Blog Post
Designing A Tablescape: Basics
Whether you’re planning a wedding, birthday party, or corporate event, chances are at some point your guests will gather together for a meal. Because of this, tablescapes are often a major focal point of visual interest, designed to reflect the theme and ambiance unique to the event. There are infinite choices and combinations of style and approaches when it comes to lending table settings personality, but a few basic structural components can help construct a great design.
Tables:
What kind of event are you having? A small dinner may call for one or two long rectangular tables, while a large wedding party may necessitate numerous round tables arranged throughout a venue. Consider your options before moving forward with the design, as various linens and tableware are often more suitable for one table shape or size than another.
Linens:
Linens include tablecloths, table runners, napkins, and chair covers. As these selections will cover most visible surfaces, your choice of linens will be one of the first things guests will notice as they are entering the venue. What do you want their first impression to be? If you are hosting a wedding party, perhaps you would like to evoke regal elegance with gold and purple linens.
If you are holding a birthday party, maybe you would like bright pink and yellow linens for a fun and inviting look. Busier linens with multiple colors and patterns are wonderful to use as well, but keep in mind they will influence the style of tableware placed on top.
China:
China should be chosen based on type of event, as well as already existing décor. Formal and casual events should be designed accordingly, taking into account the type of food being served and the number of courses planned. As was suggested earlier, bordered and patterned china often suit linens that are not patterned, and vice versa.
Chargers are a nice way to separate the china from the linen, allowing the colors and patterns to stand out individually.
Glassware:
If it’s a Sweet 16 that you’re hosting, water cups will probably be sufficient in terms of glassware. Other events may require white wine glasses, red wine glasses, champagne flutes, and coffee/tea cups. Glassware often differs in style based on subtle variations of shape and pattern. Focus on how well the glassware will compliment the china and, later on, the centerpieces.
Flatware:
As with glassware, the flatware selected should be based on what is being served at the event. Having a soup course? Then don’t forget a soup spoon! Difference in flatware is usually found in the color, ranging from silver to gold and brass, and the pattern of the handle. If your linens and china already attract plenty of attention, consider settling for sleek flatware with a simple design.
Centerpieces:
Centerpieces are another major focal point and there are a lot of choices to make. You can create tall floral arrangements or have long and low planters. Centerpieces aren’t exclusively flowers either. Candles, baubles, crystals, pine cones, and so many other decorations can be utilized for an eye-catching creation.
Planning an event soon, but need help designing your tablescape? Contact one of our experienced Event Representatives today and get started!
Related Posts
Have you done a search on event trends in 2017? If you have – like...
Forget what Mark Twain said about summer in San Francisco. With the Bay Area...
Thinking about an outdoor party this summer? Graduates are lining up to receive their diplomas...
Have you noticed the change in the air? There’s a refreshing crispness in the...
Planning an event often involves time sensitive, detailed work which requires dedication on the...
This weekend is the time to honor the father in your life! This celebration...
When you’re located in California there is no end to the beautiful outdoor weddings...
Baby showers are a fun event and an occasion that you want to celebrate...
Spring is upon us and this tea party setting is the perfect theme for...
Bachelorette parties are a fun way to celebrate a new beginning in your girlfriend’s...
Tent rentals can be a wonderful option to create a custom environment for your...
Some might think garden parties are a thing of the past. On the contrary,...
The Bohemian trend is quickly catching the eye of this year’s brides. With the...
With the start of the New Year, many people forget about the one special...
One Vintage Cocktail is catching our eye and making a comeback this year. We...
Thanksgiving may have passed, but it’s full steam ahead for Christmas party planning! There...
Holiday greetings from the Stuart Rental offices! Take a virtual tour through our seasonally...
With November well on its way, are minds are turning towards Thanksgiving and fall-themed...
Our Thanksgiving preparations are in full swing. We’ve been having fun using fall themed...
Halloween kicks off a seasons full of holidays, traditions, and fun-filled events. It’s one...
There are so many great resources we use to get inspired for holiday decorating...
This past weekend we had the pleasure of setting up a beautiful, romantic wedding...
New seasons mean new styles. We are starting to fold away our tropical colored...
Whether you are planning a wedding, corporate event, gala, or general celebration, a tent...
If you’ve ever planned a corporate event, you know there’s more to it than...
One of the summer’s tried and trusted color palettes has us planning in bright...
If you’ve attended an event or two recently, you may have noticed that bars are...
The transition time between the wedding ceremony and reception is the perfect time for...
We recently had the pleasure of providing the rentals for an event that a...
Who doesn’t love a good 4th of July party? Have you ever hosted one?...
There are so many reasons to have an outdoor wedding during spring or summer...
We’ve gathered together some of our favorite looks from this spring so that we...
Whether you’re celebrating the success of a middle school, high school, or college graduate,...
