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Tablescaping 101: An Expert Guide + Two Easy Summer Tablescapes

Pick up tablescaping tips from Nashville event planner Amos Gott of AmosEvents β€” and learn to recreate two of his beautiful summer tablescapes for your next gathering! Image: Kenzie Barron

Β· By Alissa Harb
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A wooden bowl filled with tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, and radishes sits on a patterned tableclothβ€”an inviting centerpiece for summer tablescapes, surrounded by candlesticks, glassware, and plates.Pin
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For some of us, setting the table is a chore. For others, it’s an art form. And event planner Amos Gott of Nashville’s AmosEvents? He’s an artist. We recently joined Amos for a full day of β€œtablescaping” β€” and you better believe we took notes. Today, we’re sharing Amos’s essential tablescaping dos and don’ts, along with two stunning table designs that are perfect for late-summer gatherings.

Today’s tips and tablescapes are a drop in the bucket. Amos set 10 tables in one day, so stay tuned for more inspiration in the coming weeks!

Amos Gott sitting on a tablein a room with greeneryPin
We teamed up with Amos Gott of Nashville’s AmosEvents for a full day of table-setting magic. Read on for some of the stunning results. Image: Kenzie Barron
Table of Contents
  1. For First-Time Hosts
  2. The Essentials
  3. Play with Color, Texture, and Contrast
  4. Avoid Common Mistakes
  5. Splurge or Save?
  6. Farmers’ Market-Inspired Tablescape
  7. Palm Tree Tablescape

A beautifully set table isn’t just about decoration β€” it’s an invitation. Sit down. Stay awhile. But according to Amos, a thoughtfully styled tablescape is less about perfection and more about connection. β€œThe goal is to create an atmosphere where guests feel comfortable lingering,” he says. β€œWhen your table feels like you, your guests will feel at ease.”

Whether you’re hosting your very first dinner party or looking for ways to polish up your own tried-and-true techniques, here’s how to build a table that’s as welcoming as it is beautiful.

For First-Time Hosts

Amos’s best advice for newbie hosts? Keep it simple. If the thought of a full-blown tablescape feels intimidating, start small.

Clear the table, lay down a simple runner or cloth, and use the dishes you already own. Add a few candles, maybe a bowl of citrus or greenery for color, and let your personality guide the rest β€” a curated playlist, a candle with your signature scent, or place cards with your guests’ names. β€œIt’s not about impressing,” says Amos. β€œIt’s about inviting.”

Veggies like radishes, lettuce, cabbages, tomatoes, and carrots in a wooden bowl on a beautiful floral tableclothPin
If you’re not confident in your flower-arranging skills, a rustic display of fresh produce is an easy alternative. Image: Kenzie Barron

The Essentials

Like any good recipe, a memorable tablescape begins with a solid foundation. Amos recommends having a small selection of neutral or seasonal tablecloths, plus a variety of napkins to add texture and shift the mood. Chargers or placemats β€œadd depth and structure,” while statement dinnerware and weighty flatware instantly elevate the setting.

Glassware can be both functional and decorative. β€œI like clear wine glasses, but a colored water glass introduces a layer of color that makes the table feel curated,” adds Amos. Ambient lighting β€” from candles or even miniature table lamps β€” adds warmth and dimension, while a low floral or botanical centerpiece makes the space beautiful but keeps conversation flowing.

Play with Color, Texture, and Contrast

Once you have the basics down, you can layer in personality. β€œStart with restraint, then layer with intention,” he advises. Color might come from napkins, tinted glassware, or even the food itself. Mix a variety of textures like linen napkins, matte ceramics, or woven placemats. Contrast β€” the secret weapon β€” emerges when you mix rustic with refined, modern with vintage, soft with structured.

A patterned tablecloth with green placemat and luxury green-themed table sedttingPin
A snapshot of one of today’s two featured tablescapes, this place setting features a variety of textures and colors yet remains cohesive. Image: Kenzie Barron

Avoid Common Mistakes

The most frequent missteps are overcrowding the table, blocking your guests’ views of each other with too-tall centerpieces, neglecting lighting, and focusing on the photo over the guest experience. β€œA well-designed table should breathe,” Amos explains. β€œEvery element should have a purpose β€” whether functional, emotional, or aesthetic.”

Splurge or Save?

Invest in high-quality pieces you love and will use again and again: quality flatware, versatile dinnerware, clear wine glasses, and linen napkins. Save (or source creatively) when it comes to table linens, chargers, and seasonal accents.

