Jennifer Satterfield shows us how to set a table that brings everyone together
Jennifer Satterfield of Growing Up Texas makes it easy to get into the holiday spirit with tablescape ideas designed to spark conversation this Christmas.
Her signature Southern style and passion for entertaining can be seen in her Laura Ashley-inspired holiday table designed for The Woman’s Club of Bryan/College Station’s Annual Tablescapes Christmas on Carter Creek. KBTX news featured the sold-out event, where Jennifer shared her ideas for the table decor.
You might remember Jennifer when she re-envisioned a 1987 Grand Wagoneer and created the Laura Ashley Wagoneer of her dreams. The one-of-a-kind car also inspired the holiday table with the same welcoming large-scale woven twill check seen in the car’s interior as the tablecloth.
Find out how to create Jennifer’s country holiday table.
Channel a charming country Christmas: Warm and inviting is the key to a memorable holiday meal, so take your time to set the table and make it feel special with extra details. It is the holidays, after all. When setting the table, start with the tablecloth to set the mood for a charming country holiday. If you don’t have a tablecloth, create one as Jennifer did by using fabric to create the gorgeous custom tablecloth she wanted for her ideal tablescape.
Spark conversation: Because Jennifer’s goal is to encourage everyone to have a beautiful holiday season, she says, “I think it’s really about sparking conversations. This time of year is all about family.” So her advice is to think about your tablescape so that it brings everybody together. Plan the details, including which dinnerware, flatware and glassware you will use, and the extra details that make a table special, like floral arrangements, pretty bow details, and candles.
Have a seating chart: Make each guest feel loved and special by placing name cards at each place setting. Inspired by Jennifer’s goal to create conversation, we love to mix up the guests and seat interesting people next to each other so they will have plenty to talk about over dinner. When setting a country-inspired table, get creative like Jennifer and use foraged items like pinecones as a creative way to display the name cards.
Tap the layered look: Be jolly this holiday and mix prints if you want your tablescape to feel especially country. Checks and florals always look good together when setting the table, as do stripes and florals, or be like Jennifer and mix different floral plates for a collected look.
Add something special: Extra special touches to any tablescape will give each place setting the wow factor. We are inspired by Jennifer’s simply elegant way of tying her napkins. The velvet bows are a feminine touch but feel very festive at the same time. Velvet ribbon gives the table just enough sophistication without overpowering the charm factor.
Don’t worry about waiting until the last minute: Jennifer says, “I kind of like that rush, that deadline of having to get things done.” She says that sometimes when you get everything together, little elements will come together and turn out beautifully.
If you are setting the table this holiday season, we have made it simple to get great style. Shop our new glassware or dinnerware collections, including the Stockbridge China and the Balloon Glasses that Jennifer used for her tablescape.
Do you love Jennifer’s Southern style? Be sure to check out the other projects that she has created using Laura Ashley by clicking here.
Tell us about your holiday plans below or share your tablescapes this holiday by tagging us at @lauraashleyusa or using the hashtag #lauraashleyusa.
