Guest Post | Hand & Heart Events Holiday Tablescape Inspiration

No one knows how to set up a gorgeous holiday tablescape like ma girl Kellyne of Hand & Heart Events! Hear her thoughts below on where she got her inspiration for this holiday tablescape shoot and get inspired to execute your own special table to gather your loved one’s around!

Hey there! Kellyne here 🙂

Living in Northern California, I am surrounded by natural beauty — from the Pacific Ocean, to the cliffs of Big Sur, to the redwood trees of Muir Woods. The tall, towering redwood trees can only be described as Redwood Giants and serve as the most enchanting background. The lush greenery and dewy sunlight is at its prime in the winter months and the holidays are a time for intimate gatherings with friends and family—to celebrate, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company. The awe-inspiring beauty of the redwood forest and with the desire to gather with loved ones inspired this shoot.

To create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere, I opted to use a low seated table with pillows and blankets in lieu of chairs. I built the table with the intention of making it easy to transport and put together. The tabletop rests upon two wooden benches, so it is ideal to take apart and carry down a small hillside to the perfect picnic spot.

I wanted to incorporate some handmade elements into this holiday shoot and I love the velvet trend that we are seeing in wedding collections this season. I sourced the green and blue velvet fabric and sewed the napkins into 22”x 22” squares. I wanted to showcase the napkins’ color and texture, so I used them as chargers or placemats for the gold-rimmed plates. I used a wood-burning pen to write the words “JOY”, “LOVE”, and “PEACE” on the tree rings placed on each setting. I chose these three words because they really embody the feelings you feel when you are with dear friends and family. I also think that we could use a little more of each of these in 2018.

The goal of this styled shoot is to serve as inspiration for holiday tables and décor across all faiths and religions. It is a celebration of the richness, textures, and colors that the winter season brings us.