Adding Interest to Your Table Decor with Pattern Mixes
In this post: Anyone can buy matching dishes, but by mixing cool plates in interesting patterns you can create a tablescape that’s both beautiful and one of a kind.⇒
Do you always set the same table?
You know… pull out your china, crystal, silver, etc. and set your standard dinner party table.
Or maybe you’re the sort who sees a tablescape you love in a shop and you buy all the components and duplicate it verbatim?
In both cases you’ll wind up with a lovely table. But will it really be expressing your individuality?
Sure, it shows your taste. And not everyone needs to reinvent the wheel every time they entertain.
But for me, setting a table, like decorating a home or dressing for an event, is a golden opportunity to make a unique personal statement.
Interesting Pattern Mix
For this reason I love to mix and match items that were not meant to go together. Often no two elements are from the same place. In fact, half the time they don’t even match in the classic sense.
And the key area I most love to experiment is with layered patterned dishes. Interesting mixes of cool plates are a wonderful way to bring a little bit of edginess to an otherwise elegant table.
Favorite mixes often include using animal prints, plaids, checks or other simple patterns and pairing them with more intricate motifs like complex florals.
For this table I began with these gorgeous Cavalli jaguar plates that are absolutely stunning. (They’re a bit pricey, but oh-so-fabulous, but you can also find similar options that are less costly.) With an animal print foundation, you can go in so many different directions and they’ll look different each and every time.
Here, I mixed them with a pale magnolia floral for a warm weather feel, but I’m sure they’ll be used on many a table in the future in completely new ways.
The key to this look is approaching the mix with an open mind, blending prints that don’t necessarily match. There’s really no brown in the floral plates, but to my eye, they work beautifully together.
Perhaps part of my signature look is the use of casual distressed pieces on the same table as my most precious items, so a rugged ceramic bowl peacefully coexists with linen, crystal and silver.
Like the mix of patterns, the contrast of formal with casual adds further interest and keeps everything from getting too overdone.
On a table with several patterns, I tend to stay simple with my florals, opting for either a single flower type, presented with greenery, or a variety of different blooms in a similar color range.
In this case, I took advantage of the seasonal availability of lush peonies, lovely in pale pink, with seeded eucalyptus added for drape and movement. The arrangement is simple but among my favorite kinds. It also introduces a surprising accent to the color palette, as there’s only a hint of blush pink in the shading on the plates. Yet pulling out that tone and emphasizing it through the centerpiece gives it a whole new importance.
The vase is one I’ve been looking at for quite some time, as it works so well with my glen plaid cut crystal goblets.
As on most of my tables, as well as throughout my home, vintage pieces bring a note of character and individuality. An antique silver platter serves up some of my preferred French wines in a charming way. I love the timeworn patina you find on such objects which encourages a relaxed attitude around the table.
The blush pink from the flowers is mirrored in the lovely linen napkins. The tiny ruffled napkins are among the items I use over and over, this time belted with a leather napkin ring. The leather works so well with the subtle safari theme hinted at on this table.
The tablecloth is a wonderful washed linen with deep ruffled edge, very casual in attitude yet crisply white.
For glassware, in addition to the cut crystal goblets, I chose tortoise shell patterned tumblers to play off the animal print plates. Once again, they blend more than match, but the pairing feels quite natural.
Flanking the centerpiece I used bold brass hurricane lamps, another pair of items I’d been eying for a while. The chunky pillar candles are needed for balance.
If you’d like to set your own table to express your personality, begin with a signature pattern and pull the other pieces in from there. It might be an animal print, like mine, or a plaid or floral. Experiment with combinations that may not be so obvious and just make sure the blend is cohesive rather than jarring.
Then sit back and enjoy the finished product and a table you’ve not seen in anyone else’s home!
See the full list of tips below…
Tips for Adding Interest to Your Table with Pattern Mixes
- Start with a Neutral Base: Begin with a neutral tablecloth or placemats to provide a balanced backdrop.
- Mix Scale: Combine patterns of different scales (small, medium, large) to add depth and interest.
- Stick to a Color Scheme: Choose patterns that share a common color palette to ensure coherence.
- Balance Bold with Subtle: Pair bold, eye-catching patterns with more subtle ones to avoid overwhelming the table.
- Layer Patterns Gradually: Begin with a dominant pattern (like a tablecloth) and layer smaller patterns (like napkins or plates) on top.
- Use Solid Accents: Incorporate solid-colored items (such as glassware or chargers) to break up patterns.
- Consider Seasonal Themes: Adapt your pattern choices to reflect seasonal colors or motifs for a cohesive look.
- Mix Geometrics with Organics: Combine geometric patterns with organic ones (like florals or botanical prints) for visual interest.
- Play with Textures: Introduce textured elements (like woven placemats or embroidered napkins) to complement patterns.
- Stick to Two or Three Patterns: Limit the number of different patterns to avoid visual clutter.
- Use Stripes for Versatility: Stripes can serve as a versatile pattern that complements almost any other pattern.
- Incorporate Metallic Accents: Add metallic touches (like gold or silver flatware) to elevate the table setting.
- Mix Traditional with Modern: Combine traditional patterns (like toile or damask) with modern prints (like abstract designs).
- Try Layering Different Materials: Experiment with combining ceramic, glass, and metallic materials in your tableware.
- Use Patterns to Tell a Story: Choose patterns that evoke a particular theme or narrative (like a beachside picnic or a garden party).
- Experiment with Unexpected Pairings: Mix patterns that wouldn’t normally be seen together for a unique and eclectic look.
- Coordinate with Room Decor: Ensure your table setting complements the overall decor of the room for a cohesive feel.
- Keep Centerpieces Simple: Opt for simple centerpieces (like single flowers in small vases) to avoid competing with the patterns.
