Have you ever been stumped when it came to decorating a side table or dresser? I have!
So when the Nester over at Nesting Place talked about a tablescape tutorial she read in The Home Book, I took notes.
According to designer David Jimenez, the trick is to:
- Layer and lean framed photographs against the wall.
- Keep your palette simple.
- Try a tray.
- Use a vase with a strong silhouette.
The photo above shows how her experiment in tablescaping turned out. Isn’t it pretty?
She’s hosting a 10 Minutes to a Room You’ll Love party today, so check it out!
this is really cute. i have a little table next to my couch that needs help I will have to play around with these.
Courtney’s last blog post..Getting Back to Books!
Do Mantles next. People allways struggle with mantles
How fun! I really love the first one you did. Practically every table and dresser in my house needs to be tablescaped. I just need more “stuff”!
Lindsay’s last blog post..Giveaway! Giveaway! Giveaway!
Now your table looks like it’s right out of a magazine. Looks wonderful!! Such great tips. 🙂
Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam’s last blog post..Asking your prayers for the processing…
I love all 3 looks, but #1 is the best!
Wow. I love it that you shared so many ways of doing the same table scape. Amazing!
Karol :0)
Karol’s last blog post..10 Minutes To My Bathroom That I Love (Now)
Wow, that looks beautiful, great job with all three! I LOVE all the color in table #3. Thanks for inspiring 😉
Julia~I love #2 the most, but they are all much better than before. Awesome!
melissa’s last blog post..10 minutes to a bathroom you’ll love: Nester Style
I like them all. The one that is best is the one that makes you happy. I don’t know you, but when I saw the 3rd picture, it seemed perfect for you. Does that make sense? LOL!
Thanks for the post, now I know what I will be doing tomorrow!
Jenny’s last blog post..Works For Me Wednesday
I was majorly impressed with each transformation of that little ol’ table. Looks fantastico! I am taking note…
Megan’s last blog post..Nine is FINE!
I love that you didnt just re-arrange once and give up! I kind of am leaning towards the last one because it is bright and cheery-spring ready! And the beauty of it all is that you can change it again and everytime you get a hankering for a new look! Thanks for sharing-it was fun!
Hope you are having a wonderful week~Tam:D
Tam’s last blog post..My LiL Weekend Adventure!
Ooooohhh….love David Jimenez. And LOVE your new look. I think I have to vote for #2…not that you asked :-)…’cause I’m on a bit of a black and white kick right now. I think I smell a Hooked On post coming up…:-)
laura @ the shore house’s last blog post..Happiness is…finding things in the trash.
Wow – I seriously can’t believe how different the table looks in “look 1”. It’s basically the same stuff with just a few changes, and yet it looks so much fuller and pulled together. Amazing.
AnNicole@OurSuburbanCottage’s last blog post..NESTING PLACE CHALLENGE – THE KITCHEN
How fun! I think I like the first one the best, but they are all great in their own ways. Good job!
Amanda’s last blog post..Bathroom Re-Do ***UPDATED***
Ooooooh, I don’t know! I love them all! But definitely #1 & #3 are my favorites! #1 seems good for every day–it’s classy. #3 seems good for spring.
Love it!
Amber Filkins @ {ae filkins}’s last blog post..Friend Makin Mondays!
I like them all. It’s amazing what results a few changes can make. I feel inspired….where to start?
desiree’s last blog post..First-Time Homeowner Has European Flair
You did a great job :)I think #1 is really beautiful and warm. I have a thing for lamps tho. #3 is also very inspiring, especially with spring and summer around the corner!
JanMarie’s last blog post..This, That & The Other Thing…………
I love the inclusion of the color towards the bottom, very “Absolutely Beautiful” in feeling.
Blushing Hostess’s last blog post..Grace notes: A wise caution
I have got to give this idea a whirl. Maybe tomorrow when I’m off work?
Suzann’s last blog post..
WOW! They’re great! I love them all…but that last one…well, I’ve been dreaming of Spring lately and that just fits the bill! 🙂
Astrid’s last blog post..Next Stop: Bonkersville
I love how you have three different looks for your tablescape. They all look fantastic!
june’s last blog post..A Few Valentine Cards
Great ideas! I love that black and white vase and the art!
