D uring the busy holiday season, putting setting for your guests can really bring the season to life. And it doesn’t have to be hard. From centerpieces to seating arrangements, here’s how to design a table as memorable as the occasion. NAILING the PLATING For plates, white is still a classic blank canvas for showcasing your other elements. But if that feels too plain, go for plates with an interesting shape, says Whitney Fitzgerald, a lifestyle expert who owns True Juice in Winnetka, Glencoe, and Highland Park. together a beautiful tablescape is often the last thing on one’s mind. But creating the right From there, it’s all about layering. Use napkins, salad plates, and glassware to build up color and pattern. For this step, Alison “Babs” Beitzel of Babs Boards suggests mixing in heirloom pieces. “I love incorporating tradition into my table— Grandma’s china, your favorite aunt’s Waterford crystal, or passed-down silver napkin rings,” she says. “Mixing the old with a bit of the new is what keeps things special and memorable.”
FINDING your FLOWERS When it comes to greenery, you’re spoiled for choice. John Hoerst, director of merchandising at Chalet in Wilmette, favors the ever-popular amaryllis, but also points to trending plants like eucalyptus and magnolia. Dried botanicals, too, are back in style. To do it right, Hoerst advises, “Start with basic greenery and add dried pods, cones, or colorful branches for a centerpiece that lasts the whole season.” PICKING your CENTERPIECE A centerpiece creates a focal point for your table, says Peggy Swartchild, owner of Material Possessions in Winnetka. But how you achieve that is up to you. “Your point of interest can take many forms—multiple floral arrangements, collectibles nestled in greenery, or groups of like objects such as trees, stars, and animals are all great options.”
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