What comes to your mind when you think of celebrating Easter? The great thing...
If you frequently host events, especially dinner parties, it’s advantageous to have a few...
The lighting used to furnish an event is an important albeit often overlooked component...
The official beginning of spring is upon us, although the sunshine could have had...
The next big holiday is right around the corner- Valentine’s Day. For many folks,...
We love getting to know the person behind the gorgeous designs in our showroom,...
Corporate event planning requires a slightly modified and more structured approach than the typical...
Have you ever struggled with deciding whether to provide table service or a buffet for...
We recently had the pleasure of having Amy Frugoli visit our Milpitas showroom, where...
You’ve probably just wrapped up your Thanksgiving festivities, but with the blink of an...
When most people envision a holiday party, they see reds paired with greens, snowmen...
With the wonderful season of Christmas upon us, we would like to give you...
Scenario: You’ve established the date and time of your Thanksgiving celebration, put together the...
Have you noticed the change in the air? There’s a refreshing crispness in the...
It’s that time of year again! With Halloween right around the corner, you may...
Decorating for Halloween is arguably one of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday,...
Rustic, elegant, and versatile, the harvest table is making an appearance in all party-planning...
For those living in the beautiful Bay Area, there’s no reason to strictly reserve...
Not too long ago the Stuart Rental team transformed a pool into a stunning...
Tiki-themed parties let you bring the ambiance and fun of a tiki bar into...
Weddings are always a special time to gather family and friends to celebrate the...
Hosting cocktail parties can be simple with just a few cocktail tables set up,...
Adding details to your already beautiful tables can take your design to the next...
Spring brings colorful, soft, and vibrant colors such as greens, blues, purples, pinks, and...
One of the most important aspects of a wedding is choosing the perfect color....
Some people don’t get a chance to spend New Year’s Day with certain people....
Valentine’s Day is a time to show your friends, family, & significant other how much you love...
The Super Bowl brings sports fans and non sports fans together to enjoy a...
Christmas is not only the perfect time, but the best time to get your...
Tables are an essential part of a dinner party, family gathering, or anything in...
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it is a time where we...
Hosting a Thanksgiving party for your family is simple once you have everything planned...
It’s everyone’s favorite time of year. Christmas is just around the corner! Christmas is...
It’s that time of season where everyone gets to dress up as their favorite...
We have created several table designs that will attract all the ghouls, goblins, witches,...
After you set up your table with china, silverware, flatware, glassware, napkins, linen, etc.,...
When hosting an event, china, flatware and glassware rentals are necessary not only for...
DIY a.k.a Do-It-Yourself projects are always fun to do and will save you a...
Menus, table numbers, name cards, etc. are a great way to enhance your table...
Football season is a great way to get your loved ones together and throw...
Sometimes it is tough to head to the beach on a beautiful day: the...
Summer is a great time where people love to bring out bold colors, especially...
In Part 1 and 2 of this series on popular wedding colors, we have...
Ivory is a calming color that has the same pureness and softness as the...
Summer is a great time for family gatherings, fun filled parties, and eventful times...
Graduation is near and everyone wants to plan an event that your friends and...
Planning a wedding can be really stressful. There are many things to worry about...
Wedding colors are one of the first steps to determining the look and feel...
This past weekend, Stuart Rentals participated in an amazing bridal fair, at an amazing...
Rustic Chic weddings and events are all the rage now. Natural textures, vintage feel,...
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and one of the things I like about...
As the holidays draw near and we scramble to finish up our Christmas shopping,...
Every year, The Stuart Rental Company gets to provide the party rentals for the...
As you gather your friends and family together to celebrate Easter, try this new...
It’s that time of year to celebrate your loved ones. Every year, we like...
Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to...
We hope you enjoyed our previous blog on Enhancing Your Table Settings with Runners...
When it comes to party rentals, it’s all about the tables, chairs, linens, table...
I had so much fun watching Brandy, from Butterfly Brides, put together these 2...
It’s the start of a new year and many people are getting ready for...
Congratulations to Events by Wallace for winning 1st place in the Tri-Valley Destination Showcase...
We hope you enjoyed Part 1 of “Linen Rentals – Choosing Your Party Colors”...
When throwing a party, there are many things to consider, especially the décor aspect...
Being in the event industry is so much fun. It’s especially wonderful to be...
Silverware and Flatware are probably the most overlooked party rental item on a table setting....
Yesterday, hundreds of guests gathered together at the Santa Clara Convention Center to see...
1. Create Space A tent is a great way to designate space and create perimeters...
Throwing a summer party? Why not make it a Hawaiian Luau Party! In our...
If you’ve read our previous blog post, you would have seen the Lilies on...
If you’ve read our last blog, then you would know that I had issued...
I’m excited that The Stuart Rental Company blog is finally here. I have been...