This dark moody tablescape, as the title says, was inspired by the flowers that were blooming in our yard. We were having a very small dinner party. (Ok, my husband was having a friend over and I was going to join them for dinner. That’s a party in my book!)
And you know I just had to set a nice table! Most of my tablecapes start out with the centerpiece, so I went out into the yard to see what flowers I could scare up. There wasn’t that much going on out there yet, but I found some purple iris and purpleish-blue wood hyacinths, which I thought would look nice together.
Starting the Dark Moody Tablescape
I usually keep the dining room table bare except for a couple candles and a vase. Most times the vase has flowers in it. But it just happened that this dark vintage one was sitting there empty. It looks black, but it’s actually a very deep amethyst glass, which is really pretty when the light shines through it.
I used it before for another dark moody tablescape, which you can read about here: Setting an Elegant Non-Scary Halloween Table. This table isn’t Halloween, obviously, but it’s still falls into the dark and moody tablescape category!
As soon as I got the flowers in the vase, and realized how dark it was, I decided to go with that theme rather than try to lighten it up.
Dark Linens & Plates for a Dark Moody Tablescape
I don’t even remember where I got these black placemats and napkins, but I’ve had them forever. They’re our default linens, and I use them almost every night.
For the plate stack, I started with these cobalt blue glass chargers. They were a gift from a wonderful friend, and I use them often too. They’re almost transparent, so they take on the color of whatever is under them. They’ve looked bright in other tablescapes – like this blue one. But tonight they were dark like the black linens under them.
The dinner plates are some that my mom made several years ago. I’ve linked some that are almost exactly like them in the shopping section below. They’re so elegant with that beautiful silver-grey glaze.
Gold Touches
The golden yellow in the irises made me decide to use gold flatware on the table.
And that led to the gold goblets. They’re so fun, and so unexpected. Guests are always pleasantly surprised by these. They also came from my mom’s collection, but there are similar ones out there. I’ll link to some of them too.
As I mentioned, the tall candle holders were already on the table. And with just the three of us at the table, it looked a little empty, so I added some gold tea candles at each place, as well.
Gold napkin rings finished it off. These are made out of spoons by a local artist, but he doesn’t make gold ones anymore. So, I’ve linked some other really nice gold ones in the shopping section at the bottom of this post.
Tiny Rant About Candles
Side note here. I still love and use pillar, taper, and tea light candles that don’t come in jars. However, it’s been getting harder and harder to find candles that are good enough quality to not melt the sides and drip all over the place! See how previous ones have made a mess of my candle holders?
I won’t get into all the ways that store candles disappoint me, but if you know of a good quality candle company, let me know. (I could practically keep them in business single handedly!) In the meantime, I’ll continue my search and report back if I come up with anything.
Not So Dark and Moody Glassware for the Dark and Moody Tablescape
Besides the candles, the only other non-dark thing on the table was the wine glasses. But they don’t detract from the dark and moody tablescape vibe I had going on. I’ve gone off about these glasses so many times, so I’ll just say that these are our favorites. Riedel Rules!
Only Three Places
I’ve talked before about some ways you can handle an uneven number of place settings on the table, and here’s another one. The topic bears repeating since it comes up so often. (At least at our house!) On this particular night, we only had three people, and I didn’t want the table to look too lopsided.
So, I put the centerpiece and candles in the empty spot. Too easy!
(Plus, since I knew from the beginning that it was going on the end, I could make it taller than I would have if I’d put it in the middle.)
I hope you enjoyed our dark and moody tablescape! Let me know your thoughts in the Comments below – I always love to hear from you!
Shop the Dark and Moody Tablescape
Click on the pictures below for links to the pieces I mentioned in this post. If something’s not available, I chose a similar replacement.
This post includes affiliate links for your shopping convenience. If you click on a link and end up buying anything from that site within 24 hours, I get a small commission with no extra cost to you. It’s a Win-Win, and helps cover the cost of publishing Mantel and Table. (You can read the whole disclosure policy here.) Thanks so much for shopping with me!
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Pin the Dark and Moody Tablescape for Later
Who knew dark and moody could be so beautiful? This is a winner for sure!
Oh thank you! It’s always fun to do something a little different, right? 😊
This was beautiful — I loved those gold goblets. The color scheme made me think of medieval dramas. Thanks for showing how dark colors can create a very special effect on the table.
What a great visual – medieval! Wouldn’t it be fun to set the table for some period drama? And shopping for it would be extra fun! 🤣 If I ever get offered that gig, I’ll call you to go with me! Thanks so much for stopping by – hope your dinner party was fabulous!
Hi Barbara
Who said gloomy isn’t pretty? Love your gloomy table, I imagine that it was a serene and pleasant soiree. Love the hues thanks for sharing.
Ha – absolutely! Gloomy can be pretty! 😊 It was a great time. Thanks for popping over. Hope your spring is going well!
A dark and moody tablescape in May (or even April – actually anytime) – I love it. I bet the hyacinths smelled amazing.
A cousin of mine (I was recently at a baby shower) she collects the ‘travel’ teaspoon sourvenir (tiny spoons) that nobody seems to want anymore and made napkin rings out of them and used the rest for the china cups we used.
Oh that’s so fun! I love re-using special things! Sounds like a fun baby shower too – it’s great to celebrate all the milestones, isn’t it? 💛 Thanks so much for stopping over Janice! Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!
Barbara, I love your dark and moody table. The dark blue blues and purple and black are really different and the flowers are gorgeous! The gold flatware, candles, and wine glasses are so striking with the darker colors. Love the tip about the centerpiece when you have an odd number – great idea. Hope the three of you had a lovely dinner! Take care my friend!
Hi Kim! Yes we did have a lovely dinner – always so fun to share a meal with friends! How’s the organizing coming at your place? Can’t wait to hear the continuing saga!
Wow I love the color combination of purple, black and brass. Very pretty as always, but love the dark and moody option.
Thanks Andrea! I had fun with it, and the guys didn’t complain, so I guess it was ok! 🤣 Hope you’re having a lovely day and staying cool! (At least for today!)
I’m partial to moody and love your flower arrangement. The fact that it came from your backyard is even better. I love the gold touches and every time you use your mom’s gold goblets I think I need some too. 🙂. Anyway, as far as the candles, for pillar candles Vance Kitira has good ones. They melt in the middle and don’t spill over the sides. Thanks for another lovely table. XO- MaryJo
Oh Yaay! Thanks for the candle suggestion – I’m going to go check them out right now! So glad you like the table, and Mom’s gold goblets, too!😊 Have a lovely day out there – thanks so much for stopping over!
Very pretty Barbara! I love the deep blue, purple and gold, the flowers are beautiful. I often set tables for an odd number and love to move the centerpiece to the empty space to balance things out, and you’re right, you can make the centerpiece taller and larger since it won’t be a conversation stopper. Your table is elegant and masculine, perfect for your dinner for 3!
Ha – I never thought of masculine, but you’re right! Maybe it was all that testosterone in the house! 🤣 Thanks for popping over – I can’t wait to see what you’re up to today!
I never thought about doing this with a centerpiece. Brilliant especially when there’s an odd number. Thanks for the tip.
Hi Cindy! You’re so welcome – any time! 😊 So sweet of you to stopo over. I hope everything’s great with you!