Isn’t it fun to go “house shopping” at home? 🙂
Kathi’s last blog post..The Official Standard
Great job! I like # 2 and #3 the best, how’s that for being decisive? Maybe you could change them out for the seasons? Or just with your mood? But then you might not get anything else done! 😉
Kimm at Reinvented’s last blog post..Inspiring Spaces
I have such a hard time with tables, so this post is really helpful! I can’t decide which look I like best…#2 is so classy, whereas #3 is spunky and fun. Nice job, Julia!
bungalow_bliss’s last blog post..The Sleeper Trifecta?
Hate me but that was Totally Fun! Oh, now I want to go try to do my table 3 ways! Great idea! I think #2 is my fav but love the springy one and #1.
Great job Julia!
The Nester’s last blog post..10 Minutes to a Room You Love:: Finale
I love look 3! Probably because it’s rainy and gray here and I love the splashes of color! Nice job, Julia!
Emily@remodelingthislife’s last blog post..Link Love: Baby, It’s Cold Outside Edition
cute! very clever…love the tip about adding books…i did the same to one of my tabletops yesterday!
Oooh I loved this post. I love the look of After #1 – it looks very polished and put together – like it could fit easily into a magazine spread. But I would prefer to have After #2 in my own home. I love color, fresh flowers and I love that those look books that would actually be read. The only think I might do differently is get a different piece of art for the wall that has more color – and try hanging it vs. propping on the table. You’ve inspired me – I have been meaning to do something with my two bedside tables for ages. Must work on them this weekend!
christy’s last blog post..Power Surge on Hub Port (huh?)
Fun to see all the different ways- you’ve inspired me to get working on some table I have. I just spent sometime refreshing my fireplace-and now I have some ideas for a couple of tables.
Thanks
Have a great day-
Oh my gosh girl…this is absolutely LOVELY…you did a fantastic job…I tend to get too much STUFF and now i am going to work on a problem chest that I have…you have given me some great ideas….
bj
bj’s last blog post..A teeny, tiny make-over aka FLUFFING..
I’m a big fan of black and white decorating! I personally loved the black and white theme, and I thought the first picture in your linkback to your family room was your family room! It took my breath away. Yours is equally lovely, by the way. But now I’m lusting after those houndstooth chairs.
Heather’s last blog post..I want some free clothes from J Crew
How did you know I needed this exact type of help? Thanks for the great post!! Have a great day!
Melissa’s last blog post..Wedding Wednesday-China
i like look #3, but i would like the picture back on the top of the shelf and maybe the lamp on the right? i’m not crazy about pears *and* flowers together, but i love the bright-colored books.
how about black and white with just a shot of color from either the books or the flowers? i’d like to see that.
maya | springtree road’s last blog post..©1974
I think I would have loved a combination of look no 1 and 3! Great post! 🙂
Dagny’s last blog post..Jeg elsker dette! / Isn’t it lovely?
Thanks for sharing! I like 1 better than 2, a lamp is always good. But I also love all the color in 3. That’s what’s so great about shopping your house. You can do 3 during the spring to brighten things up and then when you need a chage, no problem!
Lazy Mom Leslie’s last blog post..The Pantry Pit!
Number 2 is my pick. A fun and easy exercise everyone should do. I think a mantelpiece could be tackled in the same fashion. Thanks for passing on the tips!
Nouveau Stitch’s last blog post..Ode to a Foot
Love your second look the most!!! But they are all stunning – Great job!!!
Love all three but my favorite is #2. I like how the print and colors on the vase pulls out the design on the picture frame…..Christine
Christine’s last blog post..Springtime tablescape and Shoes: Can a girl ever have enough of them?
Hey Julia we must have been on the same wave length this morning! I promise I didn’t look at any posts before I created mine. We even used the same words I tell ya!
Don’t pick just one look, Do like me…change it when you dust!
~Misti
Misti @ Studio M Designs’s last blog post..Weekly Dusting: Perfect Time to Rotate Accessories
I love the clean-ness of the black and white – but i’m ALWAYS drawn to color. Maybe mix the two up a bit. Anyway you do it it will turn out great. All 3 are fantastic. I just put my dresser in the closet and that was probably the only thing in my house that I could do a tablescape on. I’ll have to wait on doing this one!
amylouwho’s last blog post..:*deep breath*:
They are all amazing transformations but I think #2 is my favorite!
coco’s last blog post..a fresh look in 10 minutes…
Maya–I wouldn’t actually use pears in my study, probably–just needed that color when I was playing around.