When it comes to centerpieces, β€œThere’s no need to splurge if you have a foundation,” says Amos. β€œUse what’s seasonal and local β€” branches, fruit, florals, or personal collections.” And don’t underestimate what you already own! Some of the most beautiful tables come from a mix of collected, borrowed, and repurposed pieces.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The most memorable tables aren’t necessarily the most elaborate. They’re the ones where guests feel comfortable, conversation flows, and the setting reflects the host’s personality. β€œElegance lives in restraint,” says Amos. β€œThe table should serve the gathering β€” not the other way around.”

Farmers’ Market-Inspired Tablescape

Perfect for late summer β€” but easily tweaked any time of year with whatever produce is in season β€” this market-inspired tablescape is festive, colorful, and comes together with very little fuss.

A pretty, summer tablescape featuring a salmon-colored floral tabletop with a wood bowl, wooden candlesticks, and bright vegetablesPin
This table design is anchored by a vibrant, patterned tablecloth and matching cloth napkins from Pomegranate. Because of the brightly colored table linens and produce, other elements like green plates and wooden candlesticks stay earthy and understated. The result is a β€œrustic-elegant” vibe. Image: Kenzie Barron
A pretty, summer tablescape featuring a salmon-colored floral tabletop with a wood bowl, wooden candlesticks, and bright vegetablesPin
Two wooden bowls of fresh seasonal produce β€” flanked by white votives, white taper candles, and even more produce β€” make an easy but impactful centerpiece. These two bowls are from Amos’s personal collection, but if you love the look, you can find similar options online. Image: Kenzie Barron
A wooden bowl of bright vegetablesPin
Talk about color and texture! Image: Kenzie Barron
Overview of a summer tablescape with green and pink themePin
Green dinner plates from World Market perfectly complement the patterned tablecloth and leafy produce, tying the tablescape together. Because the rest of the setting is so vibrant, simple silver cutlery and clear glassware are all that’s needed to complete the look. Image: Kenzie Barron
Three place settings on a summer tablescapePin
Perfectly uniform table settings, complete with traditional glassware, add a refined edge to an otherwise β€œovergrown” look. The right contrasting elements can create the most cohesive finished results. Image: Kenzie Barron

RECREATE THE LOOK

Palm Tree Tablescape

Perfect for pool parties or any other warm-weather gathering, this tropical tablescape starts with a neutral-patterned tablecloth and muted brown-and-green accessories. As you explore these photos, you’ll likely think of plenty of ways the table accessories can be rotated out for other seasons and holidays. Think pine trees instead of palm trees and transparent hurricanes instead of rattan ones …

Green and white-themed tablescape with wicker embellishmentsPin
Don’t be afraid to pull household decor items like oversized candle holders into your tablescapes. You want your guests to be able to see each other over centerpieces, but unexpected lighting and accessories make for a memorable setup. These rattan candlesticks and hurricanes are perfect for outdoor entertaining! Image: Kenzie Barron
Amos setting a tablescapePin
This theme is ideal for setting the mood in outdoor dining areas. Image: Kenzie Barron
Green and white-themed tablescape for summerPin
The wavy white dinner plates pictured here are made of break-resistant melamine, ideal for entertaining. You could take this setup a step further with a palm tree at every place setting to display guests’ names! Image: Kenzie Barron
Close-up of a green and white-themed place settingPin
Zooming in on the details of this table, it’s easy to see that the base elements β€” neutral patterned tablecloth, white dinner plates, and muted green accessories β€” can easily be tweaked to work for any season. For example, imagine swapping the rattan palm trees for Christmas trees! (And yes, that’s a teaser of tablescapes to come.) Image: Kenzie Barron

RECREATE THE LOOK

We’ll be back later this month with another round of colorful tablescapes from Amos and even more hosting tips and inspiration. In the meantime, happy hosting!

A HUGE β€œthank you” to Nashville interior designer Andrea Webb Powell of Webb Powell Designs for hosting us in her beautiful home for this photoshoot.

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Alissa Harb

Alissa Harb

Alissa Harb is StyleBlueprint's Managing Editor, based in Nashville. A lifelong Tennessee native, Alissa has over 14 years of experience in digital media and loves writing about food, travel, and entertaining. She is a lover of dogs, true crime, and ordering for the table.

See all articles by Alissa Harb
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