Hello again friends! Today I am happy to be joining my friend Chloe Crabtree of Celebrate and Decorate and eighteen other talented bloggers for the Christmas tablescape hop! If you have just come over from Debbee’s Buzz or if you are just dropping by, I am happy to welcome you to our dining room today. Come in and see how I have created a festive traditional tablescape for Christmas!
Recently in my Simply Christmas Home Tour post I shared how I have been enjoying simpler, old world style Christmas decor this year. Of course being a vintage Christmas collector I still have a few of my favorite vintage kitschy Christmas treasures on display here and there, but overall the look is much less cluttered and I am really loving it. The main color scheme for this year’s Christmas decor is mostly neutral with green, gold, and ivory, but I also still love using some pops of traditional red and plaid.
For Christmas I have set the table similarly to my Autumn Elegance tablescape. The centerpiece is my large dough bowl filled with greenery, seasonal fruits, and several brass candlesticks.
Back in the fall I spotted these classic style, warm white and gold trimmed dishes at… Dollar Tree! I knew right away I wanted to use them for my Christmas tablescape. The pretty gold chargers and gold rimmed stemware are also from Dollar Tree.
Since I am mad for plaid, I added plaid saucers to each place setting topped by small vintage style gold ornaments for extra festive Christmas style. (If you are on Instagram and you love plaid too, don’t forget to share for #madforplaiddecor every Thursday-Sunday.)
I knew I was going to use pomegranates in the dough bowl to incorporate some red, but otherwise I was going to try to keep the tablescape more green dominant. I had planned to use green velvet placemats, but I ran out of time to make them. At the last minute I found these pretty deep red placemats. Just like Christmas magic, this festive, traditional Christmas tablescape came together beautifully.
I did end up using more red in the dining room than I originally had planned, due to finding the perfect little flocked tree for the corner of the dining room. I was going to leave the tree unadorned as a “winter” tree, but seeing it reminded me so much of my grandparent’s tree from childhood. It was flocked, and decorated simply with just a few vintage red bulbs.
I had a set of vintage style red bulbs so I decided to recreate the look and I love it!
In lieu of napkin rings I made simple bows out of the same pretty satin ivory and gold striped ribbon that I used on the beautiful Balsam Hill Wintry Woods garland on our staircase in the living room.
The Wintry Woods garland is absolutely stunning and I know I will be using it on the banister for many Christmases to come.
Each lovely crochet-trimmed cloth napkin is tied up with the pretty satin ribbon and a fresh sprig of rosemary. I love the scent of fresh evergreen and pine but it can make me a little itchy, so I opt for rosemary instead, which has a similar fresh and woody scent. Rosemary is my favorite herb and I love using it in my tablescapes and flower arrangements (and recipes!)
The only problem with using delicious fresh fruit as a centerpiece is that our family will eat it! The Bosc pears I used in my Thanksgiving tablescape were gone within two days of posting my blog post. I have to admit, once this post is live I will be helping myself to one of those delicious pomegranates!
I lined the dough bowl with a couple of different types of realistic faux juniper and a lovely faux seeded eucalyptus garland. To keep the centerpiece traditional and simple, I added a few pomegranates and cloved “cuties.” I didn’t want too much orange so I chose little cuties/halos instead of larger oranges. Each year I make a few cloved orange pomanders for Christmas and they look so beautiful and smell so good. They definitely add a touch of old world or colonial Christmas to the table.
If you like the idea of using fresh fruit for a traditional or colonial style Christmas centerpiece, apples are very Christmasey as well. In my Merry and Bright Farmhouse Kitchen post I shared how I styled a long skinny dough bowl with apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks, mixed nuts and scotch pine as a simple and traditional centerpiece on the kitchen island.
For a little extra “bling” I added a vintage style mercury glass bead garland to the chandelier. Pretty brass candlesticks and flickering candles add a cozy and elegant Christmas vibe to the tablescape.
My standing wooden Belsnickel Santa and two other Belsnickels with red velvet cloaks have made their way from where they were in the living room by the staircase, to the dining room for the tablescape hop.
