Join me as we dive into 1o sentimental tablescape ideas that will warm your guests hearts. I am looking forward to passing along some unique ideas for you to incorporate at your next gathering.
When it comes to tablescaping, if you add elements that tell a story or allow you to display an heirloom, it can take your entertaining experience to the next level. Not only does your décor show the beauty of the pieces, but it also allows you to reminisce about the past and just remember. Sometimes it’s good to remind ourselves how far we have come in life.
Please feel free to read the back story of what my grandparents and this tea set experienced when they faced a tornado head-on. Or, scroll down to see my Top 10 Sentimental Spring Tablescape Ideas below.
The Story Behind the Tea Set
It was a typical summer day in Mississippi. Nothing out of the normal. My grandparents were busy tending to their regular daily business when all of a sudden, they heard the siren warnings begin to blare. They didn’t think this thunder storm would be anything too concerning so they decided to stay glued to the news for updates rather than taking cover at the moment. Things went quiet for a bit and then all of a sudden, the winds picked up speed so fast that they only had time to grab the pillows off the bed to cover their heads; and brace themselves for impact in the main hallway of their home.
This horror scene lasted for about five minutes, but it felt like forever. Their roof was torn off and their home destroyed, but they remained safe and physically untouched. They looked up and could actually see the sky from where they were standing in the hallway. Such a miracle that their lives were spared! The roof was pretty much torn off which meant that all of the heirlooms my grandma was saving in the attic for my sisters and I were gone. The beautiful silver-plated tea set was one of the treasures that remained untouched. Little did I know that I would be the recipient of such a beauty in the days to come.
I am so thankful my grandparents survived such a tragedy. Things could have been much worse. They have been able to rebuild their lives and see much of what was taken, restored. I’m so happy to say that they have since moved back to Michigan which means I get to see them way more often.
10 Sentimental Tablescape Ideas
1. Tea Set. The tea set was my inspirational idea for this sentimental tablescape. You too can place a tea set or teapot as the centerpiece of your table and style the rest completely around its beauty. You could even add flowers inside the teapot, or do what I did and place them on the tray beside. Flowers always add a special touch to any sentimental tablescape. It’s pleasing to the eyes when you can soften the look of a metal piece with a beautiful floral arrangement. These tulips, as you may know from a previous post, are some of my favorite faux florals by Mandy’s. I highly recommend them.
2. Picture Frames. Picture frames with a special person’s photograph inside, or a memorable card placed in the frame, are ways to add a sentimental touch to your tablescape. You can use the frames as your centerpiece by clustering them in a group of three or spread out the love by placing a small frame at each place setting.
3. Jewelry Box. Maybe you have your mom or grandma’s old jewelry box. How sweet would it be to make it your centerpiece and have her old pearls spilling out from the top? You could place it on a tray, and next to it, a small vase filled with her favorite flowers.
4. Plants. If your mom is like mine, she loves her some plants. I’m thankful my momma is still around for me to enjoy them with her. How fun would it be to set her favorite plant as a tablescape centerpiece and let her take it home as a gift for her birthday or Mother’s Day? Thinking sentimental can be easy when you remember what the other people in your life treasure. Those whom you dress a table for will feel so loved because it’s wrapped around them. Just as this sentimental tablescape idea party was wrapped around my grandma.
5. Dried Flowers. Do you have dried flowers that your sweetheart gave you for Valentine’s Day or your Anniversary? Rather than going out and buying fresh, you can place them in a gorgeous vase and use that as your centerpiece for a romantic dinner for two. You could also take the petals off of the flowers and sprinkle them down the center of your table like a runner to add a thoughtful touch of intentionality.
6. Picture Placemats. At our bridal shower, we took a picture from our engagement photos and stretched them to fit on a large sheet of construction paper. We used these as placemats at each seat and, voila! The perfect reveal for our guests to enjoy our engagement pictures. Here is a peek at what they looked like.
