In this post: Rustic and elegant winter decorations add seasonal flavor to a white tablescape, uplifting the mood for a winter celebration.
To say I’m not a huge fan of winter is a vast understatement. I am one of those people very much affected by the weather and the bleak perspective winter sometimes offers very much makes me want to hibernate. For that reason, it’s the perfect time to set a table in celebration of the season to make my peace with it and find the joys in winter. I love the freshness of a white tablescape, so that’s a natural place to start. Here, winter decorations add seasonal flavor to a white table setting.
In setting my table, I first thought about my overall design inspiration that you can find in this post, and then followed my key concepts, focusing on the clean crispness of mixed whites, the warmth added by candlelight and a nod to nature via woods, branches, bark and pinecones.
The foundation of the tablescape is the plate stack, featuring snowy white plates in dinner and salad sizes, that are highlighted against silvery accessories and a dark wood dining table. (See resource list below.)
Rustic wooden lanterns provide a bold opportunity to add candlelight through pristine white candles tucked inside.
These bare white branches are dusted with faux snow and lend a lovely wintry note to the scene. The idea was to capture the beauty of the season on the table without any of the real chill that comes along with it.
The nearly colorless palette extends to the sideboard, as well, where an iridescent white cake plate lifts a pewter vase and mixes with crystal and glass candle holders.
Cottony white napkins with tonal embroidery are corralled by these wonderful glimmery napkin rings.
The white tableau is complemented by pretty cane back Shabby Chic chairs, with their white ruffled chair covers.
The crystal herringbone goblet sits next to a French water glass, mirroring the table’s thematic mix of strong and classic with light and feminine.
The silvery chargers have a decorative edging that offer a lovely backdrop to the clean lines of the simple plates.
The brilliant light shining through the window reveals the the starkness of the whites balanced against the warm dark woods.
Nothing says winter like two handled soup bowls waiting to be filled with a warm broth. Here they offer a sculptural note with large pine cones set inside them.
A bark server functions as the base of a woodsy centerpiece, where wintry candles are encircled by mini pine cones and gold flecked ones, as well. The vignette captures the essence of the tablescape, offering bits of nature served up amongst charming tabletop elements, all in the shadow of the warm glow of candlelight.
Winter Decorations Source List
Click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. (This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
- White plates
- White soup bowls
- Silver chargers
- White embroidered napkins
- Crystal bracelet napkin rings
- First Love flatware
- Glen plaid goblets
- Coffee mugs
- Wooden lanterns
- Bark platter
- White branches
- Glass Footed Hurricane
- Mini pinecones
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like these (click on the photos):
Winter Floral for Afternoon Tea | Winter Accessories | Winter Warmth at Home
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Linking with Dwellings Monday, BNOTP Monday, A Stroll Thru Life Tuesday, The Scoop, Savvy Southern Style Wed, 21 Rosemary Lane Thursday, BNOTP Thurs, Feathered Nest Friday
Marigene says
Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 5:40 pmBeautiful, beautiful, beautiful…loving all the white. Those “glass of friendship” tumblers are wonderful! I would be happy to find some of those branches…they really make a statement.
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 11:24 pmThanks so much, Marigene! I had fun with this one, because anything that makes winter a little more bearable is something I’m all for… 🙂
Lisa says
Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 8:26 pmVery elegant! I like the texture that the pinecones and wood elements bring in to contrast the sparkling silvers and whites. Lovely…
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 11:21 pmThanks so much, Lisa! Thanks for stopping by… 🙂
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Friday, January 16, 2015 at 7:23 amIt’s so wintry, yet so cozy, too! So pretty! I have that very same table from Ethan Allen! Most of my furniture is from there.
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 11:25 pmThanks, Amy! Yes, most of my furniture that’s not antique is from there too… 🙂
Robin Stephens says
Friday, January 16, 2015 at 7:34 amYou have THE most beautiful home decor….. I’d love to hear your tips for accessible storage and organizing things that don’t get used on a daily basis. I recently found your blog and am so inspired to up the ante on ‘pretty” in our home. Love this winterscape…so….so…. much!