I love the wood on our 100+ year-old authentic farm table, so I rarely cover it with a tablecoth. To incorporate textiles and texture I rely on place mats and some type of French country or farmhouse style runner. For Christmas I switched out my more feminine ruffled edged farmhouse table runner for this simple and classic neutral linen runner.
I have been so excited about this tablescape hop since it gave me a chance to share the first photos of our new DIY faux “antique” lead glass windows in the dining room! My husband recreated the look of antique windows using stained glass craft supplies from Hobby Lobby and I absolutely love them! Our dining room was so dark with the wood blinds, but we still wanted some privacy. I pitched the idea to my husband and he liked it! In addition to being a middle school assistant principal, golf couch and all the other hats he wears, he is a very talented artist and handy man. Since our house was built in 1921, these windows are very period appropriate and they look so authentic. After Christmas I will be sharing more photos of the windows and a DIY tutorial post.
This is also the first Christmas for this fabulous antique church pew that I found last winter! I have styled it up with pillows that coordinate with the festive and traditional tablescape. The pew can easily be scooted up to the table for extra seating for holiday get togethers with family and friends.
Now that the dining room is all decorated I am finishing up photos for my official 2018 Christmas Home Tour, then it’s time to relax a little bit and enjoy the holidays with my family. I will be sharing more of my vintage farmhouse Christmas touches in the dining room on my home tour next week, so I hope you will plan to stop back by!
I hope you enjoyed my traditional and festive Christmas Tablescape! If you love traditional and old world style Christmas, be sure to check out my the rest of the simple and elegant traditional Christmas decor that I have shared so far this holiday season.
Now it’s time to continue on with more Christmas tablescape inspiration. Next up is Living With Thanksgiving. You can find visit each participant’s blog via the links below.
Monday
Home is Where the Boat Is | Everyday Living | Knock it Off Kim | A casa di Bianca
Tuesday
Life and Linda | The Painted Hinge | Panoply | Corner of Plaid and Paisley
Wednesday
Debbee’s Buzz | Follow the Yellow Brick Home | Living With Thanksgiving
Home and Gardening With Liz
Thursday
Red Cottage Chronicles | The Painted Apron | Our Crafty Mom | Celebrate & Decorate
Friday
From My Carolina Home | Sweet Sensations | Me and My Captain
Zucchini Sisters | Blue Sky at Home
Thank you so much for visiting today. Have a very Merry Christmas dear readers!
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18 Comments
A very vintage and wonderfully styled table, Amber! The garland on the light fixture caught my eye right away, as did the windows. I just assumed they were the original lead on the panes, what a great project! The Dollar Tree does not disappoint when it comes to ideas, and those plates, stemware could easily pass for bone china and crystal. Of course, I am mad for plaid, and the centerpiece of naturals (and good faux) really polish it off nicely. Merry Christmas, Amber!
December 12, 2018 at 7:45 amAmber, I love your natural greenery mixed with the plaid. I saw those same chargers at Dollar Tree! Using pomegranates is a great way to bring in color and nature ~ they are so big this year! Your church pew is amazing ~ what a lucky find. Have a wonderful Christmas at your lovely table.
December 12, 2018 at 9:13 amMy, I think I got carried away pinning right away! Your farmhouse table with the dough bowl full of greenery and orange-cloved pomanders and brass candlesticks is so stunning. Love your wooden santas.
December 12, 2018 at 9:39 amI enjoyed your tablescape and photos around your home. Very beautiful!
Merry Christmas, Amber!
Not only is your table gorgeous, but your whole house is just a wonderful vintage delight. I would have never guessed that your dishes and chargers were from the Dollar Tree, with your accessorizing , you have made them look like something out of Pottery Barn. I love the dough bowl with the traditional fruit and greenery – so pretty. Your windows look wonderful, great job! Love the banister and flocked tree as well. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
December 12, 2018 at 9:49 amSo so beautiful Amber, I love the pomegranates and clove studded oranges nestled in fresh greens, I swear I can almost smell it! I also love the wonderful vintage Santas and the peeks of your holiday home, it’s all a wonderland! The plate stacks and napkins look so festive and welcoming! Merry Merry Amber!
