What Is a Tablescape? And Why Bother?

There’s a beautifully set table; and then there’s a beautifully set table that is clever enough to evoke a mood for a meal. (Or at least oohs and aaaahs from your guests) After all dining, in and of itself, is about the enjoyment of a moment in time as much as it is about food. It’s about escaping for just a moment to the place inside you that says, “I’m happy just now!”


Setting a thought-provoking tablescape doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, much of the time, you can do it with materials you already have around the house or with small investment in a few very simple items. Everyone has differing items at their disposal. I, for one, have many more dining accessories, dishes and other “stuff” (I’m using a PC word here) than most people. However, I do believe that anyone – no matter the resources – can come up with a table setting than enhances the ambience of an occasion.


I’ve talked before in this blog about using what you already have at your disposal to set a table (see my posts from October 25th, November 17th and December 15th). What I’m talking about now is the brainstorming of an IDEA for your tablescape. What “puts you in the mood” so to speak?


For last week’s aphrodisiac foods night at our place, I sat down and thought for a moment about what related well to the theme. Of course, aphrodisiac foods are supposed to make you feel romance….. desire. But what else leads to desire? For me, the answer is comfort; it’s pampering; it’s not having a care in the world except that of how you feel at the moment… what you want at the moment.


Many of us lead busy lives full of kids activities, work and school responsibilities, cleaning, errand-running, frantic (if fun) engagements with friends or relatives. But for me, when you’re away from it all on vacation – when you are “off duty” so to speak – it is easier to be selfish; to be comfortable and feel desirable. I’ve also just recently been on vacation myself, which helped to spur on the thought process here, of course!

Result: My “Hotel Turndown Tablescape”. I set our table for aphrodisiac night as though it were a beautifully appointed hotel bed; crisp white sheets underneath (actually white hotel-style tablecloths I already owned) and my richest red, satiny tablecloth on top (playing the role of comforter). I turned down one end just as hotel service would and placed a fluffed (and bleached) pillow at one end with a sharp, new, white pillowcase over it (a $2 investment at Wal-Mart). Candles, ripe fruit (very sexy and inexpensive) and a rose and chocolate at each place setting completed the “look”. Et Voila! Everyone is a pampered (and relaxed) guest for the evening at our hotel!

I hope you enjoy my pictures of the table and that it gets you thinking the next time you entertain about what mood you can evoke for your own guests.


If you’re looking for additional inspiration there’s plenty out there in the “web world” including simply searching “tablescapes” in Google Images. Another great inspiration is the Food Network star, Sandra Lee, whose tablescapes inspire appreciation in some and hatred in others, but love her or hate her, she’s always pushing for creativity at the table so she gets my vote (even if some of it is over the top and overly expensive for practical use)!
Thanks for reading!