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Friday, January 16, 2015 at 6:14 pmWhat a lovely lovely comment!! It means so much to me… 🙂 I am definitely planning to do a storage and organizing post, as I’m generally the most freakishly organized person on earth, but with all I purchased recently for the blog, I’ve been wanting to set up a new storage system for these new items. I’ve got the closet with shelves targets for this, but I need to do the work or setting it up first. Be on the lookout. Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to comment!!
Jenna says
Friday, January 16, 2015 at 8:31 amI’m not a fan of winter either Lory, but I did enjoy your winter white table with pine cones and snowy branches! Love the french water glasses and the pewter vase on the cake stand ~
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 11:27 pmThanks, Jenna! Yeah, winter really is a tough one for me. Honestly, I can just about deal with the cold, but utterly hate snow. Funny that I don’t mind a snowy white table… 😉
susie says
Friday, January 16, 2015 at 11:15 pmLori again you have created such an elegant table you leave us speechless. when you put the branches in the jars do you use some kind of adhesive spray for the snow to stick on with. I wish I could tour your home and enjoy the loveliness you have everywhere.Susie
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 11:29 pmThank you so much, Susie! Such a nice compliment… 🙂 The branches actually came with the snow on them. In fact, it kept falling off every time I moved them. One of these days I hope to put a full tour up on the blog.
Pamela says
Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 8:09 pmLooks beautiful! I love your plate trivets.
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Friday, January 23, 2015 at 12:13 pmThanks, Pamela!!
Lori @ Dining Delight says
Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 8:57 pmGorgeous tablescape and your photography is amazing! I could look at these pics all day never mind sitting down to eat at the fabulous table setting!
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Friday, January 23, 2015 at 12:15 pmThanks so much, Lori! I really appreciate that comment because I’m just thinking I’m ready to upgrade my camera as I’m wondering if my photos are as clear as I once thought. Glad to hear it’s not urgent… 😉
Cindy says
Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 3:29 amJust beautiful, so crisp and wintry…love it!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY.
Blessings,
Cindy
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Friday, January 23, 2015 at 12:16 pmThank you Cindy! I truly do hate winter so I certainly need to make it as pleasant as possible… lol!
Liz @ Infuse With Liz says
Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 8:26 pmThe snow flocked trees branches really make a perfect wintery woodland setting. The crystal and silver create the perfect cool feeling! Love the bark server with the candles. I don’t enjoy winter either but somehow I feel I’d miss the seasonal change if I didn’t have it.
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Friday, January 23, 2015 at 12:17 pmThanks, Liz! I completely agree about the season changes, but I think I would be good with just Spring, Summer and Fall. Maybe it should be Spring, Summer, Fall and Vacation! 😉 Thanks for visiting!
Bev says
Friday, January 23, 2015 at 7:49 pmStunning, breathtaking…not enough adjectives exist to describe this exquisite table! Love it…
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 10:59 amAw, thanks so much, Bev! Such a nice thing to say… 🙂
Jann Olson says
Friday, January 23, 2015 at 8:13 pmWhat a stunning table! It really does give Winter a warm glow. Love those chargers and the branches are just beautiful! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 11:00 amThanks, Jann! And it’s my pleasure to share with your wonderful link up. Thanks for hosting!!
Suzy @ Worthing Court says
Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 9:50 amThis is so pretty! I’ll be featuring your tablescape at The Scoop this coming Monday night. Thank you for linking up!
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 11:09 amSuzy, I can’t thank you enough!! The scoop is always my best referrer and when I’m featured, even better… 🙂 Thanks for hosting! I always love participating.
[email protected] says
Monday, January 26, 2015 at 10:54 pmI love this! I love the branches! What a great transition from the holidays to the chilly days of the new year! laura
Lory at Designthusiasm.com says
Monday, January 26, 2015 at 11:31 pmThank you so much, Laura! After the blizzard we’re getting right now, I think I’ll be doing palm trees next week… 😉 Thanks for stopping by!