Tablescape – the term – was coined during the 60’s, by the late, great British designer David Hicks.

Known for his interesting collections of books and bibelots, curated atop a table to create dramatic statements in a room, he didn’t reinvent the wheel. Tablescapes have forever been around really – from altars to coffee tables – adorning the surfaces of tables in our habitats is part of the art of living well.

There’s an art to setting a lovely and welcoming table from the china and silver we choose, to the centerpiece we spend hours deliberating on.

Creating  a beautiful table setting is a wonderful way to show your guests how much you treasure the occasion and enjoy their company. You may already have items in your home that you can use to add beauty and interest to your table.

The event and food being served will certainly help guide you toward the elements you may wish to add.  Setting the table with low displays can be just as stunning as large ones. Always be sure the elements you place on your table will allow for other necessary items such as wine glasses and place settings.

Incorporating one pop of gorgeous color is easy using flowers placed in unusual containers, such as rough hewn pottery for an informal garden theme. In fact, bringing nature to your dining table is always a good idea, and there are many examples in nature of dramatic colors and forms that you can incorporate into your table setting.

Lately I’ve been bored with my tired linens and have been on the lookout (locally) for unusual pieces to add to my collection.I’ve always loved treasure hunting and Pieces is a good idea for Vintage scores, often in pristine condition, but Taos Blue has proven to be another treasure trove of bounty in this area!

Sue Westbrook, a Decorator herself, known for her incredible tablescapes and the windows at Taos Blue that light up the Paseo with the stunning displays she creates seasonally, has always carried fabulous table ware of every variety; from beautiful handcrafted ceramics, glass objects to catch the light and  a linen line out of Santa Fe – the brilliantly named Mabel’s Table – along with so much more.

Everything you need to create a magical tablescape of your own can be found right here, on the corner where Bent Street meets the Paseo in the building which was the home and studio of Taos Society of Artists founder,  Bert Phillips.

Looking out from inside Taos Blue, one can see the Taos Inn’s patio, once the home and Inn belonging to Bert’s brother-in – law, “Doc” Martin. The founders met and formed the Taos Society of Artists in what was once the good doctor’s living room, and is now a restaurant bearing his name.

History is everywhere here, and as the Day of the Dead nears, the spirits of the Conquest grow restless and need appeasing. At the Pueblo, dishes of food are taken outside daily to “feed” them, a practice we might wish to consider as we give thanks for the bounty of the harvest, that enables us to break bread with one another.

There is so much more to delight and inspire inside this wonderful. whimsical gallery, for much more on Taos Blue please visit their site linked below this post, and do stop in when you are in town. 

taosblue

All images taken on my iphone