Christmas Dining

 My kitchen table is set with my Spode Christmas pattern.  I played around with four different centerpieces. Something I've learned about tablescaping is filling up the middle of the table looks best in photographs. However, most husbands can't wait for that centerpiece to be moved !!!!

My DIL's mother gave me the green mesh ribbon for tablescapes. I like how it softens and adds texture.

These cookies are Pioneer Woman's recipe for Christmas gems. I liked the way they turned out. 

 The Mr. and Mrs. Claus salt and pepper shakers are from the 80's.  I changed the green glasses in the previous picture to red wine glasses. Which color glass do you like best? The grandchildren like to drink out of the Santa mugs and I think they go with the plates and add a little whimsy. I don't like the compote  now because it is too busy. I have already taken them off as well as the green placemats since I made these pictures.

 As you can see  when using the red charger there is not enough room for the silverware so I like it better without the place mat. I bought my outside planter with fresh lettuce inside  to try on the table just for fun. It is too large. Proportion is the hardest principle of design for me until I see it in place.  I  like something fresh and different but the container is too tall and overpowering here.

Centerpiece #3. I like the height of the champagne bucket with how the table looks in my room but it is too high to leave on the table for eating. Remember I made these pictures before I decided to remove the place mat and compotes. When you are seating five and six at a table there will be space in the middle. Remember the first picture in this post with netting draped around the centerpiece. I like how something  draping  softens and fills the empty spaces. So I still have work to do. Space is a design element too! Whatever the size, you use space by filing it or leaving it open. Space conveys feeling too. Some people feel claustrophobic with too many things and others just keep adding!

Centerpiece #4.  Here I decided to pull out the blue in the tablecloth with a blue and white container and I like the size of the planter better too!

There also is a subtle change in this picture.  Can you see the change? I  just got an idea from the candy stripe pattern on the cookies for santa plate that is pictured. How would it look if I could find a stripe fabric for napkins to layer underneath the red napkin? I  would love your ideas and suggestions. This is still a work in progress.


I am joining Sherry for Christmas Dining at the Christmas Blogger Block party and Susan for Tablescape Thursday.