Tips of the Trade: 10 Tips for Tablescaping From Coco Kelley
“Fresh takes on the classics” is how Cassandra LaValle positions her expertly curated blog Coco Kelley, where you’re just as likely to find advice for how to nail a wedding registry as you are for redoing an entire space inspired by one Moroccan room. When it comes to entertaining, however, LaValle is a master of the tabletop. Whether the occasion is a Scandinavian Christmas dinner or the spookiest Halloween place setting, LaValle’s tips do more than make the ambiance — they keep the conversation going and the party fun!
1. Find a source of inspiration.
This could be anything, but I’d recommend starting with something tangible that you want to place on the table or make a part of the meal. You could build your look around a recent trip, a recipe or one particular object. Use this piece to inspire the whole table!
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Waterford "Colleen" Crystal Footed Brandy Decanter With Stopper
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Oil Painting of a Winter Landscape with Horse Drawn Carriage
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Jevgenijus Litvinas Nocturne Seascape Oil Painting
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Kevin Kasik Landscape Oil Painting "Bluebonnetts with Gathering Storm," 2024
2. Create your palette.
Sometimes the colors only come out in the centerpiece, other times through the china or linens. If you’re a pro – it’s a combination of all three! But don’t stress out thinking every piece has to tie together.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Burberry Thomas Bear in Metallic Silver
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
William Woollett Engraving "A View of Foots Cray Place in Kent"
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Charles Alfred Meurer Still Life Oil Painting with Fruit
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
14K Two Tone Hammered Hoop Earrings
3. Introduce something whimsical.
This is where vintage hunting comes in handy! I often find objects that help create a fun moment on my tabletops that speak to my personality. Using objects outside of their literal purpose is a favorite trick! Think about planters or sculptures as centerpieces or ways to mark place settings. If you find an object you love, get creative with how to use it in a new context.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Eastern Orthodox "Book of Gospels" Design Parcel-Gilt Icon
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
David Berger Still Life With Violin Oil Painting
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
10K White Sapphire Solitaire Pendant on Gold-Filled Chain
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
East Asian Polychrome Carved Wood Seated Vairocana Buddha Figure
4. Add something personal whenever possible.
Not every dinner party needs to have this element, but I like being able to include a thoughtful moment in my tablescapes. It can be as simple as a name card on each plate, or as lavish as a gift for each guest!
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
John Nieto Serigraph "Buffalo Rendez-Vous," 1996
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Bohemian Style Cut to Clear Emerald and Cobalt Crystal Wine Glasses
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
"Joy of Cooking" by Irma S. Rombauer and Marion R. Becker and More Cookbooks
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
José M. Lima Oil Painting of Floral Still Life, 2023
5. Keep the centerpiece simple.
It’ll get moved anyway! I love a huge vase of tulips or a big branch cut straight from our garden. Leafy vegetables like kale and cabbage can also make for a lovely and simple flourish for the table. When the meal starts, you can move them out of the way. If you do want a centerpiece that sticks around for the meal, make sure it’s low enough for people to see each other.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Sterling 1.02 CT Diamond Ring
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Robert H. Joseph Woodland Landscape Oil Painting "Beech Trees," 1968
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
2000 Pokémon Team Rocket Machop 1st Edition Graded CGC 10
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Oil Painting of Still Life with Flowers
6. Candlelight works wonders.
I keep simple votives or tapers at a the ready for a little mood lighting. As the night goes on, the lights get lower and the candles create a warm ambiance. Colorful tapers are also a great way to bring in your palette!
7. Layer the pattern!
While I’m not one to get too crazy with my home decor (lots of neutrals here!), the tabletop is another story. Here’s your chance to get outside your comfort zone with color, pattern and personality! Get a little funky with your dishes and linens. The trick is all in layering different scales of pattern together.
8. Use the good stuff.
Life’s too short to hoard your china in the cabinet and use once a year! Breaking out your best items, or even mixing them in with more everyday settings, will make guests feel extra special.
9. Match your menu.
While this tip is not one that always comes naturally, I like to consider my menu when building a tabletop. Sometimes it’s the inspiration for the evening (Moroccan? Italian?), and sometimes it’s a secondary element. Either way, considering color and mood when you put together your menu for the evening can help the meal feel even more cohesive.
10. Use the rule of six.
I once read that six is the perfect number for a dinner party, and I have to agree. It’s just enough people to keep the conversation lively while not breaking the table into two groups who are only talking to each other. Of course…rules are made to be broken. Using all of the other tricks above will always help keep the evening intimate, no matter what size!