Easy Tips to Create Boho-Style Holiday Tablescapes

from Ally's Boho Living Magazine --The Holiday Issue November 2018

There is nothing more show stopping when you are having dinner parties than a custom designed table setting! Yes, table scaping is an artform.

You become the Rembrandt, Picasso, Botero, Klim—the artist. And, you can make it happen on whatever kind of table you’ll be designing.

Round. Rectangle. Square. Large. Small. Bistro. Patio.

You’ll be taking a blank canvas and transforming it into a fairytale setting. Whether it’s a table for two or twenty, it’s always such an unexpected gift to give your guests as they find their way to the feast!

Steering YourTable Design

So, what are some ground rules to help steer you in the right direction?

There are no rules! This is your table, and it should reflect your personality and style! That’s what free-spirited boho living is all about—allowing your inner self, the unique, amazing you that is tucked deep inside to emerge, spread your wings and soar!

For this holiday, I’ve created three distinctive looks as inspiration: Cowboy Chic, Boho Classic and All That Glitters, and also tips to help you create your own masterpiece!

**Inspiration #1 "Cowboy Chic"**
Photo credit Ally's Boho Living Magazine

**Inspiration #2 "Boho Classic"**
Photo credit Ally's Boho Living Magazine

The Big Picture

• Holiday-inspired table settings are even more festive and fun because you can pull out all those boxes and bags that are stored for decorating. In reality, you’re probably not going to be spending much of anything, you’re just going to be resourcing and reinventing how you use some of these objects.

• Bring the outdoors inside to your table. Whether you’re able to snip evergreens, holly bushes or even palm tree leaves or cacti, think about incorporating Mother Nature’s beauty.

• A can of spray paint is your best friend. Glittery silver, gold, whites and all the hues, metallics and more, can transform simple scraggly looking tree branches into something breathtaking!

• Decide on your color palette which might be a few hues of varying levels, intensities and flair, like winter whites, milky whites, variations of silver and gold. You might want to go with traditional, reds, greens or blues. Or maybe something royal and majestic like deep aborigines, purples and accent colors.

**Inspiration #3 "All That Glitters"**
Photo credit Ally's Boho Living Magazine

• Dishes can be holiday’ish, you know those specifically for the holidays that you take out of storage once a year. (OMG, that’s just sad!) Or you might just take your everyday serving plates and make them fit the holiday.

• There’s nothing more versatile and useful than white. If you don’t have a set of white dishes, which you can use every day, then check into a set. You can find them at Dollar Stores, big box stores and more. And, really cheap!

• Another dish option? Clear plates, salad plates, dessert plates. OMG, you can grab these at the big box stores, like WalMart, for a little of nothing. And, hey, they’re perfect for year round.

Practical Budget Stretching Ideas

• Shop for holiday’ish things in the off season. Yep, they’ll be marked down, sometimes ridiculously low and you’ll get more bang for your buck.

• Find items that are multi-purpose like those buffalo checked or checkered red napkins! I mean they’re perfect for that July 4th celebration and can be transformed into a holiday look with something like a napkin ring that’s full of glitter, sparkle and shine and, well maybe some greenery!

• Don’t have chargers that will work and you don’t want to buy new ones? No problem. Simply cut pieces of gift wrap, your fave, slightly larger than the charger. Place it on there, and then put your dinner plate on it. All you’ll see is the festive paper.

• Brown packaging paper is so ridiculously versatile and you can find it in most craft stores and big box stores. From using them as covers for your chargers and, maybe with one-of-a-kind design artwork if the grandkids are available (what a fun project for them), to actually becoming a place mat. Just cut to whatever size you need.

Final Thoughts

Setting that perfectly imperfect Boho holiday table starts with you and your spirit that’s infused in every single choice! There’s no way that anything can go wrong. It’s going to be a spectacular landscape designed by you. One last thing. You can leave space on your table for the platters, bowls and plates of food, serving family style. Or, organize a brilliant affair buffet style leaving more room to design your tablescape. If you’re looking for more tablescapes and entertaining ideas, check out more inspiration from Ally Phillips at www.allyskitchen.com

This article is from:

Ally's Boho Living Magazine --The Holiday Issue November 2018