Annabelle Brasserie’s decor during the holidays proves that tablescapes are a game-changer.
When I walked into the dining room at Annabelle Brasserie last Christmas, I let out an audible gasp. Elegant tables dressed in shades of ivory and cream sat beneath a canopy of evergreen branches and translucent baubles, light dancing off their reflective surfaces. The French restaurant’s ambience even tricked my brain into thinking the signature raclette actually tasted better. Each dish that came after felt like a small gift waiting to be unwrapped.
It was an aha moment: Table decor is a dining game-changer. I wanted to dig deeper.
After talking with designers behind Houston’s most Instagram-worthy venues, I’ve learned that their secrets to creating breathtaking tablescapes are surprisingly simple. And the best part? Neither a hotel budget or a degree in hospitality design is needed to reproduce their visions. A few strategic touches can transform any everyday dining table into a holiday fantasy.
Kara Childress, interior designer of the recently transformed Hotel Granduca in Uptown Park, recalls her favorite holiday tablescape that turned a mountain home into a cozy winter lodge. The owners’ Ralph Lauren aesthetic inspired her to incorporate tartan napkins, layers of linen, and organic textures. “We filled the center of the table with cedar and pine branches cut from the property, accented with seasonal vegetables like artichokes, pomegranates, and persimmons,” she says. “The arrangement felt abundant but effortless, like it could have been gathered that afternoon.”
The addition of antique silver pieces and a collection of mismatched glassware brought a sense of history and charm, adding warmth and intimacy. Childress had followed the first principle of holiday design: Stay true to a home’s style and elevate it with seasonal touches. The best designs are born from what you already love, what speaks to you, and what gives you comfort.
The perfect holiday tablescape should elevate a home’s existing style.
With that rule in mind, Rosina Salvi, director of standards for Bunkhouse Hotels & JdV by Hyatt, says that Bunkhouse properties like Hotel Saint Augustine in Montrose add holiday design elements without sacrificing their aesthetic. “We want any holiday decor to align with the existing design, complementing what’s already there and feeling as if it could fit in seamlessly all year long,” says Salvi. “We don’t want to take away from the space’s sophistication, nor do we feel the need to hit someone over the head with holiday decor. The Iittala glass ball ornaments on the Hotel Saint Augustine tree perfectly exemplify our holiday vibe—elegant and complementary [to] the space as it already exists.”
So how do you turn your home into a space that’s welcoming and festive from Thanksgiving through New Year’s? Ben Berg, founder of Berg Hospitality Group and designer of the Annabelle Brasserie look that warmed my holiday heart, says it’s all about creating a space that gives guests a break from their everyday life. “If they want to take photos, you’ve done well,” he says.
All three designers lean into natural elements. For Childress, that’s fresh greenery, pine cones, and branches plucked from the yard as a table runner, magnolia leaves and pine clippings as a centerpiece, and rosemary tucked into napkin rings.
And don’t ignore the power of fruit. Berg loves a bountiful bowl as a centerpiece, and Childress recommends targeting seasonal options like pears, artichokes, pomegranates, and citrus studded with cloves that bring color and shape without feeling overstyled. For final flourishes, add some cinnamon sticks and herbs.
To bring height and a little drama to your table, incorporate objects you already have in your home. “You may have a votive candle or vase that isn’t necessarily a holiday decor item, but it can be temporarily transformed for the season with the right additions,” says Salvi.
A candle’s romantic glow, elegant look, and budget-friendly price tag make it a holiday powerhouse. For the ultimate impact, don’t stick to one color—add traditional red or green to an evening look, featuring silver or gold. Then, position to your liking.
To elevate it even further, go on the hunt for candelabras, which can be found at thrift stores across Houston. Just beware of their height. “Anything you place on your table, from candles to flowers, needs to stay below six inches so guest conversation isn’t blocked,” says Berg.
Put your own china and silverware to use when setting the table.
Finally, round out your tablescape with china that speaks to your personality. “Don’t underestimate your own glassware and serveware,” Childress says. “I love layering different textures or finishes like a mix of classic silver with simple pottery to add interest without buying anything new. You can often find vintage or mismatched pinch pots, cheese molds, and marmalade jars at flea markets or antique shops for next to nothing. Fill them with fresh herbs to add a lovely, food-friendly scent.”
When planning out the tablescape, don’t forget to consider your dinner style. If you plan to serve a buffet, feel free to fill the center of your table with decor, but Berg, ever the restaurateur, cautions you to place anything scented—like pine trees or garland—away from the food to avoid competing aromas.
For a sit-down meal, Berg advises a minimal approach: unscented candles; solid, traditional napkins; and what he calls “Grandma’s timeless aesthetic” of velvets, warmer fabrics, and strong eggnog. “The only thing I’d add that’s a bit kitschy but absolutely works is a French-inspired holiday cracker at each table setting,” he says. “Pop some champagne and some crackers for a festive celebration.”
Where to find holiday decor? Berg favors Bellaire’s Arcadia Floral & Home Decor and Craft Tex, and he starts sourcing for the best finds in spring and summer. And while Salvi has found treasures at Round Top’s antique show, she loves The Guild, Kuhl-Linscomb, Lovejoy’s Antiques, and Area, right here in Houston.
For an extra special touch, consider picking up a personalized gift for each guest and incorporating it into the table setting. Simple, thoughtful items like a beautiful, handwritten card or a favorite photo in a vintage frame can serve as reminders of what the season is really about.
“Your final tablescape should make your guests want to stay and soak up the holiday magic,” Berg says. “Seat them close together, make them feel warm and cozy, and send them home with a gift. It really is that simple.”