Set a Winter Tablescape
See how one expert entertaining content creator practices her craft and business with her winter tablescape for the post-Christmas lull.
With the flurry of celebratory gatherings that come with the holiday season behind us, you may feel at a loss over what to do with your dining table between now and the arrival of the next season. We asked Jennifer Carroll Martin, author and blogger at Celebrating Everyday Life, for her expert tips and ideas for creating a cozy winter tablescape that can beautify the beginning months of the year!
American Farmhouse Style: When did your interest in table styling begin?
Jennifer: My interest in table styling stems from my lifelong passion for creating beautiful, welcoming spaces that make people feel special. Ever since my first Easy Bake Oven with a Barbie and teddy bear tea party, I have always loved hosting and celebrating. As I grew up, I found myself naturally drawn to the art of setting a table—not just as a practical task, but as an opportunity to infuse joy and personality into gatherings. Over the years, this interest grew alongside my career in styling and entertaining, where I’ve had the privilege of sharing my ideas through various magazines like and writing Harry Potter: Feasts & Festivities: An Official Book of Magical Celebrations, Crafts, and Party Food Inspired by the Wizarding World, published in March 2022. Table styling has become a creative outlet that allows me to connect my love of design with my deep belief in the power of hospitality.
AFS: What do you call this cozy winter tablescape and what were your inspirations?
Jennifer: I called this one “A Touch of Copper: Farmhouse Styling for Winter,” and it was inspired by my desire to create a warm, inviting setting that bridges the transition from the festive holiday season to the fresh start of winter. So often, the abrupt removal of holiday decorations leaves our homes feeling stark and empty. This design offers a gentle way to step down from Christmas, preserving a sense of warmth and beauty while moving into the calm simplicity of winter.
The warm tones of copper, wood and wicker bring a cozy glow to the crisp whites of the season, offering a balance that feels both comforting and rejuvenating. By incorporating fresh-cut greenery in a way that feels natural yet refined, this table reimagines familiar elements, encouraging readers to embrace their greenery in new and inspiring ways.
The raw cotton adds a delicate, snowy touch to the table, evoking the soft, natural beauty of winter. Its texture pairs beautifully with the fresh greenery and warm copper accents, creating a look that feels both rustic and refined.
To complement the rustic elegance of the table, I designed two printable pieces that echo its cozy, natural charm. The cotton bouquet tag adds a whimsical yet refined touch to the place settings, perfectly pairing with the raw cotton accents and warm copper tones on the table. Meanwhile, the cozy winter cottage print captures the tranquil beauty of a snowy season, tying in with the greenery and rustic textures that bring the table to life.
These designs were inspired by the idea of making seasonal gatherings feel intimate and inviting, encouraging guests to linger in the warm glow of meaningful details. The printable art not only enhances the table’s theme but also offers versatile décor options for readers to use throughout their homes, creating that same sense of warmth and beauty wherever they choose to display them.
AFS: This winter tablescape strikes the perfect balance between rustic charm and elegant warmth, making it ideal for winter entertaining. Do you have any tips on your process for placing items on the table to achieve this look?
Jennifer: Yes, for this winter tablescape, I followed these 10 steps:
Start with a Layered Foundation: Begin by laying a neutral tablecloth that complements your winter palette. This softens the look and provides a cozy base for your setting.
Double Up the Chargers: Add depth and texture by layering two chargers at each place setting. Use a darker charger on the bottom to frame a lighter one, enhancing the overall contrast and interest.
Stack Your Dishes: Place a dinner plate on the chargers, followed by a salad plate and then a saucer. This creates a visually appealing stack that feels thoughtfully curated.
Feature a Statement Mug: Crown the stack with a copper mug for a warm and rustic touch. Its metallic shine ties into the gold flatware and lamps, adding a cohesive glow to the setting.
Dress Your Napkins with Style: Use buffalo check napkins to bring in a soft, homespun element. Tie them with a ribbon or tuck in a personalized tag for a charming and festive detail.
Incorporate Elegant Glassware: Set each place with a mix of amber and brown glasses for drinks. The rich tones complement the warm hues of the chargers and copper mugs, adding visual warmth.
Add Layers of Light: Use gold lamps with wicker shades as part of the centerpiece. These provide a soft, warm glow that enhances the ambiance while maintaining a farmhouse-inspired aesthetic.
Create a Greenery-Filled Centerpiece: Place a large bread bowl in the center of the table, and fill it with a mix of fresh and faux greenery, raw cotton stems and pinecones. This combination adds texture and reflects the natural beauty of winter.
Finish with Gold Flatware: Arrange gold flatware to the left and right of the place settings to coordinate with the copper mugs and lamps. This subtle metallic detail ties the whole look together.
Step Back and Admire: Once everything is in place, step back and admire your work. Feel free to make small adjustments to ensure balance and cohesion across the table. Don’t be afraid to add or remove elements to perfect the look.
Whether it’s a casual dinner with family or a holiday celebration, I approach each table as a blank canvas, ready to be layered with different textures, colors, and meaningful details to tell a story and inspire others to celebrate the beauty of everyday moments.
Southern Bee Cottage
Jennifer’s passion for creating a beautiful and personalized home led her to launch a new business called Southern Bee Cottage.
Southern Bee Cottage focuses on creating timeless, versatile artwork that brings warmth and charm to every room and every season. With designs inspired by vintage aesthetics, nature and cozy living, the collections include printable art, gift tags, and other décor elements that help you celebrate your home year-round with beauty and ease. With both digital and physical products, watch for updates on Jen’s blog at etsy.com/shop/SouthernBeeCottage.
To learn more about Jennifer visit celebratingeverydaylife.com and @jen_carroll_martin on Instagram.
If you loved this winter tablescape, don’t miss more tablescape inspiration for all the seasons and holidays: Valentine’s Day, summer, fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more! And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for your daily dose of farmhouse inspiration!