- Consider Pattern Direction: Pay attention to the direction of patterns (like stripes or florals) when placing items on the table.
- Don’t Forget the Lighting: Ensure the lighting enhances the patterns and colors of your table setting.
Resource Guide
To get the look, click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
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Oh so clever and OH SO BEAUTIFUL!!
Thank you, Deb!!
Gorgeous!
Thanks!
Beautiful set table. However casual you were being I would have taken the time to present the design on a pressed tablecloth instead of one that looked like you left it in the dryer to long.
It’s not for everyone, but it’s definitely intentional… 🙂
What a striking contrast! Love the pink napkins and flowers mixed with the animal print plates and glasses. Just beautiful!
LOL
Love this look and everything about it! I have a similar white heavy linen ruffled tablecloth. I think the casual beauty of natural linen includes a little wrinkling!
Alice, you should probably stick with cotton or a linen/cotton blend that could provide you with more wrinkle control.
Thanks so much, and I completely agree, Ginger! As you know from my newsletter post from a few weeks ago, I’m crushing on laundered linen big time. Ironing it would ruin the intended look. I fully understand it’s not for everyone, but the suggestion that I just didn’t “take the time” to iron it is kind of amusing, given how many hours these tables take to do… 😉
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! Of course, the peonies take center stage with me. I think you did an amazing job with this. I don’t think if I had a million years I could come up with something this enticing. You definitely have a gift and I thank you for sharing it with us.
Love the rumpled look of fresh linen Lory and often do this intentionally myself! Those new plates from Amara are perfect for your style!
What a snappy table! I would have never thought of mixing such traditional china with the fun animal print but I really like it! Especially love the glasses! I rarely ‘set’ a ‘fancy’ table so never really had an interest in this sort of thing, but i must tell you, since I found your blog I may have to start! And I think I may just have to start with those glasses! What fun! Thanks for sharing and the inspiration!
Thank you, Joanne! It’s funny – I have no idea where my interest in table settings came from, but once you start, it really becomes a joy to do… 🙂
Oh so gorgeous and love the table setting
How did I miss this wonderful table last year??? It’s gorgeous! I’ve seen you use those napkins in other tables, and they always look fabulous! So pretty! And then, here, you paired them with those wonderful leather napkin rings! I just spotted them on sale at WS and ordered them! I haven’t had a chance to use them yet, and I was thinking that I’d use them in the Fall, with Autumn colors. Yet here you are, using them in the Spring with such a soft, pretty palette, and they just work! You’ve got this male/female, romantic/modern, yin/yang thing going on and it put a smile on my face. Love it! You have shown us again and again that a good purchase will stand the test of seasons and time. So nice! And, btw, you are not kidding about how long it takes to put together a lovely table! But so worth it!
love the tablecloth, looked it up right away and seems to be sold out. Will keep looking. So funny that someone wanted it ironed. It’s beautiful just the way it is.
Love the tablescape. So much personality. I am constantly on the lookout for dinnerware that brings me joy setting a table.
The combination of the 2 is GORGEOUS. Fabulous job.
What a great suggestion! I love the idea of mixing animal prints with florals and pastels!
This is different! Lovely!
Enjoy reading your comments every day.
I LOVE the Magnolia plates! I have not seen them used in a table setting and your table is lovely! Thanks for your give always!
I would have never thought to mix the two! Thanks for the inspiration,
Linda
The contrast is interesting!
Beautiful! 😍
Love the flair of animal print…adds an extra edge that not always expected!
I love the way you set up that dining table — everything is so gorgeous, and the peonies – oh my, such a lovely flower!
This is interesting! I love the pink ruffled napkins!
Here I go again…. I purchased the leopard glasses, the wine glasses, the leopard dinner plates AND the napkin rings (faux leather belt). I admit being a copy cat! My tablescapes look great cause of YOU! Thanks
Ha! That’s great to hear… 🙂 You’ll enjoy them!!
Such beautiful ideas! Thank you!
I love the way you have incorporated these unexpected design styles! Thanks for the inspiration!
My pleasure!
I so enjoy looking at all your posts featuring beautiful flowers. I am a gardener and need to find more ways to use cut flowers in my home. Thanks.
Thank you! I wish I was better at growing my own… 🙂
Love the leopard accents. I recently added leopard pillows to my fuchsia velvet French chairs. It looks so nice, always nice to have a change.
I love to use leopard as a neutral… 🙂 Your chairs sound wonderful!
You sure set a beautiful table!
Thanks for the kind words!
I so admire your Glen Plaid vase. I love setting a dinner table but tend to use my same techniques. Your article gave me several new ideas. You are bubbling over with your blog ideas!
Aww thanks so much!!
It is almost a shame to cover up those gorgeous magnolia blossom plates!
Fun story! I love animal print but never tried it on a table.
how nice to have some one show me the way to decorate
I had to have those CB2 old fashion glasses! They will be just the right addition to my table!
Love the mix! Would love the animal print plates,
Just love your effortless style. My particular favorite is animal print mixed with beautiful prints. Your table turned out gorgeous. Thanks for the inspiration!
I had never considered combining animal print with floral on a table. Cool ideas!
I use to set a beautiful table but not so much now. I have a collection of gorgeous and vintage linens. Dishware and silver tableware.
I’ve always loved animal print when it’s done right. This is beautiful!
A fun way to add a little personality to a table!
I love the combination. I have been collecting tortoise shell for awhile and it’s hard to find in thrift shops. My goal is to find the canister set.
I want to thank Lory and the other bloggers who have brought tablescaping back into our homes. I love china, glass, and cloth napkins. Who knows how many treasures you have saved from a landfill because a younger generation doesn’t want grandma’s old stuff. I remember when I was a young mother, my mother saying how much she loved my table.