How To Create A Classically Elegant White & Gold Holiday Tablescape

Isn’t there something so elegant about classic white and gold? 
It’s so simple but so rich!  Every time I use this combination, I get long oohs and ahhs from my guests!  So in this post, I’ll share my basics for creating this classic white and gold look.

It’s so fun to get together and share meals with friends – especially during the holidays! 

This is a perfect time to create an extra special setting.  The Christmas season can sometimes get a bit (or a lot) hectic and stressful.  But you can create a calm and serene table that invites your guests to relax, with this elegant white and gold table.  It’s simple and peaceful, with pops of evergreen and deep red to gently invoke the holiday spirit.

So what elements do you need to create this elegant and festive look?

An Elegant Tablecloth

A white tablecloth really ups the elegance game!  This one is a lovely damask with a beautiful flower and leaf design.  It’s not a pure white, but has just a touch ivory, which of course I love.  The slight color difference adds a little depth, especially with the elegant snowy white napkins.

Gold Chargers & White/Ivory Plates

If you’ve been here before, you know I use these simple gold chargers very often.  They’re such a glamorous first layer in the plate stack.  They’re so versatile, and inexpensive too!  Then this beautiful china!  The ivory with the Greek key and gold rim are as classic as it gets, and so very elegant!  You can use white plates, or ivory, or both!  Your main goal is to create a cohesive and classic look.

White Napkins

I really wanted to show off the beautiful plates, and I didn’t want the napkins to get in the way, so I tucked them in between.  This technique works out particularly well when you have a buffet. 

Usually, your guests will be picking up their salad plates to go get salad, so when they get back to their places, their napkins are right there on top, waiting for them.  They won’t have to try to slide them out from between the plates! 

If you’re using plates that are all one color with no trim, you might find a napkin with a little bit of interest.  Maybe some elegant gold or grey dots, trim, or stripes.

Place Cards

It’s always fun to have sparkle, right?  I wanted to have a little extra something on the plate, and these sparkle branches were so fun – and still elegant!  I just added a little place card tag and put them a bit off center on the plate. 

That way, your guests can just set them off to the side when they sit down.  The sparkle will stay on the table throughout dinner, but not be in the way.  

There’s a small debate in the table setting world about place cards vs no place cards.  I’ve found that most of my guests enjoy finding their spots, and are charmed that the dinner is “fancy” enough to have them. 

But if you’d rather not dictate your friends’ seating arrangements, you can just decorate the plates without a place card.

Elegant Crystal

Cut crystal always adds sparkle too!  These are my favorite water glasses.  They really shine in candlelight, and are a great contrast to the sleek wine glasses.  The wine glasses are Riedels – not only elegant, but they’re wonderful for bringing out the best in the wines!

Gold Flatware

The gold flatware is really old.  (Oops – I mean “vintage!”)  You can read its short but fascinating history in this post.

Gold Candlesticks

I do so love candles on the table!  All the various sizes and shapes of these brass candlesticks are interesting, and also add to the texture.  I offset them a bit instead of putting them in a straight line.  That creates yet more texture, plus I could fit more candles in! Check your local thrift or antique store – you can usually find good inexpensive brass candlesticks, and of course they don’t have to match.  

Elegant Flowers

And then – the flowers!  These arrangements were simple.  I gathered some little evergreen sprigs and Oregon Grape from the yard.  (The Oregon Grape leaves are holly-shaped, so work really well at the holidays!) Then I added some seeded eucalyptus for movement and a lacy look.   The rectangular glass vases are from Michael’s.  They’re reasonably inexpensive, and they’re also so unobtrusive!  They really let the flowers speak for themselves.  Plus, they don’t clash with anything!

Then these beautiful deep red roses!  They’re so dramatic!  Especially against all the white.  Your flowers (or whatever table decorations you choose) really set the tone of your table.  I know that sounds obvious, but you can change the whole look of a setting just by changing the decorations.  In fact, I’ll be showing you some examples of that very subject in upcoming posts, so remember what this table looks like without the candles and flowers!  

Other Elegant Decorations

In addition to the decorations on the table, I often put additional decorations in other parts of the room to tie in to my table.  Here you can see more of the same roses in a tall vase on the back cabinet.  The vase is a gorgeous metallic brown ceramic, handmade by a local Portland artist Bobbie Specker.  You can see more of her work HERE.

So Happy Holiday Entertaining my friends!  Let me know in the Comments what you think, and what you’re doing for your own holiday tables!  And remember to sign up in the Subscriber form – we have a lot of fun things coming your way that you won’t want to miss!  Take care till next time!

Barbara’s Boutique

Click on the descriptions below for links to pieces I used for this table.  If the exact item isn’t available any more, I chose a similar option.

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