From Holiday to Cozy January: A Table Transformation
By: Anne Merchant / Pineapples on Parry
It’s January—Now What?
We’ve all experienced the post-holiday doldrums… the twinkling lights of the tree are tucked away, the splashes of red and green tartan are stashed for now, and perhaps there’s a hint of snow on the ground, but spring is definitely not around the corner. (Personally, this is when I start dreaming of a plane ticket to an island that serves umbrella drinks.) So, how do we bring joy back into the home during a typically dreary season? I prefer to embrace the coziness of winter and create an inviting dinner table for our dearest friends—using elements from my Thanksgiving and Christmas tables.
Let’s be honest—most of us do not have the space for an event warehouse (though many of us have tried, much to the chagrin of our husbands). This is the perfect time to use your creativity and repurpose your décor and florals from the holiday season to transition into the winter months. Think of the neutral tones of the flora and fauna… southern botanicals… mixing the old with the new. Let’s explore how we can pull these concepts together to transform your table.
Pick Your Neutral
When creating tablescapes, I usually start with the tablecloth as the foundation for my overall vision and let my imagination take it from there. I always look for a neutral tone to carry throughout the table. For the winter months, the rich brown tones of wood are a classic—and pro tip, look no further than your own backyard (more on that in a moment). The southern landscape provides a perfect balance of browns and greens, which serves as a lovely base for your winter table.
But don’t forget to have fun with color! As Clairee says, “The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.” Bring on the pops of dark greens, powdery blues, citrusy oranges, snowy whites… many of these may have been on your Christmas table, or they are simple enough to add without breaking the bank. Gorgeous silk ribbons and satin bows are inexpensive touches that complement your greens and browns. Let your personal style shine!
Incorporate Southern Botanicals
Bringing the outside in is a beautiful way to introduce your chosen neutral colors and layer textures of nature on your table. My botanical trinity consists of magnolia, hydrangea, and boxwood. Magnolia is a staple on my holiday table, as its branches are hearty, lush, and perfectly complement any neutral of choice (and I guarantee your neighbor will be happy to share some clippings). The velvety chocolate and dark green waxy leaves provide both texture and color for a winter woodland theme.
For my Thanksgiving centerpiece (above), I mixed in sprigs of wheat, faux cotton branches, and dried limelight hydrangeas. These can easily be swapped out for crisp white hydrangeas for a fresh nod to winter. While I wait impatiently for early summer and these beauties to bloom, hydrangeas will always be my personal favorite and should be used at any time of year. From the walls of my childhood bedroom to my newly renovated formal dining room (thank you, Schumacher), I never tire of them. They will always remind me of my mother and home.
Boxwood, boxwood, boxwood… this year-round classic comes in all shapes and sizes (swags, bunches, wreaths, and more) and looks stunning from fireplace mantels to windows to table settings. You can never go wrong investing in boxwood, whether in your garden or your home décor. Bright green sprigs of boxwood can be tucked amongst your magnolia and hydrangea centerpiece for texture and height. This luscious evergreen pairs beautifully with citrus and other seasonal fruits. It’s likely your holiday table featured a Revere bowl or two full of pomanders, pomegranates, and pears—bring in pops of juicy oranges and velvety Wedgwood blue bows to transition the color scheme while keeping the winter neutrals of brown and green.
Mix the Old with the New
The new year is about a fresh season of life and the promise of spring, but your grandmother’s silver is timeless. No one says you have to put away your “pretties” now that the holidays have passed. The tried-and-true tradition of using vintage pieces can easily be mixed with newly acquired linens, modern flatware, and accent items. Plus, these heirlooms often spark good conversation or a few laughs around the table. (For example, my grandmother’s sterling silver water goblets bear some random person’s monogram, so we enjoy coming up with quirky Southern names for them!)
Enjoy being creative with your Mimi’s silver champagne bucket, filling it with southern botanicals and evergreens (or enlist your local floral designer as I often do—it’s perfectly acceptable to outsource!). Layer your everyday Wedgwood Nantucket Basket dinner plates with your wedding fine china, and top it off with one of your many treasured baubles or conversation pieces. Pull out the monogrammed linens and use those cute gold bamboo napkin rings. Adorn your bar with silver bowls of cheese straws and Caspari cocktail napkins. I love blending the vintage with the modern—it makes for a more interesting affair!
