Holiday entertaining is almost upon us, and creating the perfect tablescape is one of the first steps to a successful gathering. Whether you fancy yourself an expert host or a novice party planner, you can glean a few ideas from these designers who created four festive-yet-distinct designs. Each look reflects a unique perspective rooted in the designer’s personal aesthetic — and all you have to do to get your holiday table sorted is click “add to cart.”
Thanksgiving on the farm by John Phifer Marrs
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Inspired by the idyllic setting at his Texas farm, designer John Phifer Marrs created this cozy table with hints of gingham, turkey motifs and John Derian pieces from his personal collection. “Layered over a rustic farm table, curated pieces create a warm, seasonal foundation for holiday gatherings with family and friends,” says Marrs. Paying homage to Marrs’ book Interiors for Collectors, find a charming turkey collection that brings humor and character to the table, as well. “Each element feels intentional and meaningful, coming together in an inviting setting that captures the beauty of fall and the joyful spirit of the season,” he says.
Marrs sets the fall tone with the hazelnut ruffled gingham tablecloth from Haven Haus Co. and a feathered placemat from Karen Kane. “Perfect can be boring,” he says. “Throw in one odd, interesting piece. This placemat, a nod to turkey feathers, brings a touch of texture and color that enlivens the setting.” He paired Foliage Jacquard napkins in warm oranges and browns from Williams Sonoma with a gold napkin ring from Pottery Barn to complete the look. “Even the smallest details matter,” he says. “Subtle fall touches, like leaf-shaped napkin rings, tie the tablescape together and reinforce the seasonal theme.”
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Marrs layered a simple brass charger with Plymouth classic turkey dinner and salad plates, both from Williams Sonoma, “for depth and a touch of drama,” he explains. Colored wine and water glasses in warm tones from Target compliment the table’s fall palette, and the Perrie bamboo flatware from Ballard Designs is a beautiful basic that can be used year-round.
As for the centerpiece, Marrs recommends incorporating accents that feel thoughtfully curated, not cluttered. You can add mini gourds, fall-colored foliage or a favorite holiday-themed collection. For instance, Marrs would use his limited-edition John Derian beaded turkey and surround it with florals. You can find similar styles here and here.
He added John Derian’s asparagus candles to his setting as a conversation starter. “Every room — and every tablescape — needs a bit of whimsy,” he says. “Unexpected details delight the eye and spark conversation … [The candles] bring a touch of humor, and color to the table.” Place them in these brass taper holders from Terrain, then add gold turkey place card holders from Pottery Barn for the finishing touch. “Accessories are the room’s jewelry,” he says.
Courtney Warren’s nostalgic Christmas table 
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For those who love traditional holiday motifs, designer Courtney Warren’s table nods to vintage designs with snowy scenes, holiday toile and traditional Spode china. Her items evoke a sense of warmth and sentiment with a hint of cheer. “This is a more traditional place setting, but by pairing it with classic pieces, it looks much fresher than Grandma’s china,” she explains.
For instance, she chose three plates that can be mixed and matched, including the Bico Toile de Joiy Winter Wonderland scalloped plates, the Spode Christmas Tree tartan plate and these vintage plates from Etsy. “The plaid Spode salad plate and red-and-cream napkins nod to the emerging Ralph Lauren Christmas trend,” she says. (If you’ve poked around Pinterest or TikTok, you’re bound to see this popular trend inspired by the American fashion designer and his stores and restaurants.)
As for linens, Warren picked the Solino Home napkins, a Saro Lifestyle gold napkin ring and a natural evergreen placemat. “They provide a texture that most tables are missing, and they are a bit unexpected,” she says. It all blends with the green velvet tablecloth — another spot to play with texture.
“If trends aren’t your thing, vintage never misses,” she says. “Using the same base plates, you can also layer a nostalgic Santa salad plate on top and tie it all together with a simple red velvet ribbon bow. It’s a look that’s timeless, cheerful and easy to pull off.”
A table set with heirlooms and modern accents by Yates Desygn 
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Brian Yates and Mike Yates of Yates Desygn balanced both tradition and modern moments in their holiday tablescape. The design mixes “everyday pieces that live effortlessly in a home mixed with those rare, meaningful objects you bring out for special moments,” says Mike Yates. “It’s a way of honoring where we come from while reimagining how we gather today.”
For instance, they chose the Giobagnara leather large oval placemats as a versatile-yet-elevated piece that can be utilized year-round. “They are hard wearing and can transition from casual pizza night to a five-course dinner party,” he explains. The placemats coordinate with Borgo delle Tovaglie Filo linen napkins and the Match pewter napkin rings. A hint of tartan for the holidays shows up on a Trichi Design tablecloth.
To set the tone, the designers selected custom menus from Dogwood Hill and drip candle holders from Polspotten. “Nothing evokes mood quicker than Christmas dinner under candlelight,” Yates says. Brandimarte hammered sterling coasters; green Sabre cutlery and the Match pewter casserole dish from KD Biel all add to the beautiful silver and green tones. “Silver is back, and you’ll see it in abundance this season from the jewelry on your guests to the rings on the napkins,” he says. “We love an heirloom piece like the Greggio 3-tier stand stylistically displaying your family’s recipes for years to come.”
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For plates, the rich burgundy of the Fiore dinner plate by Cabana perfectly complements the berry hues in the Richard Ginori Malachite dessert plate, which is available locally at Blue Print. “You can almost smell the olive trees of Italy when you look at the Ginori plate,” says Yates. “Blue Print has the perfect pieces for your tablescape dreams.” Alexander Kirkeby wine glasses from The Conservatory and the Essential glassware from Hawkins New York round out the table’s glassware.
A table isn’t complete without a centerpiece. They love these Waterford crystal trees paired with a floral arrangement. ”Florals are like living sculptures that bring movement and texture to the table,” Yates says. “I love the interplay between something organic, and something highly designed like a wild branch next to cut crystal. Don’t aim for perfection. Irregularity gives us soul.”
SWOON, The Studio’s champagne and caviar tablescape
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Christine Visneau, chief curation officer with SWOON, The Studio, designed a festive table ready to welcome guests for a chic holiday soiree. On the menu: champagne and caviar. “This edit evokes the spirit of a holiday evening: luminous, tactile and quietly indulgent,” says Visneau. “Each piece was selected to elevate the moment with subtle sophistication, creating a setting that feels both effortless and celebratory.”
For linens, Visneau selected the Faro dinner napkins, for their tactile luxury. “It’s the kind of detail that makes a table feel considered,” she says. The neutral palette serves as the table’s foundation, which allows the other pieces to shine, such as the Moi glass cups, the Rita glass bowl and the Cerro vase.
Setting the table with a beautiful plate is always at the center of a gorgeous tablescape, and Visneau chose the small petal plate in both almond and opal hues. “Together they strike a quiet balance — subtle yet sophisticated — grounding the palette in warmth and contrast,” she says. For a moment of whimsy, the snail-handled glass bowl serves as a conversation piece and a perfect vessel for potato chips, which is always a popular pairing with caviar.
Candlelight is the upmost importance to cast the perfect glow, and Visneau suggests the glass candle ring with the single taper candle in ivory from Creative Candles. “These minimal glass rings add structure without distraction,” she says. “We chose this taper for its slow, even, smokeless burn and minimal ivory hue. It anchors the table’s ambient glow and complements the glass, shell and textile elements while enhancing the elegant warmth of the setting.”
With caviar on the menu, caviar spoons are a must. “These shell spoons are all about the small luxuries,” she says. “Their iridescent texture quietly echoes the opal plates and glass bowls, creating continuity across the setting while adding an indulgent touch.”