What are your favorite ways to decorate a dining table for the holidays?

I love looks that are simple, classic and natural, ones that don’t intrude on the sightlines of your table. Buy 6-foot garlands of spruce, pine or other evergreens to go down the center of the table, then set a couple of hurricane lamps with candles among the greenery. Use lamps that are clear and won’t block your guests’ views of each other.

This is also a great time to break out the family heirlooms you don’t get to use often. Try arranging tea lights or votive candles with greenery on a lovely, old silver platter or tray. (Always use unscented or lightly scented candles that won’t compete with the aromas of your meal.) Fill a silver compote or bowl with greenery, pine cones or unusual fruits like pomegranates. Or, place holiday candles in silver bowls to create ambience. These ideas result in nice, ‘low’ looks that won’t interfere with table conversation or the serving of food.

A sprinkling of unusual candles down the center also makes a simple but beautiful tablescape, and juxtaposing different sizes or types creates visual interest. The same goes for colors—putting silver and gold together may seem unusual, but they draw attention when combined, and also work well with red, green or blue. I always tell people to use their favorite family pieces and combine the old with the new for an interesting look that attracts the eye. It’s all about mixing items, not matching!

-barb davis, owner, b. davis design

Photo courtesy of Rusted Chandelier

I enjoy decorating holiday tables with interesting bowls and dishes I can reuse throughout the year. A holiday flower arrangement in a bowl with pine cones and berry stems is always beautiful. ‘Snowy’ flowers are popular this year; try frosting roses and hydrangeas with a soft flocking spray to make them look wintry. Add magnolia stems and boxwood sprigs as well to bring in natural elements from the outdoors!

At each place setting, create layers with festive, stacked holiday dishes and decorative charger plates. For fun party favor ideas, buy small holiday bird figurines and perch one at the edge of each salad plate, or put a small vase with a floral stem at each place.

If you have footed serving dishes, set them on top of leafy magnolia stems arranged on the table. And when you’re deciding on colors, follow the scheme of the natural tones in your dining room. Make the holiday palette soft and neutral so you don’t have hues that look too bright against your decor.

–patti porter, co-owner, rusted chandelier