Holiday Table Settings: White Roses and Magnolia Leaves
In this post: If you’re looking for inspiration for your holiday table settings, consider a neutral table with white roses and magnolia leaves.⇒
Did you ever feel like you just needed a little peace in your life?
Some years I’m all about the flash and sizzle of the holidays with a riotous display of color and pattern. But this year, life has been so chaotic, that all I want is peaceful surrounds. For my Christmas table setting, that translates into the serene purity of winter white, albeit with a festive air augmented by metallic accents.
This is the time to pull out you finest, and my table is peppered with vintage and new, and some baubles too!
Holiday Table Settings
Today I’m joining with several bloggers for the Christmas edition of Styled + Set, the Holiday Entertaining Blog Tour I host several times a year. Be sure to visit the rest of the tours at the bottom of the post.
I often start my tables with my plate stack, but for this table, my concept was driven by my pretty white centerpieces.
I love to repeat visuals in succession and for this table I used three lovely arrangements of white roses interspersed with candles. The magnolia leaves scattered at their feet enhance their elegant beauty. But these centerpieces just might have a little secret.
They’re actually Real Touch Rose Arrangements and they are quite amazing! Not only do they look real but when you get up close and touch them, they truly feel like fresh flowers. They’re perfect for the winter when fresh flowers are scarce, or it’s not so easy to go out in bad weather to get them.
To balance the grace of my charming florals, I selected vintage French plates for my plate stack. With a gorgeous silver charger as the foundation, I layered delicately patterned Limoges dishes and topped it off with a decorative crystal drop.
I used plenty of fresh greens on my Christmas table, including juniper sprigs tucked into my crystal napkin rings. A sweet embroidered napkin with scalloped edges adds a refined note, while French “Joyeux Noel” tags send guests good wishes. A dried rose sits gently nearby.
(*See below for resources.)
While soft and pure without much color, this table is dominated by a whole lot of shine. Silver and crystal and glittered baubles are present throughout, honoring the holiday atmosphere, yet keeping the mood calm.
Running down the center of the table, I used a fresh greenery “runner” of magnolia leaves. This adds depth to this neutral tablescape and a hint of color, while also supplying an element from nature.
The runner is also peppered with dried roses and scattered holiday ornaments in gold and silver.
There are a few favorite staples I use in many of my holiday table settings, including a ruffled linen tablecloth, vintage silver flatware and cut crystal goblets. They work with just about any look and are grand enough for holiday entertaining.
The silver highlights on this table are repeated throughout, from the decorative ornaments to the silver chargers. But the one thing I recently added to my collection that’s debuting on this table is a pair of antique silver candelabras adorned with silver tapers. They feel like the crowning touch to my holiday table.
My vintage French empire crystal chandelier presides over the whole scene. With the light streaming in on this tranquil tableau, I hope I achieved just the right mood for this most peaceful of holiday table settings.
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.)
Please visit all the other posts below:
Designthusiasm | Shabbyfufu | Randi Garrett Design | Citrine Living
Life on Virginia Street | Decor Gold Designs
Julie Blanner | Bless’er House | Maison de Cinq
Finding Home Farms | Zevy Joy | Town and Country Living
StoneGable | On Sutton Place | My Soulful Home | French Garden House
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Everything looks beautiful Lory and those white roses are so authentic!
Thanks, Janet! Yes, I thought they were pretty amazing when I got them… 🙂
As always your decor is beautiful! Thank you so much for inspirations
Thank you for your lovely words, Norma!
No one does a table quite like you. It’s elegant and charming while having a touch of festivity.
What a nice thing to say!! You have no idea how much I appreciate a comment like that… 🙂
Lory, your table looks so beautiful, and very peaceful. I love the soft French Limoges, the flowers and sprinkling of ornaments. You always inspire! Thank you.
Ah, thank you so much sweet Lidy! I feel Like I’ve seen emails go by from you that I haven’t had a chance to properly answer, but I loved your teaser and can’t wait to see the rest of your gorgeous table!! Happy Holidays!
Lory this is just gorgeous – as usual! Those flowers are incredible!! So lifelike, it’s amazing! Every detail is so well thought out, I always love your gorgeous and inspiring tables! Thank you for hosting this tour, I’m always so grateful to be a part of it! xo
Thank you so much, Tamara!! I enjoy the tours too because there are so many talented bloggers participating. I keep pinching myself to have been able to get everyone to join in!
Lory those flowers look amazing! I love your calming approach to Christmas! I am feeling the same way this year! Wishing you the merriest of Christmases! xo
Thanks so much, Randi!! And right back to you… 🙂
It’s so hard to believe those flowers aren’t real – they look amazing! And your table is so pretty Lory. I’m IN LOVE with those napkin rings (pretty sure I need to steal them:)) and the sweet little Joyeux Noel tags! They’re the perfect touch!
Thanks again for hosting, and for including me in such a talented group! Happy Holidays to you!
Sheila
xo
Thanks so much, Sheila!! I’ve actually been looking for more of those napkin rings because I only have 8. They were originally from Pottery Barn but sometimes you can find them on eBay. So glad to have you on the tour, too!!
So elegant! I love the height of the candles and the little accessories scattered throughout! Beautiful beautiful beautiful!
Thank you so much, Julie!!
I love all the white and green together, Lory. The roses are so soft and pretty and those magnolia leaves are stunning. You always have the prettiest tables!
Hugs, Jamie
Of all your tables, this is my favorite Holiday design. The colors are soft and the silver embellishments add a twinkle. I can’t believe the flowers are not real! I bet you have a bigger selection of chargers than most women have earrings! Have a great week!
LOL about there chargers. I actually don’t have that many. I’m a believer in having the basics, so gold, silver, white, rattan. I have a few others, but those are the main ones. And thank you for your kind words!!
Lory, your table is the epitome of elegance. The candelabra are just beautiful, I noticed them right away. But I had to chuckle when I saw the silver chargers. I decided to try using them this year and just yesterday I picked up a few bronze colored ones at the dollar store! A far cry from your beautiful set.
Thank you Margo! If you like chargers, it’s nice to invest in a set that goes with most things. I use the same chargers over and over and they wind up being a more wise investment than a set of seasonal dishes that I can only use infrequently.
Gorgeous! I love the glass wear.
Thanks so much!
Lory, your table settings are absolutely beautiful! The added touch with the dried rose at each place setting is so pretty. You always do such a lovely job with all your table settings. I always enjoy your posts.
Thank you so much for your kind words!!
I will be a follower on Facebook. Your sleek modern designs are great!