Joanna Gaines' Christmas table has been 20 years in the making – here's what it involves
The designer takes tablescaping personally – and it's a sign to accentuate our own uniqueness this Christmas
Christmas, arguably the most indulgent and luxurious of all holidays, offers the opportunity to get outright creative with our tables. We all have full permission to experiment with abundant foliage, ornate tablecloths, glasses, and china – including Joanna Gaines, no less.
To curate her 2023 tablescape, Joanna looked back to the past, specifically the last two decades, to create a setting that celebrates the things that are the most personal to her.
'[It's] the very best time of year to set the table with some of my favorite things I've collected over the last 20 years. And playing with pretty flowers. And staying in my sweats,' Joanna says.
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Joanna adorned her dining table with a collection of tinted glassware, vintage plates, brass candlesticks, and vases filled with tulips, roses, and winter berries. The arrangement is eclectic but nonetheless curated – and it serves as a reminder to us all that the most beautiful tablescapes are those that celebrate individuality.
Since Joanna's table is so personal (and includes antiques that are unique to her), it's impossible to replicate her look exactly. However, her arrangement still reminds us of some dining table decor lessons that translate beyond the holidays.
First, Emma Lewis-Jones, the product director of CookServeEnjoy, encourages us to dress our table around a centerpiece – starting with fresh flowers like Joanna.
'Use fresh foliage like eucalyptus and ferns and lay an arrangement along the center of the table. Candles also work well at setting the mood- use a selection of heights to create dimension. Just ensure they're not so tall that your guests can't see each other,' she says.
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Emma has 21 years of extensive experience in buying, sourcing and product development in seasonal, cosmetics and kitchen and home wares industries. She spent the last nine years working in the Kitchenware Industry, specializing in NPD and sourcing. Emma manages a wide range of product categories, introducing new ranges and building brands through product development and innovation.
Helen Joseph, Interior Designer at Redrow adds that hand-crafted decorations, like pinecones or natural wood coasters, are another natural way to bring distinctiveness to our tablescape.
'Alternatively, you can create the same effect through hand-woven textiles and mix them with natural elements to deliver a slightly softer feeling. Hand-woven table runners or placemats create a sense of warmth, softness, and comfort that embodies that cozy Christmas feel,' she says.
'Their hand-crafted nature will sprinkle a sense of your personality on your table and incorporate that feeling of fulfillment once you finish scaping your Christmas table.'
Flowers and vintage goods aside, we can create a Joanna-approved tablescape with these picks from her brand Magnolia (available below).
Tapered candles are this year’s biggest candle trend, and they lend themselves beautifully to classic Christmas decor. To keep your favorite holiday candles upright, consider this metal candelabra in antique brass.
Add a touch of sparkle to your tablescape centerpiece with this antique brass staple. This gorgeous garland is versatile enough to trail along the center of the table or wrap in a circular shape around a centerpiece for shimmering holiday cheer.
Albeit a small detail, napkin rings have the power to completely elevate your tablescape look. We particularly love the Faux Cedar Sprig Christmas Napkin Ring Set because they add color and texture to a tablescape while also serving as a nice nod to the winter season.
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
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