A Local Florist and Interior Designer Styled a Tablescape You’ll Want to Pin Now
Delight your guests with a holiday tabletop that bends the rules and breaks with tradition.
By John Roark | Photography by Rob Ballard
Unquestionably, floral designer Rachel Carreon and interior designer Meredith Smyth know their way around a table. When tasked with creating a holiday experience for us, they rolled up their sleeves, turned on the music and dove in with a flurry of excitement, enthusiasm and abandon. As we stood a respectful distance from the action, the duo created the magical experience we share on these pages.
“The most important aspect of any table is the people who will be seated at it,” Carreon says. “While the decor items are impactful, it’s ultimately about the overall vibe, the style and how elements come together to create a special and memorable experience that will be fondly remembered by your guests for years to come.
“A way to approach this concept is by incorporating unexpected elements to surprise and delight your guests,” Carreon continues. “Think of unique items you can add to the table that will either serve as great conversation topics and/or make your guests feel special.”
For example, set each place setting with a different fresh herb sprig from a local nursery. “This creates a sensory and conversation experience,” Carreon observes. Other ideas include individualized name cards, a curated playlist, crafting a signature drink, creating a tradition of sharing moments of gratitude around the table, selecting a candle scent for the evening that complements the food being served, including freshly picked flowers from your yard, or incorporating an object or food inspired by recent travel or in honor of a particular guest.
How much is too much? “Tablescapes rooted in simplicity can be powerful, elegant statements with very pointed details,” Carreon says. “On the other hand, there is an intrigue with maximalism and the opportunity to bring a richness of detail and points of interest for your guests. The main caveat is to be considerate of the space that is required for everyone to enjoy a pleasant meal.”
Above all, Smyth says, don’t sweat the small stuff. “Have fun—you’re entertaining! That alone can be stressful.” Carreon agrees, adding, “In the weeks leading up to your celebration, be open to opportunities. You never know when inspiration will strike.”
For planning your holiday tablescape, floral designer Rachel Carreon created a seasonally appropriate acronym: FALL.
Fall Flowers & Foliage: Let nature do the work for you. Incorporating fresh florals and greenery adds instant beauty and wonder to your tabletop. Forage flowers and foliage from your yard, your local nursery or even your grocery store.
Ambiance : Think of the people who will be gathered around your table. What do you want the overall experience during your time together to be? How do you want them to feel? What do you want them to remember?
Lighting : There is an understated magic to the flicker of a candle; it is low-effort and high-impact. If using tapers, look for dripless options for easier clean-up—unless you prefer the natural dripped-wax look.
Let Go of any preconceived notions of how you think your table should look and lead with the fun. Select items that you love and are drawn to, and watch how they all come together to create an even better outcome than you initially anticipated.
Mix it up, Smyth advises. She and Carreon chose a clay matte-finish plate setting mixed with a hand-painted fine china and a traditional plaid napkin that helps pull the styles together. “I am a big fan of chargers,” she says. “They can be any material. Topping the setting off with something fun and unexpected is always a nice little touch.”
Interior designer Meredith Smyth shares five simple rules for tabletop success.
1. Throw the rules out the window. Mixing textures and shapes is key. Allow florals to blur the lines, and pull inspiration from nature to create a color palette that allows room to play.
2. Don’t choose form over function. People do have to eat; be sure to equip them with the plates and tools they need. If you are a traditionalist, go with the traditional setting. If you’re not serving conventional fare, stack the dishware however it makes sense to
the meal.
3. Ground the table with a center moment. It can be florals but doesn’t have to be.
4. Break up with matchy-matchy. Forget the usual and create a tablescape that’s confidently collected. If you have heirloom china sets, take this opportunity to mix a new style that feels like only you could have created it.
5. Don’t forget the pics. Snap some photos so you can revel in your achievement when the party is over. You can look back and feel proud of sharing your creative mojo with your friends and family.
SOURCES
Floral and event designer: Rachel Carreon, Arcadia Social Event Rentals + Design, Phoenix, arcadiasocial.com. Interior designer: Meredith Smyth, Smyth House Interior Design, Phoenix, thesmythhouse.com. Handmade plate set (Izamal Collection): palosanto-decor.com. Handmade ceramic vessels (by artist Pam Smyth): thesmythhouse.com.
