Entertaining is absolutely one of my favorite things to do. I looove a good dinner party and making a meal for guests. When people talk about love languages, mine is preparing a delicious dinner! But what about the place setting on the table? As a stylist, I always take the extra amount of time to curate a beautiful tablescape when I host. If you’re like me, you have white dinnerware that gets used on a daily basis. The holidays call for a little bit more style, so I figured it’s a good time to share some tips on dressing up your everyday plates! No matter the color palette of your home, one of these 4 looks is guaranteed to work for you.
Dress Up Your White Dinnerware For the Holidays With One of These Looks
We’ve had the same white dinnerware for about 4 years and I still love it. The shape is simple enough to work with any style of table I want to set. Within the set, we have dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs. Depending on the look, I used different pieces of the set combined with new items to make a totally different look in 4 color palettes! It was so much fun to get creative, dig through my photoshoot props, and come up with these table settings. I hope they inspire you as you entertain this holiday season!
Before we get started, here are direct links to the salad plate and the dinner plate that I used! Also, all of these pieces came from my prop library, so some items are no longer for sale. And some pieces are vintage or one-of-a-kind. That being said, I linked to pieces that are similar as much as I could!
Metallic
I’m not exactly someone who’s style can be described as ‘glam.’ But here’s the thing: if there is one time when I do love a sparkly, more luxe vibe, it’s the holidays! Which is why I am starting off this post by styling a mixed metallic look to spruce up my simple white dinnerware.
I started by setting the table with a simple white linen tablecloth, then layering on a white and metallic table runner (similar). I’ve been really into chargers lately and I’m having a moment with galvanized metal. These chargers (similar) added in a pretty matte tone of silver. Next came my white dinner plate and a gold salad plate. I knotted a silver-toned napkin and placed it on the center of the plate stack. I love that the knotted napkin adds a casual touch to the look, even though the overall vibe is luxe and glam. It’s all about balance!
As for the glassware, I included vintage coupe glasses (similar) and gold rimmed cocktail glasses. And for even moooore bling and a touch of formality, I used these brushed gold place card holders.
The finishing touches include modern white and gold flatware… and then my favorite element: vintage dachshund knife rests! These were a gift from a friend and I have been dying to use them for a styling project. Aren’t they incredible?? The final touch is a few strings of fairy lights, foraged pinecones, and golden glass Christmas trees.
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Cool tones
Not gonna lie, this is my favorite look of this entire post! That’s probably really obvious because my love of blue is widely known. I chose to eschew a tablecloth and instead go bold with these rich indigo gauzy runners (similar). My bff actually made these for our wedding and I love being able to re-use them over and over! They complement these vintage woven placemats (similar) soooo well. Then I added a navy linen napkins cuz there is neverrrr enough blue in my world.
To spruce up the white dinnerware, I added these small plates from Suite One Studio. That one-of-a-kind touch makes the entire tablescape feel unique and curated, don’t you think?? I repeated my modern white and gold flatware because they literally go with everything. These bubble glass goblets (similar) are perfect for water and coordinate nicely with these white opal wine glasses.
To complete this winter wonderland vibe, I scattered white sisal trees across the runner. I love the height and texture they add!
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Warm tones
To balance out my cool toned tablescape, I also have this warm hued version! For this tablescape, I went overboard with layers on layers… and I love it. The natural linen tablecloth provides a neutral base, then I layered a golden yellow runner for even more yummy linen texture. Truthfully, I am usually not the biggest fan of orange, but these round placemats (similar) are really speaking to me!
Speaking of layers, I also added a wooden baroque charger (similar) for even more beautiful, warm toned texture. Then, for the dinner plate, I went with my absolute favorite vintage plates. Normally, I don’t love patterned plates, but these are just SO special and incredible. They are the perfect base for my simple white salad plates, don’t you think?
Inspired by the dinner plate, I added a coral toned napkin gathered in a gold geometric napkin ring. And hello, check out my latest thrifting score: these wood handled utensils (similar)! I saw them and immediately needed to own them. Then for glassware, I kept things simple with small pink water glasses and bubble glass goblets (similar) for wine.
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Neutral tones
And lastly, I curated a neutral tablescape to inspire you for holiday entertaining! Ever since I picked up these woven linen placemats (similar) in Italy over the summer, I have wanted to style a neutral tablescape. I spruced up the white dinner plate with a grey patterned salad plate (similar). I love the baroque inspired edge on it! It pairs so nicely with my vintage utensils (similar)for an old world nod that still feels modern and curated.
I decided to mix and match cool tones, but keep it neutral for the napkin. I love the handsome texture of this grey chambray napkin. I pulled in a bit more grey with these incredible vintage smoke glasses (similar), set next to bubble glass goblets (similar).
The last touch is a bit of whimsy thanks to a wooden bead garland. The Scandinavian style garland adds festive vibes to an otherwise clean and minimal table.
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What do you think of these different looks? I’d love to know which of these place settings is your favorite!
Looking for more holiday entertaining inspiration? Check out these posts:
- The Best New Serving Pieces for Fall
- My Best Tips for Hosting a Low Waste Holiday Party
- How to Style a Casual Friendsgiving Tablescape
- A Whimsical Blush Thanksgiving Tablescape