Christy–I agree that if I go with the colorful version, I’d probably need different artwork. I’d definitely have some shopping to do!
Thanks for all of your kind comments. Nice to see so many new faces here this morning! -Julia 🙂
My favorite is number one, but they all look nice in there own way. You can always change it up depending on your mood.
beth’s last blog post..Project of the week-kitchen cabinets
I love look #1, it is very warm. Isn’t amazing how making a smiple change to one corner can brighted the whole room?
Robin’s last blog post..The cheesy prom pose was his idea
You are so stinkin’ creative! I love the way ALL of your attempts turned out. Beautiful!
theArthurClan’s last blog post..Sweatiepy’s Gettin’ His Groove On.
All of them look great. I like how you used just thing you have. Pulling thing that fit the stlye and the color pallet.
Derek’s last blog post..House update
I really like them all, you did a great job using what you had on hand. My favorite would be #3 because I adore the white candle sticks and bright flowers. Great Job!!!
queenbee’s last blog post..Tackle It Tuesday-Master Bathroom
I love #3! The others are nice too but I think #3 is un-stuffy and fun. I actually love the pears and flowers together. And so much color- love it.
Amy’s last blog post..La-de-da
I was just over at Susan’s and saw your link, Julia. Love this makeover/tablescape! Beautiful, with lots of inspiration!
Pat’s last blog post..~Soup for Two~
I love how that looks Julia and all of the options! It looks great!
Jen R Sanctuary Arts’s last blog post..10 minute make-over
Great work!
Rachel’s last blog post..10 Minute Makeover
Great hints on creating a beautiful table display! Thank you!
darlene’s last blog post..Richard Gere’s Cottage Is For Sale
Presto Chango…I am truly impressed, girl!!! looks great!
Linda@Lime in the Coconut’s last blog post..Ahhhh…
I really like all the looks that you presented. :o) Your hydrangeas are gorgeous!
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
I like ALL the different looks! I love that you shared the differences that you tried out. I like 2 for a more ‘upscale’ feel and 3 for springy and fun!
Sherri S’s last blog post..Tornado Warning!
Yo uhave such cool stuff around your hosue to work with–I love all the arrangements. The flowers make it look so summery. Sheesh if I had to shop around my house, all I’d have to work with is a stack of diapers and an arrangement of cottage cheese-making sippy cups.
Aubrey’s last blog post..Untacky Valentines
I like all the looks you provided! FUN collection of books to read!
Fifi Flowers’s last blog post..Just in time…
Great advice – I esp. agree with the book idea!
please sir’s last blog post..Found Vintage Style
I really love the third tablescape!
ellen’s last blog post..ten minutes to a room you love: mantel makeover edition
Okay, #3 has my vote. The other two were lovely, but that one is perfect
Oh I love those bottles from IKEA.
I think I prefer the Black & White #2. But it would really depend on what is going on in the rest of the room.
Now to finish my day and get home to decorate.
angie’s last blog post..Updates…
looks fantastic! i love all three ways…the second might be my favorite. But the third looks like how I’m feeling…all whimsical with spring fever!
wow, this is truely the art of display at work! 🙂
Wow! these look great – thanks for the inspiration!
Becca @ the Stanley Clan’s last blog post..Can I Just be Honest for a Minute?
Wow I love them all! You done good!!! Sigh…I love thos vases. I want an Ikea SO BAD. I am no help helping you decide, everything is lovely.
Sarah @ Thriftydecorchick’s last blog post..Twenty minutes and ten bucks!
I love all three. What an excellent job! Now, I must copy these for my “I wanna do this, too!” file.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
I choose number 2… But they all look great…
ok, my jaw hit the floor when i saw your new table options! i mean, that is crazy what a difference it made! GREAT OPTIONS, all of them!
Bugs & Sunshine’s last blog post..You want what?
I like all three, and such a great idea for a post. But if I must choose, I think I’d choose the middle one, but geez I like them ALL!!
Suzanne
suzanne’s last blog post..The ten minute makeover that took 2 hours…..
What a great post! I love all three, but #1 is my favorite.
