Craft a Tablescape: Selecting Fabrics that Set a Beautiful Scene
Showcase your style with inviting linens
At bb Interiors, we believe that the act of gathering loved ones around the table is itself a special occasion, whether it’s for a holiday party, birthday celebration, charity event or a simple Saturday night dinner with good friends. Setting a beautiful, unique table doesn’t require a shopping spree or event-specific accents: just some thoughtful arranging and mindfulness of color, function and theme can make your guests feel celebrated and create a festive mood.
To design an eye-catching tablescape, start with the largest piece of the puzzle—the fabrics on your tabletop. Picking the perfect linens can take a discerning eye, with a variety of colors, materials and sizes to choose from. Here are a few ideas to help you find the right fit.
If you want to showcase a gorgeous table
A stunning table runner is a great solution that lets you customize a table setting to fit your event's theme, while also allowing the beauty of your furniture to shine through. Depending on your table length and your personal preference, choose a longer runner with ends that hang over the edges of the table, creating a sense of opulence and giving the table surface a more streamlined look or a shorter one, so the entire runner is visible on the tabletop, making it the central statement piece you build upon with smaller accents. Use complementary placemats, chargers, napkins, glassware and silverware to delineate each place setting. A sprinkling of smaller floral arrangements can add a pretty, polished touch without stealing the spotlight away from the runner and the table itself.
If you want to make a statement
A single-layer tablecloth can pack a serious punch. Use one in a wow-worthy fabric to quickly transform the table and emphasize your event theme or color scheme. Set a square table topper on a diagonal to accent a rectangular or square table in a unique way. There’s an infinitely wide range of colors and patterns available, so take the time to find a linen that matches your event’s mood—traditional textiles for a classic look, modern, sleek pieces for contemporary flair or high-end designs and fabrics for a luxe statement. Pair with simple place settings that let the linens stand out: Think strong symmetry, monochromatic colors and clean lines that bring the focus to the fabric.
If you have a big, busy event or table legs you don't love
Sometimes you have a large guest list (the more, the merrier, right?) and you need to make a temporary table look like a million bucks. The trick to pulling that off? Creating a rich, warm feeling with layered fabrics—a smaller table topper over a longer tablecloth. This technique also helps disguise unsightly table legs. When layering tablecloths, choose one to be the focal point; perhaps a fabric with a complex pattern or bold color scheme. The underlayer should then be complementary but more subtle, such as a solid color or toned-down complementary texture.
Consider place settings and centerpieces that combine different colors, patterns, and textures with an extra touch of shine to add depth to your final tablescape. Accessories like silverware, candlesticks, votive holders and napkin rings are all pieces that can add a bit of sparkle and light to your table.
Once you’ve assembled a breathtaking tablescape, you’ll be ready to greet your guests, gather around the table, and enjoy good food and great conversation. To find more inspiration and browse a gorgeous selection of tabletop fabrics, shop Shine Handmade at BB Interiors’ Geneva showroom.