A Guide to Tablescaping Indoors for the Winter

By Sofia Tindall

12 months ago

Flowerbx's Whitney Bromberg-Hawkings gives her top tips


A the turn of the season, means a turn of the tables. And as ‘en plein air’ tablescaping, becomes a little more dicey in the colder months, here’s our guide to tablescaping through the winter months. And if you’re steadfastly organised, Whitney Bromberg-Hawkings, drop some early festival table decorating tips. 

The Best Kitsch Christmas Decorations

How to Master the Art of Festive Tablescaping

With Whitney Bromberg-Hawkings, CEO of FLOWERBX

Flowerbox vase

Photo: © Sarah Brick

First: Consider the mood

First of all, consider the mood – are you hosting a large family event, or a more intimate night with friends? Once I have established the atmosphere I focus on decor, starting of course with the flowers. Then I move on to food, table linens, coordinating cutlery and glassware. Defining the mood before planning your festive display will help you to create a table that reflects your guests.

Since it’s an indoor tablescaping situation, before moving anything around, consider the space, the light, and how many chairs you can fit in to create more of an intimate space.

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Flowerbox tablescape

Photo: © Sarah Brick

Twin your tablescape with your other decorations

At this time of year, now that we’ve moved to indoor tablescaping, I like to carry my floral theme away from the table with foliage accents in every corner of the house. I always have a FLOWERBX holiday wreath on the front door, one of our garlands effortlessly arranged on a mantlepiece or staircase, and vases of blooms in single-variety bunches dotted around the house. An atmospheric fragrance also really elevates the mood, our Eucalyptus candle is my favourite for the lead up to Christmas.

Reflect your menu choices in your Tablescape

For continuity, you should reflect aspects of your menu in your tablescape. ​My favourite way to do so is by mixing a seasonal welcome drink for my holiday guests that matches with the decor. This year, I will be twinning our FLOWERBX Citrus Table with an orange-inspired champagne cocktail.

Photo: © Sarah Brick

It’s all in the detail

The Devil is in the detail – especially at Christmas. Elevate your festive host status by taking extra care with personalised touches like name cards, hand-written menus, and foliage place settings. I always think important detail of all, though, is your guest list and the seating plan. Invite and old and new friends and seat everyone next to someone that they don’t know to ensure flowing conversation and laughter. Everyone will leave feeling interested, inspired and having had a wonderful evening.

Flowerbox festive tablescape

Nervous Host = Awkward Environment

Most importantly, have fun! This is a time of year for coming together with your treasured friends and family so enjoying yourself is an absolute must. A nervous host creates an awkward environment, so once the first guest arrives act like a guest at your own party and enjoy.

Main Photo: Denby Pottery

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