When I think about mixing the old (me) with the new (my two teenage boys), it doesn’t have to be a stuffy family affair. While etiquette can sometimes feel like a lost art, use “setting the table” as a teachable moment and have fun with it. My mother, who taught etiquette classes to medical residents (for fun), showed me how to set a table properly, and I hope to instill the same lessons in my boys. (If that fails, a little healthy competition with a side of bribery never hurts.) Above all else, make your guests feel welcome and like family.
While the holidays may be behind us, there is always another inviting table just around the corner. Hosting friends and family is an opportunity to let your personality and style shine. You can easily ease the transition into the winter season by repurposing elements from your holiday table and your treasured pieces. Before we know it, March will come in like a lion—and spring’s beauty will be upon us. Pink and green, here we come!
~Anne Merchant / Pineapples on Parry
About the author:
Born in Virginia and raised in North Carolina, Anne Merchant joins Southern Hospitality Company as a guest contributor showcasing her love for entertaining, tablescapes, florals and more. Anne studied foreign affairs at the University of Virginia and had a seasoned career on Capitol Hill and the political scene of Washington. She now enjoys volunteering in the community and spending time in her newly renovated home with her husband, two baseball-loving teenage sons and a beagle named Wahoo in Alexandria, Virginia.
SoHoCo discovered Anne (aka “Pineapples on Parry”) on Instagram when she started her page during the pandemic as a much-needed creative outlet. Her colorful feed has given her the space to share her passion for welcoming tables, photography, and all things Southern…and she loves pineapples, the symbol of hospitality (but we are guessing you already knew that!). We invite you to follow Anne and “Pineapples on Parry” for more styled inspiration for your next affair.
Find Anne Merchant on Socials @pineapplesonparry
Photos provided by Renée C. Gage, M. Photog. Cr.
Sources from this Post:
- Photo Credits: Renée C. Gage, M. Photog. Cr. https://www.reneecgage.com/
- Thanksgiving Table Photos provided by Anne Merchant
- Thanksgiving Table Florals: Helen Olivia Flowers (Alexandria, VA)
- Tablecloth: Mrs. Alice
- Table Napkins: Flying Sheep Country
- Dinner Plates: Wedgwood (Nantucket Basket)
- Salad Plates: Spode (Delamere)
- Decorative Pheasant Placemats: Two’s Company
- Boxwood Wreaths: Mrs. Alice
- Decorative Boxwood Placemats: TomTom & Company
- Boxwood Wreaths: Mrs. Alice
- Candles: Caspari
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18 responses to “From Holiday to Cozy January: A Table Transformation”
Oh I love everything about this! Great tips!
We love her and all her design tips!
I’m so glad you enjoyed reading my article…thank you for the kind words!
Beautiful work, Anne! Just followed you on Instagram this morning and am excited to see your upcoming renovations!
We can’t wait to see them and follow along too!
Thank you so much for following along! We are so happy to be home!
Using the grandmothers goblets and guessing the southern names had me giggling. Thank you for this article! Loved it!
We loved that story as well!!
Oh, we’ve had so much fun with the names…it never gets old! I’m so glad you enjoyed the article!
That hydrangea centerpiece is to die for! Loved reading the article and getting to know more about you.
We agree with Anne that hydrangeas are a year-round staple!
Thank you so much!! Hydrangeas are such a classic beauty! So happy you enjoyed the article!
The orange and blue oh my!!! Loved reading this!
Thank you, Jenny! I love that combo of colors, too…give me all the citrus! Appreciate your kind words!
I like to mix my old family pieces with newer pieces that I’ve acquired. It makes for an interesting table.
Completely agree, Karen! What are some of your favorite family pieces? I love to hear what others use for inspiration!
Truly so beautiful. This inspired me to set my table for an upcoming family birthday! Thank you!
Oh, I’m so flattered that you enjoyed it and found some inspiration! Would love to hear what you’re planning!