Thanksgiving sets off a season of holiday entertaining from Hannukah to Christmas to Gregorian New Year to Lunar New Year. In addition to the requisite family meals, it’s a time of year when everyone seems inspired to gather—it’s hardly an accident that Dry January follows a December of overserved mirth. With this in mind, we decided to serve five festive tablescapes to inspire your holiday entertaining, whether your style veers more towards Laila Gohar’s studied whimsy, Martini Mondadori’s lush maximalism, or Wing on Wo & Co.’s Chinese banquet cornucopia.
Lauren Santo Domingo describes setting a table as being “just like getting dressed: first I think of the occasion and what would be most appropriate. Is it formal or more relaxed…” We encourage you to do the same and mix your outfits and tabletops as often and boldly as possible—whether that means striped Murano glassware and overdyed linens like the offbeat artistry of Alex Tieghi-Walker’s table, or soaring candlesticks dressed in silk bows such as preside over Laila Gohar’s setting. As Gohar says, “All my tables are very different. They really depend on my mood and how I’m feeling.”
Here are some ways to build your table inspired by the tableaus set by these five creatives from Wing on Wo’s supine monkey centerpiece to Gohar World’s Battenberg lace wine glass slipper. But even if you buy these Casa Cabana hand-painted dinner plates, be sure to heed Gohar’s end-of-party advice: “Don’t start washing dishes while the party is still happening. The minute you start washing dishes the party is over. It kills the vibe.” Here’s hoping every one of the below items buoys the vibe.
Lauren Santo Domingo of Tiffany & Co.
Photographed by Huy Luong
Martina Mondadori of Cabana
Photographed by Adriano Cisani
Alex Tieghi-Walker of Tiwa Select
Photographed by Ryan Lowry
Wing on Wo & Co.
Photographed by Ryan Lowry
Laila and Nadia Gohar of Gohar World
Photographed by Adrianna Glaviano