Tradition runs deep in the South, especially when it comes to hospitality and creating a sense of occasion in the home. Southerners still have silverware and a set of fine china for special events, serve water and tea in crystal stemware and keep a collection of chargers for every affair. Of course, they know that striking decor at the center of a dining table brings a certain je ne sais quoi to a party like no other decoration can.
When it comes to tablescapes, decadence is in the details. A polished arrangement has layers of textures and reflects the theme of the event. The centerpiece invites the season to the dining room with elements like gourds in the autumn and lilies in the spring. Linen origami figures rest on towers of porcelain. Still, a beautiful table doesn’t have to be elaborate. Simplicity can be just as charming and inviting.
During some seasons of life, it may feel overwhelming to think about hosting an event at your home, let alone decorating for one. Fairhope’s Beverly Smith and Kitty Wilson, event directors for Tablescapes: The Art of Presentation, believe entertaining and tablescapes don’t have to be fussy, and that imperfection shouldn’t be a barrier to inviting people together.
“I always say that too much is never enough, but as far as having a party, people just want to be together. There are always ways to have more and do more and spend more, but that really isn’t necessary,” Smith says. “There’s no set rule for anything at all anymore. Use things that express your personality and go from there. Just do whatever you feel comfortable with and what makes you happy.”
Tablescape ideas can come from the garden, the waterfront or the internet. For locals needing help jumpstarting their creativity, Smith, Wilson and the Wisteria Garden Club have worked with Bay-area businesses to host a tablescaping exhibit that supports education.
“These amazing women in our club work together to make this happen. They’re our backers. We give scholarships to horticulture students, and we’re very proud of that,” says Wilson. “There’s no judging and we aren’t selling anything. It’s just people coming in and running into people they know and getting ideas,” Smith adds. “I think it makes people less intimidated and more comfortable trying new things.”
At the end of the day, a tablescape is simply a way to make an event feel special. Whether your table is set with heirloom china or paper plates, what matters most is the people around it. The details matter only as much as the joy they bring.
Ladylike Chinoiserie
Created by Jeanna Pilot, Chapel Farm Collection
Elegant blue and white marries timeless silver and gold accents for a refined-yet-inviting table that’s delicate, polished and full of personality.
How Chapel Farm Got the Look:
Sups and Supper
Estate Hand Blown Glass Decanter and Cups, $195 for 5-piece set
Vietri Glassware Optical Gold Water Glass, $34
Estate Midcentury Culver Pisa Collins Highball Glasses, $375 for set of 5
Estate Cauldon English Bone China Plates, $1,150 for 8-piece set
Country Estate Ceramic Party Plates in Deft Blue by Juliska, $135 for 4
Country Estate Ceramic Berry Bowl in Delft Blue by Juliska, $46
To Die-For Silver
Estate Sterling Whiting Imperial Queen Dinner Fork, $70
Estate Sterling Whiting Imperial Queen Tablespoon, $95
Estate Sterling Fork, $125
Estate Sterling Knife, $129
Folds and Flavors
Estate Gilt Porcelain Salt and Pepper Shakers, $79
White Cherry Blossom Tri-Fold Napkins, $29
Rounding it Out
Country Estate Ceramic Vase in Delft Blue by Juliska, $150
Florence Six-inch Glass Vase in Blue by Juliska, $250
Peace Swallow Brooch by Trovelore, $150
Florence 11-inch Vase in Blue by Juliska, $650
Chapel Farm Collection // 19130 Scenic Hwy 98, Fairhope. 929-1630. chapelfarm.com
Bubbles and Bling
Created by Sadie Solberg Dumas, Interwoven
Inspired by a chic champagne print table runner, Interwoven owner Sadie Solberg Dumas mixes bold colors for an effervescent look. Soft pink plates and delicate cloth napkins provide a soft, sophisticated base for playful elements like gold utensils, iridescent candlesticks and glittering Veuve Cliquot bottles.
How Interwoven Got the Look:
Sipping in Style
Orange Mexican hand-blown glass, $22
Aperitivo Champagne Flute in Luster Green, $22
Aperitivo Red Wine Glass in Luster Pink, $23
Crystal Champagne Cocktail Kit, $30
Gold Crown Wine Bottle Coaster, $32
Monterey Blue Iridescent Champagne Bucket, $89
Lovely Linens
Scalloped Napkin in White and Pink, $8
Cocktail-Print Cotton Table Runner, $48
Rounding it Out
Valencia Candle Holder Set, $75
MÆGEN Spiral Taper Candles, $15
Havana Mini Bowl with Spoon, $15
Pearl Napkin Ring, $9
Interwoven // 50 S Church St., Fairhope. 517-7081. interwovencollaborativereviews.com
Easter Elegance
Created by Carl E. Clark, Southern Veranda
If the Easter Bunny were hosting a festive springtime brunch, this would be the star of the spread.
How Southern Veranda Got the Look:
Create a Base
A swath of rust-toned fabric creates a warm foundation for verdant moss, giant boxwood balls and playful Easter basket grass.
Color Me Pretty
Vibrant lilies, daisies, daffodils and hydrangea create layers of Springtime color inside stacked ceramic Easter baskets that have been filled with Oasis for easy arranging.
Time for Fun
Oversized pastel eggs and raffia carrots add a playful touch that will delight the youngest members at the dinner table.
Add Height
The dapper Easter Bunny stands at the center of the show, while curly willow makes sure the towering hare doesn’t stand alone. The holiday tablescape feels fresh, festive and full of seasonal charm.
Butterfly Effect
Adding artificial elements like this butterfly to a floral design can help establish a theme and elevate an arrangement or tablescape.
Southern Veranda // 105 N Bancroft St, Fairhope. 928-4433. southernveranda.com
Tablescapes: The Art of the Presentation
April 9, 2025 // 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. // Eastern Shore Art Center // Tickets: $20 at the door