Fabulous!!!
new every morning’s last blog post..10 Minute Makeover
Exquisite! Love the effort you went to! It’s so nice to see possibilities. I’m loving all of the great ideas… I think I’m going to host a toile party in the future. Would you come if I did? Crazy… I’m a little nervous about it and don’t want to look like a total dork in a party dress with 3 links… Ahhh… bloggy nerves! I’ll be back soon! Love this blog!
PrettyOrganizer’s last blog post..Rearrange the Furniture; an unscheduled post.
Hi!!!! I’m here thanks to Leigh at Thrifty Thursday!!!!
I love what you have done with the color on your table!!!! =) Love it!!!!
Jeannie’s last blog post..Thrifty Thursday!!!
Those all look great! Isnt it amazing what the comosition can do to a space. You dont even realize until it is done properly and then you seem to even breathe easier. I love all of those looks.
Thanks for playing along in Thrifty Thursday’s in Bloggeritaville! I appreciate your support!
Leigh
leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville’s last blog post..Thrifty Thursday-Plus a Tablescape
You did such a great job! Bravo!
What a great little project to liven up a space, tonight I’m going to walk around the house and see if I can do something similiar.
Christine’s last blog post..Lace and Stencils
Great ideas for three different looks! Just remember if leaning any frames or other objects against the wall that you use something to prevent wall marks or scratches. It is very easy to mark or scratch the wall each time you move the oject to dust. I like using the peel and stick pads that you put on the bottom of furniture. They come in many sizes and thickness.
They all look great! Thanks for sharing.
Kasey’s last blog post..The One I’ve Been Dreading
Hey, great job! I think I like #1 best. If your lamp has seen better days, you could spray-paint it black and that would tie it in and give it a little more visual weight. Maybe you could put the flowers with that arrangement for a punch of color.
Holly’s last blog post..I Did It In Ten Minutes, More or Less
Love that artwork! Especially leaned up against the wall!
Deidra’s last blog post..10 Minutes
I like them all, but the colors of the last one caught my attention. I’m a color person for sure. I even have a colorful basket like yours. Well, really I have 5 or 6 of them in a row in my laundry room holding craft stuff. Love the flowers. Pretty tablescapes…all of them. Great post Julia!
-Kim
All three look great, I prefer #3 for spring and summer and maybe #1 for fall and winter, just my two cents worth.
LeAnn
I love this, Julia! I can waste…I mean spend…many hours doing stuff like this at home. I love the black and white look – very classic, sophisticated, and grown-up. I’ve been craving color recently, myself – I think it’s that longing for spring, knowing that it’s just around the corner…so I have to say I’m a big fan of the colorful tablescape too. For me personally, I’d probably go with the colorful one for now (in anticipation of spring!) and switch to the black and white come fall (maybe with a tiny bit of orange thrown in, like in the original inspiration photo had). Btw, THANK YOU for not using silk flowers in your Ikea vases. 🙂
Courtney @ Nesting Instincts’s last blog post..American Country refreshed – a no-money makeover
Look #3 is just perfect. Love the colors, and you can’t go wrong with gerber daises! Great job:)
I love tables two and three. Nice job. I’m learning so many things about tablescapes that I never really thought about. Blogging rocks.
I stumbled onto the Nesting Place’s blog party, and have had an absolute blast looking at, and being inspired by, everyone’s 10-minute-makeovers. I’m having a really hard time deciding which of your tablescapes I like better. but I have to say, I was blown away by the first one. The other two were just as fabulous. Must run to change a tablescape right now!
Well, you sure had some fun in your office! All three look fab, Julia. I’m drawn to number three since I’m desperately craving Spring right now.
Ah, trays. I love ’em. I’m starting to feel paranoid, now, however that people will call me the “tray lady” since every room has one perched on a table. They are just so great for detail, color, and anchoring all the pretties on a table.
angela | the painted house’s last blog post..The Cottage Project: We Have Walls!
I am now inspired to do something with my nightstands. This is a GREAT post!!
Oh, #1 for sure. The light of the lamp really makes the other pieces come alive.
Running late this week visiting blogs….
Hope you had a great Tablescape Thursday
Susan
It’s hard to decide which look is best they’re all great, always go with what you like & you can’t go wrong
Helen
I’d go with #3 until fall and then switch to #2 for the colder months. They all looks amazing!! Wow, little differences sure change the bigger picture.
Wendy’s last blog post..Quick Room Makeovers…I did it in 10 minutes…
Love all of them!