7. Coffee Mugs. My sister once collected Starbucks coffee mugs whenever she would visit a new state or country. These sentimental pieces could be staggered along the center of a table with some green plants or flowers in each of them for an informal gathering. The coffee mugs could also be set at each seat for your guests to use for their beverages. It would be a great conversation starter as you reminisce about all the places you have visited.
8. Watering Can. Maybe you have your mom’s old watering can she used to use in her younger years. You could make this a thoughtful centerpiece stuffed with gorgeous wildflowers. This would be perfect for a garden party, outdoor picnic, or maybe even a bridal shower.
9. Purse. You could use that old purse from maybe your favorite auntie, as the skirt for which a vase on the inside can be dressed in. Then add the perfect floral arrangement, tall grasses, or some branches with leaves from your backyard and place them on the inside. If the sides of the purse need to be propped up, you can wedge in some old dish towels or newspapers and add some moss at the top to hide the stuffing. Or tie a piece of twine rope around the top so it remains secure around the vas
10. Handwritten Names. Do you have any old handwritten cards from a loved one who is no longer with you? If all of your guests had a close connection with that special someone too, you could have the “Love, Mom” signature, for example, etched onto a dish and placed at each guest’s seat. Here you can find the sweet Etsy idea behind my thought process. Such a special keepsake for all attending.
Sentimental Tablescape Details
I always like to start with an inspirational piece for my tablescapes. As you know, this sentimental tablescape idea was derived from the tea set. I wanted to add more silver layers because of the centerpiece’s material so I used silver chargers and silver flatware. To keep the color pallet simple, I repeated the sliver, white, and green in my layering. The green water goblets complement the striped green and white linen napkins as well as the green stems from the white tulips. White goes with just about anything and is a great blank canvas to build a tablescape upon. Or, maybe you can use an old tablecloth as another idea for your sentimental tablescape.
I added the white dishes, and a splash of green, along with cups and saucers to bring this neutral color full circle. The moss bowls I found at Kirkland’s were a great addition to help fill in the two outer spaces of the table. When I found tea bags that complimented my color pallet and gathering intention, I was to the moon. I felt like it added a bow to the design and a little hint of yellow.
Conclusion
I’m hoping some of these sentimental tablescape ideas inspired you to not only use what you have in your home but to also bring out many sweet memories in your tablescape. Just as I was able to incorporate my grandma’s beautiful silver-plated tea set into my Sentimental Spring Tea Party, you can add your heirloom treasures to your table as a centerpiece, runner, or at each place setting. Add what speaks to your heart, or what speaks to the heart of that special person you are celebrating.
P.S. A Note of Encouragement
I’m thankful that even in hard times we can find beauty. Just as my grandparents experienced something as tragic as tornado devastation, and lost their home and most of their belongings, they chose to pick up and move forward, because they could. They could because they were still alive! I can’t say it was easy. Change is never easy. Especially when it’s an unexpected change, right?
What are you walking through today? Are you looking into the eyes of tragedy? Is your heart broken? Do you feel lost? Is it hard to see any good in life right now? I am so hugging you! Hardship is never an easy walk. May I encourage you? We are given this moment right here and right now. Will you allow me to lift you off the ground of hardship, dust off your knees, and lift up your head up so you can feel the sunshine on your face? There is a Heavenly Father who can give such peace amidst the chaos. His name is Jesus. He’s the kindest person you will ever meet. He is here for you, however hard the situation. He wants to give you His peace and comfort.
What if you looked at your situation differently for just a moment? I’m not saying to forever shift, that can feel almost impossible. I get it! Looking at this moment right now, find what is good around you. You are alive, breathing, and called for such a time as this. If you can take your eyes off of the sting of the pain for a minute, and shift your focus to the good that is happening in your life, it can help you to take a breath when the waves feel like they are crashing down. Be intentional in looking for the good. Doing this can help keep your heart soft and give you some relief. Be encouraged! Healing is coming.