December 12, 2018 at 5:34 pmAmber oh my goodness every single photo is stunning!! This looks like a magazine shoot!!
December 12, 2018 at 6:34 pmI love the gold rimmed plates, I have those too! I Had no idea that the Dollar Tree had gold rimmed stemware!! I need to get some asap as I’ve been searching all over for some for a long time!! This is a gorgeous post.
This is so pretty Amber! I’ve never thought to use candles in my dough bowl, thanks for the inspiration. I love the flocked tree and I too am mad for plaid. Love, love, love how you decorated the banister and I hope you have a Merry Christmas.
December 12, 2018 at 6:55 pmYour dining room looks so lovely! Especially love your pew with all the pillows cheering it up.
December 12, 2018 at 7:59 pmSo many gorgeous details to note, and the one I know I am stealing is the bow around the napkins! Yes! I like it so much more than rings–bravo, Amber! And I can smell the clove studded citrus right through the screen! xox
December 12, 2018 at 9:21 pmWhat a lovely table you’ve set! Your centerpiece and beautiful wood table really set the tone for your traditional and festive tablescape. I had no idea you could find such pretty dishes like you did at the Dollar Tree. Love the classic plaid dishes and and how you did the napkins. Your home is beautifully decorated and that church pew is fantastic. What a great find. Your windows look wonderful with the treatment your husband created. Loving your tree in the corner with the red ornaments.
December 12, 2018 at 9:57 pmAmber, what a beautiful and traditional Tablescape. I love the large dough bowl with the greenery, candles, pomegranates, and clove studded cuties. The plaid saucers add the perfect touch. Your dining room windows and pew are so lovely? It is fun blog hopping with you!
December 12, 2018 at 11:47 pmAmber,
Your table looks so inviting. I had to laugh when you said your family eats your fresh fruit centerpieces. At least they wait until you photographed everything. LOL
Judith
December 13, 2018 at 12:41 amAmber, Your Autumn Elegance tablescape was one of my favorites so I’m loving your traditional Christmas table with your bountiful dough bowl filled with evergreens and seasonal fruit. I’m mad for plaid so I *heart* the addition of the tartan at each placesetting, along with your ornament and bundle of golden flatware. I love seeing bits and pieces of your home, so much holiday cheer! So happy to be hopping with you this week, Merry Christmas!
December 13, 2018 at 6:33 amAmber, as always, a stunning post. Many, many wonderful details in your tablescape and festive setting. Several things really caught my attention. First, I love the use of pomegranates and clove oranges. Surprised how well the color orange works; I Amy have to try it. As you know, I’m so mad for plaid I have the perfect “accessory” — my Scottie dog, Fibber Magee! I’ve got to set my Scottie, plaid table soon. Love, love your dining room, and am blown away by your husband’s window work. Wow!
December 13, 2018 at 8:54 amAmber, I am all about tradition at Christmas time and your tablescape has hit it out of the park! Your centrepiece is gorgeous, and those oranges spiked with cloves bring me back to Christmas’ past! I never would have guessed those plates were from the dollar store! Your napkin and flatware tied up with a bow is so pretty. A very traditional, festive and elegant tablescape indeed! I enjoyed seeing glimpses of other areas of your home too! Merry Christmas to you!
December 13, 2018 at 12:43 pmWow, Amber! There’s so much here to feast the eyes on! Your whole home looks so romantic and has such warmth. I’m drawn to the deep colors you use on your tablescape, and you have such attention to detail. Your staircase garland and wall decor are just dreamy, too. Truly stunning. Merry Christmas!
December 13, 2018 at 4:43 pmAmber, your table is stunning as always! I love the red and gold theme. I love the ornaments on top of the plates – it adds the perfect touch! I love the flatware tied up with the bow and rosemary sprig. Everything about your tablescape and dining room is simply gorgeous. So happy to be hopping with you!
December 14, 2018 at 3:13 pmBeautiful! I love the pops of red against all the white and it looks amazing with the candles going.
December 21, 2018 at 7:52 am