pretty Christmas centerpiece. Something that’s soft and represents the holiday.
In my opinion, newly fallen snow isn’t only lovely, it’s also something that’s associated with Christmas. Which is why I created a soft Winter wonderland as the centerpiece for my Christmas tablescape.
As I mentioned above, the lilac-colored salad plates were the inspiration for this pretty table setting.
I brought a salad plate with me as I was out shopping. That way I could be sure what I found would match. (It’s too hard to go from memory ~ especially regarding color.)
Fortunately, the very first store (HomeGoods) I walked into had the perfect focal piece for my centerpiece. A tree that totally matched my salad plate. I couldn’t believe it!
It’s the tree that I placed in the middle of my centerpiece. So pretty how it goes from lilac to clear! And bonus ~ it lights up!
*Tip: always bring your inspiration piece with you. You never know where you’ll find something.
Then two doors down from HomeGoods was World Market, which is where I found the two silver ombre glitter and sequin trees that flank the lilac one. I love how they sparkle and have that Winter wonderland feeling.
It’s also where I found the clear, delicate candle holders and pretty bud vases. Those small vases EXACTLY match the color of my salad plates. I seriously couldn’t believe it!!
You should’ve seen me do a little jig in the store ~ I was SO thrilled!
Now that I had the large pieces of my pretty lilac and white Christmas tablescape in place, I needed to fill it in, and make it feel like a Winter wonderland.
So I took a long white garland and wove it around and through the trees, candlesticks, and vases. It really gives the feeling of snow, doesn’t it! And the iridescent pieces really pull out the lilac color.
I didn’t really want to use flowers on this holiday table setting, so I placed a pretty lilac-colored star ornament on top of each vase and at the ends of the centerpiece. They really add the right amount of color to the table.
The final addition to this pretty Christmas tablescape was the small foam snowflakes. They continue the Winter wonderland idea and add to the concept of snow on the table.
It’s just SO lovely!
Step 3: Layout the pretty place settings on your Christmas tablescape
When you’re creating a pretty tablescape for Christmas, you need to create place settings that complement your pretty holiday centerpiece. Not only with the same colors, but with the same vibe. So the whole table setting will feel cohesive.
Because I was using transparent salad plates, I knew I needed to use white dinner plates so the true color of the plates could be seen.
I didn’t want to set white plates on a white tablecloth. I felt they would blend in too much. So I started with a woven silver placemat for my pretty holiday place setting. The silver would tie into the trees in the centerpiece and would serve as a backdrop for the white dinner plate.
Then I added a pretty white dinner plate on the placemat. *Note: I only have four of these plates, so I used two other plates for the ends of the table. It’s totally acceptable to mix your plates, as long as they have a similar feeling.
On top of the dinner plate, I placed the transparent lilac salad plate. Wow! The color really popped!
Next, I added a water and a wine glass, along with silver flatware.
The place setting was looking nice, but to really make it pretty, I added a white napkin that has a pretty white embroidered flower and scalloped edge detail. Around the napkin, I slipped on a diy snowflake napkin ring that I made to coordinate with the lilac and white tablescape.
SO PRETTY!
The napkin ring was really easy to make. (I’ve included a link to it below.)
I loved how the place setting was looking, but I felt it needed a little something. Something that would make it special for my guests. So I added a silver picture ornament in the middle of the salad plate.
My idea is to print out each guest’s name and slip it into the small frame. That way they act as a placeholder and a cute take-home gift. Plus, I love how the ornament frame adds to the look of the place setting.
It really pulls it all together.
Step 4: Complete the room
After you’re done creating your pretty Christmas tablescape, take a look around the room. Is there a way to incorporate the theme on your table into places around it?
I have a buffet in my dining room that I like to decorate similar to what’s on my dining table. That way the whole room feels complete and not disjointed.
I did something similar on my buffet table.
I placed one of the white cone trees in the middle and then laid a silver tinsel garland around it. I also added two clear candlesticks, white ornaments that matched the lilac one on the dining table, and sprinkled small white ornament balls among everything.
I love how it all sparkles!
I’m SO happy with how everything I found worked together and highlighted my gifted salad plates. I was amazed at how I was able to find items that totally matched them.
Enjoy creating your pretty Christmas tablescape, and don’t forget to bring your inspiration piece with you when you’re shopping. You never know what you’ll find that matches it!
Check out the video showing you how I created this tablescape…
Check out the easy DIY projects used to decorate this tablescape:
Shop the Table (if you don’t have time for a DIY)
Check out other table settings:
- Simple DIY Winter Wonderland Tablescape
- An Elevated Rustic Thanksgiving Tablescape
- French Farmhouse Friendsgiving Tablescape
- Simple Modern Thanksgiving Day Tablescape: On a Budget
- Chic Minimalist Thanksgiving Day Buffet
- Cozy Fall Table Setting: Navy & Tan
- Ode to 1970’s Vintage Fall Tablescape
- Simple Summer Outdoor Tablescape
- Coastal Grandmother Table Setting
- Setting a Pretty Table for Your Girlfriends: Pink & White