Btw, I rented a movie the other day from the library…An Affair To Remember! I LOVED it! I didn’t cry as much as Meg Ryan and Rosie O’Donnell did, and I actually laughed my head off when Debra Karr said the line “Winter must be so cold for those who have no warm memories…” because that’s the line Meg and Rosie are sobbing over in Sleepless in Seattle. Thanks for posting about it the other day!
Wow – what different ways to liven up a table! I love them all. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Jen
jenjen’s last blog post..Nesting Place: I did it in 10 Minutes (bedroom) Finale!
I like #s 2 & 3, depending on the season or occasion. I really like the stack of pink books and the IKEA vases.
Victoria
victoria ~ auction girl vintage’s last blog post..10 Minute Breakfast Room Decor ~ Shop The House & Toss It Together
Hi Julia, Welcome to Tablescape Thursday! Wow, amazing how different that area looks with all the different vignettes you’ve chosen. If you need light in that area, I’d probably stick with the lamp look…which I like anyway. 🙂 The second look is a bit more sophisticated, I think, which the third is more casual and fun. Ummmm, maybe you could go with look 1 or 2 for winter and the fun, more colorful look for spring/summer. Or you could reverse that idea to give you some spring/summer in the dead of winter when we sometime need it the most!
🙂 Thanks for sharing all these great ideas! Susan
Susan’s last blog post..Welcome to the First Ever Foodie Friday and to the Twenty-Sixth Tablescape Thursday!
They are each lovely, and now you have four different looks to this space that you can change whenever the mood strikes! I enjoy mixing things up every once in a while so my pretties don’t start to look stale. For me, if things never change, they blend in and I almost forget they’re there! Thanks for the inspiration…I’m off to play around in my dining room next!!!
I am so sorry. I made a mistake with number 40 on Mr. Linky. I can’t remove it.
Thanks for having such a great link party.
I like the first one, but I would probably would try painting the lamp black…might be a little more balance! Great job! Loved seeing the 3 different looks!
jodi @ bpr’s last blog post..Bless this Nest
Fantastic tablescapes!
Sandy’s last blog post..Beautiful Comforts…..
How much fun did you have doing this? Looks like too much fun to me!
I like #3…I like the black vase in the mix! Have a great weekend.
Shawn/Lifeatbuttercupfarm’s last blog post..Music Memories
Wow I love this. great idea to show the different ways. I get tired of the ‘same’ look….I love the different ideas and different placement of everything you used. Julia great post.
blessings,
Debbie
I love all three!
Jean’s last blog post..10 Minutes to a Room You’ll Love
I would love ideas for a large square coffee table. What do you put on it that looks good?
Jean’s last blog post..10 Minutes to a Room You’ll Love
Very clever, I love after #1.
Carrie’s last blog post..Bitten
The black boxes do make a difference. I need to re-do our bookcases.
Rona’s last blog post..Calvary Chapel Spring Valley – Online Church Service
Thanks for the cool post. I got some good ideas from it. My favorite was #3. I have some tables that desperately need a makeover but my 18 month old won’t leave my knick knacks alone! Sigh…maybe next year 🙂
Fantastic! I love the milky white candlesticks in the last look and the vase that matched the art in the second look. I’m dying to try the tablescapes, but with two crazy kiddos running around, I have to make it childproof and unbreakable….anyone have any tablescape suggestions using MELAMINE AND IRON????
Cary’s last blog post..Thank you Nester!!!
I love either #1 or #2.
Love all of them! And what a difference it makes!
They all look great! My favorite overall look is #2 and I also love the vases with the flowers in #3!
Southern Fried Gal’s last blog post..Check Out My Loot!
wow, these are so cool because they all have such different looks!! Thanks so much for sharing, I am getting a lot of inspiration around here!! 🙂
Nikki’s last blog post..{Menu Plan Monday and GCC Roundup}
i like look 2 . you even out the round clock with the round plate. could have used a round picture if you didnt want the plate. look 1 is still a very good look. i didnt care for look 3. though i did love a flowers and vases. i think they would look good perhaps spread apart in the living room or perhaps together on the dining room table. oh, and i LOVE ikea. got hooked on ikea back in stuttgart germany.
Julia, I really enjoyed this posting and you inspired me to give it a try with a little table. Hope you approve of your star-billing in this piece.
Struggler’s last blog post..How to dress a side table